Thursday 8 May 2014

Mecca Beauty Loop: What it's About & L1 Unboxing

The Mecca Beauty Loop is a rewards program created for shoppers at Mecca Cosmetica. I think it's fantastic, because it's nice to get something back when you're spending so much on high-end cosmetics. There are three Beauty Loop levels, which you can achieve based on how much you spend by the quarterly review dates. You don't reach the first Beauty Loop level until you've spent at least $300 -- but if you think that's impossible, you will surprise yourself. A Stile smudge pot here, an Hourglass blush there, your perfect NARS foundation... Just that haul right there is $150! Then you might decide to buy a few extra brushes, or get something for a family member; perhaps a friend will decide to pop in (they can use your membership too!). The money quickly adds up, so it's good to get something out of it.

A Level 1 Beauty Loop member is called a Beauty Discoverer, which you attain once you spend $300. You get quarterly Beauty Loop boxes, and a complimentary makeup application on your birthday. A Level 2 Beauty Loop member is called a Beauty Devotee -- to get to this level you need to spend at least $600. In addition to the Level 1 benefits, you get a birthday gift, two complimentary makeup applications, one complimentary makeup lesson, and priority invitations to in-store events. A Level 3 Beauty Loop member is called a Beauty Aficionado. This is the level that really takes a punch to your wallet -- you need to have spent a minimum of $1200 in the year to get this. However, in addition to the Level 1 and 2 benefits, you get "complimentary international events" (I'm not exactly sure what this is supposed to mean) and exclusive pre-launch access to purchase new and limited edition products.

So which level am I?

On the last review date (which was in April), I was assessed to be a Level 1 Beauty Loop member. It's an apt description given my learning journey, but I missed out on being a Level 2 member by two days! The next review date isn't until July, so I'm going to miss out on whatever the birthday gift is supposed to be -- but oh well.

The Beauty Loop boxes came in about a week ago, and, as I've been unwell lately, my stepdad was so kind as to pick mine up for me! The size and nature of the products depends on the Beauty Loop level that you have -- so, a Level 2 box, for example, should understandably have bigger/better products than a Level 1 box -- but as beauty box subscriptions aren't really a huge thing here, I was just so happy just to have something to "unbox"!

The Unboxing.

(NOTE: The pictures shown below are pictures from the Mecca Cosmetica website and are NOT a representation of the sample I actually received.)
NEW Age Arrest Anti-Wrinkle Cream

Kate Somerville Age Arrest Anti-Wrinkle Cream -- I can't lie, I was a little disappointed when I pulled this sample out of the box. After all, anti-wrinkle cream? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't really need it. This product is supposed to be anti-aging and suitable for sensitive skin, formulated with something called "Telo-5 technology", which supposedly is based on Nobel Prize-winning research. You'd want something like this to work -- a normal 50ml pot costs $128! I got a small pouch with 2ml of product, which, if my math is right (and I can never promise it is), is a little over $5 of the cream. I think I'll pass this onto my mum and hope she doesn't think I'm trying to make a statement!
ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment
Kate Somerville ExfoliKate Intensive Exfoliating Treatment -- Now this is a bit more up my alley. I enjoy a good exfoliator, and this promises to show you instant results in two minutes. To be quite honest, I'm not totally sure how it will differ from the regular exfoliator I use, but you're supposed to leave this on for up to two minutes before rinsing it off -- I certainly don't do that with my normal one. A 60ml tube of this costs $98 and I can't see myself forking out that much, so I think I'll make the most of what I have.

Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner
NARS Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner in "Via Veneto". I am so excited about this product that I'm not sure where to begin. Yay, I own something by NARS! I own a few eyeliners and at first glance I thought that this was pencil liner, of which I don't have any, but it's a crayon! It looks like it screws up from the bottom, where the coloured part is. My product obviously isn't the full-sized crayon; I'd estimate it to be about three inches or so in length. I'm really looking forward to using this, because the current crayon I have (one by Maybelline) is about as good as a waterproof teabag. Even though they're normally $38 a piece, if this lives up to the hype I've heard about NARS, I will happily purchase this.

NEW To Save Face SPF 30 Facial Sunscreen
Mecca Cosmetica To Save Face SPF 30 Facial Sunscreen -- I wasn't entirely sure what I thought when I first pulled this out, but I think I'm looking forward to using it. If you're someone who takes care of your skin, you're going to want to throw things at me because I don't wear sunscreen! Ever! Okay, perhaps I slap on some if I go to the cricket or the tennis during the summer, but otherwise... nah. However, my good friend Danielle is very big on skincare (as everyone should be!) and she's definitely been rubbing off on me, because I've been thinking about what I could do to put more effort into my own routine. Danielle wrote a post recently about some of the hazards in sunscreens, and while this Mecca sunscreen does contain some of the ingredients that she was worried about, when I look at the w/w volume, it's better than the sunscreen she used to use. I got a 15ml tube of this; the 100ml tube retails for $45.
Restore Treatment Mask
Living proof. restore mask treatment for dry or damaged hair. I think that this was a bonus item thrown in, I'm not entirely sure. I noticed the sample in the bottom of my Mecca bag, so I'm not sure if it was there already, if it was supposed to be in the Beauty Loop box and was somehow overlooked, or if the woman at the counter chatted to my stepfather and gave it to him... No idea. Let me assure you, my stepfather does not need a hair treatment. This product is supposed revitalise hair that is dry or has been damaged due to heat or chemical treatment. I don't straighten my hair too often and I haven't coloured it since I was 14 -- however, I also haven't cut it for a few years, so I wouldn't say it's in the best condition. I've been on the lookout for products that will smoothen my hair, so I'm definitely excited to give this a try! I got a 9g pouch of this, which should hopefully be enough for the insane amount of hair I have, but the 227g tub goes for $52.

Have you ever gotten a beauty box subscription? What do you think of these products?

Sarah xo

3 comments:

  1. I've heard amazing things about NARS products but am not sure I can cough up the cash, the eye pencils look amazing!
    Miche from Buttons and Birdcages

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is the only NARS thing I own, so I don't properly know just how good their reputation is, but I agree, they're very expensive. It's cheaper in the US, but still quite a bit for an eyeliner when there are likely to be drugstore varieties that are just as good.

      Delete
  2. Hi, thanks for dropping by! :)

    I'm working on putting up some social media links, so we'll definitely be able to follow each other once I do. Please come back again, I'd love to know what you think!

    ReplyDelete