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When I first heard about Fenty Beauty by Rihanna I probably looked/sounded like I was losing my mind. I sent my husband a text so excited (because you know how much men care about makeup) and went on about the promised range of foundation shades, how beautiful the packaging was probably going to be….. he’s like “cool, what’s for dinner”. Bless his heart.
Luckily due to a gift card hoarding situation I was able to pick up a few must haves from the line to play around with and review. There are hits, misses and more beauty lemmings to be had. I went ahead and enabled myself with this one!
what is it
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna isn’t just another random beauty line with a celebrity name slapped on it. Rihanna is actually the creator of the line. With trademarks secured by Rihanna and her team in 2014 Fenty Beauty didn’t happen overnight, which to me is reassuring because it gives the impression that there was a lot of thought put into the details. In this day and age, that’s incredibly important. There’s a lot of people to answer to even without social media being involved! Now, in partnership with LVMH-owned Kendo Brands (think Sephora, Marc Jacobs Beauty, Kat Von D) Rihanna signed a 10 million dollar deal (source) to launch the brand in September of 2017.
Fenty Beauty was created with the intent of making skin look perfect, not covered. The shade range is on point from extremely light to extremely deep. There are other lines out there with 40 shades of foundation, but very few reach as far as Fenty Beauty. I hope to see other brands see this launch and work harder at making sure that all skintones are covered and not just the ones that they feel are most common.
Rihanna was inspired to create Fenty Beauty after years of experimenting with the best-of-the-best in beauty—and still seeing a void in the industry for products that performed across all skin types and tones. She launched a makeup line “so that women everywhere would be included,” focusing on a wide range of traditionally hard-to-match skin tones, creating formulas that work for all skin types, and pinpointing universal shades. – from the Fenty Beauty website.
the products
Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer ($32.00). This primer is said to be a “shine-stopping, pore-diffusing primer that smooths the way for better foundation application and longer wear with an instant retouch effect”.
I try to never start off a collection review with a negative but this primer is not for me. I was shiny within minutes of applying the foundation over-top of the primer and within the next half-hour the oil and shine showing through was almost exaggerated rather than played down. This primer did help the foundation apply nicely and kept any dry patches from showing through, but because I’m so oily it ended up ruining the end result of my look almost immediately.
I think that if you’re someone who isn’t super oily and maybe has a normal-to-combo or dry skin type this primer would likely work well for you while you’re wearing the Fenty Beauty Soft Matte Longwear Foundation. PLMK in the comments if you have that skin type and have tried both products together!
Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation ($34.00). This foundation is said to be a “soft matte, long-wear foundation with buildable, medium to full coverage, in a boundary-breaking range of shades”. 40 shades are available and using the Sephora IQ I was able to purchase my exact shade in 230 (medium skin neutral undertones).
I applied this foundation using my favorite Sigma 3DHD brush. I love this brush because it allows my foundation to apply perfectly, gets into all of the areas PLUS it applies every foundation at it’s fullest coverage. I found this particular foundation to definitely be a medium coverage (less than Estee Lauder Double Wear but more than most others I’ve tried). When used with the right primer it lasts all day long with very little shine breaking through. When the shine does break through it’s easy to blot away without worrying that you’ll remove the face makeup.
When you blend this foundation you’ll need to note that it does dry down a bit darker than it applies, so swatching it on your hand and thinking “yeah that looks right” isn’t going to be a good idea this time. I don’t feel that it’s “oxidizing” but it isn’t the same shade on my face as it is when I swatch. When I swatched I thought “darn, this is WAY too light” but once I tried it and it was set, the color was perfect.
