I Found Mecca!

I found MECCA. And I shopped there! I had a rare appointment in the city recently, and although it was medical and a bit stressful, all I could think about was visiting Mecca afterwards and finally swatching the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders. I powerwalked there so fast I was kind of puffed out and sweaty when I got there (what a dork!). Well not super sweaty, but my skin was not completely dry and that's my excuse for why the powder swatches oxidized on my inner wrist! I don't know what the hell that means, but the Sales Assistant insisted they were oxidizing (basically most of them went a weird, darker colour). So devastated! I ended up getting Mood Light with the intention of using it as a blush (since it's a pale pink), but it's so subtle and sheer it actually looks amazing all over my face as a setting powder. When I wear it as a blush, I layer it over another blush as it barely imparts any colour on its own. I'm loving this product and am keen to return and try swatching everything again (this time not after a long, brisk walk!).

I was disappointed the small Mecca I visited didn't stock Bobbi Brown, as I wanted to try out the Correctors for dark under eye circles to know if I should be going for Bisque or Peach. I'll be visiting the city again in June (seriously, it's usually years between my trips to the city) and this time I'll hit up the Mecca Cosmetica in the Myer Centre which is probably way larger and stocks more brands.

Anyway, at least I visited at the ideal time of day, mid-morning and well before the lunch time rush, so I was the only customer in store and I got a lovely Sales Assistant all to myself the whole time! I swatched most of the Stila Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eyeshadows and decided upon Vintage Black Gold, but seriously, they were all so pretty and sparkly. It comes with a tiny Stay All Day Liquid Eye Primer bottle and accompanying dropper, which I've read in reviews is not nearly enough for the amount of eyeshadow, but I guess it's still better than a slap in the face with a wet fish.

Then I had an epic lipstick swatching session, tossing up between the NARS and Hourglass nude shades. I had my final three choices applied to my lips (and felt super special, as I'm never one to get makeup applied at the counters!) and decided Hourglass Femme Rouge Velvet Creme lipstick in Mural was the one for me. I'm definitely getting a NARS lippie next time as the shades were gorgeous.

I had already joined the online Beauty Loop program but was told the instore one was separate, so I was joined as an instore Beauty Loop member as well. They didn't seem super keen to hand me a free sample when I asked (lol, I always ask, especially if I've just spent nearly $150 on three products), but after a list of what they don't do samples of, she did make up a tiny pot of Sunday Riley Start Over Active Eye Cream for me.

Hourglass Femme Rouge Velvet Creme lipstick rrp $39
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder rrp $59
Stila Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eyeshadow rrp $44

Let me know in the comments if Mecca stores usually include free samples with purchases, I'm interested to know!