Leenika Belfield-Martin | Lifestyle Editor
On September 8, 2017, Rihanna released her anticipated Fenty Beauty makeup line. The line had been in the works for almost two years before its release.
The collection focuses on the face, and its products range from $18 to $54. The line includes a primer, a long-wear matte foundation, two “skin-stix,” two highlighters, a blotting powder and a lip product.
Makeup was not the only product released. The beauty line also featured seven makeup tools: two standard brushes, three compact portable brushes, one make-up sponge and blotting paper.
As of now, the line can be purchased on the official Fenty Beauty website, in stores or online through Sephora. Harvey Nichols stores in the United Kingdom also carry the line.
According to the line’s website, Fenty Beauty’s theme is “Beauty for all.” It lives up to this title with its “PRO FILT’R Soft Matte Long-wear Foundation” which includes 40 shades ranging from fairest white to the deepest brown.
During her release event, Rihanna spoke about her motivation for including such an extensive shade range. She said that, “In every product, I was like: ‘There needs to be something for a dark-skinned girl; there needs to be something for a really pale girl; there needs to be something in-between.’”
Many praise the singer for her inclusive line. Amanda Jones, a second-year student in the five-year MBA program from Portsmouth, Virginia, says, “As a celebrity, I think it is [a] good initiative on her part to begin this foundation line. Her fan base spans a vast range of people, and her [establishing] a line representing diversity is a big step for the cosmetic industry.”
Two days following the release, Affinity Magazine reported that the medium-to-deep shades were sold out of Sephora. Fortunately, later reports from Billboard concluded that although a number of shades were sold out on Sephora’s website, they were not completely gone from stores.
Jessica Cook, a sophomore history major from Bowie, Maryland, says Fenty Beauty’s success will encourage other makeup brands to expand their shades “because they’re shook!”
Cook continues on to say that “[I think] they will start to release more shades because they are starting to realize they have been neglecting a large and profitable demographic of women who use makeup.”
Fenty Beauty has been well received by customers so far; almost all the products have received five-star ratings on the Sephora and the Fenty Beauty sites. Beauty gurus have also been raving about Fenty Beauty’s products, which has also helped increase its popularity.
Alesia Taylor, a sophomore pre-nursing major, is one of many who purchased some Fenty Beauty products. Taylor says “watching YouTube videos was the main reason why [she] decided to go through with the purchase, because [she] was able to see how the products actually looked on the skin.”
Taylor purchased the PRO FILT’R foundation, matchstix concealer, and “Trophy Wife” highlighter. She believes that the products are both reasonably priced and well-crafted. “You could tell Rihanna took time to make sure her products were top-notch before releasing them for sale.”
The Hampton Script 