MECCA Talks

In today’s episode of MECCA Talks, Zara is joined by MECCA experts Jen Horsley and Lucy Shaw to chat through the winners of the 2022 MECCA Beauty Election.

Jen and Lucy have tested and trialled just about every product on our shelves, so there’s no one better to share the inside word on the beauty products crowned the best of the best (following almost 300,000 votes!).

From the cult-favourite foundation that reigns another year to the whipped moisturiser perfect for all skin types – and the scents and serums that took over TikTok – this is a must-listen episode for beauty obsessives (and newbies!) alike.

Shop the winners of the 2022 MECCA Beauty Election here.

Shop the MECCA Beauty Election Hall of Fame here.

Read more on The MECCA Memo:

Introducing… The MECCA Beauty Election 2022 winners!  

12 products in the MECCA Beauty Election Hall of Fame

Hosts: Zara Wong

Guests: Jen Horsley, Lucy Shaw

Producers: Kerri Gordon, Michael Liberale

Loved the latest episode of MECCA Talks? Don’t forget to follow, rate and review (and give us a shoutout in the group chat). If you’ve got any questions or suggestions, leave a review, send a DM our way via our Instagram, @meccabeauty, or spark a conversation in our official Facebook group, MECCA Chit Chat. https://bit.ly/3mctrAI

MECCA Talks wishes to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this episode at our studio in Naarm: the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation. We pay respect to Elders – past, present and emerging. We recognise their ongoing connection to this beautiful country, with knowledge and stories that have been handed down since time immemorial.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From star signs to tarot cards and crystals, we’re exploring the new frontier of self-care with Yasmin Sewell, founder of wellness-meets-fragrance brand, Vyrao, and Alice Bell, NYC’s chicest astrologer and our go-to person for anything star- (and sun, and moon!) related.

First, Yasmin joins Kate and Zara in the studio to take us on her journey from Sydney to London, where she opened inimitable fashion boutique Yasmin Cho in her early twenties, and later became one of fashion’s top tastemakers for the likes of Browns, Liberty and Farfetch. Then, of course, we jump into the present, where Yasmin finds herself homing in on her long-time passion for energetic healing, connection and master perfumery through Vyrao – a fragrance brand unlike any other.

Zara then jumps on the line with Alice, a US Vogue fashion assistant-turned-astrologer whose initial interest in better understanding her identity, purpose, quirks and love life became a full-time career. Between chart readings, mentoring, education, digital content, brand partnerships and her podcast, Alice is giving us the 411 on Astrology 101 – and, how best to handle Mercury’s current retrograde.

Products mentioned in this episode:

Vyrao Witchy Woo EDP

Vyrao Free 00 EDP

Vyrao I Am Verdant EDP

Vyrao Georgette EDP

Vyrao Magnetic 70 EDP

Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Natural Skin Perfector

RMS Beauty Lip2Cheek

Read more on The MECCA Memo:

Meet the first 5 scents from vibe-enhancing perfumery, Vyrao

4 modern astrologers on how their star signs influence their beauty routines

Mercury retrograde is here: channel your calmest self with these astrologist-approved candles

Hosts: Kate Blythe, Zara Wong

Guests: Yasmin Sewell, Alice Bell

Producers: Kerri Gordon, Michael Liberale

Loved the latest episode of MECCA Talks? Don’t forget to follow, rate and review (and give us a shoutout in the group chat). If you’ve got any questions or suggestions, leave a review, send a DM our way via our Instagram, @meccabeauty, or spark a conversation in our official Facebook group, MECCA Chit Chat.

MECCA Talks wishes to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this episode at our studio in Naarm: the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation. We pay respect to Elders – past, present and emerging. We recognise their ongoing connection to this beautiful country, with knowledge and stories that have been handed down since time immemorial.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode of MECCA Talks, we’re transporting you to Paris – no passport necessary! Join us on Kate’s recent trip to the city of love, flowers, fragrance and pastries for a sit-down chat with L’Officine Universelle Buly 1803 (also known as just Buly) co-founder, Victoire de Taillac.

