Bought some Arnica cream, when i got home and opened the jar the inner safty seal came adrift. Took…read moreit back the next day and got treated like it was my fault, and after some coming and going behind the scenes I was granted a fresh Jar from the shelf. I opened the jar and noticed that the lid was a lot tighter than the last one, good I thought untill on opening the security seal came free on its own...I inquired as to the security of this product that seems comprised....The reply was it must be just the batch and that was that. No concern here. So my next transaction was some medicine with reg 24 on the script which means the all the repeats can be despensed at once. As i was visiting Maleny for a couple of weeks, I only required enough to cover my stay as I had plenty of my medicine back at home. The Chemist refused to supply the smaller choice, saying that was the rule. Wrong Mr Chemist.... Just google PBS 24 Reg. It shows that it is flexable. We argued... not pleasant. I had to get in touch with my dr who sent me a script omitting the reg24. Later I found the Amcal Chemist at the Riverside Centre next time.

I love this chemist! Everything is so cheap, with a great range, helpful staff and a pharmacy! Many…read moreof the medicines are discounted including the morning after pill for low cash ladies ($14.99!) One compliant is that its a bit further away from the Queen street mall, a bit of a walk (it's near The Victory) but otherwise it's my go to for makeup, skincare, tanning, perfumes and hygiene products. I save thousands of dollars a year shopping here. If it sold some products that Priceline and Big W sell, then I would only shop here. However some items on the website are not in-store and vice versa. p.s The shelves are a little close together making getting around other people a bit annoying.

Walking into any fluorescent cosmetic store can often be an intimidating experience, but not when…read morewalking into Mecca Cosmetica's newest family member, the James Street store. I'm promptly greeted by two friendly faces and upon mentioning that for the moment "'I'm just looking.", I am left to my own devices to wander through the store. I notice a sign on the counters saying they can match you to your "perfect foundation" in 10 minutes. Challenge Accepted. Even though I'm here looking at skincare (the sudden change of season means my skin is protesting severely and I'm ready to meet its demands). Lauren, my sales assistant for the visit, sits me down and begins to prep my skin. The products she uses (REN and Darphin for those playing at home) let my skin breathe a hydrated sigh of relief. I make a mental note to follow up these products later. She then asks me a few questions about my preferences in a foundation and my daily tasks. We settle upon trying the new NARS tinted moisturiser. She primes me by saying that I'll be surprised how much coverage this baby gives. After application I'm flawed. She was right. This tinted moisturiser packs a little more punch than the average tinted moisturiser and I think their signage was right. They can match you to your perfect foundation in 10 minutes. Mecca Cosmetica is home to one of Australia's best ranges of skincare and cosmetics. The prices are a little high when you compare them to international prices but come on ladies, we're used to that by now. Plus for the extra advice and insight you gain from their staff it is more than worth it. This store is slightly smaller than their Queen Street store, however, that's ok with me. The staff were helpful, knowledgeable and if you're looking for a special occasion makeup I'd suggest popping in and saying hello to Mecca Cosmetica.

James Street is an absolute mess at the moment. There is construction happening everywhere you…read moreturn, so it was a miracle I found Mecca Cosmetica hidden amongst the rubble. The new Fortitude Valley store is much smaller than it's store in the city, but it gives it a more intimate and less intimidating feel. It has pretty much anything in the way of cosmetics that a girl (or boy, if you're into that sort of thing) may need. With brands that are often difficult to find such as By Terry, Nars and Kevyn Aucoin, it's nice to know that Mecca usually have all of their products in stock. To date, it is the only place in Australia I have been able to find the Nars multiple in Maldives (that is a BIG secret I've just shared with you people!). The staff were a little caught up when I was there and I wasn't really attended to, but it was nice to just stroll around the store at my own pace. If you are in need of a new skin care regime, a new palette for your face, or even a new fragrance, Mecca Cosmetica should be on your "to go to" list. The only downside is that if they have a product they're not selling much of they often discontinue it, which is sad when you were that one person buying it! Nevertheless, it's a great store to pop in and feel immediately girly.

