The Mecca Cosmetica Beauty Blog

Things are well and truly heating up – the madness of Christmas is over, so all that’s left to do is sit back, relax and enjoy the Summer. Here to help are our friends from NYC, Malin+Goetz. While they shiver through sleet and snow right now in Manhattan, we can take well advantage of their Summertime picks to make our warmer months that little bit more fun. Check out our favourite Malin+Goetz must-haves and add a touch of the big city to your Summer in 2011!

A COCKTAIL IN A CANDLE: Mojito Candle

What could be more summery than this minty fresh cocktail of a candle. With lime, rum, mint and basil it’s seriously the scent of Summer. You can burn it together with the Rum Candle too for the ultimate combination… and remember to save the glass for making mojitos.

THE SMOOTHEST SKIN: Peppermint Body Scrub

The perfect prep for that fake tan application. This minty fresh scrub exfoliates with pumice and bamboo, and stimulates, cleanses and clarifies with cooling peppermint extract. The best part is, it’s unisex so you save space in the shower with one less product to keep on the shelf!

SAVE YOUR SKIN: SPF Moisturiser

Keep your skin safe from the sun, and nourish and hydrate it – all at the same time. Broad spectrum spf 15 and antioxidants help create a barrier against sun damage, environmental toxins and free radicals without pore-clogging oils and parabens. Nourishing shea butter and soothing chamomile help retain moisture and reduce irritation. Top Tip: Mix with your favourite foundation to make a light weight tinted SPF, perfect for summer days.

THE SCENT OF SUMMER: Lime Tonic

This fresh zesty scent is like a tall glass of lemon lime soda – refreshing, uplifting and long-lasting. Modern and dynamic, the formidable and long lasting lime tonic performs on its own or paired with the soft, subtle warmth of our Synthesized Musk, creating a unique sensory balance tailored to an individual or couple.

HYDRATION HERO: Vitamin B5 Body Moisturiser

This intensive and oil-free, residue-free body moisturiser scientifically synthesizes natural vitamin b5 and soothing bergamot extract with absorbent fatty acids for performance. Naturally hydrates and ph balances all skin types, keeping your skin nourished and smooth all Summer long. No slick or slippery false sense of moisturize.  Also eliminates wait-time for dressing – which means you get out the door quick-smart!

LUSCIOUS LIPS: Lip Moisturiser

Instantly revives and hydrates while creating an invisible barrier that protects and soothes. Top Tip: Apply over your go-to Lipstick shade for a statement high gloss look

SHOP ALL MALIN+GOETZ HERE

The festive season is officially in full swing and here at Mecca HQ, we’re all in Holiday mode. What does this mean you ask? Think faux-tan prepping, coordinating our mani/pedi with our beach towels and more importantly, getting ready to spoil the ones we hold near and dear. If you haven’t yet discovered our  glorious world of gifting (otherwise known as ‘Beautopia’) or you’re simply overwhelmed by the sheer volume of gift -options, we’ve put together this easy-to-follow gift guide to deliver you to gifting glory. The best part? It’s all your shopping done in one place without even leaving the house, so you can relax with a mug of egg-nog and a fruit mince pie (or a glass of champers and a face mask).

FOR MUM…

Francis Kurkdjian APOM Pour Femme
A new scent to the Mecca fragrance family, it has fast become a favourite. Over flowing with notes of Cedar wood, Orange Flower and Ylang-Ylang Flower, it’s a combination of softness and strength – Mum in a nutshell.

Diptyque Solids
Whether she’s familiar with Diptyque or yet to become, these perfume solids are perfect for the Mum who likes things a little bit fancy. The embellished black pot is filled with solid perfume in four to-die fragrances. The perfect addition to her fragrance collection, and her hand bag. Mecca recommends ‘Du Son’.

Anthousa Limited Edition Chinoiserie Demi-Lavender and Chinese May Chang
Whatever we can do to help Mum relax has to be worth a try, right? The combination of lavender and citrus notes in this beautiful new addition to the Anthusa Demi range is meant to do just this.

