What: Anti-Ageing Skincare and Makeup Event
Where: Mecca Cosmetica (Chadstone)
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
Beauty Expert: Poppy

Experience:

• This isn’t an event specially for bloggers. In fact, it’s a consumer event by Mecca Cosmetica which means anyone go to Mecca to learn more about anti-ageing skincare and makeup! Okay, it isn’t actually an “event” per se but that’s what Mecca called it and that’s what I’m calling it too.
• This is a complimentary event, which means you don’t have to make any minimum value purchase to try it out. By the way, I didn’t read about it from a press release; in fact, it was mentioned in their email newsletter which was how I found out about it.
• Appointments aren’t necessary if it isn’t on Thursdays (late night shopping) or weekends. I recommend booking a time with them though for a better, unrushed experience.
• As I live nearer to Chadstone Shopping Centre, naturally that’s the Mecca branch I went to. The makeup artist who attended to me that day was Poppy.
• I wanted to know more about the anti-ageing skincare Mecca stocked and was keen on trying some out too. Poppy introduced a few products to me from brands that I’ve heard of but haven’t tried before e.g. Radical Skincare, Dr Brandt, Chantecaille and By Terry. Oh yeah, she took out the big and pretty darn expensive guns. 😛
• As Poppy talked about each of the products, she applied them on me. I didn’t break out from any of the skincare products she used on me, which was a huge relief.
• After trying out the entire regime from cleanser to sunscreen, it was time for some makeup! I wasn’t looking to get a makeover so she didn’t do anything fancy on me.
• Poppy applied primer, concealer, foundation, a bit of eyeshadow, mascara, bronzer, blush and some lip balm on me. I have to say, I walked out of the store feeling like a million bucks. 🙂

Products Used:
Chantecaille Vital Essence with Arbutin, Retinol Intense, Radical Skincare Age Defying Exfoliating Pads, Restorative Moisturiser, Dr Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner, Pores No More Poresolution Clarifying Lotion, By Terry Cover Expert, Touch Expert Advanced, Kate Somerville CytoCell Dark Circle Corrective Eye Cream, Mecca Cosmetica To Save Face SPF30+ Hydrating Facial Sunscreen, Stila In The Night Eyeshadow Palette, NARS Smudgeproof Primer, By Terry By Terry Baume de Rose. There were more but I can’t remember.

Verdict:

• I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed my time at Mecca Cosmetica that much. I didn’t attend the event as a beauty blogger (I didn’t mention I was one) but as a consumer. Even so, the entire experience took 1 hour 15 minutes.
• It didn’t feel rushed at all and I absolutely wasn’t pressured into buying anything. Of course, I couldn’t leave Mecca without getting something (call it guilt-pressure and supreme temptation :P). Having said that, I would be able to walk out of the store without buying anything and still won’t get the stink-eye from them. The service was that good.
• I learned a lot about those brands that Poppy introduced to me that day. I’m definitely keen on trying out more items from Radical Skincare (especially the Age Defying Exfoliating Pads) and Chantecaille’s Vital Essence with Arbutin.
• Poppy did a great job on my makeup that day. Even though the eye makeup was very simple, she focused a lot more on the base makeup, making sure I walk out of the store with flawless and very glowy skin. I seldom use bronzer but after how she bronzed and rouged my skin, I was so impressed that I took plenty of pictures when I got home just so I remember where and how the makeup was applied!
• If you have the time, I highly recommend you check out this event. Make an appointment with any of the Mecca Cosmetica stores, learn more about anti-ageing skincare and makeup whilst getting pampered with product application at the same time.
• Here’s a tip: go for the event without a lick of makeup on. I knew that I’d be trying out skincare products so I rocked up to Chadstone in untinted sunscreen. Oh yeah, I was quite brave that day walking around without any makeup on. 😛

Hook me up!
Any Mecca Cosmetica store (click here for store locations)

Was this a complimentary service? Yes. It’s a consumer event.