Get inspired by the eclectic, time-travelling worldliness of de Taillac and her partner, Ramdane Touhami, who reinvigorated and reinvented a 19th century apothecary that once flourished by way of its “vinegar with a thousand virtues.”

De Taillac also talks about her time at prolific Parisian fashion boutique, Colette, tells us what makes Buly’s unique water-based fragrances so good, and shares the tourist and patisserie-flecked joys of Paris post-pandemic. 

Products mentioned in this episode: 

Officine Universelle Buly Eau Triple Mexican Tuberose Perfume

Officine Universelle Buly Huile Antique Scottish Lichen Dry Body Oil

Officine Universelle Buly Huile Lait Virginal Berkane Orange Blossom Body Milk

Officine Universelle Buly Opiat Dentaire Mint Coriander Cucumber Toothpaste

Officine Universelle Buly Pommade Virginale Face Moisturiser

Officine Universelle Buly Scented Candle Sacre

Cosmetics 27 Baume 27 Bio-Energising Cell Repair Balm

111SKIN

Read more:

Alcohol-free perfumes are a thing: everything you need to know about the water-based alternative

Why this French apothecary brand is our new obsession

Hosts: Kate Blythe, Zara Wong

Guests: Victoire de Taillac

Producers: Kerri Gordon, Michael Liberale

Loved the latest episode of MECCA Talks? Don’t forget to follow, rate and review (and give us a shoutout in the group chat). If you’ve got any questions or suggestions, leave a review, send a DM our way via our Instagram, @meccabeauty, or spark a conversation in our official Facebook group, MECCA Chit Chat.

MECCA Talks wishes to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded elements of this episode at our studio in Naarm: the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation. We pay respect to Elders – past, present and emerging. We recognise their ongoing connection to this beautiful country, with knowledge and stories that have been handed down since time immemorial.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode of MECCA Talks, Kate and Zara tap into their TikTok ‘For You’ pages to unpack two internet success stories: ‘the Euphoria foundation’ and Carla Rockmore.

The first story we hear is that of the Chantecaille Future Skin foundation, a MECCA icon that flew off our shelves the moment Euphoria makeup designer Donni Davy mentioned it was her go-to base on the HBO show. Alex Chantecaille, VP of sales and promotions at Chantecaille (and daughter of the brand’s founder, Sylvie), shares her reaction to the 13-year-old foundation’s newfound virality, and tells us how the brand is – and always was – making waves in formulation and environmental philanthropy.

Then, Carla Rockmore – or as Vogue likes to call her, ‘the real-life Carrie Bradshaw’ – joins Kate and Zara from her now-famous closet to talk TikTok success at age 54, pivoting from jewellery designer to content creator when the pandemic left her in a pickle, and utilising fashion and social media as a form of self-expression. This conversation had us falling in love with Carla all over again!

Loved the latest episode of MECCA Talks? Don’t forget to follow, rate and review!

Products mentioned in this episode:

Chantecaille Future Skin

Chantecaille Vital Essence

Chantecaille Mascara Faux Cils

Chantecaille Jasmine and Lily Healing Mask

Chantecaille Stress Repair Concentrate +

Chantecaille Pure Rosewater

Chantecaille Just Skin

Isle Of Paradise Self-Tanning Drops

Westman Atelier Lip Suede

Hourglass 1.5mm Mechanical Gel Eye Liner 3 Pack

Read more:

Here’s how to recreate Euphoria S2’s biggest trends  

MECCA COLLECTIVA: Carla Rockmore approaches beauty with as much energy as her TikToks

Carla Rockmore on TikTok

Hosts: Kate Blythe, Zara Wong

Guests: Alex Chantecaille, Carla Rockmore

Producers: Kerri Gordon, Michael Liberale

MECCA Talks wishes to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this episode at our studio in Naarm: the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation. We pay respect to Elders – past, present and emerging. We recognise their ongoing connection to this beautiful country, with knowledge and stories that have been handed down since time immemorial.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

MECCA makeup expert Jen Horsley is back on the podcast to talk us through beauty’s most iconic – and contentious – look: the red lip. Then, New York-based artist and poet Amber Vittoria joins Kate and Zara to dish the details on her recent project, MECCA’s all-new logo, iconography and packaging.

