BeautyEQ Long Lunch at The Hunting Lodge 2025

   Nestled in park-like grounds in Waimauku, The Hunting Lodge is a perfect destination to host a BeautyEQ Long Lunch. With an exquisite menu matched to The Hunting Lodge Wines, our guests got the chance to plan their autumn wardrobe and update their beauty routines over a leisurely afternoon. Here’s all the action from this elegant event, by editor Trudi Brewer.

The Menu

Outstanding was the consensus from our guests, with a lunch that started with a shared Antipasto platter with a glass of JK Prosecco. The main of chimichurri chicken, labneh, wood-fired vine tomato and crisp kale, was served with roasted potatoes and green leaf salad. With each course, our guests got to choose wines expertly matched. From the The Hunting Lodge Expressions Rose or Seasonal Chardonnay, followed by vanilla bean fruit tart, topped with berry coulis, meringue and blush crush jelly, the perfect sweet treat to end what was a plentiful country feast.

Autumn Fashion

Look 1: Cooper suit, Loewe sunglasses and Kathryn Wilson heels. Look 2: Cooper dress and Kathryn Wilson heels. Look 3: Ruby cardigan and jeans, and Mi Piaci heels. Look 4: Ruby jacket, jeans and knit, Gucci sunglasses and Mi Piaci sneakers.

Look 1: Tuesday shirt, vest, blazer, skirt and Mi Piaci boots. Look 2: Tuesday dress, trench and Mi Piaci boots. Look 3: Coop shirt, vest, skirt and Kathryn Wilson heels. Look 4: Coop tshirt, jacket, pants, Loewe sunglasses and Kathryn Wilson heels.

Look 1: Ruby knit, trench pants and Kathryn Wilson heels. Look 2: Gorman jumpsuit, bag and Mi Piaci heels. Look 3. Gorman jumpsuit, bag, and Mi Piaci flats. Look 4: Gorman shirt, pants, Loewe sunglasses and Mi Piaci heels.

Look 1: Augustine suit and Kathryn Wilson heels. Look 2: Augustine dress, trench and Kathryn Wilson heels. Look 3: Eilisha The Label suit, Loewe sunglasses and Mi Piaci heels. Look 4: Eilisha The Label suit, Gorman top and Mi Piaci boots.

Boots Beauty

For skincare enthusiasts, vitamin C is essential for achieving a brighter complexion. The latest from Boots Beauty combines effectiveness with affordability. The team at Life Pharmacy shared their exclusive, iconic British skincare line, which can be customised to suit every skin type. The standout in the collection is the Boots Vitamin C Cleanser. Not only does it deeply cleanse the skin, but it also stimulates collagen production and helps combat environmental aggressors. Guests discovered the secret to brighter-looking skin, ranging from cleanser to moisturiser and targeted eye and sheet masks.

Max and Louie

Founded by New Zealand brow artist Nat Bos, Max and Louie is a makeup brand to watch. The collection offers innovative multi-purpose products for guests to explore. Highlights include the top-selling Hydra Shield Setting Spray with SPF, the creamy Blush Stick, and a High Definition Mascara designed to groom even the tiniest lashes. A star in the collection is the Ultimate Brow Kit. Max and Louie caters to busy people and reflects the expertise of a makeup and brow artist who understands which products are essential for an effective beauty routine. Max and Louie is available at Life Pharmacy or Beauty by Life flagship store in Newmarket, Auckland.

Shiseido

We were thrilled to celebrate the launch of Shiseido's latest innovation in their serum lineup, Ultimune Power Infusion Serum. This marks the fourth reinterpretation of an iconic product, designed to enhance the skin's resilience, radiance, and smoothness. The serum targets concerns such as dullness, fine lines, dryness, and irritation by utilising the powerful active ingredients derived from the camellia flower. Almost every part of this plant—the flower, leaves, and seeds—is used through advanced biotechnology. Renowned for its skin-smoothing, hydrating, and skin-strengthening properties, it is also rich in oleic acid and vitamins A, B, and E. All of that is housed in a bottle, reflecting Shiseido’s commitment to sustainability. It is refillable and is made of at least 15 per cent recycled glass, while the cap is made of 50 per cent plant-derived plastic.

The Fashion Finale

Look 1: Trelise Cooper top and skirt. Look 2: Trelise Cooper dress, Mi Piaci bag and Kathryn Wilson heels. Look 3: Juliette Hogan dress, Loewe sunglasses and Mi Piaci boots. Look 4: Juliette Hogan top, pants, coat, Chloe sunglasses and Mi Piaci heels.

Look 1: Augustine dress. Look 2: Augustine dress and Kathryn Wilson heels. Look 3: Shen dress and Mi Piaci heels. Look 4: Shen dress, Chloe sunglasses and Kathryn Wilson heels.

Look 1: Carla Zampatti dress. Look 2: Carla Zampatti dress. Look 3: Hailwood dress and Kathryn Wilson heels. Look 4: Hailwood dress and Kathryn Wilson heels.

Our guests

Despite the rain, it did not dampen our fabulous guests' enthusiasm for a long lunch in the country. Nothing is better than being part of a day filled with laughter, delicious food, exceptional wines, and the latest fashion and beauty to top it off. From the corporate tables to the lifelong friends who took a day out of their busy schedules to be with the BeautyEQ team, thank you for helping us create an unforgettable afternoon at one of Auckland’s most beautiful venues.

Details

The tables were dressed with Resene Pip Studio Wallpaper collection 300101 and 300160 and lit with Essano candles. Our guests left with a goodie bag valued at over $200.