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Every season Rachel Zoe and the CURATEUR team will hand-curate more than $500 worth of their favorite fashion, beauty, and lifestyle items. It's been a couple of years since we've reviewed this subscription, but the boxes continue to feature high-end, curated items from both well-established and emerging brands. You'll see wearable accessories like bags or jewelry, beauty and skincare goods, and sometimes quality home goods. Typically there is opportunity for a choice or two.
ACTIVE DEAL: Limited Time Only! $50 off the annual subscriptionCODE: MSA50
The Cost: $125 per quarter, or $112.50 per quarter with an annual subscription. It ships to the U.S. for free, plus Canada, the U.K., and Australia.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out the editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
Opening the Box
The box is simple and classy, with tissue paper wrapping the contents and an info card on top. The items mostly came with plastic packaging around them, which wasn't very glamorous-looking but it's good to have that layer of protection in case any moisture seeps in while it's in transit.
What's Inside
For a dose of inspiration to kick us off: the ever-iconic Rachel Zoe in full animal print with this month's curation. Okay, I do confess, Rachel Zoe is a name I've known forever, but I had to ask the Internet why she's famous. She's a fashion person, of course, and is everywhere in the way that fashion people tend to be. Love a female powerhouse who's basically famous for being confident. I used to think I wasn't "hot girl" enough to engage with this box, but if my mid-thirties are granting me anything it's my own breakthrough of confidence to say "it's for me if I want it to be." So, here we are, coming out of the gates with flames in our wake. Good to be here.
We now pause from our regularly scheduled power woman energy for a discount code to the prepared meal delivery service, Factor.
Walter Baker Margaux Handbag — Listed Value $198
The info card we're provided for this box gives a Rachel Zoe quote on each selection, and here she says that unstructured bags are having a moment. That intrigues me, because as a life-long hobo bag lover, I wouldn't necessarily consider this one unstructured. Maybe if you compare it to a saddle bag or satchel. I found this similar one that looks a little slouchier, maybe a touch shinier, but is otherwise pretty darn close.
The more I think about it, I feel like this is the purse my ancestors carried. My grandma and all my great-aunts on one side are the flavor of Italian-American that are committed to black hair, black clothes, and jangly gold jewelry. There's something not only nostalgic but also really admirable about a lifelong, generations-deep commitment to the vibe. I'm way more frenetic in my style (and typically go for a crossbody strap purely out of function), but I'm feeling the urge to keep this bag close and channel my people with it.
Lawless Beauty 24 Hours of Plump Set — Listed Value $48
Tinted Balm Stick for $26 and the Overnight Plumping Mask for $22
I'm on the eternal search for "my lip color" and when I saw a lippie in this box I felt emotions—would this be it? Or would it be all wrong and leave me with a lipstick I didn't know what to do with. The reality is: neither? Turns out this is not a lipstick but a tinted lip balm, and it's extremely conditioning. It feels amazing on the lips. It says "Rosehip Oil, Shea Butter, and Jojoba Seed Oil to strengthen the lips’ moisture barrier while keeping lips smooth, soft, and supple all day long." I believe it. I can't speak to the plumping aspect—maybe it hasn't been long enough to notice. But there's no tingling sensation.
As for the overnight plumping mask, it contains a "proprietary blend of 8 different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, ceramides and an antioxidant berry complex to nourish and condition the lips." Now if I could only remember to use it on the reg. I'm not great about adding frills to a simple evening face wash.
The color I was sent is Georgie, a taupe nude, and it's pretty subtle. A little more pink than I was expecting.
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The following two items are choice items:
Subscribers could choose between Sophia or Penelope, but Sophia has sold out so now subscribers will automatically receive Penelope.
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Rachel Zoe Penelope Sunglasses — Retail Value $98
The first choice item is between two pairs of sunglasses, but as I mentioned above, one pair sold out (I'm not sure when), so if you sign up for this box now you'll automatically be sent this pair of Penelopes. They're sturdy black sunglasses with oval frames and grey-tinted lenses.
If I told you I owned the box set of That Girl DVDs, maybe you'll understand how putting this pair on my face was like giving my teenaged self a hug. I honestly don't think I would've chosen this pair for myself here in ye olde 2024, but now that they're here in my possession, there's a bright-eyed version of myself coming out and feeling really game to be seen.
OR
Rachel Zoe Sophia Sunglasses — Retail Value $98
Just for kicks, here was the other option while they lasted. Huge!
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The following two items are choice items:
Subscribers can choose between earrings or a bracelet!
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Jackie Mack Lumi Bracelet — Retail Value $128
This one was a tricky choice because the Lumi bracelet and earrings really could go beautifully together as a set. Ultimately the bracelet is the best choice for me because I'm a regular big-earrings wearer, but the cubic zirconia nestled into the Lumi earrings (you can see them below) is a little luxe for my style, even for dressy occasions. This 18k gold-plated brass bracelet is a series of three infinity-like loops with an adjustable chain closure, and that high-quality AAA cubic zirconia as a charm at the end. It's a really unique shape that falls beautifully on the wrist, though I did find it particularly hard to clasp on my own.
A bracelet is something that feels less central to my outfit, just a little something nice to add detail, and this one is unlike any other I own. It's a special piece.
OR
Jackie Mack Lumi Earrings — Retail Value $108
A reviewer on the Jackie Mack site said she ordered these for her wedding. Oh my gosh that must've been gorgeous.
AHAVA Essential Day Moisturizer, 2.5 fl oz — Retail Value $81
I'll never begrudge a quality moisturizer as we roll into the cold months. My heat isn't even on yet and I still feel my skin contracting into dehydration. This moisturizer is thick and rich—I thought it was a handcream at first, truth be told—but once I sorted out its use I realized it's actually going to be an asset for keeping my face supple this season. It's alcohol-free, GMO-free, paraben free, pregnancy safe, and vegan.
Value - Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $125 per quarter, or $112.50 per quarter with an annual subscription. It ships to the U.S. for free, plus Canada, the U.K., and Australia.
Since we last reviewed CURATEUR in 2021, there have been a few changes—namely the price has gone up from $99—but the curation continues to be catered to luxury fashion enthusiasts with a spread of wearables, beauty items, and lifestyle products. And, in those three years I apparently got my act together enough to realize I'm legitimate enough to be that babe. I'm loving the parts of me that are stepping into the spotlight inspired by the black "purse of my people," the '60s-inspired sunglasses, and the classy bracelet. Everything else fills the curation out nicely.
This box promises $500 worth of goods, and this quarter we were sent 6 items (if you count the lip set as individual items) that add up to an estimated retail value of $553. At $112.50 per quarter for annual subscribers, that breaks down to $18.75 per item. That would be a great discount for some things, like the lip products, but it's an outrageous steal for most. Even if you didn't love everything in the box, the value is undeniably there.
ACTIVE DEAL: Limited Time Only! $50 off the annual subscriptionCODE: MSA50
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes, but act fast before more choice items sell out. The Winter curation begins shipping on November 5, 2024.
What do you think of the Fall 2024 CURATEUR box? Click below to write a review!
Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist!
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