To find my perfect primer for this foundation I went through several tried-and-true products as well as a few new ones. As stated above it did not work for me using the Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer. I tried it next with a current, new fave Dr. Brant Pores No More Pore Refiner Primer and liked the result, though there was some dry spots showing. I received the Too Faced Primed & Peachy Cooling Matte Perfecting Primer as a sample freebie with my order so I gave that a go and liked the finish on that even more. It wasn’t dry in the least but it also didn’t allow for shine breakthrough until later in the day. On the same order as the Fenty Beauty I also bought the Cover FX Mattifying Primer with Anti-Acne Treatment so I gave that a go also. It’s a freaking LOVE with this foundation. There is a bit of an issue with some dry spots but they weren’t as bad as with the Dr. Brant. I haven’t yet tried it out with my Double Wear, but if it works as well with that this might be my new fave, knocking out the MUFE Step 1 Matte Primer. (note: I didn’t try the MUFE Primer with this foundation because I’ve noticed with other foundations listed as matte the primer tends to break apart the foundation on my nose and cheeks for a less than flawless look)

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer & Soft Matte Longwear Foundation Swatches + Review on OILY skin
Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter ($34.00). These highlighters are said to be “weightless, long-wear cream-to-powder hybrid highlighters in solos and expertly paired duos”. There are 6 shades available and I bought Ginger Binge/Moscow Mule. I’m not crazy, girl… I wanted them for eyeshadows!
Ginger Binge/Moscow Mule is decribed as a soft copper sheen/supercharged copper shimmer. These were gorgeous on the eyes. I did a look using this duo and also used the MAC In the Flesh Palette. It paired up nicely and worked well with the brands formula. The colors lasted all day on my eyes when worn over primer. I wasn’t in the market for adding an actual highlighter to my collection but based on my experience with this duo I’ve now got my eye on Mean Money/Hu$tla Baby.

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Ginger Binge/Moscow Mule Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter & Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer Swatches
Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer ($18.00). This gloss is described as the “ultimate, gotta-have-it lip gloss with explosive shine that feels as good as it looks—in one universal rose nude shade”.
There are just no words for my love for this lip gloss. It’s definitely shiny, not sticky at all and glossy enough to make it look like your lips are plumped. The gloss is so shiny that it looks thick but doesn’t feel thick (read: goopy). It actually wears longer than a usual gloss does on me also. There’s a light scent to the gloss but it’s not incredibly overpowering or noticeable.
FACE: Too Faced Primed & Peachy Cooling Matte Perfecting Primer, Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation, IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye Concealing Pot, Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser, Estee Lauder Double Wear Powder, Urban Decay Velvetizer, Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Blush.
EYES: Smashbox 24 Hour Photo Finish Shadow Primer, Anastasia Subculture Palette (shades used: Mercury, Adorn & Electric), Charlotte Tilbury Bar of Gold Highlighter (inner part of the eye socket), Benefit High Brow, MAC Added Goodness Fluidline, Chanel Horizon Style Yeux, IT Cosmetics Superhero Mascara.
BROWS: Benefit Gimme Brow, Benefit Precisely My Brow, Benefit 3D Brow Tones.
LIPS: Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer
final thoughts
Of all of the things get you some of that gloss. It may seem so basic but when you put it on you’ll just be mind-blown over it. It’s pricey, but not so much so that you can’t justify it. Based on my experience with the above products I’m still intrigued enough to try more from Fenty Beauty. I’m hoping in the future we see some awesome eyeliners (that waterline like a dream) and some kick-butt eyeshadow palettes… and I’m definitely picking up a highlighter!
availability
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna is available exclusively at Sephora and fentybeauty.com.
I just recently got color matched at Sephora, and the Fenty beauty 190 was the perfect match and the first one that popped up. I need to try this foundation with the too faced primer. I have both and haven’t paired the Fenty with a primer yet because I wanted to see how it would work with just my skin.
Some people say it’s good without a primer. I need one to keep my oil down no matter what =(
Your FOTD – gorgeous! Unbelievably there isn’t a match for my skintone using Sephora IQ (I have hardly any matches ever). But since you mention it dries down darker, I wonder if a lighter shade would work – am so happy there are shades with cool undertones, although I seem to have neutral undertones, neutrals lean yellow on me. This is one I’ll probably have to try out in store. I haven’t tried the Two Faced primer but it looks very interesting, my HG has been NARS Pore and Shine Control primer. I am oily within 1-2 hrs of foundation application, that’s with primer, setting powder and setting spray.
