From the MECCA Group Chat: Insider-Secret Serums and Bot Beauty
February 20 | 5 minute read
Words by Izzy Wight
As much as I hate to bring it up, it’s the last week of summer. Already! But before swapping out our ’kinis for knitwear, we’re enjoying the spoils of warm-weather beauty: sparkling eyeshadows, radiance-boosting skincare and body care for glow, all over…
Sisterhood of the travelling serum
As a serial bandwagon-jumper and lover of new and shiny beauty (obviously), I learnt the hard way that an extensive, ever-changing routine can result in a compromised skin barrier. Now, I’ve whittled my routine down to the essentials – and discovered my love for multi-tasking serums.
It started with Emma Lewisham’s Skin Reset Serum, a recommendation passed on by one of our MECCA Skin Specialists after I enquired how exactly their skin looked like that (i.e. luminous, hydrated, plump). Truly a one-step wonder product, it’s formulated with 20 powerful actives to even skin tone, brighten dark spots, boost radiance and clarify complexion – all without upsetting that precious microbiome. So far, I’ve only heard rave reviews from the friends (and friends of friends) I’ve passed the recommendation on to.
Beauty and the bot
This week I’ve been channelling Iris’ look (played by Sophie Thatcher) from Companion, a part-Don’t Worry Darling, part-The Stepford Wives sci-fi thriller about dystopian dating, control and the ethics of artificial intelligence. In the film, Iris’ curtain bangs and loose waves stay perfectly coiffed, and her winged liner, pinky-purple lids and pouty nude lips are always supernaturally flawless – mostly because she is a robot (I promise this is not a spoiler, the trailer is very telling).
While we humans will always require touch-ups, a recent interview with Companion makeup designer Sasha Grossman revealed the products to recreate Iris’ ’50s French girl glam. Use Oribe’s Featherbalm Weightless Styler for those undone curls, ILIA’s Clean Line Liquid Eyeliner for a sharp wing, and a blend of the Balmy Tint Hydrating Lip Balms in ‘Runaway’ and ‘Hold Me’ for a plush, natural-looking wash of colour.
Silky smooth, 365
Staving off the winter scaliness is all about preparation, people. While the weather is warm – and exiting the shower is still a relatively pleasant experience – my advice is to find body care staples that keep your skin feeling moisturised, radiant and soft to the touch.
Falling under the ever-growing category of ‘like skincare for all over’ Necessaire’s Body Retinol is as smoothing and blemish-clearing as the kind you put on your face. Follow this with a layer of the just-landed Uni 24-Hour Body Serum for lightweight – but lasting – hydration and a scent reminiscent of sweet citrus and smoky rose.
If I’m being honest, the ultimate goal is to look like a more low-key version of those oiled-up bodybuilders (minus the muscles). If you did want to go for that slick, contoured aesthetic, I’d suggest the combination of OSEA’s Undaria Algae Body Oil and kit:’s Gua Sha Body Tool right after the shower.
If ever you were going to wear a glitter eye…
As the official Makeup Partner for Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 2025, MECCA MAX is back to a) celebrate the beauty of self-expression and b) cover everyone’s eyelids in shimmering shades of blue and pink, courtesy of the Shade Parade Marbled Eyeshadow Duo. One of the earlier events in the Mardi Gras calendar, MECCA MAX hosted its very own Fair Day Beauty School on February 16 with makeup artist Max May (and Brooke Blurton in the glam chair). Never one to shy away from colourful, experimental beauty, Max loves Mardi Gras makeup because it’s about “doing what makes you feel your most confident and authentic”.
“It’s a time to push boundaries and express yourself in a space where everyone is accepted,” Max continues. “Try that bold lip you’ve always wanted to wear, add some glitter or recreate that epic eye look that’s been living rent-free in your mind since you saw it in a magazine.” Not sure where to start? Max recommends a sweep of glittery eyeshadow, lashings of the MECCA MAX Whip Lash Tubing Mascara and a coat of the MECCA MAX Gloss Boss Lip Gloss. “The diamond-like sparkles catch the light in the most magical way – especially on the dance floor!”
