MECCA Talks – Details, episodes & analysis

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 exposure and reapply as directed.

The Mini Must-Haves:

What we're obsessed with:

Westman Atelier Vital Skincare Concealer

RMS beauty Sun Coverup Super Tint SPF 50

MECCA COSMETICA To Save Face SPF50+ Brightening Sun Serum

What we've rediscovered:

Drunk Elephant Lala Retro™ Whipped Cream

MECCA MAX Zoom Shadow Stick Matte in 'Taupe'

What's on our wishlist:

TSU LANGE YOR Sala Eau de Parfum

Glossier Boy Brow Arch

Glossier Boy Brow Volumizing Eyebrow Gel-Pomade

Products Mentioned:

Violette_FR Yeux Paint Matte in 'Nuage de Lilas'

Violette_FR Bisou Balm in 'Amour Fou'

MECCA COSMETICA In A Good Light Illuminating Drops SPF30

Naked Sundays Beautyscreen SPF 50 Foundation Tint

Go-To Nifty Fifty

Go-To Nifty Fifty Mineral

Go-To Nifty Fifty Fluid

Read more on the MECCA MEMO:

MECCA’s Founder Jo Horgan, on International Day of the Girl

The Best Birthday Gifts From MECCA

Hosts: Tara Lamont-Djite & Kerri Gordon

Producer & Editor: Ruby Devlin

Loved the latest episode of MECCA Talks? Don’t forget to follow, rate and review (and give us a shoutout in the group chat!).

MECCA Talks wishes to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this episode at our studio in Naarm: the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation. We pay respect to Elders – past and present. We recognise their ongoing connection to this beautiful country, with knowledge and stories that have been handed down since time immemorial.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 bestselling products like Revealer Concealer, Wet Lip Oil and Air Brow Gel – and a fan club that includes Hailey Bieber, Alix Earle and Gwyneth Paltrow – Kosas is just getting started. Sheena's on the podcast to share her tips for the best makeup of your life – and what goes down when your products go viral.

Products mentioned:

Kosas Blush is Life Baked Dimensional and Brightening Blush

Kosas BB Burst Tinted Gel Cream

Kosas Wet Lip Oil Plumping Treatment Gloss

Kosas Plump + Juicy Vegan Collagen Spray-On Serum

Kosas Wet Lip Oil Plumping Treatment Gloss

Host: Kate Blythe

Producer: Kerri Gordon

Assistant Producer: Ruby Devlin

Editor: Warwick Hughes

Loved the latest episode of MECCA Talks? Don’t forget to follow, rate and review (and give us a shoutout in the group chat!). 

MECCA Talks wishes to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this episode at our studio in Naarm: the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation. We pay respect to Elders – past and present. We recognise their ongoing connection to this beautiful country, with knowledge and stories that have been handed down since time immemorial.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to MECCA Talks, your access-all-areas pass to the beauty, business and lifestyle experts we call our community.

In today’s episode, Kate is handing over the hosting mic to MECCA’s Head of Fabulosity, Tony Baumann, and Makeup Education Manager, Hannah Daniel, to talk through the best of the best in beauty.

In this conversation, our self-proclaimed “beauty nerds” take you behind the curtain, discussing how beauty icons are made and how the industry is evolving. Plus, they reveal the MECCA must-haves they can’t live without!

Products mentioned in this episode:

ILIA Skin Rewind Complexion Stick

VIOLETTE_FR Yeux Paint Twinkling

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation

Kosas Revealer Concealer

Westman Baby Cheeks Blush

Violette_FR Bisou Blush

Stila One Step Correct

Sol de Janiero Bum Bum Cream

Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi™ Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops

Hosts: Kate Blythe, Tony Baumann and Hannah Daniel

Producer: Kerri Gordon

Editor: Ruby Devlin

Loved the latest episode of MECCA Talks? Don’t forget to follow, rate and review (and give us a shoutout in the group chat!).

MECCA Talks wishes to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this episode at our studio in Naarm: the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation. We pay respect to Elders – past, present and emerging. We recognise their ongoing connection to this beautiful country, with knowledge and stories that have been handed down since time immemorial.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode of MECCA Talks, Kate Blythe is joined in the studio by Elise Loehnen. Elise is a New York Times Bestselling Author, Editor, Podcast Host and the former Chief Content Officer for GOOP (you might recognise her from their podcast or Netflix series).

From serums to psychedelics, juices and drips, Elise has explored every corner of the wellness industry, but now she’s redefining the concept of wellness to ‘wholeness’ - through historical, traditional and cultural research and critique.

In this conversation, they discuss wellness culture, Elise’s journey to wholeness, and her book, On Our Best Behaviour.

Host: Kate Blythe

Producer: Kerri Gordon

Editor: Ruby Devlin

Loved the latest episode of MECCA Talks? Don’t forget to follow, rate and review (and give us a shoutout in the group chat!). 

