Mecca by name, Mecca by nature

Has a Mecca popped up near you and you're wondering what all the fuss is about? Confused about the difference between "Cosmetica" and "Maxima"? Look no further, you have come to the right post. According to the website, Mecca Brands "brings you the best of global beauty across three unique beauty concepts: Mecca Cosmetica, Mecca Maxima, and Kit".

Mecca Maxima at Wintergarden in Brisbane City

I have had the pleasure of visiting all three types of Mecca stores, which vary in what each of them offer and the customer experience. Mecca Cosmetica is described as "a high touch, high service beauty boutique supported by a curation of the world’s most luxe beauty brands. From artistry colour to high tech skincare to the most exquisite fragrances from across the globe".

Cosmetica stocks luxury brands such Nars, Hourglass, Ellis Faas, By Terry, Chantecaille, Perricone MD, Dr Dennis Gross Skincare, Kate Somerville, Frederic Malle, Diptyque, Le Labo, Comme des Garcons, Bumble and Bumble and many more. This is the Mecca to visit to experience service like no other. Makeup Artists, Skincare Specialists and Fragrance Experts are in every store to provide bespoke beauty advice and expertise. I made a trip into Brisbane City a few months ago and popped in here for a new personal foundation and I ended up leaving with Nars' Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer in Alaska (Light 2) as well as a few other goodies in the form of perfumes and a face wash (oops).

A selection of brands stoked at Mecca Cosmetica.

Mecca Maxima is described by Mecca as "bringing the beauty lover her one stop beauty destination with the hottest makeup brands, trends and expertise in a glamorous and interactive environment". Maxima is probably my favourite out of the three because there is a real vibe about "just trying it". I don't feel pushed for a sale when I visit and I don'

t feel talked down to or made to feel silly when I ask questions of the customer service hosts - I usually visit the Maxima in Carindale, Qld because there is a magnificent lady who works there and she has the most amazing eyebrows (and personailty, and vibrancy, and verve, and her product knowledge is amazing, and...I'll stop) and she hooks me up with the lastest and greatest each time. A few years ago she got me hooked on an Origins face scrub and I have not looked back. I am a little bit annoyed that she also got me addicted to the Origins oil cleanser and now they don't stock it in Australia anymore, but that is not really her fault so I should just build a bridge. If you go to Singapore airport, do yourself a favour and buy a bottle or two. And one for me ;)

Popular brands stocked in Maxima stores

(note the coveted and hard to find Smashbox and Too Faced)

I dig Maxima stores because there is a great freedom in being able to grab a beauty basket and trawl the displays sampling colours, finishes, blendability, textures, scents, payoff, and consistencies without being stressed or pressured to make a decision. I like to take my time in deciding which products to stock in my kit, and Maxima gives me that freedom, as well as a huge range of international brands including Smashbox, Too Faced, Nars, Hourglass, Bobbi Brown, BareMinerals, Yves Saint Laurent, Philosophy, Clinique, Lancome, Origins, Soap & Glory, Kate Somerville, Clarisonic and so many more.

The third Mecca Brands store is known as "Kit" and you would have seen it in in the past in department stores and in some shopping centres as kind of a "pop up" stall. Kit is now a part of the Mecca Brands and is where the beauty adventurer goes to disc

over new and interesting beauty brands from around the globe. The go-to brand for the most up-to-the-minute, on-trend beauty essentials, Kit Cosmetics is an Australian brand that is loved worldwide. Featuring botanical-based skincare to beautify the skin and uplift the senses, and a high-performance makeup line with everything from fashion-forward nail shades to the latest makeup tool innovations. For a fresh take on beauty that’s super simple to use, it makes you look pretty, pronto. One thing I love about this brand is you can try all the fancy and fandangled trends (matte nails, anyone?) at a fraction of the price of designer and luxury brands. They also have great tools and basics at affordable prices.

Kit pop-up within a department store.

People often ask me how I know so much about the finish, wear, consistency, smell, and general "stuff" regarding many cosmetic products. While it is great to be able to purchase so many (often rare) products online, nothing really beats trying the product for yourself and really getting to know it before you commit to stocking it in your kit and using it on clients (or yourself!). In order to know what it is that I am offering my client, I need to know a lot about a certain product and the way I go about this is by finding it in store and testing it where I can. While the big department stores usually stock many well known products, Mecca is my one destination to really try before I buy and just enjoy the experience of makeup and shopping. I have found every single staff member at each Mecca to be welcoming, knowledgeable and polite, and I leave with a great sense of satisfaction and always with having learnt something new. If you haven't had the chance to try one yet, I recommend you get yourself to Mecca and have a play. If you see my mate with the eyebrows tell her I said "Hi!".

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