I’m sharing this because I really wish I’d been able to find this information before booking a consultation with Retreat Hair (Natalie Varrasso) in Melbourne.
After years of colouring my hair brown, I finally decided to embrace my natural salt-and-pepper grey. I researched specialist grey-transition hairdressers and was really excited about the prospect of having it done properly.
I spent 12 weeks growing out my roots in preparation for my consultation and had been researching styles, colours and what my finished hair might look like.
The consultation cost $280 for 45 minutes.
I went in knowing that this would be an expensive, specialist service. I initially thought around $1,500 might be reasonable, but perhaps naively, as I researched further, I’d started preparing myself for something closer to $2,000–$3,000. That already felt like an enormous amount of money to spend on my hair, but I was willing to invest in a beautiful transition that would eventually free me from having to colour it regularly.
Then I received the quote.
Almost $7,000 for two appointments of approximately seven hours each.
I was absolutely floored.
Personally, I find that an unreasonable amount of money for a hair transformation, regardless of the expertise involved. But what has frustrated me even more is that there was absolutely no indicative price range available before I paid for the consultation.
Retreat Hair even has a blog post specifically about how much grey transitions cost, but instead of providing actual dollar figures, it uses dollar-sign categories to indicate the level of investment.
I wasn’t expecting a cheap service. I’d already reconciled myself to spending several thousand dollars. I just had no idea I could be looking at something approaching $7,000.
Had I known, I would never have booked the consultation, let alone spent three months growing out my hair and getting excited about the transformation.
I completely understand that everyone’s hair is different and that complex colour corrections require considerable skill. But surely it’s reasonable to provide prospective clients with even a broad price range before asking them to spend $280 just to discover whether the service is remotely affordable?
I’m not posting this to criticise anyone’s technical ability. I’m posting because I couldn’t find any meaningful pricing information when I was researching, and I hope this helps someone else avoid the same disappointment.
I’d also genuinely love to hear from anyone who’s had a successful grey transition elsewhere in Melbourne, particularly if you can share what it cost

Hi all, I'm back to criticise the whopping $160 lip balm from Dior that only has TWO GRAMS of product.

Okay I get it, some people think the design is cute, whatever. But seriously, what are we doing? Like it gets to a point. Absolutely insane pricing considering Dior prices aren't as high end as other luxury brands (Sisley, YSL, Chanel, Hermes etc). Now we're reaching La Mer levels of superiority.

I've seen SO many people convert this into a necklace, same with the zippers of the pouches, which I don't really get because if you so desperately want a Dior necklace (and are indifferent to the design) just get the lip butter for $100 cheaper and remove the charm and use that as a pendant (which I actually did lol, got it on sale and thought it would be so cute and it was!).

But this? Not even 100% metal, literally half plastic and $100 more? Somebody tell me I'm not going insane - this isn't normal.

I’m so frustrated. I know that the Kosas revealer foundations were divisive for a lot of reasons, but they worked unbelievably well for my allergies and undertone. I’ve spent hundreds of dollars trying to unsuccessfully replace them ever since they were discontinued as stock at Mecca.

Last night I took another pass at trying to buy them online through Revolve and Cult beauty online.

Those sites still refuse to ship Kosas products to Australia because of the fckin exclusivity deal with Mecca, even though Mecca doesn’t stock that product.

This is worse than Mecca having a monopoly, they’ve actually effectively set up a trade embargo on a product I relied on.

What can be done about this? I wrote to Mecca asking them to either restock the foundation or carve out that product from the exclusivity deal, but I know that’s not going to do anything at all.

Is there an alternative way to get the Kosas revealer foundation which doesn’t cost hundreds of dollars, or to effect some kind of uprising against Mecca’s unfair practices?

Said with love, I’m not interested in dupes of the product ❤️ 🙏🏽

Seriously I spent around 2k this month alone because all of the amazing deals and new releases, and I guess next year there is going to be more sales

Hey everyone! With summer approaching in Aus I’d love to hear your guys ride or die products/techniques to help your makeup withstand the crazy Aussie heat and humidity!

I got this advent calendar (the mecca max minis to the max 12-piece beauty advent calendar) last year for Christmas and I feel INLOVE with the Mecca max lip gloss that came with it!

