Rihanna covers the September issue of Harper’s Bazaar. Don’t get your hopes up about this cover being advanced promotion for the new album: it is not. Bazaar doesn’t even mention the possibility of Rihanna putting out the album! Now, it’s possible that she could drop it at any time and break the internet. But the vibe I’m getting is that Rihanna just agreed to pose for Bazaar as some kind of vague promotion for Fenty Beauty and Fenty Skin. I say “vague promotion” because Rihanna is barely quoted in the “cover story,” which you can read here. The piece, written by Kahlana Barfield Brown, is all about how Brown met Rihanna in 2007 and she was super-cool then and she’s super-cool now. It’s true! Here’s one of the few times Rihanna was quoted in this piece:
With Fenty Skin, Rihanna is looking to bring that same sensibility to skin care. More than two years of development went into the line, which led to a tightly curated collection of three multitasking two-in-one products: makeup remover/cleanser, serum/toner, and an SPF moisturizer. “I’ve always seen the Fenty brand as more than just makeup, and I knew I wanted to make skin care from the very beginning,” Rihanna says. “It was just about getting it right. You have to live with the formulas for awhile and test them in different ways. It’s very different from makeup in that sense. It takes a long time.”
Since I rarely (if ever) wear makeup, I always feel so left out of the makeup conversations and conversations about how Fenty Beauty is awesome. I trust everyone who stans Fenty Beauty, I’m just saying – I have zero first-hand knowledge of it. But Fenty Skin? I might try it. I looked at the site and… the products are not really what I’m looking for? It’s all sunblock and moisturizer. I would love it if Rihanna made the definitive night cream or the best under-eye circle cream. She has not, thus far (plus it looks like almost everything is sold out already).
Covers courtesy of Harper’s Bazaar.
I want to support but as someone with exczema, the fact that her stuff is scented scares me. Even though I love the idea of her suncream, once I get a flare up it takes ages to go away.
I too have eczema! No scented products for us 😔 but Touch In Sol has a great priming water and Caudelie Vinoperfect serum works amazingly!
Bless your light, @Sheabutterbaby! I will definitely give those a go!
Same boat here! I have to say though, I started using products from The Ordinary in December and haven’t had an eczema breakout (on my face) since then. I don’t know if it’s the daily hyaluronic acid, or the retinoid a few times a week but I had been dealing with some really stubborn patches for the last 18 months and they cleared up and haven’t been back. (You may already know what works for you, just wanted to share my positive experience!)
I’m a huge fan of The Ordinary! They’re so inexpensive (like $7 for a bottle of niacinamide + zinc solution) and their website/parent company website (DECIEM) has very thorough scientific information on what ingredients do, when you should use them, and what they do/don’t mix well with.
I really sensitive skin and some rosacea so I can definitely relate to the struggle with fragrance. I hope in the future the brand considers fragrance-free options, I really wanted to try it out.
I signed up for the early buying just so I could buy the sunscreen and I like it! Granted, my skin is not so sensitive, but I do use RetinA and so many sunscreen break me out or are like wearing a grease mask that pills. While it’s scented, it’s not strong and disappears pretty quickly ,I don’t like heavily scented products. I love how her sunscreen just melts into the skin. Have not (Obviously) been wearing it long term so curious to see how it works. But the price point is good.
I like the Squidward coat. I’d like it in black please. Or dark green, midnight blue or red. 😁
I got a sample of Fenty foundation in a Sephora order, and the quality and versatility really do live up to the hype. I used it both sparsely like a tinted moisturizer, and more layered like a concealer. I’m definitely going to buy some Fenty products in the future.
I’m jealous, lol. I’ve tried a lot of Fenty Beauty products, including the foundation, but it really didn’t work for me. It was too matte for my combo skin, dried down too quickly, oxidized, and so on. It’s a shame because I love her other products, especially her lip glosses and matte lipsticks.
As for Fenty Skin, I think I’ll wait a few months to see what the overall consensus is. The cleanser intrigues me.
LadyMTL she also has a Hydrating Foundation that came out last year. To be honest I love that formula more than the Matte formula. The matte one I save for the summer time when I tend to sweat but I love my hydrating one!
