The Future of Beauty With Mecca’s Head of Make-Up, Carly Emery

As head of make-up at Aussie beauty giant Mecca, Carly Emery has a front-row seat to the future of cosmetics. And from where she’s sitting, what comes next is pretty exciting.

“Make-up has always been transformative,” Emery says. “Not just visually, but emotionally. The future is not about having more, it is about having better, including better products, better education, and better experiences.”

Ahead of Mecca Presents: Access All Artistry – a masterclass series touring through Australia in March – Broadsheet asked Emery to share her predictions for the future of beauty. Plus how series headliners Violette Serrat, Donni Davy, Rae Morris and Fara Homidi (all MUAs and brand founders) represent the new face of the make-up industry.

Responses have been edited for length and clarity.

Big question first: what is the future of make-up?

Make-up is becoming far more personal and far more expressive. For years we’ve watched trends roll in and out: one look dominates, then another replaces it. What feels different now is the confidence of the customer. People are informed, they know ingredients, they understand finish, they have opinions. The question has shifted from “What’s trending?” to “What actually suits me?” And that change is powerful.

At the same time, creativity is returning in a big way. Colour, texture and experimentation are back on the table. It feels like artistry is having its moment again. And this evolution is being driven by working artists, including founders like Violette Serrat, Donni Davy, Rae Morris and Fara Homidi. They are deeply skilled, creatively unique and incredibly aware of how real people want to wear make-up.

What trends and emerging tech will shape that future?

One of the biggest shifts is the skin focus of complexion – foundation and concealer are no longer just about coverage, these products are designed to improve the skin while you wear them. Customers expect performance, and you can see that clearly in Fara Homidi’s philosophy around complexion. The finish is refined and skin-like, infused with skincare ingredients that are designed to enhance rather than hide your skin.

Education is another major shift, and one we have always championed at Mecca. There is an endless stream of content available, but what people really want is clarity. They want to understand what works for them, so having access to artists matters because it turns information into tangible techniques and confidence.

Looking ahead, what will beauty look like in five, 10 or 20 years?

In five years, I think people will own fewer products but choose them more carefully. Performance will matter more than hype, and loyalty will be built on results.

In 10 years, customisation will feel seamless, shade-matching will be precise, formulas will adapt to skin in smarter ways, and technology will support artistry rather than replace it.

Twenty years from now, beauty will still be about identity and emotion, which will never disappear. The tools will evolve, sustainability and intelligence will be expected, and I suspect trends will matter less than personal style.

What are five future make-up trends to watch out for?

Artistry renaissance: A renewed celebration of self-expression and creativity in make-up, anchored by education and experiences. There is more information out there than ever in make-up, but customers want what is right for them, which reinforces the importance of customers having access to artists in real time.

More self-expression: We are seeing more customers having fun with make-up, and playing more with different pay-offs and finishes, lip stains, colour mascara, bold eyeliner and shadow, playful glitter.

Skin-first complexion: Customers are looking for formulas that improve the skin while delivering results.

Blurred beauty: We are seeing customers move away from really structured looks and opting for more soft edges and diffused finishes.

Routine minimalism: Streamlined routines supported by high-performance and multi-use products.

How do the artists touring for Access All Artistry connect to these trends?

Artist-led brands are shaping culture in a meaningful way: when a make-up artist creates a brand, it carries weight. Donni’s bold use of colour comes directly from her work on screen, and Violette’s soft Parisian blur feels lived-in and modern. Rae brings technical precision and elevates tools in a way that changes how you apply product, and Fara has a sense of refined, considered beauty.

What’s your favourite product from each brand?

The Bisou Balm from Violette_FR is iconic – it gives that softly blurred lip with almost no effort needed. From Half Magic, the Glitterpucks are pure joy – they are expressive and versatile and invite you to experiment. The Rae Morris Jishaku #28 Deluxe Radiance Brush is one of my go-to brushes – it completely changes the way foundation sits on the skin. And from Fara Homidi Beauty, the Essential Face Compact creates that smooth, softly luminous finish that feels modern and elevated.

Tell us about Access All Artistry. Does this feed into the future of beauty?

It absolutely does! We live in a digital world, but what people truly value is connection. These events bring the artist directly to the customer. You can watch the technique unfold in front of you, ask questions, and feel the textures yourself.

There is something powerful about seeing artistry in real life – when beauty becomes tangible and shared, it moves beyond a transaction and becomes an experience. By bringing founders like Violette, Donni, Rae and Fara to Australia and New Zealand, we are giving our community access to the minds shaping global beauty culture.

How do you see Mecca’s role in all this?

Our role is to bring the best of make-up to our customers, meaning curating the most exciting brands in the world and pairing them with expert guidance in-store. It is not enough to stock the best in global beauty – we want customers to feel supported and confident when they choose it. Whether that is through the founders we bring into Australia and New Zealand, the brands we champion or the education we invest in, it all comes back to elevating artistry.

What excites you personally about where beauty is heading?

The sense of play in artistry is returning, colour and individuality are re-emerging – but they are supported by smarter formulas and real knowledge. Watching artists like Donni and Violette redefine what modern beauty looks like is inspiring, and it feels creative and considered at the same time.

Is there anything you’re sceptical of?

The speed of information being communicated to customers. Trends move quickly and can feel disposable – beauty deserves more permanence and should carry meaning. As technology continues to evolve, we also need to protect the human element of make-up, as artistry is hands-on, it’s intuitive and emotional, and that should never disappear.

Log in or join Broadsheet Access today and enter to win a double pass (worth $120) to one of four Access All Artistry events at Mecca Bourke Street, plus a beauty gift pack worth $200. You can also learn more about our exclusive member events, discounts and fab giveaways.