When Rihanna launched her cosmetics brand Fenty Beauty three years ago, she was able to create inclusivity in an industry that always felt out of reach for WOC, who spend a lot of their coin on beauty products. You’d think cosmetics giants would get a clue and make products for WOC. But they don’t, so Rihanna capitalized on their lack of urgency and ingenuity.
Rihanna is now seeking to fill another ignored market. She is collaborating with A$AP Rocky for Fenty Skin in what she hopes will bring men to the beauty table. She said that men like to take care of their skin but feel obligated to only use products made exclusively for men. In a video released by Vogue’s Youtube channel, Rihanna does a Q&A with A$AP where she discusses who inspired her beauty journey and what she’d like to see done differently in the beauty and cosmetics industries. Here are some quotes from the interview via Just Jared:
“I wish the leaders of the beauty industry were a more diverse set of pioneers who have not just experienced the culture but have experienced a negligence in the industry whether it comes to their skin tone or skin type. I feel like there’s so many voids to be filled and we will only know that by the pioneers that have experienced those voids, and the lack of their representation in the industry,” she said.
“I wish it was more versatility, diversity, obviously you know. I think it’s kinda trying to evolve especially with a person like yourself. But I do wish that there was way more versatility,” he agreed.
“Men love their skin and they take care of it but they feel obligated almost to only use products that are for men because anything beyond that seems like it’s just too feminine,” Rihanna said.
She also said everything she knows about skincare she learned from her mother: “My entire concept of beauty came from her. I wanted to dress like her. I wanted to look like her. I wanted to do my hair like her. I wanted to do my makeup like her.”
[From Vogue via Just Jared]
So far the reviews I have read about Fenty Skin makes we want to try it. I have been loving everything that Rihanna has done these last few years. The fact that she is turning the tables yet again and bringing men in is a game-changer. When I used to work for Mac Cosmetics, I would always try to get the men who came in with their girlfriends to try our skin care line. Like Rihanna, I feel it is important for men to take care of their skin as well. My gay guy friends had skin care covered. To them it was self-care but straight cis men always felt uncomfortable when talking about taking care of their skin needs.
What I love about having A$AP Rocky as a spokesxmodel is that he does things to bend our idea of masculinity. In the video he has his nails painted with several of them sporting nail art and yet there is nothing “feminine” about him. His skin is immaculate as well. Perhaps he can push the message that skin care is not just for girls and your masculinity won’t be called into question because you like to take care of your skin. There’s also the added bonus that ladies love a man with great skin and a beautiful smile.
Here’s the video!
Photos are screenshots from YouTube and via Instagram
I use men’s deodorant. It’s cheaper, you get way more product and it works way better than women’s. Arm and hammer, I’ll model my armpits for you any day!
(In France) Men’s deo Are clearly more efficient but sadly the scent is heavy.
My husband uses my body peeling /face/ daily face cream and even my soap.10 years ago,He would NOT have the idea but now he is at ease .
same. My husband gets a kick out of it.
They’ll charge more for women’s products that do the exact same thing. Like deodorant or shaving blades. The pink tax.
I’ve been buying men’s razors for the last 20 years!
@snuffles They sure do! We’re on to them though! 😉 There are a few products I use that I go for the mens. Razors is another.
I also use mens deodorant! Much more effective butbyes shame about the overpowering ‘man’ smell.
My fiancee paints his toenails bright colours because he likes it, has way more beauty care products than me and isn’t bothered about whether other people think that’s feminine. He used to wear a rainbow brokeback mountain tshirt cos he thought it was cool and got a real laugh out of other mens surprise that he wasnt gay. It’s bizarre that we all have face skin but the care products for men apparently need to be kept secret and be in different coloured boxes to womens?
A lot of “men” products are the exact same product for women in “macho” packaging.
Men have the same attitude about most things. They won’t listen unless it comes from a masculine man. Case in point, I’ve been dabbling in veganism. Not full on, but I try to eat vegan more frequently. And every time I did so in front of my brother or even just mention it he’d look disgusted and confused. “I don’t get it. Isn’t it just a bunch of lettuce?” But then he happened upon the documentary “Game Changers” on Netflix that featured football players and weight lifters eating Vegan and suddenly he’s interested!
Ugh! Men and their toxic masculinity.
I just love her.
I remember when my first bf 15years ago had such a crush on her in SOS video, and I was like – she’s just another singer, what’s the big deal.
And now I have not only a crush, but a huge admiration for and inspiration for her.
I think Rihanna has a winning and profitable idea here. How long before Kylie tried to steal it and pretend she just came up with the idea?
I remember my dad, who is pasty, pasty white and freckles and burns so easily, and who comes from a family that has a history of skin cancer, refusing to wear sunscreen during our annual vacations to southern states, where we would spend our days outside at theme parks, or the beach, or the pool, because he apparently found sunscreen to be some kind of fussy, feminine skincare meant only for women and delicate children. So he would burn, badly, and then he’d be fussy and wouldn’t come to the beach or the pool anymore, and if he did he’d spend most of his time in shirts and hats, seeking out the shade just because he refused to wear sunscreen. And this is a man who LOVES summer and never thinks it’s too hot, so he wasn’t in the shade avoiding the pool or the beach because he was hot and sweaty, he was relegating himself to sitting in the shade watching everyone else play because he refused to wear sunscreen.
Toxic masculinity is one hell of a drug.
Rihanna seems to be doing smart investments. Seeing how many people go broke and squander their millions, it’s nice to see someone who knows how to keep their hard-earned money. If she writers a book on how to invest, I’ll definitely read it, is all I’m saying lol