Cocotique is a monthly subscription box delivering beauty and lifestyle products for women of color. For $25 per month, you receive a curated box of 5-8 full-size or deluxe sample-sized products ranging from hair care, skincare, nails, fragrance, makeup, lifestyle products, and more.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
First Impressions
This month’s box is the ‘Black Radiance Takeover’ edition in partnership with the beauty brand Black Radiance in honor of their 30th anniversary. I love that the brand is geared toward people of color. As a POC, it can still be hard to find products that take darker skin tones into consideration, so this definitely makes me feel seen. I’m pumped to check out this large assortment of their products, all in one convenient box.
I received a black tote bag celebrating the 30th anniversary of Black Radiance and their partnership with Cocotique in this takeover box.
The contents of the box arrived protected by bubble wrap.
The back of the Cocotique info card describes all the products included in this month’s box. It also provides information on where to purchase the products online and exclusive discount codes where available.
Now, on to the items!
BLACK RADIANCE True Complexion Loose Setting Powder in Banana, 15 g - Retail Value $10.29
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Setting powder is the finishing touch when it comes to my makeup routine. As someone with oily skin, setting spray alone doesn’t cut it, especially during the summer. In the past, I used a setting spray alone and was experiencing so much slippage; my makeup would literally slide off my face by midday. But then I discovered setting power, and I’ve been sold on using the two in tandem ever since. This Black Radiance True Complexion Loose Setting Powder in ‘Banana’ is going right into my makeup stash, where it’ll stay until I finish the current powder I’m working with. I’m thrilled to have this. I gave the powder a trial run and found it works well to keep my makeup looking fresh throughout an entire workday and even through any after-work meetups. When I applied this powder, I noticed it didn’t cause any caking. The subtle yellow hue shows up transparent on my skin, which I really appreciate.
BLACK RADIANCE True Complexion Loose Setting Powder in Banana, 30 ml - Retail Value $9.29
I love the look of highlighter. This Black Radiance Liquid Radiance Highlighter in the shade ‘Gold Dust’ is absolutely stunning. Definitely something I’d reach for if I were going for a glam look. I often use highlighters in powder form, so I was interested in seeing the results of this liquid one in comparison. The shade is beautiful, and seeing it in person, it has more of a golden bronze look as opposed to an orange-tinted one. The formula is nice, applying smoothly, and it’s definitely buildable. A quick and easy way to add a pop of shimmer to your look. Personally, I’ll be saving this for my next night out with the girls.
Here is a swatch of the Black Radiance Liquid Radiance Highlighter in Gold Dust.
BLACK RADIANCE Eye Appeal Lid Glitz in A-Lister, 5 ml - Retail Value $7.29
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Eyeshadow isn’t one of my everyday staples, but when I do feel like glitzing it up, this Eye Appeal Lid Glitz from Black Radiance will be what I reach for. It’s always fun to glam it up every now and then. This shade ‘A-Lister’ is perfect for me when it comes to achieving a unique yet natural look. When I applied this to my eyelids for the first time, I was impressed at how well it worked with my skin tone. The shade reminds me of a nice rose gold. I love the doe foot applicator, which makes it easy to apply and also great for on-the-go (just don’t get it mixed up with your lip gloss). The formula is creamy and smooth, highly pigmented, and buildable. Bonus points for not having to apply this with my finger, thanks to the built-in applicator.
Here is a swatch of the Black Radiance Eye Appeal Lid Glitz in A-Lister.
BLACK RADIANCE Brilliant Effects Lip Gloss in Love Sick, 6.7 ml - Retail Value $5.29
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When I first applied this Black Radiance Brilliant Effects Lip Gloss in the shade ‘Love Sick,’ I was expecting a bit more color to come along with it. However, it instead blends in with my natural lip color and leaves more of a shimmer behind. I’m a huge fan of translucent lip glosses, so this is a win for me. The formula feels a bit sticky but not sticky enough to turn me off. It feels slightly hydrating to my lips, which I appreciate. This gloss is perfect to apply over top of a lip color, immediately giving an extra bit of shine. The one thing I don’t love about this gloss is the applicator; it’s like a mini paintbrush, and it doesn’t offer as much precision as a doe foot applicator.
Here is a swatch of the Black Radiance Brilliant Effects Lip Gloss in Love Sick.
BLACK RADIANCE Perfect Tone Lip Color in Copper Glow, 3.6 g - Retail Value $2.99
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I’m always happy to find a lip color that works well for my skin tone, and this Black Radiance Perfect Tone Lip Color in the shade ‘Copper Glow’ is truly stunning. Instead of the dark brown shade that it appears, it’s actually a pretty purple hue. The lipstick itself goes on matte but it doesn’t feel too tight on my lips even after drying down. Then I noticed that this formula has Vitamin E incorporated into it, which is likely the reason for its hydrating powers. You likely won’t be able to go the entire night without a touch-up, but regardless, it’s a really nice lip color. I’ll be keeping this in my makeup stash for a night out.
Here is a swatch of the Black Radiance Perfect Tone Lip Color in Copper Glow.