Aurora Spa Holiday Sets
Bring the Day Spa home for your Mum. She’ll love it.

FOR DAD…

Francis Kurkdjian APOM Pour Homme
A beautiful match for APOM Pour Femme, why not give Dad the matching fragrance. Born from experiences from around the globe, these fragrances are unique in both their smell and their design. Dad will be interested to learn that the bottle design, or rather the lid, represents the tin roof tops of Paris.

CDG Wonderwood
If matching Mum isn’t an option, Wonderwood is this year’s Winner. Strong, warm and oh-so-masculine – he would never have been able to find it without you.

Kiehl’s Ultimate Man Pack
All the essentials from our best selling men’s range in a trendy travel bag. Too easy.

Ren High Glide Cooling Shave Gel
It’s all about the simple things with Dad’s. For a comfortable shave – this is what he needs, but would never buy for himself.

FOR YOUR BESTIE…

Diptique Perfumed Candle in Baies
We’ve all seen it perched on Carrie Bradshaw’s bed head. Diptyques famous Baies candle is the perfect gift for the bestie you want to spoil.

Eve Lom Sets
Some glorious skincare sets to get them started and get them hooked. If you’ve tried it and seen the light…  share the love, sister! Beautifully packaged, and much approved by Vogue.

Nars Follow the Boys Lip Gloss Set
Ladies, pucker up. This is a sure to please gift for the bestie with it all, because, repeat after me, you can never have enough lip gloss.

Mecca Cosmetica Colour My World Nail Polish Set
A limited edition set of the six best selling Nail Colours of the year. Some may think of it as a gift, we like to think of it as a necessity.

FOR YOUR SISTER…

This Works Perfect Pair
Just like you and your sister, these two really are the perfect pair. Perfect hands and perfect cleavage, these two best selling items speak for themselves, and really do work.

Mecca Cosmetica Brush Hour
Brushes make all the difference to achieving cat-walk worthy results. Give the gift of perfection (and stop her from using yours!)

Ren Mini Body Set
UK’s number one selling skincare brand have made the holiday season feel special, luxurious and pretty with their floral gift boxes and best-selling body items, in mini sizes. You’ll want to pinch it before she’s even read the card.

QUICK KRIS KRINGLE GIFTS…

New Philosophy Shower Gels
Three new flavours have arrived to the mouth watering line up of Philosophy Shower Gels. For the sweet tooth there’s Crème Brulee, for the party girl there’s Senorita Margarita and for the sweetheart of the bunch there’s Apricots and Cream. YUM!

This Works Peace and Love Crackers
The perfect gift to show you’re feeling festive!

Mecca Cosmetica Party Polish Set
Tis the season to…. over eat and under sleep. This little gem is the perfect KK gift to welcome in the party season.

Francis Kurkdjian Scented Bubbles
For the young at heart, these bubbles smell of violets, cut grass, mint and pear as they hit your nose.

With child? We’ve got you covered from head to toe with our top picks for those 9 months and beyond.

Body Lovin’…

Prevent the dreaded unsightly stretch marks on your tummy with This Works’  Stretch Mark Oil. It’s great to use for pre-baby but also post-baby to treat any that may have snuck through. For something a little more indulgent, try Nars’ Monoi Body Glow – the divine smell will take you away to a tropical island, and the hydrating oil will keep skin soft and supple.

As the weather heats up, add a little bronze to your belly with Mecca’s Body Wonder. This Tinted Body Moisturiser evens out the body’s skin tone with a gloriously natural-looking tint and radiant luminosity – never orange or glittery.

Skin Saviours…

Skin can be temperamental when hormones are in top gear – oilier skins will love the gel-like texture of Darphin’s Hydraskin Light, while drier skin types drink up Hydraskin Rich – both are botanical based and gentle on the skin. For any unwanted spots that pop up, try Dr Dennis Gross Skincare’s Correct and Perfect Spot Treatment – it reduces redness and swelling overnight.

