The Mecca Cosmetica Beauty Blog

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To help you get the new year started, we’re treating you to free standard shipping* on all online orders until 9am AEST Jan 3rd 2012. Kick 2012 off with a beauty bang! Shop now…

*Free standard shipping for orders shipped within Australia from www.meccacosmetica.com.au, and orders shipped within New Zealand from www.meccacosmetica.co.nz. Offer ends 9am AEST Jan 3rd 2012.

Our Head of Artistry, Tony Baumann, shares his top 4 makeup essentials that are the must-have products and shows us how to create six different looks.

THE 4 MAKEUP ESSENTIALS:

BRONZE: Nars Bronzing Powder in Laguna $55
Why Tony loves it: “The ultimate bronzing powder – suits all skin tones, contours beautifully, and gives that ‘back from the beach’ glow.”

CHEEKS AND LIPS: Stila Convertible Colour in Fuschia $48
Why Tony loves it: “This cheek and lip crème dries down to the most beautiful skin-like finish. Plus it’s got a built in mirror – need I say more?”

EYES: Chantecaille Gel Liner in Black $49
Why Tony loves it: “On one end is an intense gel pencil, on the other a precise brush – line and define for a sharp, fresh look or smoke it out for a dramatic eye.”

LASHES: Hourglass Superficial Lash Mascara $42
Why Tony loves it: “Add a light coating for a softer look or layer up for the thickest lashes imaginable – this one does it all.”

THE LOOK: Fresh & Bronzed

Fresh & Bronzed

Take Nars Bronzing Powder in Laguna to give the complexion sunny warmth and defining contour. Use a large dome tipped brush and sweep over the edges of the forehead, cheek bones, jaw line & chin. This creates an instant tanned effect and definition of the face.  For added definition, pinch the brush so the edges are flat, re-load more bronzer and sculpt under cheekbones, across eye socket and temples. To finish, smile and then release brush to the original shape and sweep Nars Laguna over the apples (working downwards) for added pop. Apply Hourglass Superficial Lash Mascara to the top lashes only for daytime definition, mix Stila Convertible Colour in Fuchsia with your favourite lip balm and press into the lips using fingers to enhance your own lip colour. The final look is like you have just enjoyed a weekend in the sun.

Fresh and Bronzed

THE LOOK: Wing It

Wing It

Start with lightly contouring the face with Nars Bronzing Powder in Laguna with the focus being under the cheekbone.  Sharpen Chantecaille Gel Liner in Jet (black) and draw a line (using your iris as the starting point) to the outer edge of the eye. The line should start super fine and get thicker as you go. Stop the line blunt at the outer edge of the eye, turn the pencil around and use the tiny angled brush to create the wing. Gently pull the eye so the skin is firm and “flick & smudge” the line out to give a cat-eye effect. Once the shape has been created, sharpen the pencil again and redraw the line for added depth. It is much easier to smudge out the wing rather than trying to draw it on and it gives a better shape with a finer end. Layer two coats Hourglass Superficial Lash Mascara to the top lashes only as this enhances the slant of the cat-eye. Blend Stila Convertible Colour in Fuchsia onto the centre of the lips and rub lips together to blend out the colour. Leave the apples clean of colour and you’re left with the perfect daytime lined eye.

Wing It

 

THE LOOK: Girly Glow

Girly Glow

To create the prettiest rosy cheeks, keep bronzer to a minimum as pink tones looks better with just a hint of bronze. Firstly, line eyes from the inner corner to the outer edge and leave it blunt using Chantecaille Gel Liner Pencil in Jet; this gives the definition but doesn’t detract from the cheeks, which is the focus of this look. Load Stila Convertible Colour in Fuchsia onto the middle finger and pat over the apples of your cheeks (a hint is to smile & use the fullest parts of your cheeks as a guide). Pat, pat and pat the colour out until it is totally blended. Repeat until you are happy with the colour, always start lightly and build. Press the Stila Convertible Colour in Fuchsia into the centre of the lips (using fingers) and once again build the colour until it blends in with the cheek colour: try to keep the colour on the centre of the lips for a true stained effect. Finish with a light coat of Hourglass Superficial Lash Mascara (one coat only) on the top lashes. The result is a girly, pretty look with a pink modern twist.

