The Mecca Cosmetica Beauty Blog

2011 has heralded the return of the brow. Long forgotten on the fashion scene, brows are coming back bigger and bolder than ever – claiming their place on catwalks from New York to London, Paris to Milan…. Why? Defined brows have a soft strength to frame the eyes with a quiet confidence. Once you bring back the arch, the shape, the tapered finish, everything else will follow.

Get the Look:

• This look is all about glowing skin with a warm, highlighted finish, dreamy eyes, natural lips and defined Wow brows – all working together in perfect symmetry.
• Blend Mecca Cosmetica In A Good Light all over face for a luminous glow, using a Ellis Faas Concealer to cover any darkness around the eyes and imperfections. Apply Hourglass Illume Crème-to-Powder Bronze Duo in Sunset using Hourglass Blush Brush to warm, contour and highlight. Use a small amount of the blush on the apples of for a subtle flush.
• Apply Nars Cream Eyeshadow in Cosmic Girl to eye-lid as a base. Layer the paler colour in Nars Eye Shadow Duo in Indian Summer over to set the base. Blend the darker colour in the duo through the crease to define. Use an eye-opening white liner like the Utowa Eye Crayon in Nude White along rim of eye – this will open the eye and relieve any redness.  Curl the lashes for added impact, and finish with Stila Lash Visor.
• Keep the lips simple. Wash Chantecaille Lip Chic in Camellia over lips for beautifully subtle sheen and natural colour.
• Fill and define brows using a brow shadow. Nars Eyeshadows in Bali and Blondie are perfect brow colours (a great two-for-one investment!). Apply your shadow using a brow brush like Nars Brow Shader Brush (#5) – the perfect shape and density to give you ultimate control to feather powder into the brows to add volume. The result is dramatic brows that still have a softness, without being ‘drawn on’ or harsh.

Other ways to get the Wow brow:

• Stila Brow Set – Fair Set: Best for fair to very fair complexions. Use the light side to shade in gaps or to add volume and use the dark side to finish the brow with a fine tapered tip.
• Stila Brow Set – Dark Set: Great for medium to dark complexions. Use the lighter side to create the shape then layer the darker side for depth and impact.
• Stila Double Sided Brow Brush #18: the double ended brow brush allows you to blend powder between brows to create shape then use the brush on the other end to soften (airbrush) the finish.

It’s playful, it’s light, it’s a nice, bright move into a more light-hearted look for makeup. From the primary to the pastel, vivid colour will be HUGE this season, whilst petal-soft lips take a supporting role. Wear your bright pastel shades in ‘blocks’ on the eyelids or washed in the inner ‘v’ of the eyes to really make them pop!

Get the Look:

• Bring on the Bright is all about pastel, bright eyes in a cool, matte blue. Lips and cheeks are contrasting in warm shades to perfectly balance the look.
• Perfect the skin with Ellis Fass Skin Veil for medium coverage with a natural, stain finish.  Cover lightly with a pressed powder, applying to centre parts of the face to set.
• Blend Kjaer Weis Cream Blush in Sun Touched over cheekbones and apples to add warmth shape – using your fingers as they will heat the product up so its blends onto the complexion with ease.
• Keep the lips subtle using Ellis Faas Creamy Lips in L108 for the perfect peachy nectar nude with minimal texture.
• Apply Nars Cream Eyeshadow in Carioca to the eyelid, extending out to the inner bridge of the nose to keep the look modern. Using Mecca Cosmetica Eyeshadow Base Brush, layer with the pale side of Nars Eyeshadow Duo in Bateau Ivre to set and add the pop colour. Use the darker side on the outer third of the lid to add extra impact. Finish with a few coats of Stila Major Major Lash Mascara on top lashes only for contrast.

Other ways to bring on the bright:

• There is nothing like shades of violet to make brown eyes really shine. Try Nars Eyeshadow Duo in Jolie Poupee for the perfect purple pop.
• For blue eyes go for scene-stealing contrast. Try Nars Eyeshadow Duo in Misfit – the brilliant green against blue is the perfect clash to create ultimate impact.
• For multiple looks in one, try Stila Eyeshadow Trio in Afterhours. With bright emerald, purple and charcoal, this on-trend trio will have you creating looks for hours.

