It feels like not a day goes by without a celebrity launching their own beauty line. There’s Miranda Kerr’s Kora Organics, Kim Kardashian’s SKNN, and Kylie Jenner’s Kylie Cosmetics – among many others.
However, out of the bazillion brands out there, two major stars of the show that are usually put up against each other are Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty and Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty. Below, we’ve put together a cheat sheet for both beauty brands, including their best-sellers’ pros and cons, and who they’re good for.
Launched in September 2020, Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty has won the hearts of millions of makeup fanatics for its carefully curated and beautifully designed products. The pigmented and long lasting liquid blush, creamy matte lipstick that doesn’t dry out your lips, and lightweight foundation that comes in 48 shades – the list goes on.
The brand, however, isn’t just about creating good makeup. In fact, 1% of all sales goes to support the mental health of underprivileged people under The Rare Impact Fund. That way, those who purchase products from Rare Beauty can do good and feel it too.
Rare Beauty products are said to have a dewy and natural finish. Below, we dissect the pros and cons of three Rare Beauty best-selling products: Soft Pinch Liquid Blush, Positive Light Liquid Luminizer, and Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil. Plus, reviews and recommendations from real users.
Pros: A silky and lightweight cream blush that doesn’t drip or bleed. The blush is highly pigmented so a small amount dabbed on your cheeks will go a long way. And the best part is, it comes in both dewy and matte shades for those who’d prefer a shine-free finish.
Cons: Some colours tend to be out of stock fast. The liquid formula also dries in less than 10 seconds after applying so you’ll need to blend it out as soon as it touches your skin. Else, it’ll be difficult to spread.
Pros: Non-greasy formula that’s extremely radiant and will lend your skin an electric glow.
Cons: It can be too dewy if you haven’t used a doe-foot applicator before and overdo it.
Pros: Subtle tint of colour that doesn’t dry out your lips or appear oily. The formula leaves a stain on your lips that can last for the whole day.
Cons: Some people might not be a fan of the minty-tingly feeling when they first apply the lip oil.
Overall, Rare Beauty is suitable for those looking to achieve a more natural look and have warmer skin tones that are easily matched to makeup.
The review: “Rare Beauty formula is lightweight and pigmented. It also dries pretty quickly as soon as you apply it to your skin so you’ll need to blend immediately. In terms of shades, a lot of Rare Beauty products seem to suit warmer skin tones. Overall, Rare Beauty makeup gives off a more natural and cutesy look.” – Tammy, a Rare Beauty user.
Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty was dropped in 2017 to much fanfare. The makeup line, which was created to promote inclusivity, broke the Internet with its 40 shades of foundation. Here are three Fenty Beauty best-sellers: Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation, Gloss Bomb Heat Universal Lip Luminizer + Plumper, and Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint. Plus, their pros and cons.
Pros: It delivers a matte but glowy finish and lasts for as long as you do. This full-coverage foundation comes in 40 shades so you know there’s definitely one for you out there.
Cons: At $63 per bottle, the foundation ain’t cheap.
Pros: The lip gloss plumps and moisturises your lips at the same time. Thanks to the Plump Job Complex in the formula, Gloss Bomb Heat is able to give you pouty lips without costing a bomb.
Cons: You’re required to reapply the lip gloss every few hours since the effect is not long lasting. It’s also pretty sheer. On top of that, the gloss has a candy scent so strong you can almost taste it.
Pros: The skin tint is lightweight and buildable. It comes in 25 shades that can match a variety of skin tones, blurs redness and pigmentation, smoothens rough texture, and won’t clog pores. It’s the ultimate no-makeup makeup.
Cons: Since it’s not very moisturising, those with dry skin might need to use a moisturiser prior to applying the skin tint for easier blending.
With a wide selection of shades, Fenty Beauty works well for those with in-between skin tones who find it hard to colour match. Fenty foundations and skin tints also lean towards the matte side in case you have oily or combination skin, or are simply after a no-shine finish.
The review: “Fenty Beauty caters to people with darker skin tones who’d prefer full coverage and matte finish. Its formula tends to be drier than that of Rare Beauty so you might find it extra drying when using Fenty Beauty products. That said, if your evening calls for a glam look that’s required to last for the entire night, Fenty Beauty is your best bet.” – Wan Qian, a Fenty fanatic.
Truth be told, there’s no winner in the battle between Rare Beauty and Fenty Beauty. Both makeup lines have a slew of best-sellers with their own set of pros and cons. At the end of the day, it boils down to the user’s skin type, tone, and texture to decide which brand works best for them.
Plus, you can always rely on TikTok to score some viral recommendations from beauty influencers. You know, in case you’re torn between the brands.
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