Girly Glow

 

THE LOOK: The Bold Lip

The Bold Lip

Again only lightly bronze to create subtle warmth and shape to the complexion using Nars Bronzing Powder in Laguna. Take a lip brush and fill lips in using a generous amount of Stila Convertible Colour in Fuchsia. Build the colour to an opaque finish then lightly blot off the excess with a tissue. Take a small amount of loose powder and pat over the lips to set (this will make it last all day), and then reapply the colour straight over the top for a bold result. If you prefer a matte finish, dust a little extra loose powder over the lips. Line the inner upper rim of the eye using Chantecaille Gel Liner Pencil in Jet to make the lashes look fuller without seeing

the line. Coat the top lashes with Hourglass Superficial Lash Mascara and tap a small amount of mascara on the bottom lashes for subtle definition. The final result is a polished bold pink lip that can take you from office to play!

The Bold Lip

 

THE LOOK: The Graphic Eye

The Graphic Eye

This is a take on the famous Twiggy look of the 1960s, fused with the fresh face of now. Start with your eyes first and sharpen the Chantecaille Gel Liner Pencil for precision. The best way to apply the liner is by looking straight ahead into the mirror and decide where the line should go, remember that the line needs to be seen when the eye is open, so you will need to draw the line on just above the eye  socket. Using the tip of the pencil, make a small dot at the start, middle and end of the line, as this takes out the guess work and works well as a guide.  Start in the outer corner and work inwards (it’s much easier this way) and instead of drawing one continuous line, try to feather the liner back and forth as you go along. Keep the line blunt, bold and clean. To balance it out with socket line, draw a line underneath the lash line keeping the edges clean, to give the ultimate modern frame for the eye.  Finish by adding lashings of Hourglass Superficial Lash Mascara to top and bottom lashes remembering chunky lashes look great with this look.  Contour cheeks under the cheekbones only with Nars Bronzing Powder in Laguna to add to the graphic effect. To finish the look, pat a little foundation on the lips for that true Twiggy look.

The Graphic Eye

 

THE LOOK: No-Makeup Makeup

No Makeup Makeup

Skip foundation and let your skin take a breather! Apply your Nars Bronzing Powder in Laguna to the key areas (defining the cheekbones) and sweep over the neck as well; by adding a bit of warmth to the neck it brightens up the face. Dust the Nars Bronzing Powder over eyelids for a subtle contrast with the eye colour. Take a little moisturizer, pat together on fingertips then gently tap over the entire complexion (even eyelids) for a dewy, fresh finish. By tapping the moisturizer over the bronzer it slightly dissolves the bronzer to a true skin finish. Add a light coat of Hourglass Superficial Lash Mascara on the top lashes only. The result: a glowing, healthy complexion and no one will ever suspect you have any makeup on.

No Makeup Makeup

 

We asked some of our favourite brands to share their Beauty Promises & Predictions for the new year:

BRAND: STILA
Name: Sarah Lucero
Profession: Stila Global Director of Creative Artistry
Mantra for 2012: “Believe in Beauty” – There is beauty all around us and within each of us, it’s your job to notice it, see it, and believe you have it!!!

What beauty promise/s will you be keeping this year?
We have all heard the saying “get your beauty sleep” well, this is a promise I will keep in 2012. Sleep is so important to maintain a healthy body & mind, so if you feel good, you always look good. Try to go to bed an hour early and wake up a little earlier to enjoy peace and quiet. Having a peaceful start to each day will help you stay focused and create positive energy all around you.

What is your beauty prediction/s for 2012?
I predict women will feel brave enough to branch into bold colour on eyes and lips! Maybe even both at the same time! Beauty allows us to express our moods and I believe bright pops of colour send out an optimistic vibe! Just go for it!

If you could define your 2011 with a product – what would it be and why?
This is a tough question for me to answer because I love many products, but the first thing that comes to mind is Stila One Step Bronze. This product became a daily ritual for me; I use it as foundation and put it all over my face. It adds brightness, life, colour, and a healthy glow back into your skin like nothing else I’ve ever tried. There are days I do not really feel or look like my usual self and this product gives me confidence to face the world. Stila One Step Bronze is my makeup bag must have.

Stila - One Step Bronze

What was your biggest beauty blunder for 2011 (promise we won’t tell…)?
My personal beauty blunder was getting eyelash extensions and trying to “test” out new mascara formulas at work. I’m part of the innovation team at Stila and I get to wear new formulas before they come out- very cool! Not so cool when I have lash extensions that highly suggest NOT wearing mascara on them!!! So that investment did not last as long as I expected. On the other hand, we will be launching one of my favorite mascara formulas at Stila this summer…so totally worth it!