Take notes as Jen, a self-proclaimed ‘red lip connoisseur’, shares her top picks for the perfect crimson pout and the quasi-rule we should all be following when it comes to lip liner…

…before Amber talks us through her creative process, designing MECCA’s new visual identity, staying inspired through the pandemic, and dipping her toes in the world of digital art and NFTs.

Loved this episode? Learnt something new? Got a question on the tip of your tongue? Let us know by leaving a review!

Products mentioned in this episode:

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in ‘Red Carpet Red’

Hourglass Confession Ultra Slim High Intensity Refillable Lipstick in ‘Secretly’

NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in ‘Cruella’

NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in ‘Dragon Girl’

NARS Lipstick in ‘Gipsy’

NARS Lipstick in ‘Jungle Red’

ILIA Balmy Tint Hydrating Lip Balm in ‘Heartbeats’

Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Beso

Read more:

Watch: how to wear an iconic red lip, three ways

Find the best red lipstick for your skin tone

Find out more about Amber Vittoria

Explore Amber’s work on OpenSea

Hosts: Kate Blythe, Zara Wong

Guests: Jen Horsley, Amber Vittoria

Producers: Kerri Gordon, Michael Liberale

Loved the latest episode of MECCA Talks? Don’t forget to follow, rate and review (and give us a shoutout in the group chat). If you’ve got any questions or suggestions, leave a review, send a DM our way via our Instagram, @meccabeauty, or spark a conversation in our official Facebook group, MECCA Chit Chat. https://bit.ly/3mctrAI

MECCA Talks wishes to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this episode at our studio in Naarm: the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation. We pay respect to Elders – past, present and emerging. We recognise their ongoing connection to this beautiful country, with knowledge and stories that have been handed down since time immemorial.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pre, pro and post-biotic extracts are increasingly appearing on the ingredient lists of new skincare formulas, so we’ve got MECCA skincare expert Lucy Shaw and Cultured founder Rob Calcraft on the podcast to tell us why.

First, Lucy gives us the lingo low-down on all things microbiome; she explains what the term ‘skin barrier’ actually means, how the probiotics in our skincare differ to those in our yoghurt, and why we should start thinking about our skin as an ‘ecosystem’.

Then, Rob – who also co-founded REN Clean Skincare – chats to Kate and Zara about his journey into (and out of, and back into) skincare following a new-found fixation on the microbiome, in what might be our most hilarious and scintillating conversation yet.

Loved this episode? Learn something new? Got a question on the tip of your tongue? Let us know by leaving a review! 

Products mentioned in this episode:

Cultured Biome One Serum

Cultured Resilience Facial Oil

Cultured Vitality Cleansing Milk

Cultured Biome One Cleansing Balm

Juice Beauty

Gallinée Body Milk

Rose Inc Radiant Reveal Brightening Serum

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Serum Crystal Elixir

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream

Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment

TULA 24-7 Moisture Hydrating Day & Night Cream

Read more:

MECCA Meets… Rob Calcraft, founder of Cultured

Everything you need to know about the microbiome

The top 5 products from microbiome skincare brand Cultured

Hosts: Kate Blythe, Zara Wong

Guests: Lucy Shaw, Rob Calcraft

Producers: Kerri Gordon, Michael Liberale

Loved the latest episode of MECCA Talks? Don’t forget to follow, rate and review (and give us a shoutout in the group chat). If you’ve got any questions or suggestions, leave a review, send a DM our way via our Instagram, @meccabeauty, or spark a conversation in our official Facebook group, MECCA Chit Chat. https://bit.ly/3mctrAI

MECCA Talks wishes to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this episode at our studio in Naarm: the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation. We pay respect to Elders – past, present and emerging. We recognise their ongoing connection to this beautiful country, with knowledge and stories that have been handed down since time immemorial.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Dennis Gross and Stephanie Horton are on the show today to tell us!

Kate and Zara are looking into the crystal ball of beauty and online shopping, with the help of skincare icon and founder Dr. Dennis Gross, and Google’s Global Consumer Marketing Director for Shopping, Stephanie Horton.