Sure: Mecca has some hot competition on their toes with as ephors opening in Sydney this December,…read morebut for now, this is as good as it gets for us cosmetic loving dames and gents in Brisbane. Of course there's always that other shop, open 24/7 a.k.a the World Wide Web but you'll be pleased and/or surprised to note Mecca have recently dropped their prices quite heftily to fall in line with US prices. And they've always been generous with samples. As a dame with sensitive and often reactive skin, the ability to really test a product, be it makeup or skin care, before I buy is appreciated. Pair this with customer service from the staff that 9 times out if 10 goes above and beyond and it's a bricks and mortar store I'm more than happy to give my Monopoly money (read: paycheck) to. As Fleur pointed out the staff don't pounce straight away. They will ask but I've always found them to be respectful of my space once I say I'm just looking. Similarly, if you do need a hand they'll be ready! If you are to visit either of the Mecca's in the Mall, this is my pick. There's just a little more range than the Queens Plaza store.

I went into the store a few weeks ago to do a makeup tutorial. It was my first time doing one and I…read moredidn't really quite know what to expect. I was helped by a lady named Mindy and at first, the tutorial was quite good and engaging. But later on, when I was struggling with my eyeliner, she snatched the brush out of my hand and started mocking me, proceeding to tell me that I was doing it wrong in a very frustrated and annoyed tone. I thought the point of the tutorial was to learn more about makeup and get a better feel for some of the products I don't have much experience with. I spent the rest of the time feeling embarrassed and stupid, especially after continuing her rude behaviour. It made me want to leave and ruined an experience I received as a gift and was relatively excited about. I was disappointed because friends who had done tutorials at other Mecca stores had been telling me how great tutorials were but that was really undermined by my experience.

Very rude experience purchasing on Mother's Day weekend - argued with me about gift wrapping and…read morerefused to provide GWP despite being advertised with a full size 100ml perfume just because I made a click & collect order to secure the perfume instead of a purchase at the counter. Also refused to provide the mother's day gift with a flower because I didn't make the purchase between 12-2pm on the Saturday? When I asked to refund and purchase again to receive the in-store treatment, they refused. Very disappointed with the customer service considering I was so excited to provide the gift to my mother for her special day.

Thank God for Brit perfume brand Jo Malone. Because after a humid day dashing around Brisbane's CBD…read morerunning errands, well, I needed a little freshening up. So I headed to the concession in David Jones and spoke to lovely counter manager, Donna, who happily talked me through the brand's fabulous perfume combining concept (and let me have a spritz or two to help cover up my sweat attack). Perfume combining does what it says on the tin - you mix two fragrances together and create your very own, unique scent. For instance, I am slightly obsessed with the brand's Orange Blossom fragrance, so for an even fresher, summer scent, Donna advised me to mix it with English Pear and Freesia. It's a way of getting your own signature smell, without having to don a white coat and hire a laboratory. And to help me along on my new path as an amateur perfumer, she gave me a list of all the scents they think work well together. But for the time being, I might stick with my Orange Blossom / English Pear and Freesia mix (need to think of a catchier name: Opear? Blossia?). And I got a few compliments on how lovely I smelt from a couple of handsome strangers, and a hot shop boy. Result.

I remember this store from when it was located in the Wintergarden, and then it just disappeared!…read moreBut recently while I was roaming around the Emporium in the Valley it popped up out of thin air. I was so glad to see that this shop had just relocated and hadn't closed for good, because I've purchased many a gift from Essensuals and it's always been perfect for those people who are difficult to buy for. I must say though, I much prefer the old store to the new one. I'm not sure if it has changed hands or they just decided to change it up a little bit, but it was a little disappointing. The new store seems to have stock piled up everywhere, like a teetering tower of doom that could crush the shopper below at any second. It also seems like they don't have as much stock as before, which is unfortunate because you could find things for both men and women in the old store, whereas the new one appears to be very female oriented. Despite the disappointment that Essensuals has changed quite a bit, it's still full of pretty things like crystal wine glasses, decorative trunks and vintage perfume bottles. It's worth a look if you're not quite sure what you're looking for, but certainly isn't as impressive as it used to be.

Need to find a gift for that person who literally has everything? Or in desperate need of a mask…read morefor a masquerade party? Then Essensuals has got you covered. This place is piled high with unique gifts, home decorations and of course, ceramic masks (yes, never fear, those tacky plastic masks covered in sequins and feathers do not have a home here). There's a seemingly large emphasis on Parisian prints and artefacts as well as London-esque decorations and canvas prints depicting rainy days in New York City. So definitely a perfect gift idea for those jet-setters or dreamers who long after a city-change. So when you're next in Emporium, keep an eye out for a large, hollow dog - it stands guard outside the shop.

