Created by global icon Rihanna, Fenty Beauty completely redefined the expectations of a celeb brand and launched to great praise from the industry, customers and awards committees. Becoming one of the most coveted and respected brands on the market from the get-go, the star set out to fix the holes in the market, and meet the needs of all skin types and tones.
The focus from the beginning was catering to hard-to-match skin tones across the spectrum, most notably for extremely pale or dark complexions, but also creating more realistic combinations of skin tone and undertone across the spectrum. If you always felt you could never find a foundation that wasn't to yellow, too pink or too chalky, this became the brand for you. Launching with 40 foundation shades in 2017 — which has now grown to 50 — it marked a turning point and pushed other brands to expand their own offering and outlook.
And as for eye, cheek and lip products, the focus is on finding and delivering universally flattering shades that work with all complexions, because it isn't just base products that have to work with skin tone.
Starting with the Fenty Beauty foundation, face primer and Gloss Bomb, Rihanna says on the site that she launched the brand “so that people everywhere would be included.” But what makes it such a roaring success is that not only does it cater to everyone, it does it well. With brilliant results and carefully crafted formulas, the products are just as good as their game-changing shade ranges.
Best Fenty Lip Product
Fenty Stunna Lip Paint Longwear Fluid Lip Color
Best Fenty Lip Product
Fenty Stunna Lip Paint Longwear Fluid Lip Color
Senior Beauty Editor Alexandra Friend Says; "The internet loved these matte liquid lip colours from day one, and they turned out to be the longest-wearing lipsticks I’ve tried. They still look crisp and bold at the end of the day, and although the formula isn’t the most moisturising, I find I can apply some lip balm if I really need to, without disrupting the shape.
"As far as I’ve seen, each shade suits all skin tones (exactly as Rhianna intended) though my favourites are the rich red Uncensored and the mauve-ish nude Uncuffed – and I love the coffee-coloured Unveil on our red-headed Beauty Editor, Gillian."
Best Fenty Base Product
Fenty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint
Best Fenty Base Product
Fenty Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint
Beauty Writer Medina Azaldin says:"Most ‘tinted’ bases either feel like tinted moisturisers, a lightweight foundation, or a watery fluid that hardly makes any difference on skin. Which is fine if that’s what you’re after, but most days I simply want a tint that makes my oily, acne-prone skin look naturally better; less blotchy, less red, and a tad perkier.
"In comes this Fenty gem, which does exactly that. The lightweight cream texture melts seamlessly into skin to gently even out the complexion without depositing extra radiance, moisture or coverage (I prefer to get the first two from my skincare). I think of it as really great lingerie for my complexion; no fancy frills but it just makes me feel really good in my skin."
Best Fenty Lip Oil
Fenty Cherry Treat Conditioning + Strengthening Lip Oil
Best Fenty Lip Oil
Fenty Cherry Treat Conditioning + Strengthening Lip Oil
Beauty Writer Phoebe Lee says; "Most days, I like a relatively laissez-faire approach to lipstick; something swipe and go, that doesn't require total concentration when reapplying. This is a tinted oil that is so plush and conditioning, leaving the healthy sheen of a gloss, minus any stickiness. The cherry red might look daunting in the tube, but on the lips, it's seriously sheer and pretty."
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Best Fenty Blush
Fenty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush in shade Daiquiri Dip
Best Fenty Blush
Fenty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush in shade Daiquiri Dip
Medina Says: "There’s something about blush that instantly makes one’s complexion look happier, livelier, and oh-so-pretty. Fenty’s cream blush is my firm favourite, as it stays lasts extremely well on oilier skin types, but also imparts a healthy-looking dewiness that looks fresh, not greasy.
"I have a fondness for red hues such as Daiquiri Dip but there’s something in the range for everyone, whether you prefer a more natural, subtle hint of colour or something fun like a soft violet."
Digital Writer Elena Chabo says; "A little pricy but well worth it, there's a reason it keeps selling out. Sensual and musky yet with a mature sweetness, it never fails to draw compliments, and to make me feel confident yet grounded. It's amazing what a fragrance can do. With notes of Musk, magnolia, tangerine and Bulgarian rose, it lasts all day without ever feeling overpowering."
