From the MECCA Group Chat: Date Night Beauty and Hair Glossing
February 10 | 5 minute read
Words by Izzy Wight
Got the almost end-of-summer blues? There’s a beauty product for that. Let us introduce you to fragrances for calm, a makeup routine for confidence and the new hair product for a sore neck (from all the hair flipping and swishing, of course).
Scents for self-care
Just like your fallback list of feel-good movies, certain fragrances can act as spritz-on emotional regulators. With serene notes of lavender, rose and bergamot, MAISON MARGIELA’s Bubble Bath, for example, smells like a high-end spa and feels like instant calm.
If one of your ‘happy places’ is the beach, you need to smell Plumes by D.S. & DURGA. The brand was founded by Brooklyn couple David and Kavi Moltz, and Plumes was inspired by Australia: sunny, figuratively and literally. The notes of frangipani, jasmine and tropical water (yes, really) will instantly transport you to the coast. Nostalgic and optimistic.
My second-favourite Barbara
The cult-favourite Glow Drops are a shortcut to bouncy, lit-from-within skin and The Ultimate Stinky Pimple Treatment is my personal holy grail. Don’t let the name deter you! Any stinkiness is immediately cancelled out by this product’s ability to shrink zits. As an oily skin gal, it has alleviated my pimple panic – one dot helps to take away redness overnight.
Toss, toss!
How to look hot and glamorous
As someone who’s been on their fair share of dates (we’re talking bad first ones, great second ones, third anniversary dinner ones and everything in between), I’d like to think I’ve perfected my tête-à-tête beauty routine. And in the spirit of Valentine’s Day, I’m sharing my secrets.
Generally, I want to look incredible (if that wasn’t implied) but still like me. While I love an occasional Jenny-from-Gossip-Girl-style smoky eye or heavily overlined lip, I try to stick to the brief of ‘naturally glamorous and hot’ for a date. There will be makeup involved, of course. But they probably won’t know that.
Start with a primer that can withstand dinner, drinks and a makeout (if that’s the vibe). The NARS Light Reflecting Hydrating Primer is a tried-and-tested favourite – it keeps makeup in place and adds dewiness. Applied with a brush, Glossier’s Perfecting Skin Tint and Stretch Balm Concealer (in that order) are the ultimate ‘no-makeup makeup’ duo. The tint creates an even, luminous base that looks like skin, while the concealer hydrates, covers redness and pigmentation, and feels like nothing.
On the regular occasion when I’m running short on time, a matte red lip (Westman Atelier Lip Suede Matte Lipstick in Ma Biche) and lashings of Tower 28’s MakeWaves Lengthening + Volumizing Mascara are my go-tos. To transfer-proof your lipstick, take one thin layer of a tissue, hold it against your lips and dab some translucent powder over the top. Finally, I always finish with a spritz of Glossier’s soft, sweet and never overpowering scent, You. It’s an eternal crowd-pleaser.
