It’s New. In August. At MECCA
July 28 | 5 minute read
Words by Kerri Gordon
The chaos of the many September birthdays hasn’t yet hit, nor has the pressure of starting to wrap things up for the year. There’s a light at the end of a wintery tunnel; the kind that motivates you to finally moisturise your legs. And someone you know is throwing a brilliantly over-the-top party with a butter sculpture, a focaccia tower and the most expansive tray of tiramisu you’ve ever seen.
And so, with parties in my calendar (a particularly big one on 8 August), a treat of a tax return in my pocket and a new season around the corner, I’m in the mood for something new – and dare I say it, a little ‘extra’. Here’s the inside scoop.
Live, Laugh, Lip Balm
A large fruit bowl sits on my dining table, filled not with fruit, but with lip products. Balms, glosses, liners, creams, sticks; you name it. Is it full? Yes. Will I be adding to it this month? Also, yes.
First addition is the Baume 27 Lips and Contour by Cosmetics 27. I was lucky to try this product in the early days of formulation; this is not a balm like one may expect, but rather, a lightweight cream that sinks in like a moisturiser. It contains a high concentration of CICA-MA2® (the brand’s signature repairing complex) to intensely restore and nourish dry, damaged lips and reduce fine dehydration lines.
Bringing the fruit to the fruit bowl are the latest launches from Charlotte Tilbury and Too Faced. Last month in the MECCA studio, Charlotte Tilbury described her Unreal Lips Healthy Glow Nectar Oil to me as “juicy-licious.” She explained how she worked closely with IFF, the global leader in flavours, fragrances, food ingredients and bioscience, to develop hyper-realistic flavouring. Try the fig – trust me.
While Charlotte Tilbury’s oils taste like fresh fruit and leave an ultra-glossy finish, Too Faced’s Kissing Juicy Lip Tint tastes like fruit lollies and wears balmier – still sheer, but with a higher pigment load and more satin-y finish. You can’t go wrong with either.
New Month, New You
In case you missed it, we made the very exciting announcement that MECCA Bourke Street – the world’s most spectacular beauty store – will open on 8 August. This has been the greatest ever labour of love by the entire MECCA team, and to say we’re excited for you to see it is an understatement of epic proportions. Inside, you’ll discover a whole world of innovation; a slew of shoppable concepts and experiences like you’ve never seen before. One of those is MECCA Apothecary, a space that brings new-age remedies and ancient rituals together in the ultimate ode to feeling good.
In creation of MECCA Apothecary, we scoured the world for new brands, alchemies and tinctures that supported a broader definition of beauty – here’s a glimpse at what we discovered.
The Nue Co’s collection of fragrances that double as mood-elevating rituals. One will transport you to the Japanese ritual of forest bathing, while another acts as an instant de-stressor.
The Gut Co’s collagen, protein and pre- and postbiotic powders. Now found proudly in the smoothies, chia puddings and yoghurt bowls of MECCA HQ’s inner-health obsessives.
Aman’s transportive oils, salves, candles and soaks – plucked from the luxury resort’s wellness retreats and spas.
And anatomē’s calming wonders; diffusers, sensory oils and pillow sprays curated from its London apothecary to bring you sleep and serenity.
Talk About a Return on Investment
If I’m so lucky as to receive a return come tax time, I’ll always pay dividends to my skincare routine. Because what could possibly be a better investment than the health of my skin? It must be efficacious, with results proven in a clinical setting, and just as importantly, it must feel incredibly luxurious to use.
This year’s pick is Augustinus Bader’s The Elixir, a potent serum of TFC8® – Bader’s revolutionary skin-restoring, age-defying ingredient complex – on steroids. It brings to the table phyto-peptides and exosomes for noticeable skin-smoothing results overnight. In my mind, it goes further than a one-off facial, so the cost-per-use pays off. Or so I tell myself.
And, one to take in my Euro summer carry-on, the To My Ships Of The Gods Polygonum Roll-On Deodorant - because why should your pits miss out on the fun? Free from aluminium, it leaves a green, citrusy scent, 24 hours of odour control, and is suitable for sensitive underarms. New to MECCA, the London-based brand turns everyday utility into luxury (you can even roll it onto your neck and wrists for boosted sillage!).
Makeup, Made Over
Over a decade in the beauty industry and I’ve reached a point where the trends I once reported on have circled back. Powder foundation and highlighter? Cool-toned blush? I never thought I’d see the day. Then again, I swore Meryl would never sign on to a The Devil Wears Prada sequel but here we are.
I will say, these categories have had some Lohan-esque tweakments. Take Polite Society’s High-Light Society Powder Gloss Highlighter, which leaves a miraculous wet-look finish, Laura Mercier’s Real Flawless Feather Matte Powder Foundation, which doesn’t settle into fine lines, Kosas’ Soulgazer Lengthening + Lifting Peptide Mascara – essentially a lash booster and mascara all-in-one – or the Summer Fridays Blush Butter Balms, designed to melt into your skin for colour that’s impossible to over-apply.
Gosh, it’s a good day to be my MECCA cart.