Best Fenty Highlighter
Fenty Diamond Bomb All-Over Diamond Veil
Best Fenty Highlighter
Fenty Diamond Bomb All-Over Diamond Veil
Katie says: "This three-dimensional shimmer feels like a putty but applies like a powder, leaving the skin with a crystalised glaze that looks wet from afar. I always find myself reaching for this product in the winter months as it is the perfect party season companion.
"It is truly multi-use and can be applied to the eyes, cheeks and even the body for a star-worthy sheen – a great alternative to an eye gloss or body oil for those who hate the feeling of anything sticky on their skin."
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Beauty Intern Katie Withington says: "As somebody who often does their makeup five minutes before rushing out of the house, I love a smudge-and-go product and my go-to is easily the Fenty Beauty Matchstix. With magnetic cases that link each colour stick together, you can pick up a full face without the clutter. Not to mention, each shade can all be used all over the face.
"In true Fenty-fashion the colours range from base tones to cool contours and the most outrageous brights, making the mix-and-match possibilities endless. My personal favourite is “Yacht Life”; a medium coral with warm undertones and a slightly sunny pearl. It is the perfect eye-to-cheek product that rests nicely between orange, brown and pink; it is golden hour in a glowy blush."
Shop the full Matchstix range for contour, blush, bronze, highlight and conceal HERE.
Elena says: "I'm also a big fan of the Match Stix, my personal favourites are the contour ones. I love using a warm shade like this one Mocha, and using my fingers to blend it around my forehead up by, and slightly into, my hair line just where the sun hits. Instant holiday glow!"
Best Fenty SPF
Fenty Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer Broad Spectrum Spf 30 Sunscreen with Niacinamide + Kalahari Melon
Best Fenty SPF
Fenty Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer Broad Spectrum Spf 30 Sunscreen with Niacinamide + Kalahari Melon
Alex says: "Since half of my skincare routine is about preventing pigmentation and the other is about hydration, a really juicy sunscreen is my year-round requirement – I wear one every day, unless it’s super-overcast. This is plumping and glowy, and perfect for anything other than dedicated sunbathing. Make-up sits well on top, there’s no chalkiness or white cast on darker skin, and the packaging is refillable."
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Fenty Brow MVP Sculpting Wax Pencil & Styler
Fenty Brow MVP Sculpting Wax Pencil & Styler
Elena says: "The clear brow wax has become my total go to, particularly for on the go and keeping handy. It offers a soft flexible alternative to the popular soap brows trend, and doesn't fall foul to the unfortunate flaking that can come at the end of the day with other clear brow setting products. I get through it quite quickly, but if it's not a steep price point for you then definitely one to try."
FENTY BESTSELLER
Fenty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation
FENTY BESTSELLER
Fenty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation
We also asked the brand to tell us their best-sellers and weren't surprised to see this on the list. It's almost an understatement to say this product changed the game. Now available in 50 shades, the foundation catered to those at both the fairest and darkest ends of the scale, who'd long been neglected, as well as hard to match skin tones throughout the spectrum. It marked a turning point and pushed other brands to expand their own offering and outlook.
What got it on the bestseller list, however, is probably also to do with the fact the oil-free and sweat resistant formula delivers a gorgeous soft-matte finish that can be built from medium to full coverage, offering long-wear with a natural look.
FENTY BESTSELLER
Fenty Skin Travel-Size Start'r Set
FENTY BESTSELLER
Fenty Skin Travel-Size Start'r Set
Another of the best sellers is this skincare starter set. Try Alex's Favourite Hydra Visor moisturiser, alongside Pore-refining Toning Serum, Fat Water, and the Remove It All Total Cleans'r. A great introduction to Fenty Skin.
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FENTY BESTSELLER
Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer
FENTY BESTSELLER
Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer
Eight universal shades, hand-picked by Rihanna, Gloss Bomb was one of the three launch products, and Fenty Glow is the most popular shade. It has effortlessly retained it's spot as a best-seller while also wracking up a whole lot of praise and awards.
FENTY NEW LAUNCHES
Liquid Killawatt Fluid Freestyle Highlighter
FENTY NEW LAUNCHES
Liquid Killawatt Fluid Freestyle Highlighter
The popular Killawat highlighter in liquid form, offering the same radiant glow in a beautifully blendable, buildable liquid form and available in five shades.