I literally just had a moment, after throwing out all my expired make-up! "How the fuck, am I going to restock my supply?" The prices of what I had, are beyond a joke. 80% of what I owned, was from CW and atomica. 20% from Mecca and Myer.

I only buy my base products from Mecca or Myer because I find it difficult to get matches, for my fair dry skin elsewhere. But the rest is all from CW and atomica. The carts I just put together, total just more than $700! The crazy part, some of it is on sale....

So my question is, how are you all doing it?

This cost of living crisis, is seriously killing me.... Make-up and perfume, was the only one ritual in my day/night, that brought me personal joy, other than my coffee breaks! Now, I am feeling that it is being taken away from me.

I understand there are worse things going on in the country and world, before I get judged for something some call vain or superficial. But I surely hope to be understood in what I am expressing....

Before I start I just want to acknowledge the staff in my local store in Perth CBD are fabulous and very knowledgeable and offer great service.

This post is about the lack of online or general customer support options available.
Firstly, there is NO phone number. There was a number you could call to get issues sorted out very quickly as earlier in the year I was able to call as points had not been added for return of empty containers. I had an issue, actually multiple issues the past week and found that this number i called is no longer available and the only options are live chat or email.

Live chat does not work despite me updating app, deleting app, reading app etc.

So let’s talk about the email option. You’re lucky to get a response within a day. Not ideal when you are having issues with ordering, such as unable to add rewards, exclusive app gifts etc to your order so you miss out. THEN when you do email them the customer service rep clearly doesn’t read your issue and gives you a stock standard response that doesn’t address your issue. In fact, I feel like it may be AI generated.

To say I’m not happy with the level of customer care options available and follow up by Sephora is an understatement and Sephora needs at the minimum , to reinstate their phone customer service option, which allows issues to be resolved instantly as opposed to emailing back and forth. Especially when it seems your issues are not addresses

Frustrated Sephora member.

Honestly I'm so over this. I've been wearing makeup for years and I still can't figure out why my base always looks cakey or patchy by lunch time. I've tried drugstore foundations, mid range ones, even asked for samples of high end ones at Mecca. Same problem every single time.

For context I have combo skin that gets oily on my nose and forehead but dry on my cheeks. Melbourne weather doesn't help either. One day it's humid next day it's freezing .

My current routine: - Moisturizer (Cetaphil) - Primer (tried a few, currently using one from Australis) - Foundation with damp sponge - Light powder on t-zone - Setting spray

I've tried using less product. I've tried waiting between layers. I've tried no primer. I've tried fingers instead of sponge. Nothing seems to fix the cakey look around my nose and between my eyebrows.

I asked a friend who has really nice makeup and she said maybe my skin is dehydrated underneath and that's why products sit weird on top.

Has anyone here fixed this cakey foundation problem? Was it a skincare issue or a technique issue? What made a difference for you? I'm not after full coverage just something that looks like skin.

Thanks legends.

Adore Beauty's Mid-Season Sale started, and I thought the summary of the big discounts would help in case you are thinking restocking.

Haircare:

Top 50%+ deals:

• Iles Formula: Iles Formula Intensive Hair + Body Balm (58% off), Iles Formula Grey Delay Booster 50ml (50% off)

Top 40%+ deals:

• COSRX: COSRX Peptide-132 Ultra Perfect Hair Bonding Oil Serum (45% off), COSRX Peptide-132 Ultra Perfect Hair Bonding Treatment (45% off)
• MOROCCANOIL: Moroccanoil Perfect Defence 300ml (45% off), MOROCCANOIL Restorative Hair Mask 500ml (40% off)
• IGK: IGK Good Behavior Intense Daily Smoothing Mask (40% off), IGK More Life Shampoo (40% off)
• Matrix: Matrix So Silver Pigmented Conditioner 300ml (40% off)
• Philip Kingsley: Philip Kingsley Flaky/Itchy Scalp Dry Shampoo 200ml (40% off), Philip Kingsley Density Thickening Conditioner 170ml (40% off)
• Pureology: Pureology Strength Cure Miracle Filler 150ml (40% off)
• Robe Haircare: Robe Haircare Clean + Finish 300ml (40% off), Robe Haircare Youthful Conditioner 300ml (40% off)