Finish this sentence: If I could turn back time and visit myself 10 years ago (circa early naughties) I would tell myself…
GREAT question!!! Ugh it makes me cringe a little but…here goes….
When it comes to beauty, always remember, to eat less salty foods before a big TV appearance, get much more sleep, rest and exercise – in my eyes – you can never look too good, feel too good and look too well rested!!!

Also, start every morning with a glass of water with full lemon squeezed into it. Then go for your cup of coffee & green tea. I learned so many things last year about nutrition and how it affects your body & mind. Eat foods that fuel your body and mind with healthy energy. Don’t forget to stop and smell the roses once in a while – and remember to see the beauty all around you. Believe in the beauty of the future!

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BRAND: THIS WORKS
Name: Elizabeth Reynolds
Profession: Sales Director
Mantra for 2012: Age Wisely: Stay out of the sun, wear a hat and use an SPF.

What beauty promise/s will you be keeping this year?
Good Habits! A good beauty routine starts with a great cleanser.

What is your beauty prediction/s for 2012?
2 in 1 products.  Dual action products that deliver immediately and over time with multi-functional ingredients.  As consumers want more for their money, simple, effective products that become handbag or bathroom essentials.

If you could define your 2011 with a product – what would it be and why?
Perfect Legs Skin Miracle – Being a modern full-time working mum, multi-tasking, creating immediate and ongoing solutions – effective time management is key. Perfect Legs, with its potent formulation, instantly enhances legs to combat imperfections, so legs are up to scratch all year round -  a modern day miracle.

This Works - Perfect Legs Skin Miracle

What was your biggest beauty blunder for 2011 (promise we won’t tell…)
Not appreciating the power of sleep.

Finish this sentence: If I could turn back time and visit myself 10 years ago (circa early naughties) I would tell myself…
Wwhen it comes to beauty always remember… Kathy Knows best!

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BRAND: CHANTECAILLE
Name: Alex Chantecaille
Profession: Director of Sales Promotions
Mantra for 2012: Simple, clean, and healthy living equals radiant beauty.

What beauty promise/s will you be keeping this year?
Wear more natural, non-toxic sunscreen & maintain a clean complexion with detoxing clay mask.

What is your beauty prediction/s for 2012?
Sheer, breathable formulas for foundations and colors for a more natural beauty will come out on top this year. A fresh, pretty cheek produced from lightweight formulas will give that “I just came running up the hill” outdoorsy healthy look.

If you could define your 2011 with a product – what would it be and why?
The Anti-Glycation Primer for it’s amazing texture and non-chalky SPF gave me complete sun protection and a smooth base for foundation. I even wear it at the beach and when driving my convertible around town.

Chantecaille - Anti Glycation Primer

What was your biggest beauty blunder for 2011 (promise we won’t tell…)
Wearing orange lipsticks. NOT my shade!

Finish this sentence: If I could turn back time and visit myself 10 years ago (circa early naughties)…
I would tell myself…
When it comes to beauty always remember: less of brown lipstick and chalky-blue eye shadow and more of soft pinks and natural-looking bronzer.

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BRAND: PERRICONE MD
Name: Diane Miles
Profession: CEO & President of Perricone MD
Mantra for 2012: Love yourself, love your colleagues, love your job and you will love life.

What beauty promise/s will you be keeping this year?
To always apply my Acyl Glutathione daily and use my Clarisonic daily. That way, I only need a tinted moisturizer for makeup because my skin looks so good.

Perricone MD - Acyl Glutathione

What is your beauty prediction/s for 2012?
A natural, healthy, radiant, dewy look will be all the rage.

What was your biggest beauty blunder for 2011 (promise we won’t tell…)
Trying to colour my own hair because I was too busy to go to the salon. I ended up with dirty brown coloured hair and colour all over the bathroom floor; the colour worked better on the floor than on my hair!

Finish this sentence: If I could turn back time and visit myself 10 years ago (circa early naughties) I would tell myself…
Less booze, cigarettes and late nights and more of Dr Perricone’s Forever Young Philosophies (Dr Perricone’s Metabolic Diet Book) – which would have me still looking 30 years old.

