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!

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.

Mecca Maxima, the monster version of Mecca Cosmetica, has opened in Carindale and I couldn't be…read moremore delighted. The store brings a range of hip and brilliant cosmetics and skin care products like Kit, Stila, Smashbox, NARS, Mario Badescu and Too Faced to the 'burbs, so I no longer have to make a trek into the city (or shop online without the opportunity to cover my hand in testers) to get my killer make-up fix. I dropped in to Mecca for the first time recently when I decided to be indulgently lazy and see if I could get my face done up for an event that night. I didn't have a booking, but they managed to squeeze me in. Apart from the girl who reacted with a bit of a "1-2-3 NOT ME" attitude when I asked about a makeover, the girls at Mecca Maxima Carindale are all really friendly and personable - a couple of them kept coming over to check up on my "work in progress", and I was given a bottle of delicious Schweppes Agrum to drink while I was in the chair. When I'd first entered the store I was greeted warmly by one girl in particular, and I complimented her awesome eyebrows. She ended up being my make-up artist, so I was more than happy with how my eyebrows turned out! We had a great time and she did an excellent job with my insane eyeshadow. The deal with in-store makeovers is that you then have to spend a minimum of $90 on any product/s. I was more than happy to do that, picking up a couple of the products that Emily had used on me - if anyone sees me out and about in the next few weeks, I'll probably be wearing a Stila sparkle liquid eyeliner because I just about lost my mind over how brilliant they are. So I guess the deal works in reverse, too - if you go into Mecca Maxima and spend over $90, do yourself a favour and see if they can fit you in for a makeover while you're there! Or if you have plans to do a bit of spending, call ahead and book in to get done over while you're in there. It was a heap of fun, I felt like a bombshell all night, and I have some shiny new products that I know do a good job.

Visited this salon for cut and colour for myself and daughter…read more Staff are friendly but I didn't quite get the colour and cut I wanted. I showed the hairdresser a photo of what I wanted and it was a realistic expectation. The hairdresser did ask and discuss our options but it wasn't what I expected. I may be a bit more particular with what I want and expected as I had a fantastic hairdresser that had recently retired that always did my hair the way I explained. I don't think I would go back but I think my daughter will as she has long curly hair and you can't really muck it up.

Ahh zee smell from the Provence! The aromas of Peony and…read moreLavender Fleurs waft into my nostrils. Mais Non! This is not the south of France, I am in stinky hot Brisbane seeking some airconditioned shelter in the Edward st L'Occitane store. I have used L'Occitane products in some shape or form since I was 13 years old. I can attest to the quality of their merchandise, but they are a little on the pricey side of beauty products. Their range of natural skin care and moisturisers can't be beat, and their traditional art deco-esque labels and packaging never fail to make me swoon. In particular be sure to try out the Almond Milk Concentrated Moisturizer, It will have you exclaiming "C'est Tres Tres Magnifique!" in no time.

Did you know that you can find products here in this wonderfully pretty shop (from France…read moreapparently, or stocks just french products i'm not entirely sure) from nut or fruit? For example... if you say Almond! The lady in the shop also smelling very nice will direct you to almond specific products? Great for people with allergies or sensitive skin. As the lady in the shop (I really should remember names shouldn't I) also showed me, they have a really cool online make-up tool where you can put their products on your virtual face and see what they look like... and she can also put them on you in store... no pressure to buy either. The prices aren't super duper either, you can get a cool Petals Eye Quartet eyeshadow kit for $39.95... very comparable with other lower key brands... and the packaging is really pretty, so you can easily gift this stuff too! I love this shop, if not for the cool eyeshadow colours, the ladies aren't overbearing, it's all good.

I think I was just as taken with the lovely Director of the store (Nicole Byrne) as I was with the…read moreclothes, to be honest. When you come across shop staff who are friendly but not pushy, you tend to remember them. And be grateful. Sure, there were lots of lovely maxi dresses (her window display featuring some really striking, stripey maxis was what caught my attention in the first place), and the shop stocks labels like Talulah, MinkPink, Miss Cherry etc. Think dresses perfect for a Brisbane lass wanting to look cool and stay fresh in the debilitating humidity. (Basically - light, floaty and not at all restrictive). But what I thought was a really lovely touch were the cellophane-wrapped, home made shortbread biscuits Nicole gave me, which she told me were little pre-Xmas gifts she was giving out to customers. And I didn't even buy anything! Also look out for the jewellery she imports from New York - by a label called Kenneth. It apparently sells out the minute it comes in (I tried on a really amazing gold chain choker - kinda urban, kinda rock-chick and like nothing I'd seen during any of my shopping explorations).

My new favourite shop! Has a variety of amazing clothes at all different prices so there's really…read moresomething for everyone. Everything had a certain elegance to it. I wanted it all! The customer service was superb. The owner was so friendly and helpful. I will definitely be back!

Having pilfered my mum's strong collection of Body shop over the years,…read moreit's safe to say I am a bit of a fan. This place is also where I go for great gift's, whether its for great-aunt ethel or your BFF Body Shop has something to suit the pickiest lady. (They also make these great pamper packs for christmas.) I think what product rings synonymously with the Body Shop is their range of body butters and scrubs. (For as long as I could remember I have alternated having the coconut or strawberry tub residing in my bathroom drawer.) I've been in their city location a number of times, but I always go back to the chermside store. I think the store seem's a bit more put together and quieter than the myer center. But wherever you decide to go, it's more than likely you will be met with knowledgable and friendly staff who are more than happy to take you through their product range.

I love Tonsure. A wonderful salon in Hendra run by Julie is a very welcoming environment and I…read morealways come out feeling like a million bucks. The team there are equally all very good with some employees being with the business since it opened. If my usual hairdresser is not available, I have no hesitation with booking my appointment with another hairdresser there. A very resonably priced salon as well (how many places can say that in Brisbane!). Another thing I love about Tonsure is that they never over or double-book - I have the same hairdresser from start to finish and the well-trained apprentices to wash hair and observe the techniques without being in the way. It also has the added benefit of being right next to Dandelion and Driftwood!