But I found there isn’t a shade name and now it’s all rubbed off. I tried to look up the name but I can’t find it ANYWHERE. I went into Mecca and swatched the Mecca max lip glosses/sticks but can’t find it.

This is the best I could get photo wise

Please let me know if anyone has this lipgloss and knows a dupe or knows the name of the shade!

Hi all.

I'm trying to find a good standing makeup mirror with excellent lighting that is portable, i.e I can put it on a table, and has some magnification. I'm 55 and our bathroom lighting is hideous. I struggle in the morning to do my makeup for work (doesn't help I can't see without my glasses either).

Hi all, to preface this request, I have pretty basic/zero makeup knowledge myself, but I'm trying to do a good deed for my elderly mum who absolutely loves a blue eyeshadow.

She has used her Rimmel State of Grace eyeshadow palette to death - not a crumb left. I wanted to surprise her by getting a whole bunch to replace it but unfortunately I find it's discontinued!

So are there any recommendations for similar palettes out there? She also loves a nude/brown - like the Covergirl TruNaked 805 palette, so any recommendations for a replacement for that are welcome too.

Thanks for helping this daughter make her mummas dreams come true!

Hi there.
I am someone with very fine hair. It’s relatively thin and long. I live in Australia, and when it gets hot and humid my hair goes crazy! I usually slick it, but I want to learn to maintain it and wear it out. My main issue is the fuzziness on the top of my head. The rest of my hair usually isn’t too frizzy and I’m not bothered by it.

My current routine:
Wash with the L’Oréal absolut repair shampoo and conditioner.
Blow dry with heat, and some kind of treatment (I’ve been trying the Redken acidic bonding concentrate recently)
Apply virtue healing oil
Sleep in a silk bonnet.

For washing, I have previously tried Kerastase genesis range, Bouf, virtue recovery range, redken volume injection.
I did think my hair looked better using kerastase and virtue, however I wanted to find something more budget friendly. Happy to use them again if it’s something that will be worth it. Just hard to know if it looked better because I used it in a less humid time, or if it was actually beneficial.

For treatments I have tried the color wow dream coat, L’Oréal glycolic gloss, and Redken acidic bonding concentrate. I don’t think either does much.

I did once get a keratin treatment, which I think did work, but didn’t seem to last long.

I would love to hear any recommendations or way I can improve. Thank you!

I ordered from their website hoping I could find my beloved "Lancome Idole Aura" a real smell, the ones I ordered from amazon smelled awful...

Now I've read all the comments and posts bout em- if I could go back in time!

The fact this web is still on means they making money! and paying off their 100k ibiza trips with y'all money!

So I suspect they could be also now selling courses on drop shipping and how to make online money lmfao- stay aware people- never trust a kid who sells a course.

Sometimes I get nostalgic for old brands, and today I was thinking about Shène and its hideous green packaging. Does anyone else recall? I bought the reddest lipstick out of their very earthy early 90s collection and been missing it ever since.

Hi guys i’m interested in this makeup case from the brand etoile. do you know if they do any sales? and is it worth the hype

thanks

I have a beauty service booked in a few weeks before a wedding and will have $175 to redeem on products.

1st question I guess is can I only redeem products used during the make up service?
2nd what products de we all recommend?

I don’t wear a huge amount of makeup day to day and my staple foundation is the Fenty soft’lit which I can’t get from Mecca 😅

Skin care or make up product recommendations are very welcome!

Seeking some eyeliner recs!! I love tightlining just the top eyelid and wanted to know of any product you’ve tried that is long lasting and doesn’t smudge after a few hours :)

Thick long hair. Trying to decide between the both. Cloud nine looks easier to use but Dyson look to have the more defined curls. Any other suggestions ? Thank you.

Been interested in Copini Beauty but also heard MCO lip liners are also good. Looking for that kind of 90’s lip liner but all my Mac liners don’t last past 5 mins. I tried Sacheu but for me it smells weird, super messy and didn’t stain well. I’ve given up 😭

Any suggestions ?

EDIT: SOLVED. It was bareMinerals.

It was in 2013/2014, a mid-range to premium one (around 40 dollars, I think) and I got it from Myer Melbourne, I think at the Mecca kiosk BUT I may be misremembering.