After revolutionising the clinical peel and at-home skincare treatments (from his cult-favourite Alpha Beta peel pads to the Spectralite Faceware Pro LED device) Dr. Dennis Gross, of the eponymous brand, is sharing scientific intel on our favourite skincare ingredients, direct from his NYC lab. 

Then, Stephanie Horton jumps on the line to talk us through her glass-ceiling shattering career across marketing and eCommerce – from The New York Times to Farfetch, Alexander Wang and Google – as well as how she has overcome imposter syndrome, and now paves the way for women of colour in fashion and tech.

Products mentioned in this episode:

Dr. Dennis Gross Spectralite Faceware Pro

Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Peel Daily

Dr Dennis Gross Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Texture Renewal Serum

NuFACE Trinity Device

Chantecaille

Read more:

A demystifying guide to our 6 favourite skincare devices

Women in Arts: Mikaela Stafford, the digital artist behind MECCA’s ‘Future Beautiful’ campaign

The effect of stress on your skin and how to avoid it

The Fifteen Percent Pledge

Fashion Tech Connects

Hosts: Kate Blythe, Zara Wong

Guests: Dr. Dennis Gross, Stephanie Horton

Producers: Kerri Gordon, Michael Liberale

Loved the latest episode of MECCA Talks? Don’t forget to follow, rate and review (and give us a shoutout in the group chat). If you’ve got any questions or suggestions, leave a review, send a DM our way via our Instagram, @meccabeauty, or spark a conversation in our official Facebook group, MECCA Chit Chat.

MECCA Talks wishes to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this episode at our studio in Naarm: the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation. We pay respect to Elders – past, present and emerging. We recognise their ongoing connection to this beautiful country, with knowledge and stories that have been handed down since time immemorial.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to MECCA Talks, your access-all-areas pass to the beauty, business, and lifestyle experts we call our community.

We recently called on our MECCA Chit Chat Facebook community to hit us up with their biggest beauty questions, queries, myths and legends via voicemail, and today, we’re answering them with the help of MECCA’s education managers for skincare and makeup, Lucy Shaw and Jen Horsley.

From pimples and ingrowns to full-coverage foundations and budge-proof winged liner, we’re diving in deep on the details (and the product recommendations to match)!

Want your beauty questions answered on the podcast? Leave a written review with your question, or, send us a 10-30 second voice message here!

Products mentioned in this episode:

MECCA MAX THE BREAK-UP Blemish Busting Serum

MECCA MAX SPOT DOTS Blemish Busting Patches

Perricone MD Blemish Relief Targeted Spot Treatment

By Terry Terrybly Densiliss Foundation

NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer

Westman Atelier Vital Skin Foundation Stick  

Stila One Step Correct

By Terry Baume de Rose

Charlotte Tilbury Lip Oil

Mecca Cosmetica Kissable Lips Smoothing Lip Exfoliant

Chantecaille Lip Chic

This Works Stress Check Mood Manager

Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Pore Perfecting Cleansing Gel

Malin+Goetz Ingrown Hair Cream

Smashbox Photo Finish 24 Hour Eye Shadow Primer

Shiseido MicroLiner Ink

Mecca Cosmetica Weekend Skin Glow Serum

Hosts: Kate Blythe, Zara Wong

Guests: Jen Horsley, Lucy Shaw

Producers: Kerri Gordon, Michael Liberale

Loved the latest episode of MECCA Talks? Don’t forget to follow, rate and review (and give us a shoutout in the group chat!).

MECCA Talks wishes to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this episode at our studio in Naarm: the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation. We pay respect to Elders – past, present and emerging. We recognise their ongoing connection to this beautiful country, with knowledge and stories that have been handed down since time immemorial.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to MECCA Talks, your access-all-areas pass to the beauty, business, and lifestyle experts we call our community.

Valentine’s Day is five sleeps away, and in the spirit of romance we’re talking flowers, fragrance, and “love at first sniff”.

MECCA education manager for fragrance Laura Curtis is back on the podcast to talk about the most seductive, stop-you-in-the-streets scents (and how they work!), plus, she drops her top fragrance gifts for Valentine’s Day – and any other day of the year.

