Naty Chabanenko shot by Fabio Chizzola for Gravure

Since Peter Philips painted eyes gold at Proenza Schouler’s A/W 2011 show last week, I have gone copper crazy! Check out duo eyeshadows in Isolde, Méditerranée, and Balthazar by Nars for a chic, gilded look.

Eniko Mihalik shot by Ben Hassett for US Harpers Bazaar, March 2011.

Never before have I pack so lightly for a holiday, it was very impressive. I took a handful of swimmers, towels, pjs, a few lightweight dresses, and some sandals. I was extra impressed with my beauty products – below is all that I took! Seriously!

These are my summer holiday essentials (from L to R):

Perricone MD Cold Plasma: This lightweight gel is great under sunscreen and perfect for evenings to cool my face down and take away that little bit of redness.

Dermalogica Total Eye Care with SPF 15: Sunscreen sunscreen sunscreen! The skin around your eyes is soo fine so make sure your eyecream has a SPF!

Mecca Cosmetica In A Good Light SPF 30+ Tinted Facial Sunscreen: A summer holiday is the only time that I’m non-Rococo. Before going away I got my bronze on with Rodial’s Brazilian Tan (in light, of course!). Even though I love Rodial and it has never failed me, I never do my face, it’s just too risky, and you know what, this is why tinted sunscreens were invented! This tinted facial suncreen is the perfect match for when I’m (fake) tanned. Win!

Nars The Multiple Duo (Cream Blushes) in Orgasm and South Beach: The only makeup product I took away. When I wanted a pretty look I used a touch of the pink on the apples of my cheek, and when I wanted to look super tanned, I put the bronze all over; the bridge of my nose, across my cheeks, my temples, a dab on my chin and at my hairline – so all of the places that the sun sees. I l love Nars’ cream blushes (I have SEVEN!!) as they’re so lightweight, so no matter what shade you wear, the colours always look natural.

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler: All holiday I went mascara free but still curled my lashes as it really does make a difference. They make your eyes instantly bigger and prettier, what more could you want?!

Kai Body Lotion: This lotion smells like Hawaii. It’s so fresh, pretty and so relaxing, I made sure to use it everyday whilst away so it will remind me of Jervis.

And finally, Le Tan SPF 30 + Classic Lotion: I carry sunscreen with me everywhere! There’s nothing worse than being sunburnt. Eek!

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In the meantime, here I am, first up in the Undercover Blogger series for Mecca Cosmetica. Check out my current favourite goodies and let us know what you think! Once again, thanks to Georgia Blackie for the lovely portrait.

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Thanks Bowen for showing this to me. This is definitely going to be a top look of mine for this festive season.

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Mecca Maxima is a chic, sophisticated store that offers the biggest lineup of prestige, niche, emerging and well-loved beauty brands in one sleek space. There are over 3,000 products (THREE THOUSAND BEAUTY PRODUCTS PEOPLE!!) and one hundred brands including all of my favourites from Mecca Cosmetica (hello By Terry, Nars and Murad), along with the selection from Kit Cosmetics (such as Origins, Kit and Mario Badescu), and beauty classics including Yves Saint Laurent, Clinique and Clarins. It’s your one-stop beauty-shop!

Not only are the brands unsurpassable, the layout of the store is genius! It’s super interactive and everything is easily accessible. There are dedicated ‘play areas’ where you’re encouraged to pick up products and try them on, there’s clear signage where you can see what the top picks are, and there is obvious pricing so there are no awkward moments.

Maxima has also gone a little hi-tech on us. With touch screens where you can enter in your concerns and they will pinpoint your needs, there are computers where you can scan your items and it’ll bring up everything you need to know about the product, and finally, there is a twitter section with particular magazine’s and people’s favourites.

The shop is divided up into sections, such as the fragrance one as above. That’s right, Acqua di Parma alongside Prada alongside Serge Lutens. I can definitely get used to this!

The best idea in forever: a ball of hair bands. There is an accessories section with items starting at $1.50. There are tweezers, nail polish wipes for on-the-go, eyelash curlers, and this great Bumble & Bumble ball. It’s so clever and just what I need as I’m always either breaking or losing elastics!

My super lovely Mecca Maxima specialist Brittany. I am so stubborn when it comes to buying makeup for myself but she encouraged me to try a new lipstick which I have worn everyday since! A big big thank you!

Ooh! Also, the screen above shows you how to do chic hair-dos in no time. A very cool idea.

And finally, Nars. So much Nars! <3

The store’s well thought-out, spacious, upbeat, and because of that it’s not intimidating in the slightest. When you’re next in Melbourne, or if you’re lucky enough to live in one of the coolest cities in Australia, you must go in for a play. The address is Shop 54/55 Ground Floor, Latrobe Street Building, Melbourne Central Shopping Centre.

Have fun! I know you will!

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ps. I was very spoilt at Mecca Maxima and left with lots of new goodies in hand. I’ll be sharing them with you in the coming posts so stay tuned…

She has such a beautiful face, a perfect profile and gorgeous hair, it was very fun turning her into a classic coquette for the day. Nars’ Laguna, Revlon’s ColourStay Liquid Eye Pen, Lanolips’ Lip Ointment in Rose et c’est tout! Tres jolie!

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Thanks so much for having me as your Guest Editor Mecca Cosmetica, I had a ball!

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