From the MECCA Group Chat: The Best Self-Tans and Fragrance for First-Timers
December 2 | 5 minute read
Words by Izzy Wight
In our series MECCA Must-Haves, we’re baring all our beauty secrets…
I’m happy to report that the MECCA holiday spirit is in full swing. Instead of trudging to that end-of-year mark, these early (and very muggy) December weeks have us yapping about our favourite self-tans, the gifts we’re excited to give (and receive) and most importantly, the makeup we’ll be wearing to the annual Holiday party. Step into our group chat…
Summer hair care
If you’ve ever squeezed lemon juice on your hair in an attempt to achieve Blue Water High-esque beachy highlights, you’ll probably know that hair – like skin – can get crispy under the sun. Exposure to salt, chlorine and UV rays means your hair needs extra hydration (not ‘nature’s bleach’) to keep it in a healthy, shiny state. Revive damaged hair by washing with Briogeo’s scalp-cleansing shampoo and deep conditioning mask after your next swim (a truly game-changing duo for my fellow oily scalp, dry ends friends), followed by Kérastase’s Nutritive Nutri-Supplement Split Ends Serum for strong, healthy-looking hair and instantly smoother results.
Sets to split up
This year’s Holiday sets are so good, you can break them into multiple presents and maintain your excellent gift-giver status. Better yet, you can mix up a few different ones to create a tailored bundle, like a customer who recently designed her own MECCA advent calendar by doing just that! Some suggestions…
For your teenage cousins: split up Sol de Janeiro’s Perfume Mist Discovery Trio, Kosas’ The Wet Set Juicy Jellies and Drunk Elephant’s Stay on Tropic™: The Nourishing Kit. They’ll get one each of the cult-favourite Cheirosa body mists (delicious scents for spritzing all over), Kosas’ bestselling peptide lip treatment (in limited-edition shades) and Drunk Elephant’s most gentle hydrators.
For your two Kris Kringles: gift them each something from Diptyque’s Fleur de Peau Hair Mist & Hand Cream Holiday Set (a summer-y, citrusy mini hair mist and nourishing hand cream) and MECCA COSMETICA’s radiance-boosting Brighten & Protect Set. Everyone loves Diptyque during the holidays, and MECCA COSMETICA’s stripped-back staples will work for all levels of skincare expertise.
For your work wives: help them wind down the year and wind up to the holiday party season with some much-needed skincare TLC. MECCA COSMETICA’s Brighter Eyes Kit will revive even the most tired of under-eyes (pro tip: pop the masks in the fridge for 15 minutes before applying), while Sunday Riley’s Win-Win Set includes two products from the Good Genes range – magic under makeup and made for glowy, plump, smooth skin.
For your teenage cousins: split up Sol de Janeiro’s Perfume Mist Discovery Trio, Kosas’ The Wet Set Juicy Jellies and Drunk Elephant’s Stay on Tropic™: The Nourishing Kit. They’ll get one each of the cult-favourite Cheirosa body mists (delicious scents for spritzing all over), Kosas’ bestselling peptide lip treatment (in limited-edition shades) and Drunk Elephant’s most gentle hydrators.
For your two Kris Kringles: gift them each something from Diptyque’s Fleur de Peau Hair Mist & Hand Cream Holiday Set (a summer-y, citrusy mini hair mist and nourishing hand cream) and MECCA COSMETICA’s radiance-boosting Brighten & Protect Set. Everyone loves Diptyque during the holidays, and MECCA COSMETICA’s stripped-back staples will work for all levels of skincare expertise.
For your work wives: help them wind down the year and wind up to the holiday party season with some much-needed skincare TLC. MECCA COSMETICA’s Brighter Eyes Kit will revive even the most tired of under-eyes (pro tip: pop the masks in the fridge for 15 minutes before applying), while Sunday Riley’s Win-Win Set includes two products from the Good Genes range – magic under makeup and made for glowy, plump, smooth skin.
Minimum effort, maximum glitter
As I learnt from recently volunteering my eyelids for a glitter eyes-focused Memo story, sparkles really do go a long way. A twinkly, colour-shifting duochrome will always make it look like you’ve done more than just swipe a shadow over your lids. Try MECCA MAX’s Show-Topper Holographic Eyeshadow Toppers for a shimmery three-in-one deal, or Half Magic’s Eyeshadow Singles for high-impact shades taken straight from the set of Euphoria.
HQ-approved fake tans
It seems that everyone has an opinion about the best fake tan – particularly at MECCA HQ. For a natural-looking, scent-free formula, Luna Bronze’s Gradual Tanning Moisturiser has been recommended multiple times, alongside By Terry’s Tea To Tan Face & Body Matte (as one group chat testimonial reads, “No bad smell, easy to use, and have gotten compliments on my skin looking great all morning.”). For a face that matches your body, Drunk Elephant’s D-Bronzi™ Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops will always be famous, and MECCA COSMETICA’s In A Good Light Illuminating Drops in ‘Bronze’ are quickly becoming a crowd favourite.
Collection-starting fragrances
If you know a teenager looking to graduate from bubblegum body spray to a real-deal signature scent, take the opportunity to be a fragrance oracle this gifting season. Their first ‘proper’ (read: not headache-inducing) scent is a big deal, so kickstart the collection with something light, youthful and not too overpowering. If you’re feeling unsure, Glossier’s Glossier You EDP (minimalistic, sweet, skin-like), TOCCA Florence EDP (soft, romantic, floral) or Tsu Lange Yor Pool EDP (clean, fresh, created by Troye Sivan) are all safe bets.
