Amber Basalaj, founder of the newly launched luxe makeup brand Basalaj Beauty, is a woman who knows the value of dreaming big, an entrepreneur who is uncompromising in her vision to provide cosmetics that are superior in quality and performance for all makeup lovers to appreciate and rely on.
Breaking into the beauty industry for Amber wasn’t just about formulating incredible cosmetics or feeding her passion for makeup, a spark that started at 7 years of age watching her mother host makeup parties, it was the knowledge that she could be instrumental in helping women feel empowered, confident, and beautiful.
That Basalaj Beauty would be a brand to unashamedly encourage inclusivity and individuality no matter a person’s age, ethnicity, sexuality, size, or style.
This ethos was a significant factor in the development of her product range, every colour and formulation carefully curated to suit a myriad of skin tones and textures. A five-year labour of love working with her US manufacturers to create quality ingredient, high-performance and cruelty free products, that delivered on pigment intensity, durability, and ease of use, all which Amber personally had often found lacking in many of her makeup purchases in the past.
…every colour and formulation carefully curated to suit a myriad of skin tones and textures.
Amber’s own journey from makeup admirer to makeup owner and developer is a rag to riches tale, each chapter more inspiring than the last. Supporting herself as a young mum and putting herself through university was just the start of her determination to succeed, becoming a wife and business owner cemented her ability to navigate life’s ups and downs like a master, always with the philosophy that you never give up you just fight harder, even more so if you’re confronted by non-believers. An attitude that enabled Amber to become financially independent and leave the word ‘struggle’ in her past. Something she also attributes to her family, who’s unconditional love and support have inspired her at every turn and strengthened her confidence and belief in self.
Family time, car racing, reading books and cuddles with her pets are Amber’s big loves. Followed closely by her self-proclaimed decades obsession with couture fashion, collected like fine art, starting with her first Louis Vuitton bag purchase at 25 and continuing to a gallery sized range of limited edition and one-off made pieces, that include Balmain, Versace, Gucci, and Chanel, just to name a few, some never purchased to be worn, just admired.
Consequently, it’s not surprising that when Amber turned her sights and new obsession to becoming a cosmetic queen, that she would never compromise on quality and performance, it’s just not in her DNA. The only thing she is willing to compromise on however is the price point, ensuring high end doesn’t equate to high cost.
Consequently, it’s not surprising that when Amber turned her sights and new obsession to becoming a cosmetic queen, that she would never compromise on quality and performance, it’s just not in her DNA.
So, after years of research and hard work, Basalaj Beauty’s first range of impressive products, an eye shadow palette, 3 face and body highlighters, and 6 matte lipsticks, was introduced with a soft launch in July 2022.
The 1985 eye shadow palette (named for the year Amber was born), favoured by well-known NZ influencers and personalities, including Toni Street, consists of 18 beautifully intense pigmented hues, a mix of matte, satin, and metallic finishes, including Amber’s breakthrough duo chrome colour, also titled 1985, that reflects a dreamy blend of soft baby blue and silver on application.
A special mention of Maverick, designed with Lady Gaga in mind, is quickly becoming a favourite of professional makeup artists who proclaim it as being one of the best; if not the best, black eye shadow they have ever used.
1985 was designed as the perfect travel palette, with a colour range that ensures its owner can create endless colour combinations for both day and night, without the need of multiple palettes.
The Basalaj Beauty face and body highlighters offer shimmer and shine in all the right places, and can be used as eye shadows as well, highly pigmented a small amount goes a long way, so yes it will be a while before you need a replacement.
Zippy, is iridescent and ethereal, Immortal in a versatile champagne hue and Joanne, named in memory of a dear friend that passed from breast cancer, is the Midas of gold highlighters; and since its launch has been aptly donated to goodie bags at Breast Cancer Cures’ Fashion for a Cure events, which Amber is an avid supporter and sponsor of.
Then there are the mind blowing Basalaj Beauty luxe embossed matte lipsticks. They feel like silk on application and promise hydration and a velvety finish not usually synonymous with matte products. Enriched with oils of Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Jojoba, and developed to suit a wide range of skin tones, with the purpose of taking the guess work out of colour selection, the Basalaj Beauty 6 shades of lipsticks – Stripped, Loyal, Rebel, Iconic, Power and Boss – are must haves. You may also appreciate the considered square packaging that caters for long designer nails and does away with the issue of ‘rolling’.
This impressive range was designed to stand out from the mainstream, in all ways, its dynamic packaging designed by Amber’s son Jayedan, was meant to be seen and remembered, it’s bold, unapologetic, and dynamic, qualities that Amber advocates fiercely and embraces with her brand tag lines #LiveFiercly and #BeYou (…be a Basalaj Beauty).
And what does Amber hope to achieve in the future? In her own words…
“Seeing my brand across the world; and creating a business that grows to the point of being able to support other creatives like me, to achieve their dreams. With so many new products in the pipeline I hope to offer an even larger range to my customers for their enjoyment, in the years to follow! Further than that I have a few projects up my sleeve, let’s hope they are here by then and ready to take on the world too!”