Thank you! I don’t believe I had a direct match either but I did go one lower on the IQ and had a match there. I also got a shade even lighter than that as a free sample at checkout. The NARS Primer didn’t work for me at all =( I bought it when it came out and it didn’t do me any favors.
I was actually eyeing the gloss! I haven’t gone over everything in the line to see if there’s anything else I want… but I want a gloss and a foundation so far!
Your makeup looks stunning – I’m loving it. This collections is very chic, the highlighting palettes in particular look really lovely x
Thank you!
Anything in this collection calls me. An easy pass for sure xx
Carolina recently posted..Sephora Holiday 2017: Eye Sets
I kind of want that highlighter for eyeshadow!
As soon as I saw the teaser photo on the Fenty Beauty Twitter I was like… yassss eyes!
I totally need the Subculture palette. I love what you did with it.
Polarbelle recently posted..LORAC Unzipped Desert Sunset And Ocean Sunset Palette Swatches and Review
Thank you! It’s become one of my favorite palettes!
and so I came to your review again….it’s like makeup crack….I think I’ll need the highlighter and the coverFx primer!
Polarbelle recently posted..LORAC Unzipped Desert Sunset And Ocean Sunset Palette Swatches and Review
I was really impressed with that primer. It was wonderful!
I don’t think the matte foundation is for me, but I would like to try a few other items. I love, love, love what you did with your eyes! Stunning!
Cindy recently posted..Fashion Flash End of Summer Edition
Thank you!
I rarely go to the mall and I don’t want to order Fenty online. I’m torn between wanting and fearing. Your eyes are to die for here. I absolutely adore how you did your eye makeup!
MarciaF recently posted..The secret is out – you need Mirenesse Secret Weapon Supreme 24Hr Mascara
Thank you!! Subculture has really been a wonderful palette to get me out of my comfort zone! At least with the Fenty if you order online you can always send it back if you don’t like anything.
I haven’t been excited for this launch, but seeing your post I am kinda curious. I’ll probably go play with it at Sephora and maybe splurge on something.
I’m hoping my Sephora got the line so I can play with the highlighters. I think I know which one I want but still… fun to play. And try not to buy them all lol
Wow, Brooke, your skin looks like perfection in that foundation! I have super dry skin so I am disappointed that this foundation probably won’t work for me. If I have time tomorrow when I’m in Boston, I will try to stop in at Sephora and look at the line. Truth be told, the 40 shades of foundation was the hook and since it won’t work for me, I don’t feel the need to get anything. The highlighters that you bought at extremely pretty but if I buy another highlighter I’ll have to find a new house.
Never Say Die Beauty recently posted..Fashion Flash End of Summer 2017 Edition
lol thank you! There’s definitely some editing there but the foundation does do a nice job none-the-less! Make sure you use the right primer for dry skin and REALLY exfoliate & moisturize to give the foundation it’s best chance.
great post girl!! very informative! i love the foundation and gloss ?
Thank you!
I’m impatiently waiting for my Fenty Beauty foundation and highlighter to come today (I got Mean Money/Hu$tla Baby). I really enjoyed how the sample of the foundation wore on me so I’m hoping I get the same results with the full size. If she comes out with lip products next, I’m so down
Mai recently posted..Catrice Luminous Lips Lipsticks – Swatches and Review
That’s the highlighter I have my eye on! It looks gorgeous!
I haven’t tried anything from the line. I’ve seen some mixed reviews. I saw the highlighters in store and they were much bigger than I expected. Your eyeshadow in the picture is beautiful!!
Thank you! I think if you get anything get the gloss. The powder highlighters (from what I can tell) seem to all be wonderful also. The foundation is going to be a love or hate just depending on your skin type and the primer you’re pairing it with. I wouldn’t recommend it at all to anyone who is dry.