Reviewing Mecca Cosmetica's Beauty Loop Box 2 (SORT OF)

This is a review of Mecca Cosmetica's second Beauty Loop box for 2018.

Well, I still haven't managed to spend enough money at Mecca to upgrade to their Level 2 Beauty Box ...

But that's okay, it's a work in progress! I'm sure I can think up a few excuses to spend more money on makeup.

This box had 4 items in it.... but I accidentally threw 2 of them out. I'm awarding myself a 10/10 for professionalism!

Unfortunately, I think my little mishap might be a preview for my feelings about this box overall. Unmemorable.

The first item in this box was a cleanser and muslin cloth from Eve Lom and the second was an Age-Repair Eye Cream from Grown Alchemist - these were the items which I binned by mistake. Honestly, I don't think I've missed anything too special by chucking these.

I don't 'get' eye-creams and I have a bazillion cleansers. Given the fragile state of my skin following the S&S debacle, I'm pretty keen to avoid haphazardly applying new products to my skin (with the exception of REN). So, I have thoroughly convinced myself that I haven't missed out on anything by throwing these items out. I do, however, apologise to you - the readers of this blog (if there are any...) - because this is really only half of a review of Mecca's Beauty Loop.

I'M SORRY.

Fortunately, I didn't throw out the other two items in the box and in my opinion they were easily the most exciting products. One was a Mecca Max Pout Pop Lipstick in the shade 'Day Slayer' and the other was Too Faced's 'Better Than Sex' Mascara.

The theme of this box was 'fresh skin and big lashes'. I threw out the fresh skin but hey, I've still got the lashes! And boy, has the 'Better Than Sex' mascara been hyped up. I was really hoping that this product would live up to my expectations. I had initial fears of being disappointed when a trusted beauty-advising friend told me that they found this mascara transfers onto their under eye in an unattractive panda-like fashion.

I, fortunately, have not had a similar experience and I have used the product multiple times. The mascara comes in a miniature, metallic pink tube that oozes luxury. The wand is huge - and for me, bigger is always better (no penis jokes, please).

The wand has a slight curve towards the middle of the brush. I like this design because I think that having the different curves in the brush make it easier to get into the inner and outer corners of the eye. I found this mascara to be really lengthening and not clumpy. It is a true black and I didn't experience any transfer whatsoever. A full-size of this mascara would set you back AUD $33. I don't think that's too outrageous but seeing as my favourite mascaras usually come free off the front of magazines, it's probably more than what I'm willing to pay. I'll see how this product continues to perform and I might be convinced to make an investment. We'll see.

Don't makeup and drive, kids

Excuse the pic of me in my car - the lighting at my house just wasn't working for me...

Mecca Max's lipstick promises a bright 'pop' of colour. As you can see from the picture above it's not as pigmented as the marketing seems to imply. It was a lot more sheer than I anticipated and while intensity could gradually be built up, I just wasn't looking to work that hard for colour pay-off. Mecca Max's Pout Pop lippies are sold for AUD $20. As usual, I have to compare pricing with that of Colourpop. A lipstick from Colourpop will range between AUD $6-10. I just can't get on board with Mecca Max's lipstick for that price. Maybe if it was more pigmented but currently I think it's overpriced.

I do think that the packaging of the lipstick is really beautiful. It feels expensive. The gold with the pink and red works really well. It took me an embarrassingly long time to figure out it was a screw-off cap.

To finish off my look (which I wore to the rugby, hence where I'm going in my car) I used a pallet from Designer Brands and a duo from NARS. I created a shimmery gold and taupe eye look which worked out surprisingly well considering I combined my cheapest palette (I got the DB palette called 'Day 2 Night' for free from work) and one of my most expensive ($52 AUD from Mecca Cosmetica in the shade 'Kalahari').

Designer Brands have recently re-branded and are producing some very on-trend items. I am considering dedicating a review just to this palette I received for free (#sponsored #notreally). I might do this while I wait for my parcel from Tarte.

I am really looking forward to my goodies coming from Tarte. I took advantage of their free shipping, everything-for-$84 sale to grab a few products I've been wanting to try for ages. I ordered on the 4th of May (may the fourth be with you) and it still hasn't shipped. So, don't hold your breath for that review. I am also looking at making a purchase from Linda Hallberg because she is just the most phenomenal make-up artist and her products look so cool. Check her out here: https://shop.lindahallberg.se/inspiration/

Overall, I feel like this box was no where near as good as my first Beauty Loop. I loved every product in my previous un-boxing but this one just left me wanting something more - maybe it was the two other products I was pining for? If you've tried the Eve Lom or Grown Alchemist products - please let me know what you think! I'd love to know if you think I would've liked them or if they are as boring as I anticipated them to be.

This has been a rather negative review but honestly, I think it's wonderful that Mecca Cosmetica do this for their customers. They really are forging a new path in terms of beauty and customer service. I'm very excited to see what they come up with next, particularly what's in their next box!

Stay tuned! More soon.

The final word:

Too Faced 'Better Than Sex' Mascara

AUD $33

Impressive results - I can understand why it's a cult favourite

I might purchase this full-size when my magazine mascaras dry-up

Mecca Max 'Pout Pop' Lipstick in the shade 'Day Slayer'

AUD $20

Very sheer and barely pigmented

Has a nice finish and is comfortable on the lips... but it's a no from me