Then, we jump on a call with Los Angeles-based ‘Beyoncé of floristry’, the ever-effervescent Maurice Harris of Bloom and Plume, to talk about his phenomenal career as a floral designer, merchandiser, artist, café owner and reality TV judge, his eye for ‘natural opulence’, and his recent collaboration with diptyque in celebration of the 10-year anniversary of Eau Rose. Hit play!

Products mentioned in this episode:

diptyque Eau Rose Eau de Parfum

diptyque Eau Rose Eau de Toilette

diptyque Roses Scented Candle

diptyque Camomille Scented Candle

diptyque Litchi Scented Candle

Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 EDP

Le Labo Santal 33

Editions de Parfums By Frédéric Malle Une Rose EDP

Le Labo AnOther 13 EDP

Editions de Parfums By Frédéric Malle Portrait of a Lady EDP

Read more on The MECCA Memo:

Friends of MECCA share their non-cliché Valentine’s Day gift picks

Our failproof guide to finding the perfect fragrance

You asked, we answered: how to make your fragrance last longer

Hosts: Kate Blythe, Zara Wong

Guests: Laura Curtis, Maurice Harris

Producers: Kerri Gordon, Michael Liberale

Loved the latest episode of MECCA Talks? Don’t forget to follow, rate and review (and give us a shoutout in the group chat). If you’ve got any questions or suggestions, leave a review, send a DM our way via our Instagram, @meccabeauty, or spark a conversation in our official Facebook group, MECCA Chit Chat.

MECCA Talks wishes to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this episode at our studio in Naarm: the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation. We pay respect to Elders – past, present and emerging. We recognise their ongoing connection to this beautiful country, with knowledge and stories that have been handed down since time immemorial.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to MECCA Talks, your access-all-areas pass to the beauty, business, and lifestyle experts we call our community.

In today's episode...

Kate and Zara catch up after the holiday break to get into the nitty gritty of SPF as we reach those dreaded 40C days.

Sydney dermatologist Dr Shreya Andric (B. MED. SCI, MBBS (HONS), IFAAD, FACD) joins us to debunk the most common SPF myths, share her top skin safety tips and get us clued up on the ABCs – and Ds and Es – of what to look out for when detecting a potential melanoma.

Then, Naked Sundays founder Sam Brett enters the chat to take us on her journey from acclaimed columnist, journalist and bestselling author to undercover sunscreen brand founder. Her greatest success to date? The near-impossible SPF50+ Hydrating Glow Mist, which saw Brett meet her year-one target in a single day.

Products and brands mentioned:

Mecca Cosmetica To Save Face SPF50+ Superscreen Oxybenzone Free Formula

Naked Sundays SPF50+ Hydrating Glow Mist

Naked Sundays SPF50+ Collagen Glow 100% Mineral Perfecting Priming Lotion

Naked Sundays SPF50+ Collagen Glow Crème

Rose Inc Blush Divine Radiant Lip & Cheek Color

Kosas Air Brow Fluff & Hold Treatment Gel

Ellis Faas Skin Veil Foundation

Dr. Dennis Gross Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Texture Renewal Serum

Dr. Dennis Gross Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Overnight Wrinkle Treatment

Read more on The MECCA Memo:

MECCA meets… Sam Brett from Naked Sundays

The easiest way to reapply sunscreen without ruining your makeup

Why you should never skip SPF with Call Time On Melanoma

The best facial sunscreens at MECCA

What are Australian SPF ratings?

A beginner’s guide to chemical and physical SPF

Hosts: Kate Blythe, Zara Wong

Guests: Dr Shreya Andric, Sam Brett

Producers: Kerri Gordon, Michael Liberale

Remember to use sunscreen wisely by always checking the label for directions, avoiding prolonged sun exposure, and wearing protective clothing, sunglasses, and a chic, sun-blocking hat. Don’t forget to reapply as directed.

MECCA Talks wishes to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this episode at our studio in Naarm: the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation. We pay respect to Elders – past, present and emerging. We recognise their ongoing connection to this beautiful country, with knowledge and stories that have been handed down since time immemorial.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.