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BRAND: NARS
Name: Uzo
Profession: NARS International Lead Stylist

What beauty promise/s will you be keeping this year?
I will wear a bold, red lip.

What is your beauty prediction/s for 2012?
Bold neon lip in shades of red, orange and fuchsia. We will continue to see a bold eyebrow but this season, it is well-groomed and accentuated with just enough eyebrow shadow or pencil to make a statement without overdoing it.
Radiant skin that is healthy-looking, glowing and very pretty. Not as matte as we have seen for the last several seasons.

If you could define your 2011 with a product – what would it be and why?
NARS Lip Gloss in Stolen Kisses. I love the sheer mocha shade that looks great day or night and complements my many eye makeup looks. Super-shiny. Non-sticky.

NARS - Lip Gloss in Stolen Kisses

What was your biggest beauty blunder for 2011 (promise we won’t tell…)
False eyelashes. I’m a pro at putting them on everyone except myself. No matter how hard I tried, they’ve never looked good!

Finish this sentence: If I could turn back time and visit myself 10 years ago (circa early naughties) I would tell myself  -
When it comes to beauty, always remember, less of the visible lip liner and more of the radiant-looking skin!

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BRAND: HOURGLASS
Name: Carisa Janes
Profession: CEO & Founder of Hourglass Cosmetics
Mantra for 2012: Intuition is your best guide.

What beauty promise/s will you be keeping this year?
Drink more water, eat more organic vegetables and add an extra day to my weekly workout regime.

What is your beauty prediction/s for 2012?
We’ve noticed a few orange pouts at recent fashion shows so I can see bold coral or tangerine lips being a new focus.

If you could define your 2011 with a product – what would it be and why?
2011 was all about eyes for me, specifically our innovative Film Noir Lash Lacquer. Designed to be paired with mascara, it’s a lash topcoat that adds length, drama and extraordinary shine to your lashes.

Hourglass - Film Noir Lash Lacquer

What was your biggest beauty blunder for 2011 (promise we won’t tell…)
I got lash extensions and had a bad reaction to them, and my eyes became extremely swollen. What worse is that I was traveling at the time. Never again.

Finish this sentence: If I could turn back time and visit myself 10 years ago (circa early naughties) I would tell myself  – when it comes to beauty always remember:
Less angst and more experimentation. Also, drink more water.

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BRAND: NUDE SKINCARE
Name: Ali Hewson
Profession: Co-founder of NUDE
Mantra for 2012: Back to basics

What beauty promise/s will you be keeping this year?
To treat my skin with omegas. I travel a lot so I need to give my skin some extra attention to keep it healthy and hydrated. I use Replenishing Night Oil religiously which has a beautiful blend of omegas 3, 6, 7 and 9 and cleanse my skin with omega rich Cleansing Facial Oil. I  add supplements to this routine – a friend with amazing skin recommended an Omega-3 concentrate called EPA Xtra (by Nordic Naturals) which I mix with borage and flax seed oils… the effects are visible within a month.

What is your beauty prediction/s for 2012?
For Edun’s SS 12 we’re taking a fresh and modern approach to iconic African prints, which is best complimented by minimalist makeup and nude skin.

If you could define your 2011 with a product – what would it be and why?
My essential beauty product was Advanced Cellular Renewal Serum. It effortlessly glides onto skin for a complete skin awakening. I travel with it everywhere.

Nude Skincare - Advanced Cellular Renewal Serum

What was your biggest beauty blunder for 2011 (promise we won’t tell…)
Running out of my Nude products on a long trip away! Disaster!

Finish this sentence: If I could turn back time and visit myself 10 years ago (circa early naughties) I would tell myself  –
When it comes to beauty always remember…your skin is an organ…feed it well!

Shop ALL Nude Skincare

WE PROMISE TO HELP YOU KEEP YOUR 2012 PROMISES…
It’s our New Year’s mantra. So make a booking with a Mecca Host today and they’ll show you how to keep your beauty promise AND sample your solution.

Find your nearest Mecca Cosmetica store here.

Stock up on all your holiday gifts with free shipping – this weekend only! Shop our gift guide here.

*Standard shipping only. Valid only for orders shipped within Australia from www.meccacosmetica.com.au and orders shipped within New Zealand from www.meccacosmetica.co.nz. Offer ends Monday 19 Dec 2011 9am AEST.