Top 30%+ deals:

• Pureology: PUREOLOGY PASSPORT TRAVEL SET (35% off)
• L'Oreal Professionnel: L'Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox Mini trio kit (30% off)
• Mr. Smith: Mr. Smith Balancing Conditioner 500ML (30% off)
• Nioxin: Nioxin Scalp + Hair Thickening System 4 Shampoo + Conditioner 1L Duo (30% off)
• Redken: REDKEN ACIDIC BONDING CONCENTRATE EXCLUSIVE TRAVEL SET (30% off), Redken Brews Maneuver Cream Pomade 100ml (30% off)
• Revlon Professional: Revlon Professional Nutri Color Filter - 200 Violet 100ml (30% off), Revlon Professional Nutri Color Filter - 500 Purple Red 100ml (30% off)

Top 20%+ deals:

• Aesop: Aesop Rose Hair and Scalp Moisturising Masque 500ml (20% off), Aesop Rose Hair & Scalp Moisturising Masque Tube (20% off), Aesop Sculpt Hair Polish 100mL (20% off)
• Goldwell: Goldwell Color Revive Color Giving Conditioner Cool Red (25% off)
• Hunter Lab: Hunter Lab Natural Hair Pomade (25% off)
• Jurlique: Jurlique Lavender Shampoo (20% off)

Makeup:

Top 60%+ deals

• Baebrow: CanGro Headband (78% off)
• AB LAB: AB LAB by Adore Beauty Barely There Luminous Skin Filter Primer 30mL (70% off), AB LAB by Adore Beauty Pep-Pro Grow Brow Gel (63% off)
• Prene Bags: Prene Bags Insulated Cosmetic Case Clutch (62% off)

Top 50%+ deals

• Spectrum Brushes: Spectrum Brushes All about the coverage Dual coverage sponge (56% off)
• Anastasia Beverly Hills: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Genius Brow Serum Mini (50% off)
• Huda Beauty: Huda Beauty Classic Lash #25 Hoodie Flares (50% off), Huda Beauty Sticky Tack Lash Glue 7ml (50% off)
• MAKE UP FOR EVER: MAKE UP FOR EVER Gentle Eye Clean Removers Btg 50ml (50% off)

Top 40%+ deals

• Benefit Cosmetics: Benefit Cosmetics The Porefessional Try-me Trio (49% off)
• Estee Lauder: Estée Lauder Turbo Lash Lash/Brow Serum (49% off)
• OPI: OPI Infinite Shine Colour Duo Gift Set 2x15mL (45% off), OPI Treatment Gift Set - Repair Mode, Cuticle Serum, Nail File (45% off)
• Osmosis Skincare: Osmosis Prime and Glow Holiday Cracker (44% off)
• Napoleon Perdis: Napoleon Perdis Lift Off Makeup Remover Water (40% off)

Top 30%+ deals

• Benefit Cosmetics: Benefit Cosmetics BADgal BANG! Booster set - BANGIN' Lashes (35% off), Benefit Cosmetics Benefit Dream Team Gift Set (30% off)
• M.A.C Cosmetics: M.A.C Cosmetics Bossom Shift Lip Trio (35% off), M.A.C Cosmetics Best Buds Lip Combo (35% off)
• Designer Brands: Designer Brands Velvet Matte Foundation SPF15 (32% off)
• Barry M: Barry M Lip Kit 1 - Rose Radiance (30% off)
• AVEDA: AVEDA Invati brow thickening serum 5ml (30% off)
• Espoir: Espoir Real Eye Palette All New #5 (30% off)
• Bobbi Brown: Bobbi Brown Nude Finish Illuminating Powder Buff (30% off)
• Estee Lauder: Estée Lauder 3pc Lip Oil Set (30% off)

Hi. Hello. I know you are used to hearing from me regarding hair care, but today I wish to speak on the subject of lust. Specifically, the lust for a new foundation. But first - a little backstory. I used to have hideously oily, acne prone skin. To the point where I'm surprised BP or Caltex didn't turn up wanting to investigate my face as a future drilling site. Which is a shame, because I could have used the money quite frankly. My skin was so oily throughout my 20's that I could only use powder foundation, as a liquid foundation would get broken down and destroyed within a couple of hours of application.

