Maxted Thomas Beauty Blogger Event 2010

As a Beauty Blogger I am blessed to try oodles of beauty products in search of the best products for my readers and also for my own use of course. Yes, you can tell me you are envious of my job because for years I dreamed of becoming a beauty editor - it's the reason I applied to study Journalism at UNE two years ago. But did you know that a Beauty Blogger spends hours trialling, testing, making mental notes and observations before even putting pen to paper? We spend weeknights and weekends trying to sum up what we liked/disliked about a product and how it did/didn't do what it claims.

While full time Bloggers and Beauty Editors are invited to many beauty launches and events mid week, most Beauty Bloggers work around full time jobs and are unable to make these launches. One of my favourite PR brands Maxted Thomas took note and listened to what Beauty Bloggers wanted and by doing so created the most awesome event of 2010: Maxted Thomas PR Beauty Blogger Event!

For some of us it started in the Benefit Boutique in Paddington where each Beauty Blogger and their guest (I brought along my best friend, the equally beauty-loving Aryanny) were treated to makeovers, brow / lash tints and Benefit's gorgeous new Naturally Lush Lashes which had us all in a flutter. While there I purchased Speed Brow because I can't be without it! Speed Brow keeps my stray hairs at bay and I keep one in my makeup kit for clients unruly brows too. Bloggers were spoiled with sparkling water, cupcakes (LOVE!), fruits and cheese platters and then we were boarded on the Bene-bus to the event.

Hosted at the swanky Brad Ngata salon in Surry Hills, Maxted Thomas's Beauty Blogger Event was styled to the nines and once we walked in, no one knew where to stare because so much was going on! I first saw Maxted Thomas' Mel who was having her hair curled by the uber cool Brad Ngata. It was an honour to meet someone I regularly see in magazines looking so cool, calm and collected. (Thank you for having me there.)

The event was sponsored by Benefit, Nivea, Trilogy, Jane Iredale, Orly and Elastoplast and did we get spoiled or what! The lovely beautettes at every stand introduced us to new products and educated us on their brands views and visions. In return we were showered with goodies of all kinds: makeup, skincare, nail polishes and treated to mani's, fragrance freshen ups, makeovers, hair styling and demos.

So what do beauty bloggers get up to when they all get together? We all run amock! I was hoping to meet Val from Ponikuta, Nikki from Styling You, Elise from Stuff That I Bought and Holly from Am I There Yet? but we barely had five minutes to chat because everyone was skipping around the salon like kids in a candy store, not wanting to miss a thing....and do you blame us?

My favourite products from the day: Orly nail polish in 'Gum Drop' a shade that matches the Tiffany & Co box, Benefit Crescent Row fragrance series in Eva & Carmela, Trilogy's Age-Proof range, Jane Iredale's new highly pigmented eye shadow palettes, Nivea Q10 Eye Creme and Elastoplast's awesome new clear waterproof band-aids.

The only down-side during the event: my camera didn't work but luckily for me the amazing Team Maxted and Bene-babes have taken some great happy snaps - spot the Pink Diva in the crowd:

 A huge thank you to Maxted Thomas PR for making this happen, for making bloggers feel recognised and for embracing brands who embrace the trends we set for readers and beauty lovers out there. Thank you to Brad Ngata and all of the brands who participated on the day, to the talented bloggers I met on the day, to the people who made the lovely food and to my best friend Aryanny for sharing the day with me. Maxted Thomas have set a real benchmark for other PR brands to work towards in embracing and celebrating beauty bloggers who promote their brands for the love of it.