From The MECCA Group Chat: A New Low-Maintenance Lip and Our Worst-Kept Hair Secret
November 4 | 4 minute read
Words by Izzy Wight
It’s officially Scorpio season, and I recently read (i.e., watched a completely unverified TikTok video) that this astrological month is all about intensity, authenticity and desire. I don’t know about the other things, but there’s certainly been HQ chatter about desiring some new beauty right now. This week, we’re distracted by a new viral lip product, limited-edition gifts and everyone’s favourite hair oil (maybe ever?).
TikTok made me gift it
Similar to being told you have the ‘best laugh’ or are ‘good with parents’, being labelled an ‘excellent gifter’ is one of those top-tier compliments. And unlike ‘good with parents’ (mums love me, by the way), ‘excellent gifter’ is something I don’t think I’ve been told enough.
That’s changing this year. I’m choosing to be a step ahead of my painfully cool friends (and eye-rolling younger sister) by scoping out this year’s trending beauty sets. Recently, my For You Page has been occupied by limited-edition Holiday sets like Glossier’s Storm Lip & Cheek Kit, Glow Recipe’s Glass Skin Glow Icons Set and the Gisou Gloss & Go Duo. I’ve already stashed a couple away before they go flying off the (virtual) shelves.
All-day lip colour
Stila’s Calligraphy Lip Stain recently had its viral moment in the sun, and deservedly so. As a lover of low-maintenance beauty, stains have forever been my lip product of choice, but it’s a difficult formula to nail. I found some I’ve bought in the past to be either too liquidy (harder to get an even wash of colour, can transfer easily) or too drying (self-explanatory) and this Stila one is neither. The pen-like tip allows for perfect precision and the colour lasts forever. The brown-nude shade ‘Hedy’ is a crowd favourite, and I love ‘Marie’ for a classic raspberry pink.
Festive fragrance
I’ll be the first to admit that living in the southern hemisphere can make it difficult to muster up the holiday spirit. Instead of sipping hot chocolate and making snow angels, we spend the season mitigating sweat (try Drunk Elephant’s Sweet Pitti and Tower 28 SOS Spray, FYI) and profusely refilling our water bottles.
Instead, I’ve learnt that when it’s sticky, rather than snowy, outside, the only solution is to make your space feel festive. As it turns out, French maison Diptyque is the answer to all Scrooge-like woes: their Sapin fragrance quite literally smells like pine trees and a crackling fire, while the Baies Carousel Candle fills the room with dancing light and the sweet scent of blackcurrants and rose.
Like liquid gold
It’s time I introduced you to MECCA HQ’s worst-kept hair secret: Kérastase’s Elixir Ultime L’Huille Originale Hair Oil. I couldn’t pronounce the name if my life depended on it, but I know this golden oil works serious salon-esque hair magic. A true triple threat, it’s like a heat protectant, hydrating treatment and styling oil, all rolled into one. Also, it’s refillable. And French!
Foundations that do more
In case you hadn’t noticed, foundations are not what they used to be. I know some of you were traumatised by the combination of acne and cakey orange foundation in your earlier years, but trust me: these days, it’s not unusual for a base to improve skin texture, provide hydration and stay radiant, all day.
Recently, I’ve rediscovered the formula that needs no introduction: NARS’ Light Reflecting™ Foundation. It’s perfect summer skin, bottled: buildable and blurring yet natural-looking, with just the right amount of luminosity. Morphe’s Lightform Extended Hydration Foundation is similarly brilliant, while other MECCA team favourites include the Ellis Faas Skin Veil Foundation (your skin but better, and the pro-MUA choice for mature faces) and the bareMinerals BAREPRO Matte Liquid Foundation (for the combination-oily people in the audience).
