Hello readers,
A couple weekends ago I had the chance to attend the second Indie Expo Canada in Toronto, Ontario as part of the official press team. My willpower was certainly challenged by all the goodies for sale and I managed came away feeling semi-responsible. If you weren't able to attend in person, make sure to check out today's other post for a chance to win some of the VIP bag polishes. Right now, let's take a look at who was there and what they had up for grabs.
![Indie Expo Canada 2018 Indie Expo Canada](https://live.staticflickr.com/978/41121430825_d06146bcb3_o.png)
![IEC 2018 IEC](https://live.staticflickr.com/976/41121430815_081abeb633_o.png)
Alter Ego Body Care Products
![Alter Ego Nail Lacquer Alter Ego](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1723/27875384377_6d948b5e9d_b.jpg)
Alter Ego was one of the returning brand from last year. While nail polish is their core offering, they also have body care products. The technically designed for perfume faceted polish bottles are always eye catching. You can find Alter Ego Body Care Products on
![Alter Ego Nail Lacquer Alter Ego](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1746/27875381127_4ef4e1c408_b.jpg)
Bee's Knees Lacquer
![Bees Knees Lacquer Bees Knees Polish](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1727/27875376567_cf4b11156c_b.jpg)
This was Bee's Knees' first time at IEC and I'm really glad they made the journey to join us. This brand has really exploded onto the indie scene and I was able to cross a few shades off of my ISO list. You can find Bee's Knees Lacquer on
![Bees Knees Lacquer Bees Knees Polish](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1726/27875379347_1e7a6eed47_b.jpg)
![Bees Knees Lacquer Bees Knees Polish](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1741/42027161674_f3214e45e7_b.jpg)
Beyond The Nail
![Beyond The Nail polish Beyond The Nail](https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/895/42027153824_26594688e3_b.jpg)
Toronto-based Beyond The Nail is another returning brand this year. They brought lots of polishes from their permanent collection, their new soft neon cremes and a huge selection of vinyl nail decals. You can find Beyond The Nail on
![Beyond The Nail polish Beyond The Nail](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1751/42027157024_ed6a36da5c_b.jpg)
![Beyond The Nail Decals Beyond The Nail](https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/900/40933721110_1cf25d9943_b.jpg)
CANVAS Lacquer
![CANVAS Lacquer CANVAS nail polish](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1723/42695142912_7c8ba67166_b.jpg)
Another Toronto-based returning brand was CANVAS Lacquer. I loved seeing people burst into laughter when reading the shade names of their Simsons Forever collection. Steamed Hams anyone You can find CANVAS Lacquer on
![CANVAS Lacquer CANVAS nail polish](https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/880/41844737245_9d785b3803_b.jpg)
![CANVAS Lacquer CANVAS nail polish](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1722/41844733375_66096a8fcf_b.jpg)
Colors by Llarowe
![CbL Colors by llarowe](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1741/42027137844_c66418e7ab_b.jpg)
I didn't quite realize how many brand came back for a second year until I started writing this post, because Colors by Llarowe (CbL) is another one that falls into that category. Their glowing colour changing sign was mesmerizing and highlighted their polish perfectly. You can find Colors By Llarowe on
![CbL Colors by llarowe](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1735/42027136604_6ce081a4bc_b.jpg)
Clionadh Cosmetics
![Clionadh Cosmetics Archeo Palette Clionadh](https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/900/41844720425_b57ce0a3b2_b.jpg)
I first discovered Clionadh Cosmetics at last year's IEC and have been throwing my money at them since. Their duochrome shadows are so shifty and their mattes are super pigmented and easy to blend. This year they debuted their Archeo Palette, the follow up to last year's Paleo Palette. Each and every one is handed painted and labelled which show true dedication to their product. You can find Clionadh Cosmetics on
![Clionadh Cosmetics Archeo Palette Clionadh](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1744/41844723705_f77198a55d_b.jpg)
![Clionadh Cosmetics Clionadh](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1734/42027128624_12f31eb227_b.jpg)
Cuter Cuticles
![Cuter Cuticles Cuter Cuticles Oils](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1737/40933702860_06662562e2_b.jpg)
Sammy from Cuter Cuticles spent her birthday with us at IEC, and put up with me asking about a multitude of scents that didn't make the cut to bring to the show. Cuter Cuticles' Barrier Butter has become a staple hand care item for me. Their Lemon Cupcake trio, which included a gloss exclusive to IEC, smells amazing. You can find Cuter Cuticles on
