Our beloved Mecca Maxima has just launched a new concept store at Westfield Southland shopping centre, and if you love the pre-existing Melbourne Central location, just wait till you lay your eyes on the shiny new Westfield Southland store. “Kid in a candy shop” doesn’t even begin to cover it, with 75 amazing brands all available to play with. I popped in and chatted to the gorgeous Marketing and PR ladies last week, and not only did I have more fun than the last time I went on a carnival ride, I learnt a thing or two, came out with a fresh beautifully done face of makeup AND a goodie bag that would reduce any makeup loving gal to tears of joy.
For anyone that knows Mecca Cosmetica, the original store that now has over 25 locations across Australia and New Zealand, think of Maxima as a larger play version. Maxima still brings you the worlds best in cosmetics, skincare and fragrance, but it is mapped out in a way that helps customers find what they are looking for and get the most out of their shopping experience. Maxima utilises displays, branding, and signage to take the fear factor out of shopping. Sales assistants and makeup artists are poised and ready to help you, and happy to demonstrate any product that you may have a query about. Scattered amongst the displays are what the ladies call “edits”, which show you the latest in whatever is trending at the time, with a brief description of the products so you can make a clear decision on what product might be best for you. Take the ever popular BB cream, for example, Mecca Maxima has selected the top ten BB creams in store, and has displayed each one with a description, so there is no chance us oily skin girls go for the illuminating Kate Somerville, when in fact we meant to grab the brand with the 2% salicylic acid.
All displays are geared to help navigate around the store, top sellers are marked with bright labels, and your perfect Christmas gift packs are clearly placed so shopping in your lunch break is even easier. My personal favourite is the top selling product section. If in doubt, do what everyone else is doing! If you need a hand cream and Soap and Glory Hand Food ($12) is rated number one, then why bother with anything else? I didn’t, and I’ve never looked back (it really is the best hand cream I’ve ever used).
Maxima targets all ages and price points, and takes out any intimidation out for the beauty novice. Maxima allows you to test every product in store for yourself, or have one of the staff apply it for you at the beauty station. I was lucky enough to be treated to a complexion overhaul from the ladies. Starting with the Peter Thomas Roth, Gentle Foaming Cleanser ($40) my worn off BB cream was removed and skin wiped down with a damp makeup pad. Next I was treated to a layer of the Perricone MD Cold Plasma ($200) which is a “super intelligent” serum that figures out what the skin needs and absorbs it from your serums and moisturisers. Now this is a must have product to your skin care regime. I felt the products were absorbed much better into my skin and instantly my skin felt plump and hydrated.
Next was the Peter Thomas Roth Vitamin C Serum ($77), which absorbed quickly and brightened up my complexion. Everyone needs a Vitamin C serum in their beauty routine and this one is pleasantly priced. Then lastly was the Perricone MD Face Finishing Moisturiser ($95) which is an all time favourite of mine and doubles as a fantastic primer I’ve been told. Next, I chose to try the Kate Somerville IllumiKate CC Cream ($68), which I had been eyeing off for a while. A quick swish of Smashbox Halo Hydrating Powder ($85) (yes hydrating!), containing antioxidants and Vitamin A,C and E; a touch of Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil ($40) bronzer and NARS Orgasm ($45) on the cheeks and I stepped out of the store glowing like a goddess, if I do say so myself!
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