Mecca store near me in Australia: Beauty Election reveals top five beauty products for 2023
Australia’s top make-up and skincare buys have been named in the annual Mecca Beauty Election – and there are some notable new entrants this year.
Based on votes from more than 42,000 beauty enthusiasts across the country, the election identifies the most effective and most requested products from a shortlist of 114 bestsellers.
This year saw a record 19 categories in the game, including three new ones: Best Kept Secret, Best Newcomer and Best Self-Care.
Winners include NARS Sheer Glow, ILIA’s Limitless Lash Mascara and Tatcha The Rice Wash Cleanser.
Drunk Elephant’s famed Lala Retro Whipped Cream also came out on top for Best Moisturizer, while Glow Recipe’s viral Watermelon Dew Drops took the Best Oil/Serum crown.
1. BEST COMPLEXION: NARS SHEER GLOW FOUNDATION
One of the most iconic foundations on the market, it’s no surprise that this $75 purchase took the top spot again.
The Sheer Glow foundation receives an average of 4.6 out of five stars from more than 4,000 customers and is known for its buildable, natural finish that evens out skin tone in seconds.
The formula also contains glycerin – a humectant that locks in moisture throughout the day – and vitamin C, which brightens the skin and reduces the appearance of discoloration.
It also contains turmeric extract, which is known to be a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
“I’ve spent many years trying to find a foundation that won’t crack my skin. Finally, in my 49th year, I discovered NARS pure glow,” wrote one reviewer. “My skin is finally happy and it gives such a nice smooth look and covers my uneven complexion.”
2. BEST MASCARA: ILIA LIMITLESS LASH MASCARA
This $21 purchase is 99 percent natural and known for thickening and lengthening lashes.
The formula is infused with shea butter to condition and the brush is double sided so you can use the shorter side to curl and volumize and the longer side to build length and separate lashes.
It’s also cruelty-free and sulfate-free and moisturizes lashes without compromising performance.
“I am so obsessed with how my lashes look when I use this. I hate clumpy mascara caused by the wands, but this one is perfect,” wrote one reviewer.
“Bought this last minute at an airport and I love it. I got the smaller size and my lashes look so long and the applicator makes sure there are no clumps at all. It lasts all day and keeps my lashes lifted even though I have straight lashes,” wrote another.
3. BEST OIL/SERUM: GLOW RECIPE WATERMELON DEW DROPS
If you spend some time on Instagram or TikTok, chances are you’ve come across this $56 cult.
Famous for creating an instant dewy glow without the added nasty glitters or pearls, the Glow Recipe Dew Drops are hydrating, illuminating and highlighting all in one.
The ingredients include hyaluronic acid that promises resilient skin and niacinamide to brighten dullness, minimize pores and improve barrier function.
“This is the perfect product,” wrote one reviewer.
‘I’m on my second bottle of these glow drops now and I love them. They make my skin so glowy and fresh. They look perfect under makeup or on clean skin. They really helped me transition from using foundation to just a little concealer because they make your skin look so good.”
4. BEST MOISTURIZER: DRUNK ELEPHANT LALA RETRO WHIPPED CREAM
Another viral purchase, this $99 product may have a hefty price tag, but the results speak for themselves.
Known for numerous awards and rave reviews, this restorative moisturizer is made with a blend of six cold-pressed African oils for instant and long-lasting hydration.
It is a lightweight formula and contains plantain extract for firmer skin and fermented green tea seeds to fight aging and inflammation and protect against harmful environmental influences.
“I bought the mini version to see what the product was like and how it would be on my skin and it was amazing, so I bought the larger version and now my skin is glowing. “It’s amazing and everyone is commenting on my skin,” one reviewer wrote.
“Bought this product with all the hype around it and it doesn’t disappoint… get it ASAP, it’s the best moisturizer ever,” added another.
5. BEST CLEANER: TATCHA THE RICE WASH
Tatcha is known for its hefty price tags, but this Japanese skincare has been a staple for thousands for many years.
This $64 cleanser taps into the ancient Japanese practice of using rice in beauty rituals, resulting in clear, bright, and dewy skin.
Like many of Tatcha’s products, the cream cleanser is formulated with Hadasei-3, a fermented antioxidant-rich essence of Japanese superfoods, which floods skin with moisture.
The formula also contains a blend of Japanese algae and hyaluronic acid that helps restore a healthy skin barrier and rice powder to revive the complexion.
“Love this cleanser because it doesn’t strip my skin when I use it,” wrote one reviewer.
‘You only need a pea for each wash and it feels so luxurious. The wash has small rice particles that dissolve as soon as you wet it and apply it on your face. I have repurchased this many times in the past and will continue to do so.”