Anyway. I started using a prescription retinoid (tretinoin 0.05%) in my early 30's for my acne. It also served the purpose of drying my face out just enough to allow me to go hog wild in the world of liquid foundation. Fast forward five or so years and now I'm on tazarotene 0.1% cream that I have to have compounded by a specialist pharmacy in QLD. Combine somewhat drier skin and the encroaching winter months, and I began to lust after my dream winter skin foundation. Light coverage. Practically glossy with dew. Just enough pigment to even out my skin tone and tone down any redness. I wanted the sort of skin that speaks of a relentless skin care routine, adequate water intake and what is undoubtedly a luxury foundation.

Except I'm supposed to be fiscally responsible this month. Which is what made my trip to Myer today to pick up some Click & Collect so hard. I saw it. The object of my lust and desire. The Clarins Double Serum foundation. Gag me, I wanted it BAD. But I didn't even let myself touch it. I knew sampling a little pump on the back of my hand would lead to shade matching, and shade matching would lead to buying. I walked past the display as fast I could, and probably seemed quite rude to the sales ladies who were trying to offer me samples of some sort of perfume. I'm sorry ma'am - I just had to flee from the siren song of temptation.

I was picking up another Click & Collect Order in Priceline (stocking up on my beloved Garnier Pineapple Hair Drink after I used up my last bottle) when the inspiration struck. I had been trialling the L'Oreal dupe for the Clarins Double Serum for a week or so after picking it up in a half price sale at Priceline. I could always try mixing it with my foundations at home to see if it gave me the effect I was looking for. I won't lie - I didn't RUN home. But I certainly did power walk.

I got home, put my shopping away and grabbed a few supplies - the L'Oreal Le Duo Serum, my bottle of Maybelline Super Stay Lumi-Matte foundation in the shade 128 and my little pump tube of NYX Bare With Me Concealer in the shade Medium Vanilla. I cracked open my bag of Shop Miss A beauty blenders for a fresh sponge, and got to work. Feeling much like a make up MacGyver, I pumped out one pump of the Le Duo Serum and one pump of the Lumi-Matte foundation on the back of my hand. I mixed them together, and dotted the mixture all over my face, blending with my damp sponge. I then applied a few dabs of the NYX Bare With Me concealer around my eyes and blended with a sponge. And YA'LL. I don't mean to brag but my skin looked pretty damn fucking perfect, considering I had just come in from being outside and was a bit red and shiny. This combination looks absolutely amazing on the skin. I haven't done a full day wear test yet, but the initial application was so encouraging I had to run straight over to this sub to report my findings. So if you too are lusting after the Clarins Double Serum Foundation and are trying to be responsible this month ... I highly suggest making your way over to Priceline and grabbing a bottle of the Le Duo serum and mixing it in with your foundation of choice ... you just might find that you already have everything you need.

The manager told me I had to get myself infected again so that I can get my refund and take pictures while im having allergic reaction. Sephora Melbourne central. Waited 15 minutes for her and got told this. She said “the best way to get the refund back is to put it back again and take pictures while you are having the reaction, otherwise no refund”

Regret being a gold member here

Cruel

I love the look of soft, fluffy lashes. Wondering if anyone has suggestions for a mascara that makes lashes more light and voluminous than heavy and long?

I’m almost done growing out some very bad light highlights. I’m brunette and initially asked for auburn highlights, but the hairdresser added peroxide 💀 and as a result I have some brassy blonde bits that I am almost finished growing out.

There is about an inch left of this brassy colour blonde on my ends, but to maintain length I don’t want to cut it all out. My hair is otherwise healthy and medium thickness.

Is there a way I can avoid an expensive toner treatment at the salon with an at home (non dye) product? I’ve tried Wella professionals chocolate colour fresh mask and it doesn’t last beyond a day.

Product recs please!

I love this product but don't love the price :( Has anyone found anything similar for a better price?

I’m in my mid-30s and started getting noticeable grey hair in my 20s. Back then it was manageable but now it’s really visible, especially at the front and it’s starting to affect my confidence.