![Cuter Cuticles Cuter Cuticles Oils](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1737/42695128062_1cd1f00833_b.jpg)
![Cuter Cuticles Cuter Cuticles Oils](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1734/42695129482_c40d967f22_b.jpg)
![Cuter Cuticles Cuter Cuticles Oils](https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/887/42695126682_5d6f93a5c6_b.jpg)
Ever After Polish
![Ever After Polish Ever After Nail Polish](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1741/42695125912_2b10a77267_b.jpg)
Ever After Polish was yet another returning vendor from last year. This year's display showcased their brand new polish bottle logo, an expanded range of stamping polishes and their ever popular Cuticle Crelly hand cream. They also had snazzy plastic business cards that double as stamping polish scrapers. Bonus! You can find Ever After Polish on
![Ever After Polish Ever After Nail Polish](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1724/42695123332_be42b32360_b.jpg)
![Ever After Polish Ever After Nail Polish](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1737/40933691580_1460fb91ba_b.jpg)
Fair Maiden Polish
![Fair Maiden Polish Fair Maiden Nail Polish](https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/887/41844700365_24cf951c9a_b.jpg)
The Fair Maiden makers weren't able to attend in person, but Rebecca did a great job of representing their brand. Along with their neons, they also showcased to upcoming collections which will officially release over the next couple months. You can find Fair Maiden Polish on
![Fair Maiden Polish Fair Maiden Nail Polish](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1734/41844699155_f6cbf6acc6_b.jpg)
![Fair Maiden Polish Fair Maiden Nail Polish](https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/883/27875346307_6d205a9613_b.jpg)
Fiendish Fancies
![Fiendish Fancies Fiendish Fancies polish](https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/895/42027112734_d19efabb92_b.jpg)
Fiendish Fancies was back this year with polishes inspired by horror movies and TV shows of all kinds. I love the dotted artwork associated with the Survive collection, inspired by The Handmaid's Tale. I was also finally able to snag The Wraith, a polish I've had on my wish list for a whole year.You can find Fiendish Fancies on
![Fiendish Fancies Fiendish Fancies polish](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1737/27875342147_a7117e8151_b.jpg)
![Fiendish Fancies Fiendish Fancies polish](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1732/42027110954_a18697da83_b.jpg)
Girly Bits Cosmetics
![Girly Bits Cosmetics Girly Bits polish](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1740/42027106854_31f46b63fa_b.jpg)
Girly Bits was the official event organizer again this year and put together another amazing expo. Along with lots of permanent products, this year they debuted the new Bridal Bliss collection, showcased three new Concert Series shades and had bins full of prototypes and COTM overpours. I know I was able to get my hands on a couple long discontinued shades that I didn't think I'd ever find. You can find Girly Bits Cosmetics on
![Girly Bits Cosmetics Girly Bits polish](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1724/41844683345_175b3589c6_b.jpg)
![Girly Bits Cosmetics Girly Bits polish](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1746/42744529121_feaa2381c9_b.jpg)
Green Glitter
![Green Glitter Green Glitter](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1724/41844680215_b0bb9fc1bc_b.jpg)
Green Glitter specializes in biodegradable glitter mixes. That means you can be sparkly and environmentally friendly all at the same time. You can find Green Glitter on
![Green Glitter Biodegradable Glitter](https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/891/27875332117_c500357c6e_b.jpg)
![Green Glitter Environmentally friendly glitter](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1725/27875326847_c0609b450c_b.jpg)
Inspired Sense
![Inspired Sense body care products Inspired Sense](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1730/27875323567_8432a55674_b.jpg)
Relatively new to the indie scene, inspired Sense specializes in bath and body items as well as small batch polishes. My personal favorite product so far? The coffee scented Morning Fix Hand Moisture Bites. They smell amazing and are super convenient. You can find Inspired Sense on
![Inspired Sense Inspired Sense body care](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1721/27875320537_aec6912b60_b.jpg)
LynB Designs
![LynB Designs LynB Designs polish](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1722/41844670405_1a39c3fce0_b.jpg)
