From the MECCA Group Chat: Mother, Lorde and the Holy Gift Set

May 8 | 4 minute read

Words by Izzy Wight

In our series, MECCA Must-Haves, we’re baring all our beauty secrets.

As a Taurean, May is (naturally) a month of celebration, but also one to slow down – to indulge in self-care, creature comforts and unabashed chill time. We’re firmly planted homebodies who like the finer things in life: good food, cozy knitwear and luxurious beauty products, for example.

Consider this your sign to let your hair down and then immediately put it back up, preferably in your favourite nourishing mask. Read on for the Taurus’ guide to minimal-effort makeup, high-performance skincare and pampering – for you and them.

Mother-status skincare

As the women who undoubtedly work the hardest of all, we’re making a case for some well-deserved pampering this Mother’s Day. Outside of breakfast in bed, nothing says ‘you mean the world to me’ like gifting the skincare investments she’ll never buy for herself. Let’s start with the very best. Created by German doctor-turned-skincare whisperer to the stars, Dr. Barbara Sturm, the Super Anti-Aging Dual Serum is as potent, wonder-working and instantly gratifying as you’d expect. With powerful antioxidants, active anti-inflammatories and triple hyaluronic acid, it’s the celebrity-approved shortcut to plump, smooth, even, youthful-looking skin.

For new mums looking to fake eight hours’ sleep, Tatcha’s The Brightening Eye Cream is infused with 12-hour time-release vitamin C and niacinamide to brighten, firm and de-puff dark under-eye circles. And if you’re looking for an all-rounder guaranteed to please, the Elixir from Hungarian brand Omorovicza offers 10 skin-changing benefits in one little bottle: it boosts elasticity and firmness, calms, balances and strengthens the skin barrier (to name a few).

Focal-point beauty

Speaking of mother, I’ve had Lorde’s latest single, ‘What Was That’, on a constant loop since its release, along with the chaotic New York Citi Bike-riding music video. I’ve been thinking a lot about her bare-faced, fluffy-brow look and how impactful makeup can be when you do one thing, really well. Bare skin and a red lip (By Terry’s Rouge Opulent Lipstick in Mon Rouge is the perfect classic red and won’t smudge off with your morning coffee) is impactful without ever feeling overdone. The same goes for a naked face and glossy black, ’60s style liner and lashes (Lancôme Idole Eye Liner and lashings of MECCA MAX Max Vol. Tubing Mascara).

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The best last-minute gifts

Have you been procrastinating on purchasing a Mother’s Day gift (or maybe you accidentally forgot entirely)? I’d love to say I haven’t been there, but I have. Multiple times. The good news is there’s still time to save your bacon with some smart shopping. Read on for my foolproof, time-saving gifting tips.

Beauty with vanity appeal

Let’s be real – if a product comes in display-worthy packaging, that’s half your job done. Even better, these beautiful glass vessels contain incredible formulas, too. Pair Crown Affair’s tortoiseshell The Comb No. 002 with Gisou’s award-winning Honey-Infused Hair Oil for a duo that detangles, softens and restores shine (plus looks chic on the shelf).

If it’s transformative skincare she loves, the Baume 27 Serum from French brand Cosmetics 27 smooths, rejuvenates and firms, while the matching Gua Sha White Jade promotes lymphatic drainage for a sculpted effect. Tell her to put them on a metal tray for Vogue-bathroom vibes.

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A curated set

Pre-wrapped and ready to go, a set is low effort, high reward. For fragrance, DIPTYQUE’s Discovery Set of 3 Eau de Parfum features three handbag-sized spritzers of the brand’s most iconic scents: Orphéon (warm and woody), Do Son (fresh, white floral) and Fleur de Peau (clean, soft cotton-y). For skin, The Plump & Glow Ritual Set from La Mer is a perfect (and well-priced) introduction to the truly luxurious skincare brand. She’ll get a mini Treatment Lotion infused with La Mer’s unique cell-recharging Miracle Broth, plus a full-sized Lip Volumizer for hydration and a luminous sheer tint.