Serving the freshest beauty news and product drops – one course at a time.
Welcome to the very first instalment of The Beauty Menu, our new series where beauty meets the best dining spots in Auckland. Think of it as the ultimate pairing: great food, great company, and even better beauty gossip. Each edition, we’ll be taking a seat at a local hotspot to dish on the latest launches, cult products, and beauty news currently on our radar.
For our debut sitting, we pulled up a chair at Bossi, the Italian dining gem tucked into Auckland’s CBD. Over plates of silky pasta and perfectly balanced flavours, the beauty chat flowed just as easily as the wine.
Two dishes stole our hearts immediately: the Carpaccio Di Manzo – delicate slices of beef topped with rocket, pecorino, capers and mustard emulsion – and the Scampi Agnolotti, a dreamy combination of scampi and ricotta pasta in a lemon mascarpone sauce that we’re still thinking about days later.
With the table set and appetites satisfied, it was time to get into the real menu of the night: the beauty.
RAESO ushers in a new era of circadian skincare
New Zealand-born skincare brand RAAIE has officially evolved into RAESO, marking a new frontier in circadian skin science – the idea that when you apply skincare can be just as important as what you apply.
The evolution into RAESO expands this thinking even further. The brand has partnered with renowned molecular biologist Dr. Dan Yarosh, a leading authority on skin DNA repair and former research advisor to La Mer and Estée Lauder. Together they’ve co-authored research exploring how circadian rhythms influence skin health and how skincare can be optimised to work alongside these cycles.
The takeaway? Skincare is entering a new era – one where timing becomes part of the formula. RAESO hints at future innovations already in development, including next-generation chrono-encapsulation technologies and advanced nighttime delivery systems designed to maximise the skin’s evening repair window.
Consider this the beginning of 24-hour skincare.
Sarah Pidgeon Fronts rhode’s Latest Campaign
Also landing on our beauty radar: rhode’s latest launch, fronted by rising star Sarah Pidgeon. The breakout actress from FX’s Love Story – the show everyone seems to be talking about right now – steps into her first-ever beauty campaign, bringing a fresh, effortless energy to the brand. The campaign introduces new additions to rhode’s Pocket Blush and Peptide Lip Tint lineup, with spring-ready shades and matching Lip Cases designed to keep your favourite formulas close at hand.
Aleph Beauty – NEW Aura Gloss
Gloss is officially back, but Aleph Beauty’s Aura Gloss prove it can be grown-up, luminous and effortlessly chic. The New Zealand brand is known for its clean, skin-loving formulas, and this gloss delivers a subtle golden sheen that enhances the lips without overpowering them. Think hydration, shine and a barely-there wash of warmth that elevates any makeup look – the beauty equivalent of perfect lighting.
rhode – Pocket Blush
Few products have achieved viral status quite like rhode’s Pocket Blush, and for good reason.The texture is featherlight, blendable and endlessly buildable – making it the kind of product you’ll swipe on in the back of an Uber and still look polished. Curious to know how it performed? Read our full rhode testing review HERE
Dermalogica – Phyto Nature E2
Dermalogica’s Phyto Nature E2 is skincare that means serious business. Designed to target visible signs of skin ageing, this powerhouse formula works to re-energise the skin and support resilience against environmental stress. The result is firmer, smoother-looking skin with a healthy bounce – the kind of product that quietly upgrades your entire routine.
MCoBeauty – Flawless Glow Foundation Stick
Foundation sticks are having a major comeback, and MCoBeauty’s Flawless Glow Foundation Stick makes the case for why. It glides onto the skin with a buttery texture that blends seamlessly for natural coverage and radiant finish. Easy to apply, easy to travel with, and ideal for quick touch-ups – it’s the beauty equivalent of a reliable weeknight dinner.
MECCA MAX – Multiplayer Mode Shaping Stick
Contouring just got a lot less intimidating thanks to MECCA MAX’s Multiplayer Mode Shaping Stick. This creamy sculpting stick blends effortlessly to add dimension without harsh lines. Swipe it along cheekbones, jawlines or wherever you want a little extra definition – it’s foolproof, flattering and designed to make sculpting feel easy.
MAC Cosmetics – Skinfinish Sunstruck Matte Bronzer & Powder Kiss Hazy Matte Lipstick
Two MAC classics we keep returning to. The Skinfinish Sunstruck Matte Bronzer delivers that believable sun-kissed warmth – matte but never flat, giving skin a natural warmth that works year-round. Paired with the Powder Kiss Hazy Matte Lipstick, which offers a soft-focus blurred finish that feels weightless on the lips, the duo is effortless glamour at its finest.
Embodyme – Joy & Peace Body Wash
The shower just became the most luxurious part of the day thanks to Embodyme’s Joy and Peace Body Washes. These beautifully scented formulas transform a simple shower into a sensory ritual, with nourishing ingredients that cleanse while leaving skin soft and refreshed. Joy uplifts the senses, while Peace brings a calming, spa-like moment to your daily routine.
With full stomachs and a table covered in beauty notes, the first edition of The Beauty Menu felt like the perfect pairing of indulgence and inspiration.
A big thank you to Bossi for hosting us and keeping us very well fed while we dished all things beauty.
Until the next reservation…