Speed off ordering, time of delivery easy too. Product was…read morewhat I expected. Quality of product was excellent and packaging was excellent

I love their products and I remember the Dewberry fragrance in the early 1990s where I got a mini…read moreessential oil of it and I could just dab it on small amounts and everyone would comment about it. Back then it was cheap in mini packs. I loved the banana face products and most of their products I tried have been good.

It's a great place for shopping always getting a good price with glasses, perfume, watch ...etc!…read moreStrongly recommended!

From the owner: We specialize in international brands in Sunglasses, Skin Cares and Australian Souvenirs.read more

This along with the newly opened Stacks (Myer center) may be the only traditional dollar stores…read moreleft in the city. The Japanese $2.80 shops are squeezing them out. RS has a decent variety of goods and the quality is fine for this sorry of thing. You won't find a container whose lid doesn't fit or a hair barrette that works once. Here are some of the sections on offer: gift wrap n cards, art & stationery, bags/suitcases, containers, decor, candles/oils, frames and pictures, gardening, pets, laundry/linen, car, kitchen, clothes, beauty, phone/PC accessories, candy, tinned food...

I'm not really sure if I should be offended with the name "THE REJECT SHOP"…read more...does it make me a reject if I want to buy everything in its vicinity? ...But judging from the number of people wedged in on a weekday I am not the only reject who relies on this store. This place has saved my butt on numerous occasions, from awkward lunch date fiascos to that time the batteries in my boombox died. This store has everything you could ever possibly need in life. Novelty tins in shape of currency, oodles of stationary, leather belts, cheap candy, garden hoses, office chairs, perfume, speakers, DVD cabinets, small motorized helicopters, solar garden lights, clothing of all kinds, shortbreads, santa suits, blackboards, pottery wheels, diaries, beach tents, boogie boards, miniature drum kits AND a family pool. If you are ever in the city and feel a strong urge for a mini sewing machine or perhaps a rug in the shape of lassie I strongly recommend you give the Reject Shop a gander.

The start of my bespoke process was great. The team, especially Kat, were really helpful and…read moreresponsive to all of my questions and my hesitation with what it might turn out like at the end. She eased my mind and seemed happy enough to walk me through at my pace. The responsiveness and helpfulness dissipated after the item was made. Communication ceased and had to get Office of Fair Trade involved to help rectify the issue. Excuses made and no resolutions offered even though the trust had been broken at this point. I relented and offered a solution which no response has been received. So they have my gold swap which is in excess of $6000 and my bespoke ring and I have nothing.

Shiny pretty things…read more If you've been paying attention to Brisbane fashion and lifestyle brands over the past few years, you've probably already heard of Molten Store. Chances are you've probably experienced the retail experience local lass Jessy Cameron has created through the online portal of Molten Store. And until last week, with the exception of a few pop-up troves (as the Molten Store physical retail spaces are graciously named), that was the only way to introduce yourself to the collection of jewellery, fragrances and stationery that Jessy sells, or as she describes them; "Otherworldly jewellery and curious gifts." But now comes the biggest trove of them all. Molten Store's very first permanent retail space on James Street. The space itself was once upon a time the Domino's Pizza take-away store but walking into the serene, sophisticated and ethereal space that Jessy and her team have created it would seem a crime that the space was ever used for slinging pizzas. The range is ever changing with Jessy taking buying trips to source pieces from the furtherest corners of the globe. Her intrepid adventures no doubt set to influence the look and feel of the store as it settles into it's new home. I'd often walked past the previous Molten Store troves and found myself thinking, "Oh that is stunning but a) It'll be too expensive and b) that's way to cool for a Liz Lemon like me." And yet walking into the new store I realised both a and b were entirely incorrect assumptions. The prices are incredibly reasonable in my opinion with earrings, for example, ranging from $29-$39 and as for feeling like it was too cool for a Liz Lemon like me. I've discovered that's perhaps the most endearing thing about Molten Store. It's for everyone. Not just the fashionistas that have stepped straight from the pages of Vogue but also for the young professional who wants a little bit of their own edge to an outfit or a bride looking for a set of unique jewels to adorn her ears on her big day or the capsule wardrobe devotee who loves nothing more than a simple silver necklace to compliment her crisp white shirt. Fun Fact: Molten Store have their own signature Demeter fragrance that you can also purchase.