Rihanna & Selena’s Beauty Bombs: Why Gen Z Can’t Get Enough
Three years ago, many stars started their own beauty lines, but only two have really turned the worldwide market upside down: Fenty Beauty by Rihanna and Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez. They’re not just riding their celeb fame; their vibes hit Gen Z on a whole different level.
What Makes Them So Irresistible?
- Inclusive Glow – From skin-tone every shade to products that work in any lighting, they’re shouting “everyone’s invited.”
- Honest Storytelling – Rihanna loves mixing couture with street style, Selena keeps it chill with mental‑health vibes and keeps it level.
- Embrace the Chaos – They actually push boundaries. Think pigment drop‑tests that match your unique glow, or makeup that feels as natural as your summer playlists.
Why Gen Z Is Hooked
Gen Z loves authenticity, so a brand that celebrates real people isn’t just another hashtag. It’s a conversation starter in your DM feed, a place where your mom’s “Never miss a shade” mantra meets your streaming vibe. The result? A fan base that reads, shares, and sticks.
Bottom Line
Rihanna and Selena didn’t just launch a line; they set up a community where the chemistry is the product itself. That’s why the next 5‑minute beauty haul is always fenty‑fueled or rare‑refreshed.
More than just chasing stars
Fenty Beauty: A Makeup Party Where Everyone’s Invited
When we’re all buzzing about diversity and inclusion, Fenty Beauty has been front‑and‑center, proving that “beauty for all” isn’t just a slogan—it’s the whole mission. From the very first day, the brand made its stance crystal clear: every product needs to speak to every skin tone.
Here’s how they kicked it off in 2017:
- Foundation – The glamour queen hit the market with a whopping 40 shades (now 50). Talk about leaving no one behind!
- Colour Corrector – A trusty sidekick with 30 shades ready to balance out any complexion glitch.
So next time you pop open a Fenty kit, remember: it’s not just about looks—it’s a celebration that everyone’s invited to join.
Stop the Talk: Gen Z Loves Brands That Speak Their Language
In a world still clutching at COVID‑driven uncertainty, Rare Beauty is doing more than just selling makeup—they’re preaching mental‑health vibes, urging folks to embrace who they are and truly love themselves. It’s the kind of message that cuts straight to Gen Z’s heart.
A Friend in Your Makeup Bag
Rihanna and Selena Gomez aren’t just face‑wearing the glasses of a brand; they’re hands‑on, listening to fans, and tweaking products on the fly.
- Rihanna & Fenty Beauty: turns fan feedback into fresh shades.
- Selena & Rare Beauty: keeps the conversation flowing, staying close to heart‑felt concerns.
Making It Matter
Both brands are cruelty‑free and do more than talk—each has a tangible fund devoted to the causes they champion:
- Fenty Beauty credits Rihanna’s Clara Lionel Foundation for its real‑world impact.
- Rare Beauty backs its Rare Impact Fund, letting Zoomers help drive change.
These pits of generosity let young people feel hands‑on power, even if they’re just tiny contributors.
Brands Doing Their Part
Demanding these brands are only the beginning. The industry is stepping up its own game. Remember 2020?
- Veteran names like Clinique and Urban Decay joined the Black Lives Matter chorus.
- Fresh faces such as Drunk Elephant and Sunday Riley voiced support and pledged funds to fight racism.
Now, as Gen Z’s bandwidth for activism grows, we’re seeing a whole handful of cosmetics houses taking definitive stands on causes that really matter.
Trendsetters
Gen Z’s Beauty Playbook
For the Gen‑Z crowd, beauty isn’t a tidy box you can clip into. It’s more like a playlist that celebrates freestyling confidence. The rules are simple:
- Be yourself, all‑in‑all‑out. Flaws, quirks, and that unfiltered style are the real VIPs.
- Celebrate differences. The more unique, the more dazzling.
- Freedom = beauty. Anyone who believes you can’t be a throwback selfie or a neon‑supreme hoodie is missing the point.
In short, Gen Z’s mantra is: “If you’re rocking your own swagger, you’re pretty enough!”
What “Euphoria” Has Taught Us About Beauty Reinvention
When a teen drama hits the screens, most people think about the drama and the drama‑making. What if the drama also shakes up the makeup game? That’s exactly what Euphoria has done, stirring a fresh wave of self‑expression that’s truly bleeding into Gen Z’s everyday looks.
