MECCA Talks

Welcome to MECCA Talks , your access-all-areas pass to the beauty, business and lifestyle experts we call our community.  Cousins and California natives Greg Gonzalez and Joe Cloyes grew up in a family obsessed with beauty. Their grandmother was a pioneer in high-performance skincare, and they count five aestheticians and cosmetologists among their extended family. So, starting a skincare bra...

Welcome to MECCA Talks , your access-all-areas pass to the beauty, business and lifestyle experts we call our community.  Few names embody modern beauty quite like Chriselle Lim . From pioneering in the digital fashion and blogging space to redefining fragrance as former owner and current Creative Director of PHLUR, Chriselle has not just an entrepreneurial spirit, but a knack for turning tre...

Award-winning beauty journalist turned brand founder, Joanna Ellner, has spent her career exploring the intersection of science, ritual and skin. After more than a decade writing for some of the world’s leading beauty publications — and consulting within the luxury skincare space — she channeled her deep industry insight into creating REOME , a regenerative skincare line redefining modern repair.&...

On this episode, we're taking you behind the scenes of one of the most iconic parts of the MECCA experience: MECCA Beauty Loop.     Launched over a decade ago, MECCA Beauty Loop began as a bold reimagining of what a loyalty program could be - not just a reward system, but a community - one that celebrates discovery, surprise and a shared love of beauty. Since then, the release of ME...

We’ve been so lucky to host global skin pioneers on our podcast, from dermatologist-founder hybrids like Dr. Dennis Gross and Dr. Courtney Rubin, to groundbreaking luxury formulators such as Professor Augustinus Bader and most recently, pharmacist and Cosmetics 27 founder Michele Evrard.    Today, we spotlight the latest gamechanger revolutionising the world’s approach to skin, MECCA’s n...

In today’s episode, Kate is joined by French pharmacist and Cosmetics 27 founder Michèle Evrard.  If you’ve ever walked into a MECCA store looking for something to soothe sensitive or irritated skin, it’s likely our team has shown you the Cosmetics 27 range. Since launching at MECCA over 10 years ago, the brand has earned cult status thanks to their gentle yet efficacious formulas. When a kne...

In today’s episode, Kate is joined by  ILIA   founder and beauty pioneer, Sasha Plavsic. Sasha was in her early 30’s when she launched ILIA from her grandmothers’ garage over 14 years ago. While working full-time as a branding executive, she took a closer look at the ingredient lists of her favourite beauty products and realised a gap for high-performance formulas with plant-de...

British born makeup artist Isamaya Ffrench has spent more than a decade bringing her avant-garde looks to life on some of the most recognisable faces. From Kate Moss to Rihanna, Zendaya to Cher. Her distinctive style and non-conformist approach to beauty has also made her one of the most sought-after artists for fashion shows and editorial campaigns. Her collaborations with Byredo, Burberry, Vogue...

In today’s episode Kate is joined by Polite Society founder, Jerrod Blandino.  If the name sounds familiar, you’d be right – before founding Polite Society with his husband Jeremy Johnson, the two were best known for creating Too Faced in the late ’90s and building it into the beauty juggernaut it is today.  Less than two years ago, the duo launched Polite Society, a brand focused on hig...

In today’s episode Kate is joined in the studio by one of the industry's most beloved makeup artists, Katie Jane Hughes. 10 years ago the UK-born artist started an Instagram account to showcase her work as a nail technician. After pivoting from manicures to makeup, Katie began to build a following of loyal beauty enthusiasts, thanks to her approachable tutorials and dedication to educating her aud...

In today’s episode Kate is joined in the studio by tech-entrepreneur turned beauty founder, Uni’s Alexandra Keating. After starting not one, but two successful tech startups, Sydney born and LA-based Alexandra Keating (or as she prefers, AK) took a trip to the Great Barrier Reef with her husband Rupert.   Realising how much the reef had changed since her last visit, AK was struck by the...

In today’s episode Kate is joined by one of Australia’s most acclaimed makeup artists and founder of her eponymous brand, Rae Morris .  Rae’s work with international brands, countless celebrities and major magazines like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar and I.D. has earned her the title of Australian Makeup Artist of the Year – four times.  With a passion for true artistry, right down to the way h...

In today’s episode, Kate is joined in the MECCA Talks studio by Flamingo Estate founder Richard Christiansen.  You may remember their first conversation in 2022, where they spoke about Richard’s journey from growing up in rural NSW to a career in fashion, publishing and advertising in New York – and finally to the COVID-induced ‘pivot’ that led him to turn his L.A. home – Flamingo Estate – in...

