This is a fully stocked stand alone store which would make one think you'd get a bit of customer…read moreservice. I was made to stand holding various products I wanted to try and buy despite three shop assistants standing around talking to each other. Needless to say I opted to patronise other stores after 10 minutes of being ignored.

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.

Let's call Kit Mecca Cosmetics' little sister. If you're familiar with the Mecca stores then…read moreyou'll feel right at home in the Kit Cosmetics concession that is in the first floor of the CBD Myer store. They stock an entirely different set of ranges to Mecca and most tend to fall into a lower price point than some of the higher end brands you'd find in Mecca stores. But the quality and curation of only the best of the best remain (they're owned buy the same people). And true to their staff ethos, I've always encountered professional and eager to help staff in this concession. Plus they've never been overly pushy or those kind of sale people to follow you around endlessly once you've indicated you're just browsing. Pro Tip: looking for new makeup products but not sure where to start? Book in for one of their makeup application appointments. The cost is redeemable on product and you'll walk out feeling like a million dollars.

Sure: Mecca has some hot competition on their toes with as ephors opening in Sydney this December,…read morebut for now, this is as good as it gets for us cosmetic loving dames and gents in Brisbane. Of course there's always that other shop, open 24/7 a.k.a the World Wide Web but you'll be pleased and/or surprised to note Mecca have recently dropped their prices quite heftily to fall in line with US prices. And they've always been generous with samples. As a dame with sensitive and often reactive skin, the ability to really test a product, be it makeup or skin care, before I buy is appreciated. Pair this with customer service from the staff that 9 times out if 10 goes above and beyond and it's a bricks and mortar store I'm more than happy to give my Monopoly money (read: paycheck) to. As Fleur pointed out the staff don't pounce straight away. They will ask but I've always found them to be respectful of my space once I say I'm just looking. Similarly, if you do need a hand they'll be ready! If you are to visit either of the Mecca's in the Mall, this is my pick. There's just a little more range than the Queens Plaza store.

I went into the store a few weeks ago to do a makeup tutorial. It was my first time doing one and I…read moredidn't really quite know what to expect. I was helped by a lady named Mindy and at first, the tutorial was quite good and engaging. But later on, when I was struggling with my eyeliner, she snatched the brush out of my hand and started mocking me, proceeding to tell me that I was doing it wrong in a very frustrated and annoyed tone. I thought the point of the tutorial was to learn more about makeup and get a better feel for some of the products I don't have much experience with. I spent the rest of the time feeling embarrassed and stupid, especially after continuing her rude behaviour. It made me want to leave and ruined an experience I received as a gift and was relatively excited about. I was disappointed because friends who had done tutorials at other Mecca stores had been telling me how great tutorials were but that was really undermined by my experience.

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.

This is my go to pharmacy now that I work in the CBD…read more Prices are reasonable for the city, staff are super friendly and helpful and they never give you the runaround. They're pretty central to everything so it's easy to find, easy to get to, and you'll be in and out in no time at all, hopefully feeling a little better.

Overpriced, rude, and unprofessional. Go to Priceline across the street. They won't price gouge on…read moremedications- and their prices on everything aren't at least 50-80% more than the average. However they will try push you out ASAP, so if you're in a hurry to leave, you're in luck! Just be weary that you'll be leaving with lighter pockets.

One of the many make up places I have seen, Napoleon is one of my absolute favourites hands down…read more Now you can go on and on about the different types of make up everyone has, the eco friendly, the massive lashes, the natural products... but to me, good make up, is make up that looks good when you put it on period. The girls at Napoleon have long since schooled me on how to put make up on, sure, $70 later I was very skilled and appreciative, but I looked good. And that is why i'll go back there. They have a cool store, they have mega cool good quality make up, they have a cool approach to you as well.

I know a lot of people adore Napoleon makeup, and I must admit one of my favourite blushes of all…read moretime came from this store. The reason I'm only giving 3 stars is due to two things. 1: for albino vampire types (I don't drink blood but I glow in the dark) all the foundation is far too dark. Orange rings around necks are really not attractive. 2: the china doll gel eyeliner dried up instantly in its little pot. The products aren't cheap so I was pretty cheesed off when that happened, I'm not just talking it got a little gluggy, I mean it actually dried into a solid hard lump. I'll stick to Dior and Bobbi Brown when I feel the need for a make up splurge.

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.