Stylist Live

My experience on the first day of Stylist Live at the Truman Brewery was quite a journey, full of excitement and some surprising moments. I splurged on a VIP ticket, which promised some incredible perks, and I was excited to make the most of everything the event had to offer, from free drinks to exclusive beauty samples.

The VIP treatment was definitely a highlight. I got two free drinks, which added a festive touch right from the start. The free spin-to-win felt like a little thrill every time, even though I didn’t win every time I spun. There was also free food and a fun tuck shop bag full of beauty products, not to mention a goodie bag packed with over £340 worth of high-quality items, which was a nice payoff for choosing the VIP experience. Knowing I’d leave with a goodie bag made the day feel extra special.

Stylist Live covered three entire floors, so there was a lot to see and do! The variety was impressive, with new beauty brands, food stalls, and hair care companies showcasing their products. I tried out plenty of samples, which was a fantastic way to get familiar with the newest trends and products. Some companies offered samples upfront, while others had a “spin-the-wheel” game for prizes. I enjoyed exploring each stall but noticed it wasn’t always clear which booths offered free samples or required you to sign up or enter a contest. I think more signage would have helped streamline things, so attendees knew what was on offer without having to ask each time.

The catwalk show was one of my favourite parts. It brought Stylist's style and fashion to life, and the vibe was electric! I even attended a quick talk by Google, which focused on encouraging women in tech. They were giving out info on free courses that I could look up later, which was a nice touch.

One thing I found surprising was my visit to a hair care stall that was advertising a high-end hair straightener. They offered to style my hair but only did two small sections, just enough to give me a quick demo before pitching the product, which they said was half price at £150. I asked if I could pay for a full styling session, but they said they weren’t offering that option, which seemed like a missed opportunity. Offering paid styling sessions might have attracted more customers and generated some revenue, especially since not everyone has £150 to spend on a straightener.

Overall, the event was fun, but I think to fully enjoy it, you’d probably need to be willing to spend a bit. The VIP ticket made it more worthwhile because I knew I’d walk away with a great goodie bag, even if I didn’t win anything extra. For those with regular tickets, though, it might feel a bit hit-or-miss, especially with the cost of living so high right now.

For anyone considering going, my tip would be to splurge on VIP if you want a guaranteed return on your ticket or bring a bit of spending money if you’re hoping to shop.

If you’ve been to Stylist Live before or went this year, let me know what your experience was like in the comments!