mecca maxima store opening and my top beauty picks

FINALLY....The mothership of all makeup stores has landed here in Auckland! Christchurch were the first to get a store, then Wellington and now Queen Street.
This morning I was extremely lucky and humbled to be invited along to see the store and meet the amazing staff that will be working there and spend a voucher in store. Absolute pinch me moment! 

Let me tell you walking towards the store there was a line of girls 3-4 deep waiting to get in that went all the way down the block and around the corner! The ladies at mecca maxima were looking after them all by providing coffees and putting jewels on their faces! I thought that was so cute!
It was crazy to see such a turn out of excited makeup junkies...apparently some waited outside the store from 3PM Not 3am!? the day before!! DEDICATION TO THE MAKEUP SRSLY 

I will admit it was very hard to have a proper look at the counters as there was so many people in store, I had a bit of a realisation its getting harder to squeeze through tight spaces when your wadding along with a 7 month belly, Old preggo was getting a real sweat up in there! Anyone I spoke to must have thought damn she's so excited for the makeup she's sweating bullets. But all sweating aside the staff in there were SO NICE! Like incredibly nice and were extremely helpful, I immediately thought to myself..Wow if anyone came in here not knowing much about makeup (which I know can be so overwhelming for some!) they would hands down be so taken care of and not made to feel belittled in any way for not having much makeup knowledge. Believe me I hear this a lot from clients which is very sad! 

I did manage to get a good look through the store and take some photos and snap away for the gram. My friend Meags waited 30 minutes in line to checkout with her products! I think I will be heading in there on Monday and hopefully it won't be so packed I can have a little more space to look :) 

I recently was sent a little goodie box of the MeccaMax range to try so I thought I would include my ultimate faves in this post and some other great must haves from Mecca Maxima below..

1. Soap and Glory Smoothie Star Body Butter Cream 
I've never been one to be into body creams or butters but holy heck this one is the only exception! Its not only the scent that is incredibly yummy (Think of vanilla, buttercream, brown sugar, almond & coconut....drooling!) the formula is equally as beautiful, A very light whipped texture that sinks into the skin without feeling greasy which I know a lot of body butters can do.
I love to rub this all over my body after a bath and then hop into a robe! 
$20 

2. Too Faced Sweet Peach Glow Palette 
It wouldn't be a must have list with out mentioning this do it all palette! I love to travel with this one because its so easy to have a blush, bronzer and highlight all in one convenient little compact! It smells like peaches if that isn't enough to sell you on it.
But the thing I love most about this guy is I genuinely like all three powders in here! More often than not when you buy a trio of products theres usually one that doesn't perform as well or a shade thats not your cup of tea but these three powders are all beautiful and will suit most skin tones.
$66 

3. NARS Sheer Glow Foundation 
I had to include this in here because I would have to say its my all time holy grail foundation I will forever go back to it, It always makes the skin look absolutely flawless without being heavy. I carry this in my kit as my main go to foundation for brides as it photographs extremely well and lasts all day long when used with the right primer
$74

4. Stila glitter and glow magnificent metals eye shadow 
This isn't for the natural makeup lover but if you are partial to a sparkly eye you have to try one of these! Being a liquid that you can apply straight to your lids from the doe foot applicator makes it genius and mess free, you will not ruin your makeup by turning your face into a disco ball! These have been a real hit in my kit for ball makeups this season.
My favourite shade is Bronzed bell 
$37

5. Mecca Max Power Couple Mascara 
Who doesn't love luxe gold packaging?! Aside from how beautiful this looks in your makeup bag it is such a great product! I have found since becoming pregnant my eyelashes have sadly dwindled down a lot.. this mascara being double ended has a regular sized wand on one side that thickens and lengthens the lashes and on the opposite side a teeny tiny micro wand that is the absolute dream for lower lashes! How many times have you got mascara all over your eyes because you have been trying to get too close with the fat wand?! Problem solved with this one and no need to buy two products..WINNING
$42

6. Mario Badescu Aloe Facial Spray 
Im sure you have already heard of the rose water facial spray from this brand? I have harped on about it many times as its a firm staple in my everyday life and my pro kit. 
They have recently added the aloe scent to the range and Oh my goodness I never thought I would say it but it smells better than the rose! So refreshing and amazing for multi use It can be used on bare skin as a hydrating mist, after makeup to give a dewy effect and settle down any powders used on the skin, OR I like to use it to wet my brush when working with loose pigments
$10..Yes thats RIGHT $10 (the whole range is actually very reasonable if you are interested in trying super effective skin care)

7. Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer 
If you want a concealer that will cover literally anything from under eye circles to a tattoo this one is a must have. Listen to me when I tell you a little goes a very long way the pigmentation in this formula is crazy! I really like using this when I have any spots that are difficult to cover and my under eyes it works a treat.
It is quite a dry consistency so when used under the eyes you need to make sure that area is well hydrated before applying or it can very easily look cakey, But when a tiny amount is buffed in it looks absolutely seamless and airbrushed!
Not a cheap product by any means but I have loved this stuff for years and think its a must try 
$75

8. Mecca Max Sunlit Bronzer 
If you have always wanted to try the NARS Laguna bronzer and haven't or simply can't bare to part with that much money this guy is such a great dupe! The price point is fabulous and the product is such a gorgeous shade that will not make you look like Donald Trump, it blends like a dream and again Mecca maxima with their packaging its absolutely stunning! I adore this product so much and I think you need to try it if you like a bit of bronzer in your life 
$24

9. Mario Badescu Drying Lotion 
An absolute saviour when you have a small village taking over your face that isn't welcome! The key with this is to not shake it before you use it as its the pink sediment at the bottom needs to stay separated so you can dip your clean cotton bud into it and apply directly to the spot, once 100% dry you can remove it with a hot cloth the solution is designed to draw out the impurities and oil making the spot heal much quicker
Such a handy product to have on your shelf when pimples are out to ruin your life!
$26

10. Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette 
Oh how I adore this palette, I have owned this for a few years now and its been well loved for my own use and in my pro kit. As the name and packaging would suggest it smells of chocolate and I think the shades are really neutral and suitable for the everyday makeup, yet still versatile enough to take you to a night time smokey eye. 
$78

11. Stila Stay all day Liquid Lipstick - Shade Carina
One of my all time favourite shades to wear for a fun bright pink/orange based red 
This shade suits everyone I have ever tried it on! This formula will last all day long without transferring or smudging. Perfect for that party pout you don't want to worry about having to keep applying it or much worse it getting all over your face or teeth and not realising!
​$35