MECCA Talks wishes to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this episode at our studio in Naarm: the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation. We pay respect to Elders – past, present and emerging. We recognise their ongoing connection to this beautiful country, with knowledge and stories that have been handed down since time immemorial.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode of MECCA Talks – recorded live and in front of a studio audience at MECCA George Street – Kate is joined by Professor Augustinus Bader and Charles Rosier, Co-Founders and CEO, respectively, of the brand responsible for Hollywood’s picture perfect complexions, Augustinus Bader.

A globally recognized biomedical scientist and physician, and leading expert in the field of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine, Professor Bader co-founded the line of “too good to be true” formulas with CEO Charles Rosier, an entrepreneurial, science-minded investor who put everything on the line – his home, his savings, and his reputation – to bring the Augustinus Bader brand to life, and fuel Professor Bader’s greater work in skin, science and epigenetics.

The two go deep into the science of the brand – including the process of transforming Professor Bader’s astonishing medical breakthroughs in wound healing into a revolutionary skin-healing cream that appealed to the masses – and talk about how, with no marketing or PR, their products got into the hands of Don Johnson, Melanie Griffiths, Brad Pitt and Courtney Cox.

Watch the conversation, filmed live at MECCA George Street, on the MECCA Memo.

Shop Augustinus Bader's cult skincare - from Hollywood's favourite, The Rich Cream, to the brand's newest launch, The Retinol Serum, at MECCA.

Host: Kate Blythe

Guests: Professor Augustinus Bader and Charles Rosier

Producer: Kerri Gordon

Editor: Michael Liberale

Loved the latest episode of MECCA Talks? Don’t forget to follow, rate and review (and give us a shoutout in the group chat!).

MECCA Talks wishes to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this episode at our studio in Naarm: the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation. We pay respect to Elders – past, present and emerging. We recognise their ongoing connection to this beautiful country, with knowledge and stories that have been handed down since time immemorial.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, Kate is joined by the legendary Dr. Barbara Sturm, whose eponymous skincare brand supercharged celebrity-status skincare into the mainstream.

Recorded in the service suites of Dr. Sturm’s London spa and boutique, this exclusive conversation covers Dr. Sturm’s journey from orthopaedics to skincare, the creation of the famous ‘vampire’ facial and ‘blood’ cream – also known as MC1 Cream – and how word got out around Hollywood about her game- (or shall we say skin-) changing brand. Hit play!

Can't make it to Dr. Sturm's London clinic? Experience an exclusive Dr. Barbara Sturm facial at MECCA Aesthetica. For more information, click here.

Products mentioned in this episode:

Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream

Dr. Barbara Sturm Cleanser 

Dr. Barbara Sturm Face Cream Rich

Dr. Barbara Sturm Hyaluronic Serum

Dr. Barbara Sturm Glow Drops

Dr. Barbara Sturm Exoso-Metic Face Serum

Dr. Barbara Sturm Deep Hydrating Face Mask

Host: Kate Blythe

Guest: Dr. Barbara Sturm

Producer: Kerri Gordon

Editor: Michael Liberale

Loved the latest episode of MECCA Talks? Don’t forget to follow, rate and review (and give us a shoutout in the group chat!).

MECCA Talks wishes to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this episode at our studio in Naarm: the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation. We pay respect to Elders – past, present and emerging. We recognise their ongoing connection to this beautiful country, with knowledge and stories that have been handed down since time immemorial.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, Kate is in the studio with celebrated multidisciplinary designer and recipient of the 2023 MECCA x NGV Women in Design Commission, Bethan Laura Wood.

The MECCA x NGV Women in Design Commission is a major series inviting internationally renowned female designers and architects to create a significant new work for the NGV Collection. Bethan’s radical approach to materiality, colour and pattern through furniture, objects and installations has garnered a cult following, and presence in galleries and museums across the world, including The Art Institute of Chicago, San Francisco’s MOMA and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Bethan’s piece, Kaleidoscope-O-Rama, was revealed last week as part of the NGV’s Triennial Exhibition, and is on display now until April 2024 at the NGV International, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, with free entry. Further information is available via the NGV website.

Learn more on MECCA MEMO:

WATCH: In The Chair with Bethan Laura Wood

Meet the 2023 MECCA X NGV Women in Design Commission Artist

Host: Kate Blythe

Guest: Bethan Laura Wood

Producer: Kerri Gordon

Editor: Michael Liberale

Loved the latest episode of MECCA Talks? Don’t forget to follow, rate and review (and give us a shoutout in the group chat!).

