Fenty Beauty Review: Diversified Perfection

Rihanna’s new line provides foundation shades for a wide range of skin types and promises to cater to darker complexions.

Fenty Beauty, the makeup line created by Rihanna, finally launched this month and makeup lovers everywhere lost their minds. Who can blame them? The makeup line certainly lived up to the hype. The collection consists of 40 foundation shades, a primer, four duo highlighters, two single highlighters, 20 matte match stixs, ten shimmer match stixs, one universal lip gloss, blotting sheets, powder and a set of brushes. The launch defined Fenty Beauty as a complexion-based line. Rihanna has said she wanted to ensure her makeup line would fit all skin colors, and Fenty Beauty’s commitment to diversity makes it stand out, especially compared to other collections that cater to lighter skin tones. Some brands have 30 shades of ivory but only seven medium to dark shades. In fact, Almay’s foundation shades do not even match tanned light skin. 

Fenty Beauty’s Soft Matte Longwear Foundation provides a decent medium coverage; it is humidity-proof and fits all skin types. The 20 matte stixs can be used to contour  and conceal, while the 10 shimmer stixs provide a fun pop of color. The duo highlighters consist of two complementary highlight shades, one more muted and the other more intense. The single highlighters are a good option for those seeking a more dramatic glow. Trophy Wife, a glittery golden shade, and Metal Moon, an iridescent white shade, are the standout highlight shades. They can even be used as eyeshadow if you like the colors but aren’t looking to highlight. 

One thing that did shock me initially was the absence of a red lipstick in the collection. However, I got over that quickly. Giving “my lipgloss be poppin’” vibes, the Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer comes in a universally flattering rose shade. The blotting powder and sheets provide oily-skinned girls with that much-needed shine relief. 

Fenty Beauty’s white and nude-pink color scheme is gorgeous. The packaging style is minimalistic but incredibly chic. Many of the products have an octagonal shape, and some (the match stixs and the portable brushes) are magnetic. The magnetic products can stick together in a purse, allowing for a quick touch-up without the hassle of rifling through your things. Plus, the honeycomb shape created when combining the match stixs and portable brushes is too cute to pass up. The blotting paper packaging is a refillable mirrored compact that has the appearance of a lipstick case. If you’re into glowing and healthy-looking skin without too much hassle and are looking for a diverse range of cruelty-free makeup, Fenty Beauty is the brand for you. 

Contact Angie Diaz at adiaz1@ colgate.edu.