Top Three: Mecca’s Senior Art Director shares her all-time favourite beauty products
PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICOLE COOPER
WORDS BY CAIT EMMA BURKE
“We get to sample and try lots of new products, so often the best beauty advice comes from meetings, chitter-chatter in the kitchen or messages on Teams.”
I’m a notoriously nosy person when it comes to products. I want to know whether you double cleanse at night, and if so which cleansers you use. I want to know if there’s some special hair contraption or pair of tweezers that have (hyperbole warranted) changed your life. I want to know what curl definer you use and which lip balm you swear by.
But my interest in products doesn’t just pertain to the world of beauty – I’m always eager to hear about an air fryer that someone loves so much they’ve convinced their entire extended family to get one, or a laptop stand that’s corrected their posture and improved their quality of life by at least 25 per cent.
Want to snoop inside the beauty regimes of other creatives? Head here.
In short, I adore products. This is why I’ve asked some of our favourite Australian creatives for their top three products, AKA the products they simply cannot live without. The scope is broad – it can genuinely be any three products, as long as they’re the three they value the most.
Joining us this week is Mecca’s Senior Art Director, Kat Wilkinson. Working at Mecca, Kat has the privilege of trying a vast array of products from some of our (and probably your) favourite beauty brands. As a friend of Kat’s, I know firsthand just how passionate and knowledgeable she is about products so it was a no-brainer asking her to feature in this series. Below, she shares her all-time favourites.
Product one: Officine Universelle Buly Candle
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How did you first discover this product?
I first discovered the Buly stores in Paris when I was in my twenties. The stores are like stepping back in time to the 1800s, a homage to the history and decadence of Parisian perfumer Jean-Vincent Bully. I adore everything Buly creates – their tortoiseshell acetate combs (which you can get personalised with engraving if you are in their Paris stores!) or their scented matches which are so chic in a bathroom.
What is it, what does it do and why do you love it?
But above all, I love their candles! They are formulated with plant-based ingredients and come in the most stunning carved black or white marble vessel which, once burnt to the bottom, I wash out and repurpose as a toothbrush holder or any other vessel around the house.
Where would you find it/who would you recommend it to?
If you like small luxuries that live many lives, you will love Buly candles. Available at Mecca in-stores and online for those not visiting Paris anytime soon.
Product two: Goop G.Tox Himalayan Salt Scrub Exfoliating Shampoo
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How did you first discover this product?
This luxe scalp scrub was actually recommended to me at work by our then Head of Content, Zara Wong (her newsletter Screenshot This is a must-read). Scalp health is having a big moment and this is the product that started it all in my opinion. We get to sample and try lots of new products, so often the best beauty advice comes from meetings, chitter-chatter in the kitchen or messages on Teams.
What is it, what does it do and why do you love it?
It is a whipped shampoo made from Himalayan pink salt brought to us by the one and only Gwyneth Paltrow. It is exfoliating and works SO well at totally cleaning your hair – I do a lot of saunas and hot-room Pilates, so I need a shampoo that properly cleans my hair and scalp of sweat! Your hair is so, so soft afterwards and bouncy. It also smells amazing. I don’t know what it is about this product but it is SO GOOD.
Where would you find it and who would you recommend it to?
Perfect for anyone who works out a lot, has oily hair or generally wants a really deep, satisfying clean – you can find it at Mecca in-store or online.
Product three: Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat in Pillow Talk
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How did you first discover this product?
I was in Costa Rica roughing it in the jungle – think huge spiders, giant crocodiles, monkeys the works. My travel buddy Cleo, and I thought it was time to swap out the bike shorts and head torches for some glam and go out for a nice dinner. Cleo did my makeup and used the Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat on my lips and I’ve since then coined it ‘lip filler in a pencil’.
What is it, what does it do and why do you love it?
Charlotte Tilbury’s iconic Lip Cheat pencil in Pillow Talk is this perfect pouty, pinky matte shade that gently stains your lips and makes them look so much fuller. I slightly overdraw my lips to make them look extra juicy. You can take it all over your lips as a soft lip stain or I sometimes fill my lips with another lip gloss or balm.
Where would you find it and who would you recommend it to?
This lip pencil is for everyone and anyone who wants an everyday, no-fuss, quick lip zhush. Find it at Mecca in-store and online.
You can keep up with Kat here.
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