In today’s episode Kate is joined in the studio by Summer Fridays co-founder Marianna Hewitt.  After growing a loyal audience as a beauty blogger, Marianna (alongside co-founder and fellow content creator Lauren Ireland) noticed a gap in the skincare space for a range of efficacious products that combine aesthetically pleasing packaging and consciously curated ingredient lists. Together, unde...

In today’s episode Kate is joined by US board-certified dermatologist and Fig.1 co-founder, Dr Courtney Rubin.  In 2021, drawing on her degrees from Yale, Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania, as well her experience treating patients in her clinic, Dr Rubin co-founded skincare brand Fig.1 alongside entrepreneurial powerhouse Kimmy Scotti. With a focus on efficacy, accessibility and reus...

In today’s episode Kate is joined in the studio by Tower 28 founder Amy Liu.  Having experienced chronic eczema for most of her adult life, the former beauty executive struggled to find makeup that didn’t worsen her skin sensitivities, often feeling confined to boring, uninspiring products. Leaning on her wealth of knowledge after 15-plus years of experience in the beauty industry - and her l...

In today’s episode, Kate is chatting with celebrated actor Hunter Schafer, best known for her roles in HBO’s Euphoria, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, and in the near future, the epic mini-series that will be Blade Runner 2099.  From her hotel room in Barcelona, Hunter filled us in on her role as Global Brand Ambassador for Shiseido, the process of developing a collectio...

In today’s episode, Kate is joined by globally recognised makeup artist and Morphe collaborator, Ariel Tejada – or as he’s known by beauty lovers around the world, @makeupbyariel. In the mid-2010s, the self-taught artist started sharing his work on Instagram, quickly capturing the attention of the beauty world with his unique approach to soft glam. Kylie Jenner was fast to slide into his Inst...

This week, Tara and Kerri discuss the birthday makeup trend, share their thoughts on the newest SPF launches and debate whether glitter or smoky eyes are the easiest look. Plus, they share what International Day of the Girl (coming up on Friday 11 October!) means to them. ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. Sunscreen is only one form of sun protection. Avoid prolonged sun expo...

In today’s episode, Kate is joined by one of our most highly requested guests, Kosas founder Sheena Zadeh. By combining her love of biology, business and colour theory, Sheena created a makeup brand that not only has the most flattering and easy to use shades and formulations, but is just as good for your skin as your favourite skincare. Almost a decade on from the brand's launch – with bestsellin...

This week, Tara and Kerri decode ‘blonzing’ (the blush-bronzer hybrid trend you will love ), share life-changing makeup tips from the founder of Kosas, and get real about the struggles of sensitive skin. Plus, they chat about the products you need to make room for on your bathroom shelf.  ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. Sunscreen is only one form of sun protection. Av...

In today’s episode, Kate is in the studio with Donni Davy to celebrate the launch of her sparkly new makeup brand, Half Magic , at MECCA. Occasionally, a makeup artist comes along and changes beauty culture – which is what Donni did when HBO’s Euphoria first aired in 2019. She went on to win two Emmys for her work on the iconic series, and kickstarted a movement of bold, glittery eye makeup and li...

In this episode, our Head of Content, Tara, and Editorial Content Manager, Kerri, chat about their favourite Olympic beauty looks and the Kérastase hair oil worthy of gold. Plus, they reveal the Tower 28 products (coming soon to MECCA) at the top of their wishlist and Kerri’s long-lost lip liner. The Mini Must-Haves: What we’re obsessed with: NARS Light Reflecting Foundation TSU LANGE YOR Luc...

In today’s episode, Kate is joined by Emily Weiss, founder of Glossier, to celebrate the launch of her cult-loved brand into Australia and New Zealand, exclusively at MECCA.  After leaving a career in fashion to work full-time on her popular beauty blog, Into The Gloss, Emily saw a gap in the market for a brand that had a customer-focused, “Skin First. Makeup Second.” philosophy. It was that...

In this conversation our Head of Content, Tara, and Editorial Content Manager, Kerri, chat about their travel beauty essentials, their obsession with ‘ Brat Girl Summer’ and the makeup products they just can’t get enough of. The Mini Must-Haves:  What we’re obsessed with: Rituel de Fille Celestial Sphere Gelée Eye Gloss Westman Atelier Lip Suede Matte Lipstick   What we’ve rediscove...