Untypically Jia: Sparklecon 2012 - Southwest Beauty Blogger Conference

While I don't consider myself a beauty blogger, especially since most beauty bloggers write about makeup and that's it. I did however fall in love with beauty blogging last year and because of it I've made some amazing connections with fellow sparkle enthusiasts online.

Earlier this month here in New Mexico the first annual Sparklecon was held for beauty bloggers and I got to attend! I've only ever met one fellow blogger face to face before, and she was the one that put the whole event together so it was great seeing Wendi (Makeup Zombie) again, as well as meet several other beauty blogging pals and makeup lovers Melissa (Melissa's Random Musings), Sam (Kiss My Sparkle), Meredith (MousePants), Kat, Megan (Kitschy Suburbia), Mary and Angela. I also brought my sister along for the ride.

Friday night we went to a local restaurant to introduce the out-of-towners to green chille.


Wendi and I in one of the few pictures that is deemed appropriate for all audiences. Don't ask. (Photo by Sam)

Me and my little sister.
She's the 1950's Pin Up to my 1980's Groupie.

After closing the restaurant down and four hours of sleep, Saturday morning rolled around and we all met back up to get into the nitty gritty of why we were all there. Makeups!

Meredith, Megan and I won a coloring contest where I won a bottle of amazing Make Me Wonder perfume.

(Photo by Sam)

And then there was the swag.

Sparkle AND Cake? Umm, yes please.

Angela brought my favourite treats from Nothing Bundt Cakes. Heavenly. Matt and I seriously walked in there one day and dropped fifty bucks. On cake. It was a glorious and shameful experience.

Goodies were provided by Milani Cosmetics, Tick:Tock Cosmetics, Chinovi Cosmetics, Dorian and Dahl Perfumery, and BV Brew Honey. I'm officially hooked on indie cosmetics. I'd only dabbled before, but now I'm obsessed. Granted my obsession pales in comparison to some of the indie collections that the other girls brought with them.

We browsed, we traded, we grabbed and swatched and I left the party with enough swatches of eyeshadow on my arms that I looked severely bruised (and shiny!)

Before I headed home (due to some severe fatigue hitting me hard) we all gathered together to commemorate the occasion with photos.