I had an amazing experience at Mecca, Cleo was so helpful and knowledgeable and made my visit so…read moreeasy and fun. Great product range.

I was in desperate need for a foundation and assumed Mecca Maxima would carry the same stock as…read moreMecca on James Street. Sadly no. Fortunately I was happy to consider a new foundation and the salesperson who assisted me tried on a couple of different ones from Smashbox. She was absolutely lovely and patient however unluckily for me, there was no stock on the foundation I'd decided on. Had another staff member assist me with a different foundation which I'd then purchased. Staff was helpful and friendly but don't really seem experienced, especially in dealing with mature skin tones. They tried their best so kudos to them.

TINY MAKEUP. ALL THE TINY MAKEUP. After finding myself caught in the Mecca Maxima airport vortex…read morewhile waiting for a filght I've convinced myself you could leave all your cosmetics at home and find yourself a travel face just from the mini products the new airport (Virgin terminal) Mecca Maxima. Why go full-size when we all know we never use up mascara or hit pan on the Hourglass full-size ambient lighting powder you got after watching a YouTube beauty guru sing glowingly about. But in all seriousness, the addition of Mecca at the domestic airport is a grand thing. Should you have forgotten any of your skincare / cosmetic accoutrement or if you've just gotten up at 4am for the first flight out and need a little pick me up, you know where to make a beeline for as soon as you clear security.

I was waiting with a friend to board a flight last week and ended up binge spending here - but I…read morecouldn't not do it because not only is their product range quite impressive despite the moderate sized store, the lady who helped me was one of the most knowledgable and friendly people I'd had a shopping experience with in months. She was incredibly patient and helped me find a new mascara and compact foundation, and didn't push the limits of the budget I had given. Which was great because although I could have been easily persuaded, the rest of my pay period thanked me for not spending what I could have! She was able to tell me the details of everyone who tests on animals, who is certified cruelty free, the legal information regarding those labels and of course the other little facts regarding the lines that are not tested on animals except for their sale in China, which was really refreshing to hear. My previous experiences with Mecca stores hadn't ever been the best and I wish I remembered the name of my helper because she needs a raise. Thanks x100!

I'm a massive fan of Jurlique and their products. Produced in the Adelaide Hills using natural…read moreingredients from their own farm I love that I'm using high quality skin care products and supporting a local business in the process. Whilst the products are not cheap, in my experience they are incredibly good value with a little going a very long way that has had me comparing dollar for dollar against what appears to be cheaper alternatives but Jurlique comes out the winner. I also love how it makes my skin feel. No alcohol/chemical dryness or greasy layer that I experience with cheaper chemically based products. If you're new to the product the team instore will walk you through your skin care routine and needs to make sure that you get what's right for you. As an added bonus they have little starter kits so you can try a small amount before shelling out your hard earned cash for larger quantities. This store also has a day spa which is a wonderful way to experience the products first hand. My recent visit to this store in Wintergarden was the first in 12 months (that's how long my 145ml moisturiser lasts!) and the lady serving me remembered me from my previous visit... a great memory and a great customer service experience for me. This visit I learned that you can also bring your empty containers back for a 10% discount on the next purchase.

Great selection of high quality Korean skincare at reasonable prices. I bought a lot of face masks…read moreand some lip tints that I really love. They also carry some products you can find at Sephora like Olaplex shampoo. I will be visiting again!

I went to the Garden City shop, just for curious for the first time. But I had very bad…read moreexperiences, it is shocking!! the shop assistant was very rude. When I inquired a product, her response was "this product is for young people." Ok, I am not young or I looked horrible? I am in my late 20s. But by hearing that, I really wanted to give her a "F**k you". When I compared the price from e-bay, buying on line is way better and have more to choose from, and you will not be abused by the shop assistant, you just need to wait for a couple of weeks for the shipping from South Korean. I will never buy anything from W Cosmetics. They need proper training staffs.

Walking into any fluorescent cosmetic store can often be an intimidating experience, but not when…read morewalking into Mecca Cosmetica's newest family member, the James Street store. I'm promptly greeted by two friendly faces and upon mentioning that for the moment "'I'm just looking.", I am left to my own devices to wander through the store. I notice a sign on the counters saying they can match you to your "perfect foundation" in 10 minutes. Challenge Accepted. Even though I'm here looking at skincare (the sudden change of season means my skin is protesting severely and I'm ready to meet its demands). Lauren, my sales assistant for the visit, sits me down and begins to prep my skin. The products she uses (REN and Darphin for those playing at home) let my skin breathe a hydrated sigh of relief. I make a mental note to follow up these products later. She then asks me a few questions about my preferences in a foundation and my daily tasks. We settle upon trying the new NARS tinted moisturiser. She primes me by saying that I'll be surprised how much coverage this baby gives. After application I'm flawed. She was right. This tinted moisturiser packs a little more punch than the average tinted moisturiser and I think their signage was right. They can match you to your perfect foundation in 10 minutes. Mecca Cosmetica is home to one of Australia's best ranges of skincare and cosmetics. The prices are a little high when you compare them to international prices but come on ladies, we're used to that by now. Plus for the extra advice and insight you gain from their staff it is more than worth it. This store is slightly smaller than their Queen Street store, however, that's ok with me. The staff were helpful, knowledgeable and if you're looking for a special occasion makeup I'd suggest popping in and saying hello to Mecca Cosmetica.