Grab your VIP pass and go behind the scenes on our S/S 2011 photoshoot for the Mecca Face of Fashion campaign.

Watch as Romy Frydman, from StyleMeRomy.com, brings these looks to life in a dedicated, makeup-meets-fashion shoot. The 5 key makeup looks to define the season were created by our very own Makeup Artists, including Head of Artistry Tony Baumann.

Find out what they are, what you need and how to get each look in our how to videos, here.

Introducing no holds-barred baring. It’s just you and your natural features…. only better. From eyes to cheeks to lips, watch as colour takes a back seat and nude makeup holds pride-of-place.

Get the Look:

• No Rules Nude is all about naturally glowing skin and defined features, so you see the person, not the makeup. When we have had a holiday or a great nights sleep our skin has radiance, our eyes are light and bright, and cheeks have a flush of colour. With the right products and a few expert tips you can recreate this with ease… So fresh! So Beautiful! So Mecca!!
• Even out skin with Stila Sheer Colour Tinted Moisturiser. Hide any imperfections and dark circles with Ellis Faas Concealer. Gently buff Stila One Step Makeup Prime Colour in Bronze Babe across forehead, cheekbones and jawline to add warmth and colour. Ditch the powder for this look as skin should be dewy and glowing!
• Apply Stila Prime Pot in Taffy to the eye-lids, blending right up to the brow-bone for opaque yet natural-looking colour. Next, using Nars Eyeshadow Duo in Alhambra, shade a mix of the two colours into the balls of the lids and the inner well to add dimension back into the eye.
• Apply Fusion Beauty Sculpt Diva Blush in Haute onto apples of the cheeks to give the perfect pop of flushed, ‘just ran around the block’ colour. The cream to powder formulation delivers easy application and a true healthy-pink glow.
• Define the lips using Nars Lip Liner in Papua to give just the right amount of depth without looking too dark or harsh. Mecca Cosmetica Lip De Luscious was layered over to add sheen and a hint of pink. The depth of the lip liner and the finish and colour of Lip De Luscious gives the ultimate nude lip!

Other ways to achieve this new Nude:

• Complexion: If you just want the glow, not the coverage, try Mecca Cosmetics Lit From Within on the face, to illuminate skin with subtle, light-reflecting particles. It leaves you looking candle-lit, not made-up.
• Eyes: By Terry Hyaluronic Eye Primer can be used to neutralize darkness and veins on the eyelids. It dries into the m0st natural, crease-proof finish. Your eyes look so fresh and natural, only you will know it’s there. The hyaluronic in the primer also treats and smooths the lid, and has a tightening effect on lids that lack firmness.

Lips go from red to wine and get suddenly serious! Take lips to the next level of sophistication with this look that can be worn several ways – from deep raisin to rich, vibrant plums. The perfect partner to a light, playful eye.

Get the Look:

• Wine Stained Lips look best against a super clean, relaxed makeup palette that allows the strong lip to take centre stage. A modern twist on a timeless, classic look.
• Use Chantecaille Future Skin on the face for medium coverage with a natural finish – a polished, yet natural complexion.
• Gently wash the pale side of Hourglass Visionaire Eyeshadow Duo in Gypsy over lids to brighten. Then work the darker side into the outer corners of lids to add slight definition and contrast. Then run By Terry Blackstar Mascara in Brown Cashmere through the tops lashes only for a sophisticated and clean finish.
• For statement lips, preparation is a must! Apply Mecca Cosmetica Lip de Luxe to prep the lips and allow perfectly smooth application. Then apply Nars Pure Matte Lipstick in Volga to create bold, opaque colour.

Other ways to get the Wine-lip-look:

• For the full effect with a little extra punch, use Nars Lipstick in Scarlet Empress – a beautifully rich, raspberry wine shade.
• For a sheer wash of colour try Nars Lipstick in Fast Ride – gives lips a subtle mulberry wine colour. Best for the feint hearted.
• For an unbeatable stained effect try Ellis Faas Creamy Lips in  L102 for the ultimate wine-stained lip that last!