It’s New. In August. At MECCA.
July 27 | 4 minute read
Words by Madeleine Boles de Boer
A Beauty-full Game
And as August rolls around, so too does the end of the FIFA World Cup – but there's still plenty of points being scored at MECCA HQ.
The first recruit making their debut? A skincare brand from the multi-hyphenate and skin goals superstar, Pharrell Williams. Made in collaboration with the singer's personal dermatologist Dr Elena Jones, Humanrace is inclusive, vegan, fragrance-free and suitably cool – as you would expect from the Men's Creative Director of Louis Vuitton. But the range is about more than aesthetics, offering a ritual-based approach centred on quality ingredients and self-care. While getting Pharrell-worthy skin was enough to sell me (seriously, the man is perpetually glowing), it was the brand's signature ‘three-minute facial’ that sealed the deal – because in these dark and cold mornings, extra time is something I definitely don't have. Consider me cleansed, exfoliated and humidified.
While Humanrace might be the Haaland of our lineup (stay with me), MECCA COSMETICA is our Messi. Launched over 20 years ago, the mainstay brand has gained a cult following for its glow-getting SPF (amongst everything else) – and is showing no signs of slowing down. The latest icon to join its ranks is the WEEKEND SKIN Hydra Tint With SPF50. Part skin tint, part sunscreen, part skincare and 100% effortless, this is my new shortcut to no-makeup makeup every day of the week.
The Eau-dyssey
If your timeline, like mine, has been flooded with The Odyssey and the incredible press tour outfits (Zendaya's ethereal angel wings will live in my head rent-free forever), I have your shortcut to the Mediterranean – no three-hour movie required.
Island Swim Hair And Body Mist from PHLUR is an aquatic scent that will transport you straight to the beach, complete with a juicy orange via a citrus spritz of Ellis Brooklyn's New Crush Perfume Mist. If you're looking for an immersive scent experience when you head to the cinema, I like to think that Odysseus would be a fan of Dear Lord EDP from Vilhelm Parfumerie. Refined, woody and warm, it's a genderless scent that you're not likely to tire of (even on a 10-year journey).
Off-Season Glow Up
They say summer faces are made in winter, so while half of my Instagram feed relaxes on a Northern Hemisphere balcony, Aperol in hand, I'm considering how I can prep myself for the return of the sun (and leaving the house) on this side of the world.
First on the agenda is slathering on the new Dr. Dennis Gross Drx Biorejuvenation Serum. This at-home treatment is jam packed with collagen amino acids and G.N.A. (Glutathione, Niacinamide and Adenosine) aka a powerhouse combination for tighter, lifted and sculpted skin (and ideal for winter’s softer sun – SPF still required). Also joining my top shelf is the It-girl of trending ingredients: PDRN. After flirting with the K-Beauty darling for a while, I'm ready to take the plunge with newly launched Advanced Peptide PDRN Jelly Cream from Mario Badescu. A lightweight moisturiser infused with radiance-boosting vegan PDRN, I am definitely ready for this jelly.
Double Duty Beauty
Also joining my arsenal of less-is-more beauty in August? The triple duty C27 Hair & Scalp Serum from Cosmetics 27 that works to soothe and regenerate your scalp skin, and stimulate hair follicles, along with ghd's new interactive Sculpt Straightener – so smart it uses AI to adapt to the way you style your hair (but not smart enough to file my taxes – yet). In makeup, I'm adding to cart the fully customisable Secret Camouflage Complexion Perfector from Laura Mercier (ideal for someone who changes shades with the season), and the Tower 28 ShineOn Plumping Lip Jelly – all the plump, none of the pain, and the *perfect* amount of colour, shine and hydration. Mwah.
