It’s New. In May. At MECCA
April 29 | 3 minute read
Words by Kerri Gordon
We’re talking about life-changing beauty. Products I’m not quite sure how I ever lived without. Results I never thought possible. Smells I can’t (and refuse to) un-smell.
As I continue to practically bathe in my Maison Francis Kurkdjian Laundry Detergent from last month’s launch list, I’m playing favourites on MECCA’s new arrivals for May. Though I’ll try to keep my list shorter than Taylor’s The Tortured Poets Department tracklisting - promise. Here’s what you need to shop.
UNPARALLELED SKIN THINGS
Can someone check on the chemists and formulators of the skincare industry? They’ve been working overtime to create creams, serums and sprays of a calibre once unbeknownst to man.
For starters, there’s Emma Lewisham’s Supernatural Vitale Face Elixir, a.k.a. ‘notox’ in a bottle. Myself and MECCA Beauty Editor Christie have been trialling it for the past month; Christie wrote about it here, while I knocked down the door of the wine bar I frequent because I left my I.D. at home (along with what must have looked like a decade of my life).
That, coupled with Fig. 1’s Retinol Night Cream Level 1, and I’m Back-To-The-Futuring my way through life. The new-to-MECCA brand (loved by Phoebe Tonkin, no less), takes the terror out of introducing retinol into your skincare routine with a level-up style system that trains your skin to reap the benefits of retinol, without the risk of irritation. I’m loving the Micellar Oil Cleanser, too.
On Australian soil, Naked Sundays and Frank Body are taking routines to the next level with clever formulae that turn beauty chores into joys. The former’s Cabana Clear SPF50 Serum is a 100% water-based SPF50 gel serum with zero silicon (but loads of hydrating hyaluronic acid). It glides on the skin and finishes clear - no sheeny, goopy, greasiness in sight. For the body, Frank Body’s Triple Acid Body Mist has been a game-changer for my keratosis pilaris - perfect for those who get drier and flakier (but also more negligent with their body care) as the weather cools.
MAKEUP BAG UPDATES
You’ve probably seen ILIA’s Skin Rewind Complexion Stick in your TikTok feed. And in case you weren’t already sold, take it from me that this might be the best stick foundation you’ll ever try. Or, take it from the MECCA team who tried it on the record.
RMS dropped their ReDimension Hydra Bronzer and though I’m yet to try it, my hopes are gargantuan - their blushes of the same vein are beautiful in every way, with a unique gel-to-powder finish that melts into the skin. Expect a sunny glow once reserved for those holidaying in Majorca. I plan on adding it to my makeup bag alongside a couple of the new NARS Total Seduction Eyeshadow Sticks - a godsend for put-together eye looks that take 10 seconds at most.
SCENTS YOU’LL CRAVE
The appeal of a for-all-occasions signature scent is mighty; but with so many unique, artful and evocative fragrances to love and spritz, I couldn’t possibly choose just one. If you’re like me, get tabs on Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s Fragrance Wardrobe For Her. The set stars eight of the brand’s greatest hits (my favourites are Gentle Fluidity Gold and 724) and is perfect for scent shoppers with commitment issues, desk-to-date top-ups, and globetrotting.
In more niche fragrance news, Vilhelm Parfumerie’s new EDP Sparkling Jo has top notes of Champagne, making it the perfect party scent (or home alone on the couch wishing you were partying scent), and DedCool’s new MECCA-exclusive scent, Aura, is similarly sparkly, in a caramelised-pear-with-vanilla ice-cream-and turkish-delight kind of way. So good you could eat/pray/love them.
