MECCA HQ Reveals Their Favourite Foundations
February 25 | 5 minute read
Words by Arabella Roden and Ruby Devlin
Originally published on June 4
MECCA HQ is no different; any day at the office is punctuated with compliments, recommendations and knowing looks followed by, “Are you wearing [insert legendary, cult-favourite or just-launched-today beauty product]?”
Happily, this is a beauty community that will do anything but gatekeep, so if you’re on the hunt for some new foundation inspiration, we’ve gathered recommendations from our team. These are the bases they rely on for long-lasting coverage, the lightweight tints leaving skin radiant and the luxurious formulas that look as good in person as they do on camera.
Loved by: Jamie, Store Development Production Coordinator
“I don’t like anything heavy which is why I love how lightweight this tint feels while still lasting all day long. It has just enough coverage to even out my skin but doesn’t look cakey at all. It’s the new staple of my everyday makeup routine, pairing perfectly with my Kevyn Aucoin The Volume Mascara, ILIA Multi-Stick and Tower 28 Tinted LipSoftie.”
Loved by: Jordie, Education Cadet
“Sheer Glow is known for its versatility! I love how the creamy texture effortlessly glides on, creating a second-skin effect that beautifully evens out my complexion. True to its name, it settles into a sheer, glowing finish that always looks natural and radiant, making it perfect for everyday. For special occasions, I’ll build up the coverage with the Rae Morris Jishaku #23: Liquid Foundation brush and set with NARS Light Reflecting™ Makeup Setting Mist.”
Loved by: Vanessa, Senior Digital Marketing Manager
“My mum introduced me to the ILIA Skin Tint when we were visiting my sister in California! I love that it's super lightweight, which means I’m able to wear it every day and still have my skin look like skin. I put it on with a blending sponge, and when paired with the Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush in ‘Poppet’ and Kosas Revealer Concealer? Glowy skin all day!”
Loved by: Lucy, Head of PR &Influencer
“Charlotte’s Beautiful Skin Foundation is my best-kept beauty secret for a fresh, hydrated base that will have everyone asking what’s on your skin! I love to apply it with the Hourglass Vanish Seamless Finish Foundation Brush when I am after a little more coverage, and I mix in a few drops of the Hollywood Flawless Filter to make my skin really glow!”
Loved by: Nav, Product Compliance Associate
“I first tried this product when I was working in-store and a customer asked me to use it on her during a makeup application. I loved the formulation – lightweight yet pigmented – and had to try it for myself! It’s definitely one of the most underrated foundations at MECCA, as it applies so beautifully and is truly ‘self-refreshing’ throughout the day. I have dry skin and use the M·A·C Cosmetics Hyper Real Serumizer and Skincanvas Balm as my skin prep, let it absorb for a couple of minutes, and then apply the foundation with the MECCA COSMETICA Double-Ended Complexion Brush.”
Loved by: Steven, Influencer Relations Manager
“I discovered the Vital Skincare Complexion Drops at the launch event in 2023 and fell in love with the story behind the packaging and process of creating this amazing product. It’s become my daily foundation as it provides me with a nice dewy, natural finish. I love that it is breathable and has added skincare benefits too! I dispense the drops onto my fingertips and blend into the skin in an upwards motion, as I normally would with my moisturiser or serum.”
Loved by: Arabella, Chief Sub-Editor
“As a long-time fan of the cult-favourite Kosas Revealer Concealer, you’d better believe I was first in line to try the matching foundation when it launched! It shares all the qualities I love about its concealer counterpart – medium coverage, hydrating formula – while giving my skin that elusive glow I’m forever trying to achieve. I apply it with fingers or a dense foundation brush and set with a misting of Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray.”
“This skincare-makeup hybrid is buildable and the coverage can be customised depending on the occasion. It wears beautifully underneath my cream and powder products and I don’t feel the need to touch up throughout the day.”
Loved by: Isabella, Digital Content Specialist – Makeup
“My favourite daily foundation, perfect for the office! I love to wear this over my MECCA COSMETICA To Save Face SPF50+ sunscreen. It's not too heavy and builds to a medium coverage, and I love the fact that it’s makeup with skincare benefits. If I want a fuller coverage, I'll use my M·A·C Cosmetics 170 Slant Brush to buff it in; otherwise, fingers work a treat!”
Loved by: Christie, Beauty Writer
“Not since 2010 had I touched a full-coverage foundation (I’m a Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer gal forever!) – but this much-hyped formula found its way to my desk, and the rest is history. It achieves the impossible: an immaculate skin-like finish with enough (and buildable) coverage. While I wouldn’t consider it dewy, it does impart a subtle reflective radiance that evens out my skin beautifully. It’s since assumed the role of ‘night out’ or ‘long day’ foundation; I applied it at 5:45am and had this photo taken at 3:15pm – no touch-ups necessary, aside from a cheeky swipe of my favourite MECCA MAX cream blush! Be sure to prep skin with a lush moisturiser (I used Augustinus Bader’s The Cream).”
