Mini Mecca Haul and Makeup application

Mecca Cosmetica is the Sephora of Australia...well as close as we get here.  A lot of the brands are the same but the high price on everything means that it's not really viable to shop there compared to online.  There does however seem to be one exception to this - makeup application.  Lady Cavanagh was a bridesmaid in a wedding last weekend and so she and the bride to be headed in to get their makeup done on the big day.  The makeup application costs $90 which is fully redeemable for product, making it a great deal and pretty much the only time Lady Cavanagh would shop at Mecca!

We went in a couple of weeks before the wedding for a trial for the bride.  They created a look for her and then a face chart so the makeup could be recreated easily on the actual day.  They spend about 45min-1hr doing your makeup and its very much in consultation with you - i.e. you tell the makeup artist what kind of look you're after and they'll create it; modifying it as you go e.g. if you want to intensify colours or increase the coverage of the foundation.  The makeup artist we had was able to talk us through what she was doing too, giving little tips about how to create that particular look at home as well as which products would suit our skin types.  After the application you're free to spend the $90 booking fee on whatever you like in the store, you're not just limited to the products they've used on you on the day.

Mecca has a number of stores across Australia, mostly in shopping centres.  The one we went to was a stand-alone store which made it feel more like a 'proper' makeup application, not like we were just sitting in the middle of a store while other shoppers hovered around.

Right... so onto what Lady Cavanagh bought.

Nars Bronzer - Laguna: I've been after this for ages.  Its a soft, warm toned brown with a bit of a sheen. Great for contouring and certainly not so dark that it couldn't be worn in the winter months also.  It gives a healthy glow without too much shine and is fine for people with even the lightest skin-tones.



Stila Smudge pot - Kitten: Another 'cult' product that seems to pop up in beauty blogs all the time.  Its consistency is like a Mac paint pot or a Benefit Creaseless cream shadow.  Colour wise its a slightly pinkish champagne tone that's very shimmery, without being glittery.  Lady Cavanagh has tried it with and without a primer and while without it will last the whole day, with a primer its definitely there to stay!  Looks great on its own for a more natural look or can be worn as a base of other shadows that will give the colour a real pop.

Stila Blush Palette - Love at first blush: A new shimmery blush from Stila, there are 3 separate colours that can be worn alone or swirled together to create a lovely soft 'fairy' pink that definitely conjures up images of Valentine's day.

The items I bought added up to more than the $90 booking fee but considering the makeup application was technically free it was well worth it.  Lady Cavanagh would definitely recommend heading to Mecca if you're looking to get your makeup done for a special event - its a great excise to buy more makeup too!