BLACK RADIANCE Eye Appeal Micro Brow Pen, 1.2 ml - Retail Value $6.99
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The goal of a micro brow pen is to achieve the look of microblading. I’ve always been curious about the style but never gave it a real try; my unsteady hands would most likely thwart me from achieving the desired look. But with this Black Radiance Eye Appeal Micro Brow Pen, I was able to get more control than expected. I’m happy to say that I have pretty full natural eyebrows, so regardless, I don’t need to fill in too much. But for those times that call for a bold, more chiseled brow look, this brow pen will work nicely. A light-handed stroke seems to be best for a more natural look; if you need full coverage, you can achieve that with a heavier hand. Although this brow pen isn’t something I’ll reach for every time I leave the house, it’s simple enough to stroke on a light coat to give my brows that extra pop before running errands or heading to a meeting. The formula is smooth when applying, and it’s definitely long-wear since it doesn’t wipe off easily.
Here is a swatch of the Black Radiance Eye Appeal Micro Brow Pen.
BLACK RADIANCE Dewy Setting Spray, 60 ml - Retail Value $9.29
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I’m always a fan of a good setting spray. I’m a believer in the powerful combo of a setting spray plus a setting powder for the ultimate long-wear makeup look. With my skin being on the oily side, I can use all the help I can get when it comes to maintaining my look for an entire day. I really like the spray applicator; it releases a fine mist that’s incredibly refreshing. It gives my face a slight shimmer that I also really enjoy. The one thing I don’t love is the scent of the mist, which has a floral scent, but it’s not enough to keep me from using it. I also really enjoy the dual purpose of using this as a primer. I’ve been spritzing this on before and after applying makeup, and after topping it off with a setting powder, we’re all set for the day.
BLACK RADIANCE Beyond A Pout Oil Primer in Pink Slip, 3.5 ml - Retail Value $6.29
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Ohhh, now, I really like this Black Radiance Beyond A Pout Oil Primer in ‘Pink Slip.’ Not just a primer, this product can also double as a lip oil. Although it looks to be a bright magenta in the tube, it creates a sheer look on my lips. There’s a minimal burst of color, but it does provide a powerful punch of hydration. Don’t get me started on the scent… It is deliciously sweet. Plus, I love the doe foot applicator. The texture is a bit stickier than I’d like, but it’s not intolerable. Lip oils are my favorite for maintaining lip hydration, and this one does an excellent job. I also like to apply this over a matte lip color, giving it a pretty sheen.
BLACK RADIANCE Luminous Dry Oil, 30 ml - Retail Value $10.99
My skin leans toward the oily end of the spectrum. Due to this, I’ve never been a fan of oil-based products when it comes to my face’s skincare. For my body, on the other hand, oil is what I consider to be the ultimate hydration. I’ve done the research; although it’s said that incorporating facial oils into your skincare can in fact reduce oil production, I’ve never found this to work for me. While I won’t be using this Black Radiance Luminous Dry Oil on my face, I will indeed be hanging onto it for the colder months. The formula absorbs nicely into the skin, and it leaves behind smooth, supple skin. It also works wonders on my elbows and knees. The scent of this oil reminds me of bubble gum. Although I’d rather have an unscented product, this won’t keep me from using it. If you’re a fan of oils or get such dry skin that only an oil can combat, this might be the product for you.
BLACK RADIANCE True Complexion 3D Highlighter Palette, 11 g - Retail Value $10.99
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I’m living for this Black Radiance True Complexion 3D Highlighter Palette. It’s one of my favorite things in this box because of its versatility. You can easily achieve a variety of looks with this one palette. These shades are definitely my vibe. All three blend together beautifully, and they each work well with my skin tone, which I really appreciate. The formula is creamy and smooth to the touch, very pigmented, packed with shimmer, and definitely buildable. Each shade applies easily with a brush or just my fingers. It’s an all-in-one for highlighting, bronzing, and contouring, and I love it.
Here is a swatch of the Black Radiance True Complexion 3D Highlighter Palette.
Verdict
This was a great month for Cocotique! The main highlight for me was the setting powder. That’s something I will always need, and it does a solid job of keeping my makeup on for all-day wear. There was a setting spray in this box, which was another welcome inclusion. I really like the micro brow pen; the formula stays put once you apply, so it’s great for long-wear, and it’s easy to control. The dry oil, while I won’t use it on my face, is a great way to hydrate some of the rougher areas on my body like my elbows or knees.
I was pleasantly surprised with this box’s three lip products. The lipstick is a beautiful dark purple that I truly love, the lip gloss gives a nice pop of shimmer, and the lip primer does a wonderful job of hydrating my lips on top of priming them. I’m a big fan of the eyeshadow, which is great for a slight glam look. Lastly, the highlighters… The liquid highlighter is a stunning shade that leaves a good amount of sparkle and is buildable, making it perfect for a more dramatic look on a night out. The highlighter palette is also a wonderful inclusion because it allows for a variety of looks, and the formula is so smooth to the touch, making it easy to apply. Overall, I thought this was an awesome box. Although it was more makeup-heavy than I’d usually prefer, it definitely highlights this month’s Black Radiance takeover theme, and the value is there.
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Value – Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $30.99
Value Breakdown:
- Setting Powder: $10.29
- Liquid Highlighter: $9.29
- Eyeshadow: $7.29
- Lip Gloss: $5.29
- Lip Color: $2.99
- Micro Brow Pen: $6.99
- Setting Spray: $9.29
- Lip Primer: $6.29
- Dry Oil: $10.99
- Highlighter Palette: $10.99
The total value of my box was $79.70, which is a nice value for a $30.99 box.
Other Things You Should Know
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