Fun fact: LynB Designs is the first indie polish brand I ever owned. Their booth features a wide range of shades from their permanent collection. You can find LynB Designs on
![LynB Designs LynB Designs nail polish](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1734/42695104002_6e4db6ac77_b.jpg)
My Indie Polish
![My Indie Polish My Indie Polish brand](https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/888/40933668910_fc921a9edf_b.jpg)
My Indie Polish is another local indie polish brand. We really do have a great indie community in Ontario. They had a ton of polishes along with some body care items. If you got a VIP bag, make sure to save their business card which has a free shipping code. You can find My Indie Polish on
![My Indie Polish My Indie Polish nail polish](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1753/42695102502_6a97a80e59_b.jpg)
Native War Paints
![Native War Paints Native War Paints polish](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1757/41844656155_8561c03881_b.jpg)
Native War Paints made the trip back to Toronto for their second IEC. I really loved the rustic look of their polish displays. There were plenty of deals to be found, including digging through the 'sale' bins which had a mix of pretty much everything. You can find Native War Paints on
![Native War Paints Native War Paints polish](https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/883/40933667140_f032944383_b.jpg)
Paint It Pretty Polish
![Paint It Pretty Polish Paint It Pretty Polish](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1757/41844651425_47af3ab8fe_b.jpg)
Paint It Pretty Polish is another Ontario-based indie brand. Along with some of their permanent shades, they also introduced their new Tetris collection featuring creme and shimmer neon shades. You can find Paint It Pretty Polish on
![Paint It Pretty Polish Paint It Pretty Polish](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1722/41844649115_de9d80f3b5_b.jpg)
![Paint It Pretty Polish Paint It Pretty Polish](https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/900/42695091672_f195286a32_b.jpg)
Rogue Lacquer
![Rogue Lacquer Rogue Lacquer Nail Polish](https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/896/41844640345_041674470e_b.jpg)
Rogue Lacquer is a new brand with lots of experience. Due to moving apart from each other and the complications that come with long distances, the Ever After team decided to split into two. Miranda continued with Ever After Polish and Rachel started Rogue Lacquer. They had their inaugural Steampunk Collection, the brand new Sirens of Summer trio along with a couple of event LEs up for grabs. Looking at what's been released so far, this is a brand to keep your eye on. You can find Rogue Lacquer on
![Rogue Lacquer Rogue Lacquer Nail Polish](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1751/41844637545_788df5bda8_b.jpg)
SoGa Artisan Soaperie
![SoGa Artisan Soaperie SoGa Soaps](https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/884/42695086852_96d00364b9_b.jpg)
SoGa Soaps was back this year with tons of bath and body goodies including soap, scrubs, bath bombs and more. I am particularly excited to try out their new bubble bars, which smell amazing. You can find SoGa Artisan Soaperie on
![SoGa Artisan Soaperie SoGa Soaps](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1725/42695085282_00122c4985_b.jpg)
Terrah Essentials
![Terrah Essentials Terrah Essentials Body Care](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1749/28870998408_d293c22c0f_b.jpg)
Terrah Essentials produces small batch soap and body care items with a focus natural ingredients. That Citrus Punch soap in the picture? Yes, it smelled as amazing as it looks. You can find Terrah Essentials on
Turtle Tootsie Polishes
![Turtle Tootsie Polishes Turtle Tootsie Polish](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1752/42695081562_9da980ee40_b.jpg)
This was Turtle Tootsie Polishes' first time at IEC. They brought a selection of polishes along with their sugar scrubs. They also might win the award for cutest logo ever. Matching turtle stress squishies? Yes, they had those too! You can find Turtle Tootsie Polishes on
![Turtle Tootsie Polishes Turtle Tootsie Polish](https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/876/41844615715_c5753b7c03_b.jpg)
![Turtle Tootsie Polishes Turtle Tootsie Polish](https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1731/40933650070_410fd5e21a_b.jpg)
Conclusion
And that's a wrap on Indie Expo Canada 2018! Overall this year felt a little calmer and more relaxed than last year. I think that just comes with the experience and lessons learned last year. I came home with a shopping bag full of stuff which I'll be sharing with you over the next few weeks. Now it's time to start planning IEC 2019!
Happy polishing,
Michelle
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