The Show’s Pop‑Culture Blueprint
Beyond the heavy‑hit topics – drug use, mental health, sexuality, and abuse – Euphoria offers a visual feast that makes it impossible to look away. The characters don’t just wear makeup; they wield it as a personal megaphone, broadcasting each instant of identity and mood.
What the Makeup Directors Are Saying
Speaking with Doniella Davy, the show’s Makeup Director, she rants:
- “Euphoria makeup is self‑celebratory and self‑expressive.“
- “It can channel any emotion – not just the good vibes.“
- “It’s redefining beauty standards by showing that everyone can paint their own story on their face.“
The takeaway? Cool makeup isn’t exclusive to runway models or bold rebels. It’s for anyone who wants to stand out, add a touch of drama, or simply celebrate themselves.
How You Can Bring the “Euphoria” Vibe Into Everyday Life
- Experiment with bold colors. Swap out your usual neutral palettes for a pop of electric pink or teal.
- Let your emotions guide your look. Use shading and highlights to hint at how you feel – cheeky, moody, or just hungry for a story.
- Celebrate identity. Whether you’re celebrating your heritage, your quirks, or your hobbies, make that on your face.
Gen Z has already built a new norm: makeup isn’t a mask – it’s a canvas. If Euphoria is doing this right, eventually we’ll all be painting our fabulous, authentic selves one day at a time.
Gen Z’s Makeup Mania
Picture this: a splash of glitter, a dash of eye‑shimmer, and a handful of bold, imperfect color spots that suddenly become the hottest thing on every feed. It’s a modern mantra that’s right up Gen Z’s alley, and the response? An avalanche of shares, likes, and double‑taps across the digital playground.
The Viral Wave
- Glitter everywhere: From neon eyeliner to sparkling lip gloss, the glow‑up is unstoppable.
- Eye gems at the ready: Small studs and jewels that pop even on a simple brow.
- Color chaos: The way “imperfect spots of colour” keeps real‑life fashion alive—think of a runway that’s a canvas of freestyle art.
- Bold brightness: High‑lighter on high‑key! Brands are embracing this electrifying aesthetic with fresh campaigns and bold prints.
Brands Join the Fun
These brands aren’t just following the trend—they’re creating it. By playing hard with the elements in runway shows and ad footage, they’re encouraging real‑world experimentation. Imagine putting on a look with the same fierceness as a runway model—thanks to the freedom they’re gifting us.
Takeaway
If you’re on Gen Z’s radar, you’ve got to sprinkle a little glitter in your routine. It’s more than a trend; it’s a movement that celebrates individuality, humor, and unapologetic creativity—powered by a social‑media explosion that’s rocking the makeup world one color at a time.
Less is more
Gen Z’s Skincare Revolution: Streamlined, Smart, & Sustainable
When it comes to putting your face on the wait‑list of science, Gen Z isn’t shy about wielding the word “science” in their own skincare vocab. They’re the outspoken, research‑savvy skintellectuals who crave a lean routine that still delivers stellar results—plus a dash of planet‑positive vibes.
From 17‑Step K‑Beauty to “Skinimalism”
- Bye‑bye 17‑step rituals that took up half your day.
- Hi‑hi to a tidy lineup of high‑performing, multitasking products.
- Nice side‑kick: sustainability, because caring for the planet tastes better.
Why Brands are Ramping Up
Beauty houses are busy at the lab, hunting for formulas that pack a punch while keeping the Earth happy. They’re slashing out petrochemicals and sulfates, hunting for cleaner ingredients, and tapping into green manufacturing tricks.
Spotlight on Allies of Skin
- Founded in 2016 with just three wonders.
- Grew to 25 carefully curated items that stand out for being cruelty‑free and climate‑smart.
- Products are “supercharged” – it’s power‑up without the junk.
The Purposeful Skincare by Allies (PSA) Line
Launch in 2020, the PSA drop had a biocompatible kick with formulas that actually work, plus fresh, fun packaging that vibes with younger buyers. Think playful names and youth‑centric styles that keep the trend‑setting teenage crowd glued.
Gen Z’s Idealism: A Win for the Planet
Those same vocal, hopeful Gen Z attitudes bring fresh lenses on the future. Their demands for change are already nudging beauty industry practices toward greener, kinder choices—and they’re just getting started.
Only the future will tell what other bold moves these digital natives spark. But for now, we’re impressed by the quiet, brilliant shift we’re seeing.
Originally published in Harper’s Bazaar Singapore