I don’t wear makeup but I’m curious as Rihanna’s brand and ig has basically become shameless self promotion for all her products (a la Kylie and Kim) gets highly publicized what the difference between her and the kardashian/jenners at this point, besides she’s a great performer and quite famous pre fenty? It’s all a giant ad. Her ig use to be fun to get a glimpse into the life of rih but honestly it’s drab af now and very kardashian-esque. She just doesn’t get ridiculed for it either like they do. I’m just wondering why? Just an aside I don’t follow any of these people on socials just check in periodically, I’m a black dude so I really don’t have a fight in this battle (is that the saying?) just overall curiosity. Is it cause she’s gorgeous? An A-lister? Genuinely curious plz don’t get mad me for asking
I can’t speak for everyone but one of the reasons Riri gets so much praise for her brand is that she completely changed the game as far as inclusivity. To come out with 40 shades in one semi-affordable launch was unheard of prior to Fenty. For years Black and Brown folks have struggled to see themselves reflected in makeup brands despite the fact that they make up a large % of sales. I do want to acknowledge that I am talking about large scale brands as small Black and Brown owned make up brands often do not have the same resources to expand as easily (which is why we should try to support them when possible).
As far as self-promotion. I mean I respect the Kardashian/Jenner hustle and I don’t really mind celebrities using their pages to hype up their brands. For me personally the difference comes from the intent and final product. Kardashians are known to appropriate from Black culture and when they promote products for women of color, not only is the quality and range lacking but it feels alot like exploitation for the $$. Rihanna on the other hand, as a Black woman knows what it feels like to not see yourself reflected in a brand. This may be my Riri stan card talking but I believe that she really is invested in her mission and I think the company as a whole has demonstrated it, not just through their expansion in shades, but also in their marketing.
And as far as most of her content being about her brand now. I feel like that is for sure a large part of self promotion but to be fair it also does speak to the current phase in her life. Rihanna has said it before she is focused on being a business woman so it makes sense that this part of her identity takes up alot of space on her page. Anyways that’s just my personal opinion on it.
Thank you for the insight, clarity and the kind response Kari. That’s all I was looking as I don’t really use Instagram for anything more than turning my brain off and Rih’s page use to be a source of fun for me (personally). She posted funny memes and whatnot. As her business grew it just felt very commercial and I was just wondering why she doesn’t get the same reactions most influencers do. This provided a lot as I don’t know anything about the makeup world and assumed makeup came in the all shades to begin w. If what she’s doing is really that revolutionary kudos to her and I really respect that. Good on her for making the industry more inclusive and making people think twice to put money where there is mouth is. Again just over all curiosity
And to the originalmama (ahhaha) where’d I mention whatsoever that I want new music from her??? I don’t need that misguided comment that doesn’t have anything to do w what I’m asking or the conversation at hand. Cheers
Hi Penguin, her sole purpose is not to entertain you. If she is solely fixed on being a business woman, that’s her prerogative. Just like if YOU were to switch careers, I am sure you wouldn’t like your family members or friends telling you what to do since it’s your life. She doesn’t owe the public a single thing
Say it, Mercury! I’m so tired of hearing about another album. The woman has more to offer than just music.
You’re right but that didn’t answer the question I was asking. And the tone of your reply is pretty condescending for an innocent question…and I don’t think I implied her sole purpose was to entertain the masses, but go off. However that is how she got sooo famous. If she wants a career change power to her, it’s clearly working in her favour. I was just asking why she doesn’t get ridiculed for just being a giant ad at this point like other influencers do like K/J’s (no other influencers are coming to mind rn). She gets rewarded it for like this harpers cover example and a plethora of articles in almost every news outlet regarding fenty. I don’t think it’s a weird question to ask. Maybe mercury’s in retrograde 😉
She doesn’t get ridiculed because she’s part of her product and her brand. A few years back it was just gratuitous shots of weed and cigars and her looking unhappy and unhealthy. I didn’t enjoy it as much but I appreciated her casual shade.
However she is associated with LVMH. She’s grown up. She doesn’t share her personal life as much. She’s rebranded and it’s fine.
I love fashion and photography so I enjoy her page but I couldn’t stand and of the Ks pages so I unfollowed because they are all about the money and fame. Nothing else.
Rihanna is doing big things. Her social media ought to reflect that.
Comparing her to the Kardashians or any regular influencer is a stretch IMO.
We ain’t never getting a new album 😭