IIRC it was an Australian brand, came in a black metal tube with a slanted top and had a little rounded silver handle/slide thingy.

It's just bugging me that I can't remember the name!

Thanks in advance. :)

Hi yes hello. I am back. Hair care reviews still to come. No, I have not gotten a new job yet. Yes, I am moving to get out of my hideously dated, cheap, landlord's special rental in Sydney. My new digs will be remote but rent free, so expect me to haunt this sub in the future in search of dopamine and/or human contact.

Okay, so here's the thing. I must confess ... I bought the 'Love' Hourglass palette from Sephora. I am not proud. I have like 6 of these. Yes they are objectively good value (or they were when they were under $120 - WDYM they are $160 now?!), but you don't need a whole heap of them, especially if the included shades aren't flattering to your skin tone. But this year got me. I was torn between the 'Love' and 'Wish' palettes. And I tell you, my bored ass almost bought the 'Wish' palette too. But I stopped, mentally bitch slapped myself, and did not add to cart. Scarcity marketing shall not move me! Not this time!!!

Since I'm moving house, I've done a huge declutter of everything. Make up included *le gasp\*. And it gave me some perspective. I found products I forgot I had. But by far my favourite re-discovery was the Gen Nude Blonzers from bareMinerals. Yes, I can hear you hissing in the back that Mecca are the only ones that stock them. But it is what it is. Anyway.

I decided to dig deep into my frenetic desire to participate in end stage capitalism and buy the 'Wish' palette too. Why? When I broke it down, I realised I really only wanted the palette for one blush shade - Desert Rose. Enter stage left: my neglected Blonzer shades of Kiss of Rose and Kiss of Spice. Knowing more about make up, my skin, brushes and application technique now than I did when I first bought these, I decided to give them a stay of execution from the declutter pile.

I am *so* glad I did. I took an angled blush brush and lightly blended it around my temples, along my hairline and just under my cheekbones, a little lower than the spot where I would normally place blush, but a touch higher than I typically place bronzer.

I looked casually sun kissed. It was perfection. Kiss of Rose is probably my favourite shade of the two. Kiss of Spice looks more like a traditional, very sheeny bronzer on me. I dusted a little over my nose. I fell in love with this look. It was so simple, but so flattering and gave me that healthy look that I was severely lacking given how much I've struggled to maintain healthy routines of any kind since my redundancy.

And what I love is that there is an undertone to suit most skin tones. Super fair? Kiss of Pink. Deeper skin tones? Try Kiss of Rose, the darkest shade (I use it with a VERY light hand). Cooler undertones? Kiss of Mauve. Warm undertones? Kiss of Copper or Kiss of Spice. Dry skin? Don't worry, they make it in a liquid formula too.

You don't need another Hourglass palette this summer. Just one product that makes you look like you've come back from a few weeks in Greece.

Sound off in the comments - what products did you give a second chance and are so glad you did?

those who have used this, can u please share honest reviews

I wanted this for so long just never commit to it, and opted for Dr.Naomi LED Mask instead but now I feel like it’s good time to get it as Christmas gift to myself. Anyone have any experience using this?

Edit: okay, you guys manage to de-influence me 💕😂

Exactly as the title says. When I apply my makeup I always feel fluff/lint on my face or in my eyes and it drives me CRAZY. Please help

Hello, just looking for some advise on what to ask my hair dresser. I have been going to them for about a year now. Never completely in love with my hair but happy enough. I went this week - i was due a full head of foils, toner etc. I am naturally blonde and have greys coming through. I have been trying to get it brighter and more of a creamy blonde. It tends to throw warm colours. This time I was happy with the foils and then my hd put the toner in. All along I said bright, clean and creamy. She said she needed to cover the greys. I am happy for them to be blended. Anyways it turned out super ashy and actually looks grey all over 😭. I left not saying anything as I am a perpetual people please. It seemed to get greyer and greyer at home. I haven’t been able to wear it out since as it looks awful and makes me look so old. I ended up messaging them and saying how ashy it turned out and could they fix the toner. I have washed it like crazy the last few days and it seems to have settled a bit. They have booked me in for next week. Just wondering what I should say to get closer to the colour I want. Also will they charge me?
Thank you

Looking for electric blue and purple holy grails specifically