The Beauty Ed®’s Note: There is a lovely kind of magic when pop culture nostalgia meets a beauty collab, but when Gia first flagged the Beauty Creations x LAIKA Studios Coraline Collection, she didn’t want to review it just because it was another new collectable makeup line, but because of the story of who built the makeup brand itself. The founder of Beauty Creations is Esmeralda Hernandez, a Latina entrepreneur who has built a lasting brand that, especially with collabs like this, is taken seriously in a crowded beauty landscape. You’ll find out more about her history in Gia’s full review below. PS. These products were kindly gifted to The Beauty Ed® with no obligation to review.
Released in 2009, LAIKA’s stop-motion adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s novel Coraline has remained a favourite for many of us who grew up watching Coraline Jones venture beyond the little door. I’ve watched it more times than I could possibly count, so when I spotted the Beauty Creations x LAIKA Studios Coraline collection on TikTok, I knew I wanted to try it.
With Halloween around the corner, I wanted to see how one of my favourite films would translate into makeup.
Who are Beauty Creations?
Beauty Creations is a California-based cosmetics brand founded in 2016 by Latina entrepreneur Esmeralda Hernandez.
The brand’s background is part of what makes this collaboration interesting to me. At The Beauty Ed®, accessibility matters, and I think representation is just as important. It’s about more than the products; it’s also about who gets the chance to build a brand and be taken seriously in the beauty industry. As a writer, I want to know the people behind the products I cover, not just what they’re selling.
Hernandez has spoken about the personal significance of building a Latina-owned business:
“Being a Latina-owned company means everything to me. It’s a reflection of my roots, my resilience, and the community that shaped me. I started Beauty Creations to show that Latinas, immigrants, and moms can lead, create, and thrive while staying true to who we are.”
-Esmeralda Hernandez, CEO and founder
You can shop the collection at Beauty Creations which ships to the UK.
In the US, selected pieces are also available at Box Lunch. The collection has been selling quickly, but by popular demand, a restock is coming very soon, so keep an eye out!
What’s inside the Beauty Creations x Coraline collection?
This collection was gifted for editorial consideration; all opinions are my own!
The first thing that struck me was the sheer attention to detail paid to the packaging. The button-eye motif, the references to the Other Mother and the smaller details throughout make the pieces feel connected to the film’s world.
Testing The Makeup: Eyes, Cheeks & Lips Reviewed
1. Beauty Creations X Coraline “Beyond the Door” 10 Colour Palette ($16)
2. Beauty Creations X Coraline “Mother’s Web” Face Palette ($14)
3. Beauty Creations X Coraline “Welcome Home” Lip Jelly ($10)
4. Beauty Creations X Coraline “Cute as a Button” Dual Shade Cream Blush ($9)
5. Beauty Creations X Coraline “Stay Forever” Lip Stain & Lip Gloss Duo ($9)
The Accessories:
1. Beauty Creations X Coraline “Button Eyes” Compact Mirror ($12)
2. Beauty Creations X Coraline “Threadful” Cosmetic Bag ($18)
3. Beauty Creations X Coraline “One eye Open” Eyelash Curler ($6)
4. Beauty Creations X Coraline “Cats don't Talk” Headband & Wristband Set ($14)
The accessories are a shrewd addition to the collaboration. The compact mirror takes its cue from one of the film’s most unsettling details, while the cosmetic bag and cat-themed set bring in some of its more playful motifs. They’re also the pieces that make the collection particularly appealing as a gift.
Creating The Coraline-Inspired Makeup Look
For my look, I wanted to move away from an obvious costume interpretation and towards something a little more Gia. I took inspiration from Coraline’s blue palette, but also from The Love Witch.
The Love Witch (2016)
I used four products from the collection: the “Beyond the Door” eyeshadow palette, “Mother’s Web” face palette, “Cute as a Button” cream blush, and “Stay Forever” Lip Stain & Lip Gloss Duo.
The cheeks: Cute As A Button & Mother’s Web
After applying my concealer, I used the “Cute as a Button” Dual Shade Cream Blush. I built up the colour with my ring finger, taking care around the button-inspired packaging.
The cream formula felt light on the skin and gave me a natural-looking flush without feeling heavy. I like blush that can be built up gradually, particularly when I’m planning a more dramatic eye, and this was easy to work with.
Next, I tried the “Mother’s Web” Face Palette, which was one of the products I was most excited to test. It contains four blush shades, three with a velvety matte finish and one with shimmer.
I went in with “Vaudeville,” a matte raspberry red, to create the stronger contrast I wanted against my pale complexion. I then tapped “Pink Palace,” the shimmery pink-coral shade, onto my cheeks with a blush brush.
Creating The Look: Mr. Bobinsky Blue & The Other Mother Vibe
I knew I wanted blue eyeshadow before I’d even opened the “Beyond the Door” eyeshadow palette.
I began with “Bobinsky,” a soft teal blue-toned shade that immediately brought to mind the film’s cool, distinctive palette. I was immediately impressed by the pigment from the first swatch. It also reminded me of the dreamy blues in The Love Witch and Buffalo ‘66, two films whose visual worlds I adore when thinking about beauty and cinema.
To deepen the outer corners, I used “Water Witch,” a darker blue-violet shimmer. I blended it along the outer edge of the lid, working it into the crease and slightly towards the inner corner to give the blue more definition.
Along my lower lash line, I used “Dream Come True,” a grey-pearl shade with silver sparkle. I wanted a little luminosity beneath the lashes, but nothing too strong.
Of all the products I tried, this palette was my favourite. The shades offer enough variety to do more than one kind of look, and I found the colours very pigmented and blendable. If I were recommending one item from the collection to someone, this would be it.
The Lips: Testing The Stay Forever Lip Stain & Lip Gloss Duo
For the final step, I used the “Stay Forever” Lip Stain & Lip Gloss Duo, in the Diva Duo/Actresses pairing inspired by the iconic couple: Miss Spink and Miss Forcible, Coraline’s retired-actress neighbours.
The lip stain formula felt quite tight on my lips as it settled, which took some getting used to. The colour developed into a reddish-coral tint that was a little brighter than I’d initially imagined.
I decided to then layer the Actresses gloss over the top. Its peachy colour softened the red and worked particularly well against the blue eyeshadow. I also liked the glossy finish and the sweet scent.
The lip stain wasn’t my favourite texture of the collection, but the gloss was a lovely finishing touch.
Is The Beauty Creations x Coraline Collection Worth It?
The Beauty Creations x Coraline collaboration succeeds most evidently in its attention to detail. From the button-inspired blush packaging to the character references woven through the product names, the collection understands what makes the film so distinct.
For me, the “Beyond the Door” eyeshadow palette was the standout. I loved the blue tones, the pigment and the way the shades worked together to create a look that felt inspired by the film. The cream blush was easy to build, and the Actresses gloss was a pretty finishing touch. The lip stain was less comfortable than I would have liked, but that didn’t take away from the overall enjoyment of testing the collection.
There’s also something satisfying about seeing a film with such a specific visual identity translated into makeup without losing the details that made it memorable in the first place. The collection feels designed with fans in mind, from the products themselves to the accessories that bring the references beyond the makeup bag.
If you’ve loved Coraline for years, the appeal is obvious. I’d start with the “Beyond the Door palette,” particularly if you enjoy playing with colour, while the accessories make a lovely gift for a fellow fan.
A beautiful review once again ✨
coraline makeup is such a fun nostalgia collab. love that the review spent time on who actually built the brand, not just the swatches