Pigmentation and sun spots are common during pregnancy – protect and prevent with SPF. Try Mecca’s To Save Face – it provides broad spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays in a hydrating, matte finish cream.

Treats for your Toes…

Feet can get swollen, sore and a little neglected (especially – give yourself a little at-home pedicure (while you can still reach your feet). Add a splash of colour to your toes with Mecca Nail Colour in Timandra or Valeria.

Makeup for New Mum’s…

Enhance that pregnant glow by adding a little luminosity to your makeup bag – Nars’ The Multiple is perfect and completely fool-proof.  Try Copacabana – just swipe some along your cheekbones and brow bone, and blend blend blend.

Remember, the products we’ve selected are free of the nasties that you should avoid while pregnant, but of course always consult your GP if you are unsure.

We sat down with the gorgeous Julio Sandino from Nars to get the low down on the brands latest new colour collection. Julio’s hands (and amazing makeup artistry skills) have worked the faces of Angelina Jolie and Eva Longoria among many others, so we were thrilled to have him for ourselves for a couple of quick questions…

Mecca: Nars’ latest collection feature hues that can be either soft & subtle, or bold & daring. What was the inspiration behind the collection? How can we recreate these two different looks ourselves?

Julio: The new Nars Spring 2010 collection was inspired by Catherine Deneuve’s role as Lucille in La Chamade.  This soft, sexy shades can be worn both ways, soft & subtle and bold & daring.  Here are some easy steps on how to achieve both looks.

For a Soft & Subtle Look:

1. Nars Primer

2. Nars Sheer Glow foundation

3. Nars Powder foundation

4. Nars D. Gorgeous Single eyeshadow on the whole lid.

5. Nars Bains Douches glittler pencil across top and bottom lashes then blended with finger.

7. Nars Lengthening Mascara on top and bottom lashes.

8. Nars Cruising lipstick

9. Easy lover gloss

For a Bold and Daring Look:

1. Nars Primer

2. Nars Sheer Matte Foundation

3. Nars Powder Foundation

4. Nars Carmargue Duo Cream Eye Shadow (right side on bottom lid) (left side under brow bone)

5. Nars Kuala Lumpur Duo Eyeshadow (right side on lid) (left side under brow bone)

6. Nars Black Moon Eye Liner pencil inside the eye rim

7. Nars Volumising Mascara

8. Nars Ophelia Lip Gloss

M: We have just added a Glitter Pencil to our Nars line up. How do we apply this product, and what would we wear with it ?

J: Bains Douche Glitter pencil looks beautiful by itself or layering with other Nars eyeshadows.  Try it with D. Gorgeous single, or Violetta Eye Duo.

M: What is your favorite item from the new collection?

J: My favorite item from the new collection is the Bains Douche Glitter pencil.  I love the bright sky blue, silver glitter-infused hue that delivers powerful, vibrant color  and it slides on smooth and remains creamy for blending.  You can use this pencil layered or alone to line, accent, highlight or illuminate the eyes.  Its name comes from a legendary Parisian nightclub (pictured below).

Greige = Grey + Beige. It’s the latest beauty trend coming off the catwalks and hitting the tips and the toes of those in the know, from Lily Allen to Gwyneth Paltrow. We also spotted it on Rihanna and Eva Mendes, plus Sandra Bullock who sported it at the ‘Globes last month.

Backstage at the various Fashion Weeks (New York, London, etc etc) they took four or five grey and beige shades and hand mixed them to get the  perfect greige. Save a little time (and countless nail polish bottles) and nail this trend (sorry couldn’t resist) with our latest nail hue Perdita.

Pair it with similarly hued Emilia (dusty peach) or Violenta (gorgeous dusty rose) for the ultimate mani/pedi combination.

Image courtesy of glamour.com