UPDATED FOR 2022 (IMATS has been postponed to 2023)
One of the most fun parts of IMATS London has to be the shopping. Vendors exhibiting at the show typically give discounts ranging from 10% to a whopping 50% or more, and some will also have exclusive products and limited editions on sale, many of which you won’t be able to buy anywhere else. Here are some top tips on bagging genuine bargains at IMATS:
Know the prices before you get there
If you’ve got your eye on some particular products, it’s worth checking what the standard prices are before you go, so you can see if you’re really getting a good deal or not. The website lists the exhibitors for IMATS London with links to their websites, making your job a pretty easy one!
Check for coupons before you go
Some exhibitors (including Nanshy!) may be offering discount coupons, money off vouchers or tickets for freebies on their website and social media feeds in the weeks leading up to the event. Check the websites and Twitter / Facebook pages of your favourite brands for coupons before you go, and print out any that you think will come in handy.
Shop with a friend
Going with a friend not only makes the event more fun, it might also unlock some amazing discounts by splitting the cost of multiple purchases. It’s unlikely you’ll want to buy 6 MoYou nail polish colours for £20 by yourself, but you could go splitsies with a friend and have three each, bagging the discount and a reasonable number of polishes too.
Get there early
There are more often than not big queues to get in, even at eight o’clock in the morning! Everyone wants to get to those deal first, so don’t be left out by turning up late.
Snap up the limited editions
If you’re eyeing up a limited edition product at a stand, buy it. Many of these brands produce only a handful of limited edition or new products, often unavailable to buy anywhere else. Grab it now, and be the envy of your friends with your exclusive item from IMATS.
Haggle
Believe it or not, you can negotiate at IMATS. Sunday is the best day to haggle, as the event starts to wrap up and people start packing away. Talk, particularly to vendors that you know, have travelled a long way to be at the show, as they’re unlikely to want to lug their products back with them if they don’t have to.
Of course, if you’re a makeup professional or student, you might be eligible for the Make-Up Artist Pro Card from Make-Up Artist magazine. This card gives a discount on entry tickets to IMATS, expedited entry to the show and access to the Friday Pro card only events.
If you haven’t already got yours, be aware that processing can take up to 6 weeks, so you’ve probably missed it for 2021. But get it in time for 2022, because Pro Card holders can often unlock discounts which are unavailable to the rest of us, particularly from the big name brands.
Even if you can’t get the Pro Card, you can certainly get your hands on some red hot discounts at IMATS London. Here at Nanshy, we’re offering lots of our popular, cruelty-free brushes at a discounted price. Come and see us at stand 310 to bag a bargain at the show!
IMATS 2016 recap:
Can I buy stuff there even if I don’t have pro card ?
yes you can