The Beauty Crew wear many a fabulous hat here at BRHQ. As First Lady, on any given day I chop and change from Customer Service Assistant. Social Medialite. Journalist. Editor. Tell-her-off-er. Keeper of the Beauty Vault. Trial Team Selecter. But one of my favourite roles to take on has to be...curator.
Oh yes, it's safe to say one of the most exciting things a member of the Beauty Crew gets to be a part of is helping to choose the products that make it in to the Beauty Review Beauty Box. We're very picky. While we know the chance of a mystery box of products pleasing all 400 buyers is impossible, we work really hard to ensure the overall feedback is overwhelmingly positive. We turn down products that aren't right, we will not put a product in that the majority of the crew would not use themselves. And mostly - we will not release the box until we can say, hand on heart, we'd hand over $50 and be stoked at what we received in exchange!
With three fabulous boxes firmly under our belt, all quite different, we thought we'd unbox the September Beauty Box ourselves and share why we picked each product of the September Beauty Box.
Let's remind ourselves of the rules, each product must be:
- Readily available in New Zealand
- Sourced through official NZ distributors or the brands themselves.
- Current stock - they'll be no discontinued products or unwanted shades in our Beauty Box!
So without further ado - here's what was inside the September Beauty Box. And why...
Cosmetics.
Collection Cosmetics Illuminating Touch Concealer
Every makeup bag needs a concealer, so it was an obvious choice by us to include one in a box aimed at covering the essentials! We love that Collection Cosmetics are easily available in your local Countdown, at a fantastic price. Plus who doesn't love a beauty buy you can write off on the grocery shop?!
Maybelline New York Colour Sensational Lipstick
We believe every woman needs a great selection of lipsticks, which is why we use the Beauty Box as a chance to expand your collection - and push your comfort zone! We asked members for their preferred shade family; Nude, Red, Pink or Orange and then we elected one Maybelline Colour Sensational colour for each shade option - we didn't go for the obvious, we went for the 'feel fabulous'.
Moisture Mist Dual Control Liquid Foundation
Holy moly, when Queenie suggested including a foundation in the BRBB, eyebrows were raised. As shade preferences go, this could be an epic failure. And what about skin type?! So we sat and chatted and discovered two members of the crew, one with dry skin and one with oily skin both enjoyed the same foundation - and with only 6 shades colour matching was quite simple. The many reviews also attest to this...Voila!
Za Gel Eyeliner
If you bought the March Beauty Box this product might look familiar - we included the Za Liquid Eyeliner in that box. So why did we opt for the same brand of eye liner again? A few reasons! We got to chatting about how easy it is to try a product, like it, and not explore what else the brand has to offer. We also know that liquid eyeliner is not for everyone, but again, it shouldn't put you off trying a different formula from the same brand! And our favourite thing about this eyeliner? It comes in brown as well as black, meaning it's perfect for those that find black eyeliner a touch much and equally perfect for finishing off that very en-trend nude palette eye look!
Cameo Angled Blusher/Contouring Brush OR Cameo Angled Foundation Brush
Beauty tools are often overlooked - but not by us. Can an affordable brush convince you to try more from the range? We're keen to find out and will be keeping our eye out for the reviews on this one! And why these specific brushes? The foundation brush is perfect to use with the liquid foundation in the box and a contouring brush is perfect for encouraging you to try out a new skill. Either way, we think it's a win!
Skin Care
Goodness Every Morning Moisturiser
3 BRBBs. 3 Moisturisers. Coincidence? Nope. Everyone NEEDS a moisturiser in their skin care routine and there's a lot of choice, so it's easy to get stuck in a rut. Why Goodness? Well first off we were intrigued by the latest must have ingredient - the chia seed. Then we looked into Goodness Natural Beauty and thought, hold on, an affordable and natural product available in the supermarket? Go on then!
Trilogy Make Up Be Gone Cleansing Balm
Admit it, you were pretty excited to find this in the box right?! The announcement of this product set the beauty blogs and online communities a-buzz. Everyone wanted to try it. And when Trilogy said we could include it in the box, BRHQ whooped. We even held off the release of the box to ensure we could include this amazing, fantabulous product! And guess what? Even if you're not a full-face-of-makeup kind of girl, you can still use this as an everyday cleanser!
Hair Care.
Schwarzkopf Refreshing Mousse OR Blonde Lightening Spray.
So, the Refreshing Mousse can be used to neutralise unwanted yellow or brassy tones and can even be used to brighten naturally grey hair. That was our blondes sorted. So for our non-blondes we chose the Lightening Spray. Why? Because we thought back to summer's long gone, squirting lemon juice in our hair and letting the sun do it's thing. With summer coming, it's the perfect time to experiment with lighter shades. And if it's not the product for you, we bet you'll know someone who'd love to give it a go. (We've heard of a Mr BR member claiming this one for himself!)
Batiste Dry Shampoo - Travel Sized.
With the Beauty Crew World Tour in the planning stage, we became a little obsessed with travel sized products. They're just so cute. And useful of course. Travel sized products are a great way to discover new products - and we were amazed at how many people still hadn't tried dried shampoo. So we thought, well why not?!
Schwarzkopf Styliste Ultime Amino Q Hairspray and Styliste Sea Salt Texture Spray.
The BRBB doesn't factor samples in to the overall value of the box - but like anyone, we love the chance to try new products, and well, samples are made to do that! So following on from our idea that travel was the perfect chance to discover new products, we decided to use the samples in this box to sort your travel hair care! Hairspray and the must have Sea-salt spray. Hello to perfectly styled beach hair!
Pantene Daily Moisture Renewal Shampoo and Conditioner
So, if travel sized products are the perfect chance to discover new products, how about re-discovering old ones? Heard the myths about Pantene? Give them another go...you might just be surprised!
image: A Style Collector*
And there you have it, the September Beauty Review Beauty Box in all it's glory! Did you buy this box? What did you think? What's your favourite product? Get chatting below!
*This is one of our favourite blogs - check it out! xxx
So happy with the box!! Have't started using a couple of things yet but the ones I have started using is the foundation, its the perfect shade, unbelievable really because I never seem to buy the right shade then I get given one and its perfect haha! Love the contour brush...cameo is so cheap Im definitely going to buy the foundation brush. Also so stoked I didnt go out and buy that makeup be gone balm, I was so tempted but I had a huge feeling it would be in the box hehe - thanks BR!!