MECCA Talks wishes to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this episode at our studio in Naarm: the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation. We pay respect to Elders – past, present and emerging. We recognise their ongoing connection to this beautiful country, with knowledge and stories that have been handed down since time immemorial.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, Kate is in New York visiting the Brooklyn HQ of Kavi and David Moltz, the creative brains (and noses) behind non-traditional fragrance house, D.S. & Durga. David, a musician and self-taught perfumer, alongside Kavi, an architect and designer, work together approaching scent like music or art – breaking the boundaries of the very exclusive, illusive and traditional fragrance industry while they’re at it. Over a cup of fresh-brewed tea (David’s other great passion), they spill the story of how their unexpected fragrances are imagined, why they were onto the viral ‘pistachio’ scent three years before anyone else and how, when it comes to your brand, saying no can be more important than saying yes.   

Read more on MECCA MEMO:

Pistachio is the ‘it’ fragrance note of 2023: here’s why

Products mentioned in this episode:

D.S.& Durga Pistachio EDP 

D.S.& Durga I Don’t Know What EDP

D.S.& Durga Cowboy Grass EDP

D.S. & Durga Rose Atlantic EDP 

D.S. & Durga Debaser EDP 

D.S & Durga Rockaway Beach EDP 

D.S. & Durga Durga EDP  

D.S. & Durga St. Vetyver

D.S.& Durga Candles 

D.S. & Durga 85 Diesel Candle

D.S. & Durga Radio Bombay EDP 

Host: Kate Blythe

Guests: Kavi and David Moltz

Producer: Kerri Gordon

Editors: Romy Erdos and Michael Liberale

Loved the latest episode of MECCA Talks? Don’t forget to follow, rate and review (and give us a shoutout in the group chat!).

MECCA Talks wishes to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this episode at our studio in Naarm: the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation. We pay respect to Elders – past, present and emerging. We recognise their ongoing connection to this beautiful country, with knowledge and stories that have been handed down since time immemorial.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, Kate is joined by adored makeup artist, creative director and founder and CEO of Violette_FR, Violette.

Launching into MECCA this week, Violette talks about the very beginnings of her brand and ‘”irreverent” beauty ethos – from mixing her own colours and textures on set to changing the way we all make and consume beauty content – and shares how her studies in fine art, Parisian sensibility, and years of direction and development for some of beauty’s biggest players led her to create a brand that makes beauty fun, effortless, empowering and chic, all at once. To say we’re obsessed would be an understatement. Hit play!

Read more on MECCA MEMO:

Violette Uses This One Beauty Product Morning, Noon and Night

Products mentioned in this episode:

VIOLETTE_FR Bisou Blush

VIOLETTE_FR Yeux Paint Matte

VIOLETTE_FR Bisou Balm

VIOLETTE_FR Boum-Boum Milk

VIOLETTE_FR Petal Bouche Matte

VIOLETTE_FR Avec Amour Oil Perfume

Host: Kate Blythe

Guest: Violette

Producer: Kerri Gordon

Editor: Michael Liberale

Loved the latest episode of MECCA Talks? Don’t forget to follow, rate and review (and give us a shoutout in the group chat!).

MECCA Talks wishes to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this episode at our studio in Naarm: the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation. We pay respect to Elders – past, present and emerging. We recognise their ongoing connection to this beautiful country, with knowledge and stories that have been handed down since time immemorial.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode of MECCA Talks, Kate is joined by supermodel, movie star, editor, mother-of-two, beauty obsessive, and Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Rose Inc., Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.

Recorded in the Townhouse Suite of Los Angeles’ historic Sunset Tower Hotel, Rosie shares the story of growing up in Devon as a magazine obsessive, getting her big break at the modelling agency she interned at when she was 16, and how – with a career as a supermodel and movie star under her belt – all roads led her to beauty.

Rosie’s love for beauty and design – coupled with her desire for high-performance innovation, two decades in the makeup chair and experience with acne-prone skin – has resulted in a brand that delivers on modern formulations that feel as good as they look (and leave your skin better off). Hit play to hear all about it.

Click here to watch Rosie answer our burning questions in our newest video series, In The Chair!

Products mentioned in this episode:

Rose Inc Cream Blush Refillable Cheek & Lip Colour

Rose Inc Skin Enhance Luminous Tinted Serum

Rose Inc Softlight Luminous Hydrating Concealer

Rose Inc Solar Infusion Soft-Focus Cream Bronzer

Rose Inc Radiant Reveal Brightening Serum

Rose Inc The Complexion Brush Gift Set

Rose Inc Number 7 Fan Eyeshadow Brush

Host: Kate Blythe

Guest: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

Producer: Kerri Gordon

Editor: Michael Liberale

Loved the latest episode of MECCA Talks? Don’t forget to follow, rate and review (and give us a shoutout in the group chat!).

MECCA Talks wishes to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this episode at our studio in Naarm: the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation. We pay respect to Elders – past, present and emerging. We recognise their ongoing connection to this beautiful country, with knowledge and stories that have been handed down since time immemorial.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.