It’s New. In June. At MECCA

May 26 | 5 minute read

Words by Kerri Gordon

Today marks three months until I depart on a European jaunt. I’ve got the workout routine down pat, the tuna-and-rice lunches on lock, and now it’s all about ensuring I land in Lisbon looking (and feeling) like I’ve been summering all along – instead of freezing my toots off in a terribly insulated Melbourne apartment. The work starts now and begins with the new beauty making my dreams of plump skin and glossy hair a fast reality.

Skincare that's not messing around

Breaking news: I have a new favourite skincare brand, and I’ve been keeping it strictly under wraps. Ever heard of Element Eight? It’s a liquid oxygen-powered, highly efficacious skincare brand out of the US and the brainchild of a team of doctors, surgeons, scientists and innovators. Together they hold more than 120 medical patents and the innovation they have developed has been used in over 50,000 spine and orthopaedic procedures around the world. It is serious stuff that seriously works. I’ve been using the O2 Niacinamide Eight Active Serum and O2 Hyaluronic Acid Hydrate Correct Cream religiously, after cleansing and before SPF. I have the type of skin that slurps up creams and serums – leaving zero traces by 2:00pm – but for the first time in my life, I am ending the day with skin as plump and hydrated (and makeup as smooth and fresh-looking) as it started.

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While we’re talking science, we need to talk about the Active Recovery Broth from REOME. My confidante for all things cool and chic before we know they’re cool and chic, MECCA’s head of brand experience and partnerships Catherine Garrett has been gnawing my ear off about this serum-y elixir for the past two years. Cat presents 20 years younger than her biological age, which she attributes to the bioferments and biomimetic actives in this barrier-repairing, cell-supercharging, do-it-all-and-some serum. I’ve been trying to get my hands on a bottle since a call with the brand’s pioneering founder, esteemed beauty editor and innovator Joanna Ellner, so if you see me in your local MECCA today – be sure to spot the broth in my basket.

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You with the good hair

Jennifer Aniston, Sydney Sweeney, Emily Ratajkowski and now, you; peers in healthy, swoosh-y, perfectly coloured hair, courtesy of a mega-drop of celebrity-approved hair tools and treatments this month at MECCA.

LolaVie is the oeuvre of Jennifer Aniston, who’s on a mission to prove that you don’t have to sacrifice naturally derived formulations for scientifically advanced hair results. As the world’s most famous head of hair for the past three decades, she knows a thing or two about good hair, and the proof is in the (sculpting) paste.

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Though not just for the peroxide-inclined (I’m auburn and sold), Kérastase Gloss Absolu Glaze Drops, an instant glossing oil, is one of the first products I’ve seen truly give blonde, treated hair the type of high-shine finish once reserved for hair commercials (and sealed, unbleached cuticles). It’s like magic. Sydney Sweeney swears by it, which says everything you need to know.

To wrap it all up like a slick-backed bun, please hear me when I say that Dyson’s newest hair dryer is so worth the impending hype. That’s the problem with innovation, right? You invest in the latest tech one year, to be superseded by the next. Considered their pro-level dryer, the Dyson Supersonic r™ is 30 percent smaller and 20 percent lighter at just 325 grams (not that the regular Supersonic was an arm workout) yet somehow manages to be the most powerful model in the history of Dyson hair-dryers. It cuts down dry time, makes it easier to reach every nook and cranny of your cranium and the best part – it uses negatively charged ions to reduce frizz caused by static by 46 percent. It’s a hair miracle.

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Dry, blue lips? Not this winter

Though a fan of Twilight, The Vampire Diaries and Nicholas Hoult in Warm Bodies, I must admit I’ve never wanted to look like the undead – but when the weather turns cool, my lips turn, well, a blueish shade of ghoul. The MECCA MAX Lip Lock Balmy Stain has been a godsend to bring my lips back to life (and the Westman Atelier Lip Shade Lip Liners when I need to call for back up), but as far as hydration goes, I couldn’t be more thankful for my two favourite Gs – Glossier and Glow Recipe – for their new lip launches. Both promise 12 hours of much-needed hydration – Glossier’s Lip Glaze with a satisfying cooling effect and Glow Recipe’s Glass Balm with a high-shine finish and juicy tint inspired by Bingsoo, the Korean dessert.

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Fumes of the season

It’s rare to find me lounging without a wick on the go – and more time at home in winter means more candles to burn. I’ve been hijacking the suitcases of friends abroad to stock up on Glossier’s Glossier You Candle for years now, which is finally available at MECCA. Just like in the eau de parfum, pink pepper and iris make for the ultimate all-occasions, crowd-pleasing, anytime/anywhere home scent. BYREDO’s new Coin Laundry Candle is similar in that way; it takes notes from the iconic Blanche EDP to bring a crisp, cleanness into the home. Your house will smell sparkling, even if you missed a spot.

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Other new addictions include the Commune Seymour Hand Wash and Hand Cream, which create a moment of luxury in my kitchen and bathroom with its herbaceous, citrusy scent and nourishing, non-stripping formulation, and NOPALERA’s Original Citrus Lotion Bar, the answer to speedy all-over moisturisation without the faff (simply glide the bar over your limbs like a stick of butter to toast).

As for personal fragrance? It’s no secret I’m a fiend for the fumes of D.S. & Durga. I was skeptical about their latest juice, Brown Flowers EDP, but gosh it really is lovely. Picture soft white petals on the cusp of limpness as they begin to bruise and brown along the edges. It’s a true floral with a slight over-ripeness that’s highly nostalgic and autumnal. For something fresher – a scent that will yank you out of your winter blues – I’m loving DIPTYQUE Des Hesperides EDT. It’s fresh-cut grass, zesty citrus and punchy pepper in a spritz. Consider it training for your impending Euro summer. Unless the beaches of Brazil are calling your name; in that case might I suggest a bit of Badalada?