I used to go to the salon regularly, but keeping up with appointments every 3 weeks just became too much (time and cost-wise). So I switched to doing box dye at home every few weeks for past 3-4 years which helped at first, but now my hair feels pretty damaged and unhealthy and extreme hair fall.

The problem is, if I stop dyeing, the greys come through really strongly around my hairline and it just throws off my whole look.

I’m kind of stuck and not sure what the best option is anymore. Has anyone else dealt with this? What worked for you different coloring methods, something else entirely?

Would really appreciate any advice or suggestions.

my holy Grail lipsticks are bys softer side and skinny latte. i love their shade range and rarely hear any appreciation for this brand. i used to live in qls with a cosmetics plus but cant find any similar stores with bys other than big w but they sell a very limited range. i also love looking in person as colours vary online.

In my quest to find a matching perfume my silly gooseness resulted in me having some citrus smelling versace, blossom by Jimmy choo that priceline bamboozled me on the price of, and Jessica Parker's sunburst. I have no idea what i am doing. I am looking for a woody, musky, floral smell. I never really wore perfume because I used to get a reaction but that stopped.

I want to find a more gentle smell without vanilla over powering it

I put through a massive $1k order about 20 minutes after it went live and it’s still in the packaging stage. A smaller order that I put through the next day, has already been received.

Am I going to get told half my purchase is now out of stock? I find it odd and annoying that it’s in packaging stage given I’ve received another order already.

I bought some makeup last night online and need to shop at Sephora because Mecca didn’t stock hourglass anymore. I also noticed the selection of products on the Mecca website has decreased drastically.

Has anyone else noticed this and what other brands have stopped stocking with Mecca?

I'm not sure if this is the right place but I'm hoping for some advice regarding shampoos that don't contain aha's as I'm not having much luck in my searches so far.

Basically I've been using matrix brass off for years on my fine brunette hair because I love how it makes my hair feel & look, but I've been struggling with scalp irritation for months now and have not been able to find a cause/solution (have consulted with gp).

I recently came across a video of a client in a hair consultation talking about how she was having a similar issue & she was using matrix shampoo, the hairdresser explained how aha's work and why they aren't great with consistent & prolonged use and now I suspect that could be my issue and that my skin barrier is struggling.

I'm at a bit of a loss as so many higher end shampoos seem to contain some kind of aha and I stopped using supermarket stuff a long time ago as I was never happy with the result. If anyone has any knowledge in the area I'd be very grateful. I've considered heading into my local hairhouse but I'm not sure if they'll be able to help and unfortunately I don't have the income right now to be able to go to a salon.

tldr: I'm on the search for a high quality aha free shampoo and I'm lost in the sea of haircare and scientific words

has anyone tried this skin doctors eyelash & brow serum? ive been looking for some reviews but it seems like a pretty unpopular brand (being aussie based) that not a lot of people talk about. the description shows that it is quite effective but i was just wondering if it is actually legit before i actually go on and purchase it.

https://preview.redd.it/fdpt22d4dawg1.jpg?width=2000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e18f05dcc926910789427ef926d9f4b6f09b6214

Hi everyone,

Thank you so much to everyone who has already participated – I’m getting really close to my target and only need around 20 more participants.

I’m an honours psychology student at ACAP University, and this research is quite personal to me. After seeing my partner work as a barber, I realised how much emotional energy goes into client-facing roles, not just the physical work, but also managing conversations and sometimes hearing really heavy or unexpected personal disclosures. I noticed he often needed to debrief after work, despite having little formal support in his industry.

That experience really stuck with me and led me to explore this in my research, as these professions are often overlooked in psychological research despite the level of emotional labour involved.

I’m currently looking for people in Australia (18+) working in hair/beauty, tattooing, real estate, personal training, or hospitality (with at least 6 months experience) to complete a short anonymous survey. The study explores how hearing unexpected client trauma disclosures may impact well-being, including secondary traumatic stress.

Because this is quite a niche population, every response genuinely makes a difference. If you’re eligible, I’d really appreciate your time, and if you’re able to share it with others in these industries, that would mean a lot as well.

Thank you for considering participating. See the link --> https://acap.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5t0tXiTOGDNuIFU