Should You Attend Beautycon LA?
Imagine all of the latest and greatest beauty brands and digital influencers together under one big, glamorous roof. Add to that: live beauty panels, makeup tutorials, selfie stations and endless opportunities for swag bags and meet and greets. Welcome to Beautycon!
Beautycon got its start back in 2011 as a small-scale meet-up for a few-dozen beauty bloggers, vloggers and influencers at the Youtube studios in Los Angeles. Founder Marina Curry had been running her own successful YouTube channel about fashion and beauty and thought up the idea to create an experience where like-minded content creators could interact with each other and enjoy a less virtual, more hands-on experience.
In just 5 years, Beautycon has gone from an invite-only, Youtuber-to-Youtuber event in Los Angeles to a full-blown global cosmetic summit. A celebration of beauty, self-expression and staying true to one’s individuality, Beautycon allows attendees to meet their idols, participate in the latest beauty trends and lifestyle tips, interact with new brands and products and discover ways to increase their own social presence. Not to mention, take lots and lots of selfies.
Why all the hype to take a selfie with an influencer? According to Beautycon Media co-founder Jonathon Burford, there is a rise in social influencers because everyone wants to see themselves in the people they look up to. Passé are the days of celeb beauty cyberstalking and impossible beauty standards. Now, beauty enthusiasts and millennials alike are flocking to influencers in the digital space who are relatable, diverse, everyday people.
And let’s just say that vlogger and blogger fandom at Beautycon is skyrocketing.
Beautycon festivals have seen over 100,000 diehard attendees unite on a global scale, from Dallas and New York to London and even Dubai. Future destinations will reach Mexico City and Singapore.
Aside from the biggest beauty influencers, experts and enthusiasts in attendance, the conference also draws in an extensive celeb guest list. Past celebrities have included: Drew Barrymore, Tyra Banks, Kelly Osborne, and Gabrielle Union.
This year, LA festival-goers can expect to see celebs like Chrissy Teigen, Laverne Cox, Kelly Rowland and Jaden Smith, as well as Nasty Gal founder Sophia Amoruso and makeup guru to the Kardashians, Joyce Bonelli, in attendance.
Held at the Convention Center in downtown Los Angeles, the festival will feature meet-ups with over 30 digital influencers including Golden Barbie, Dulce Candy, Amanda Steele, Tess Holliday and Jordyn Woods. And for the first time, Beautycon LA will be 2- days-long instead of the traditional single day- all the more reason to plan your day out ahead of time by customizing your schedule on the festival’s app!
Among the notable brands setting up shop at Beautycon LA this year: Anastasia Beverly Hills, NYX, Lime Crime, Vamp Stamp, Nike, Califia Farms and even our favorite chap-stick of the 90’s, Lip Smacker.
In addition to the traditional beauty brands, green beauty will also have an increased presence at the August event. Expect to see health conscious-brands like artnaturals, Yes To, PUR, Nature Republic and The Better Skin Co.
Cosmetics aside, tools and body product brands will also be in the mix. To name a few: RumbaTime watches, Anarchy Street jewelry, Love and Madness accessories, Always Again clothing, Tooth Kandy tooth gems and MakeupDrop cosmetic applicators.
There will also be a high supply of lifestyle brands through the weekend including Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook.
Tickets for the event range from the $49.99 single day GA admission to the VIP “Social Package,” which goes for $349.99. Among the many perks that come with the social package, the most notable include: early entry, exclusive access to the Social Lounge and influencer meet-ups, VIP concierge service, tote bag stocked with Beautycon merch and access to the super sweet make-your-own-Sundae bar.
Purchase your Beautycon LA tickets here.