Being a blogger can sometimes get lonely.  Most of our work is done solo, and many of us know each other only through cyberspace. That’s why I jumped at the opportunity to attend iFabbo’s first beauty and fashion blogger event.  iFabbo (International Fashion & Beauty Bloggers’ Organization) promotes the blogging profession as well as individual and professional growth. They provide a platform for education, support, resources and up-to-the-minute government guidelines and rulings so members can remain informed and build their own credibility within the blogosphere.  iFabbo allows fashion and beauty brands to interact and work directly with bloggers within the industry that they ordinarily may not be able to reach. Brands are educated on “best practices” when dealing with bloggers and other on-line influencers as well as have the opportunity to participate in large and prestigious events.

iFabbo’s first, fabulous event was held at The Beauty Company in San Francisco.  Inspired by the unique beauty products she bought from apothecaries in Asia and Europe during her travels, Sherri Ziesche opened Beauty Company in 2002 to provide the highest quality, locally and internationally sourced skincare, nail, bath, body, hair and travel products to Russian Hill and the surrounding areas.  The Beauty Company is not just a beauty supply store, it’s your one-stop shop for salon services, tanning, waxing, and mani/pedis.  I especially loved the quotes printed on the walls about the meaning of beauty.  Because let’s get real – beauty is so much more than looking good; it’s a feeling and a perspective, too.

Now’s let’s get to the event! Beauty and fashion bloggers from all over the Bay Area came to network, explore The Beauty Company, and celebrate the launch of iFabbo.  Sponsors included Beautisol, OWN Skin Care, Quote Couture, Stella and Dot, Christine Guibara Jewelry, Bittersweet Cafe, Kiehl’s, Alterna Hair Care, and Yon-Ka Paris Skin Care! Attendees enjoyed Ceja wines, Pretzel Crisps and Bittersweet chocolate bars while discussing their favorite new products and exploring new brands. Most of all, we came together to learn about iFabbo.  iFabbo was started by Sinead Norenius and Tonia Korakis.

Sinead is a celebrity spray tan artist and educator who spends the majority of her time directly educating consumers. Because of those interactions, Sinead saw there was a missing link between the availability of product education in the sun care market and the end consumer. Sinead started blogging as the “Self-Tanning Queen” at www.SelfTanningQueen.com to help reach more people. Because of her blog, she knew there had to be a better way for consumers to interact with a brand. Her mission was to allow consumers to have a voice in a product, the messaging, the packaging and even the website. Thus, she founded Beautisol™. Sinead is also a contributor on Stylecaster.com, a leading platform that creates and curates the best content from across women’s lifestyle.

Tonia is Co-Founder of iFabbo, the Editor-in-Chief of www.Pink-Layers.com and Public Relations Manager at Beautisol™ Sun Care. Tonia has more than 10 years experience as a Communications Professional. Prior to co-founding iFabbo, Tonia served as Public Relations executive at several PR agencies in California, assisting clients both large and small with nationwide campaigns in various industries, including beauty, food, software, hardware and consumer electronics. Before her work in the PR industry, she worked for Google News. Tonia began her career as a TV news producer for NBC and CBS affiliate stations in Fresno, California.

These two ladies are fiery balls of energy! They exude the confidence, enthusiasm, and expertise you’d expect from successful beauty entrepreneurs.  My new role models? For sure.

Overall, the event was a great success and way too much fun! I had the opportunity to meet fellow beauty and fashion bloggers from the Bay Area, and learn more about iFabbo, which I totally plan to join.

If you’re a beauty or fashion blogger looking to expand your audience, iFabbo is a must!  Member benefits include:

- Workshops: Members can attend (either via podcast or in person) workshops and blogger related events from industry experts. iFabbo members will be able to attend events at a discounted price.

- Events: Prestigious blogger events will be held multiple times a year throughout the country where the industry’s top professionals and influencers will be in attendance. iFabbo members will receive the following:

• Exposure and introduction to new and existing to beauty and fashion brands
• Exposure to consumers and new and existing readers
• Events act as a vehicle to promote individual blog
• Meet and mingle with beauty & fashion and technology bloggers and online influencers
• Direct interaction with fashion and beauty brands and their associated brand representatives or PR personel

- Exposure to Beauty & Fashion Brands — Bloggers have the opportunity to meet and interact with large, small and up-and-coming fashion and beauty brands and be introduced to the latest fashion and beauty trends.

To learn more about iFabbo, go to ifabbo.com.

Posted by Crystal in Everyday Beauty, In the News, SF Beauty Guide Tags: Alterna Hair Care, Beautisol, beauty blogggers, Bittersweet Cafe, Ceja Wine, Christine Guibara Jewelry, iFabbo, kiehl's, OWN Skin care, Pretzel Crisps, Quote Couture, Sinead Norenius, Stella and Dot, The Beauty Company, Tonia Korakis, Yon-Ka paris Skin Care