James Street is an absolute mess at the moment. There is construction happening everywhere you…read moreturn, so it was a miracle I found Mecca Cosmetica hidden amongst the rubble. The new Fortitude Valley store is much smaller than it's store in the city, but it gives it a more intimate and less intimidating feel. It has pretty much anything in the way of cosmetics that a girl (or boy, if you're into that sort of thing) may need. With brands that are often difficult to find such as By Terry, Nars and Kevyn Aucoin, it's nice to know that Mecca usually have all of their products in stock. To date, it is the only place in Australia I have been able to find the Nars multiple in Maldives (that is a BIG secret I've just shared with you people!). The staff were a little caught up when I was there and I wasn't really attended to, but it was nice to just stroll around the store at my own pace. If you are in need of a new skin care regime, a new palette for your face, or even a new fragrance, Mecca Cosmetica should be on your "to go to" list. The only downside is that if they have a product they're not selling much of they often discontinue it, which is sad when you were that one person buying it! Nevertheless, it's a great store to pop in and feel immediately girly.

They use organic, plant based ingredients whenever they can…read more They are Australian. They are romantic with their ideals and quote selections (on their packaging) They hire local designers to fit out each of their stores. They have impeccable, minimalist packaging. The staff are so lovely. The products are excellent. It's kind of expensive. It's totes worth it. I use very little else.

Being a gal that is fond of makeup I am prone like any mere…read moremortal to breakouts and general skin yuk-ness, Thankfully Aesop is to the rescue. Aesop use the finest plant based ingredients and anti-oxidants to create quality products for your skin. Their flagship store on Adelaide street is bare bones and beautiful, the famous brown bottles stand crowded on a long wooden bench and the effect is quite striking. The staff are friendly and really know what they are doing, they are thankfully not stingy with free samples and I get to go home and test out some of their range. I am particularly taken with Tea Tree leaf exfoliant The products smell wonderful and go on like a treat. While it is a bit too pricy for me ($40 for a 40g jar) I plan to save up some pennies and invest in a bottle.

Located in the mini shopping mecca of Elizabeth Arcade, I've…read morelost count the number of times I've walked past this small store. When I finally popped in I was pretty impressed with the selection and diverse range of asian beauty products and tricks of the trade. The sales staff are super nice and can offer you a hand (//quick translation!) or recommend the best product for the job. And I don't know about you, but there's been many a time when I've felt the need for a good "Pore Vacuumer" or intense whitening face cream in my life. So if you are in the market for crazy good false eyelashes or to create that oh so desired eyelid crease (Asians y'all know what I'm talking about) Cutie Q is your new port of call.

Like a magpie, I was drawn to the sparkly jewellery at the front of this shop, thinking it was yet…read moreanother new accessories brand that had hit town. But no, in fact it's actually a beauty mecca - full of the types of pots and brushes and pretty cosmetics I long to cover my dressing table with. And such clever little ideas too. I was tempted by the Brow Sculpting Kit - which comes with a colour palette especially to suit your hair colour and also contained tweezers and a little compact. Then there were the bejewelled lipstick cases. And the brand's own range of nailpolishes in covetable colours. And the party palettes (with cheek, lip and eye colours). I also found out that the plush brushes have a huge cult following - apparently they've been used by makeup artists in Hollywood working on some big-name films. Even better - this Aussie owned brand is all all mineral based makeup so it's good for your skin, too. It must be - it's used in over 100 spas and salons and clinics throughout Oz. That's a brand with a good reputation.

The Issada concept store in the CBD is a pampered girls dream. Their beautiful Australian-owned…read moreboutique range of cosmetics is predominately mineral based and a welcome change to the caked-on look we have all donned at some shameful point in our lives. The store itself is sleek and stylish. There is a great selection of nail polishes, and also the opportunity to get your makeup done by one of the lovely shop attendants. Another thing I noticed was their range of wax crystals. A nice change to the average candle, you can put wax crystals in any vessel with the wick provided and it will act as a scented candle. With flavours like milk and honey, watermelon and coconut these make for an awesome gift to yourself or to a friend. If you find yourself spending loads of money in department stores on cosmetics, I urge you to try something different at Issada. In my opinion the quality is just as good for a little less on the price tag.