Amelia Barton has spent a decade and a half working on the ground at MECCA in New Zealand, starting out as a Colour Specialist (read: master of make-up) and now working as the NZ Trade Delivery Partner to help shape the customer experience in stores across Aotearoa. “Fifteen years in and beauty still genuinely excites me every day,” says Barton. So with spring in the air, and MECCA MAX’s playful, high-performing make-up range offering plenty of ways to experiment, we asked her to share the trends, techniques, and products on her radar for the season ahead.
What makes MECCA MAX so suited to real life make-up routines?
Having spent years behind the counter, and being a mum of two myself, I know exactly how I, and many others, like to get ready: in five minutes, in the car, with one hand. MECCA MAX is built for that. The range is forgiving; the Off Duty Sticks blend with your fingertips, the formulas are buildable so you’re never one swipe from a mistake, and almost everything is multi-use.
How would you create a fresh spring look using the range?
Start with Off Duty Serum Skin Tint, applied with fingers or the MECCA MAX Complexion Buffing Brush. You want skin that looks like skin, just brighter and more even. Warm the face with Off Duty Contour Stick along the cheek bones, hairline, and jawline, then really blend it out. Add Off Duty Blush Stick (I love the shade Sunswept for spring) to the high points of the cheeks and buff up to the temples for that just-came-infrom-the-sun look. Finish with Gloss Boss Lip Gloss in Star Power or Aura for a soft shimmer.
What spring make-up trends are you seeing come through?
After a few years of very pared-back, ‘clean’ make-up, colour is genuinely back for spring. I’m seeing pops of colour on the eyes, soft coloured liner worn with a little flick, glossy lips defined with liner, sparkle, shimmer and even colourful mascara making a comeback. Think statement blues, peachy tones, and rosy nudes. The trick is to commit to one statement and keep everything else soft.
What’s the key to fresh, natural-looking skin?
Skin that looks good underneath needs very little on top, so moisturise well and let it sink in before you start. Reach for a skin tint and concealer rather than full coverage foundation, and only build coverage where you need it. Cream formulas like the Off Duty Blush and Contour Sticks melt into the skin and move with your face. Powder only where required, like through the T-zone, and keep glow to the high points so the finish still feels fresh.
Are there any comeback looks you’re excited about?
I’m thrilled coloured eyeliner is back, especially worn soft and smudged with a flick rather than a razor-sharp wing. Sparkle has also returned in a grown-up way, think sheer, pearly shimmer tapped onto the lid or cheek bones rather than chunky glitter.
Any tips for experimenting with colour?
Affordable products are exactly where you should be brave. Start small: a wash of coloured eyeliner or a single bold lipstick is a low-commitment way in, and you can always blend it softer if it feels like too much. The whole point of MECCA MAX is that you can play without overthinking it.
This article originally featured in the Spring ’26 issue of Fashion Quarterly.
As told to: Lucy Slight.
Imagery: MECCA
