Whipping out Fenty Beauty Invisimatte Setting Powder for a mid-performance touch-up (while already wearing a full face of Fenty products), Rihanna was a walking advert for her own brand. So, of course, I got the lot to see which products better have my money.
I’d dabbled in Fenty Beauty before — the Icon Velvet Liquid Lipstick, which lasts for hours on end, and Match Stix, which make contouring effortless — but I might well have been the only girl in the world yet to try the Pro Filt’r Foundation, Full Frontal Mascara and Cheeks Out Blush. All that changed when close to the entire collection (worth a staggering £434) landed on my doorstep.
Would I be asking these products where they had been all my life? Or would I be left disappointed? Keep reading to find out and see just how many Rihanna puns I can squeeze into one review.
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Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation, £32
One of the best things about Fenty Beauty is its impressive shade range. Currently sitting at 59 (and counting), almost everyone should be able to find a shade that suits them. It’s definitely worth making use of the shade-finding tool (it’s one of the best I’ve seen), lest you be left with an unnatural tone.
Once you’ve selected your shade, the foundation is incredibly easy to apply and a little goes a long way. It sits at the fuller coverage end of the spectrum with a soft matte finish, perfect for those who like a full face of makeup. And if you want it to stay, it will — for hours on end. But for someone like me who prefers a more natural-looking, dewy finish, it’s quite a bit heavier than I’m used to.
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation, $, available at Fenty Beauty
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Concealer, £22
Like the foundation, this concealer covers a huge range of shades. With a long, narrow, doe-foot applicator, it’s easy to use and covers even large areas. It sets rather fast, though, so be sure to buff it out quickly with your brush or sponge after the initial application.
While it feels weightless, it does offer a good amount of coverage over blemishes and redness. I have deep, dark under-eye bags, which it concealed quite well with just one swipe. But I’m not too sure that it lives up to its claim of being creaseproof, as I had to really blend it with a brush to achieve a clean, crease-free finish. It’s sweatproof, lasts all day and night and has a semi-matte finish. Full-face makeup lovers, you’ll want to jump for this.
Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Concealer, $, available at Fenty Beauty
Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush, £22
If I could wear only one beauty product for the rest of my life, it would be blush. I’ve tried countless and wear a few favourites on repeat, so I was incredibly excited to try this one. It’s easy to apply with your fingers, a brush or a sponge, and the colour payoff is pretty, punchy and perfect for all skin tones.
I went for Strawberry Drip, one of the brightest shades in the selection, and it instantly brightened up my face and blended effortlessly into the rest of my makeup — a must if you’re wearing a full face of foundation.
Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush, $, available at Fenty Beauty
Fenty Beauty Match Stix Contour Skinsticks, £25
If, like me, you have to watch ‘n’ learn different makeup tricks from TikTok, you’re sure to have seen these Fenty Match Stix. One of the easiest ways to apply colour to the face, they’re fast and fabulous, effortlessly swiping the shade onto the skin like a giant crayon.
This shade may look a little light for a contour stick but it actually works perfectly for lighter skin tones, contouring fast without leaving any obvious lines. It’s lightweight, creamy and has a much softer consistency than you might expect. It’s even good on its own, no foundation needed.
Fenty Beauty Match Stix Contour Skinsticks, $, available at Fenty Beauty
Fenty Beauty Icon Velvet Liquid Lipstick, £24
Let’s remember for a second that this brand was built by a performer and it really does deliver statement-making, stage-like makeup. If I had to choose my favourite Fenty Beauty product, the Liquid Lipstick is the one. Creamy, non-drying and delivering colour by the bucketload, it’s an easy win if you’re after an impactful look. You’ll certainly look like you’ve got the sauce when wearing it, and it lasts through a whole day of eating and drinking. Need I say more?
Fenty Beauty Icon Velvet Liquid Lipstick, $, available at Fenty Beauty
Fenty Beauty Full Frontal Volume, Lift & Curl Mascara, £23
This mascara got me feeling pretty. With a big, fluffy brush packed with bristles, it instantly separates each lash, lifting and lengthening without any clumps. I’m not a mascara lover but this has become one of my favourites and will be staying in my makeup bag. The deep black pigment coats each and every lash, leaving a lightweight layer that really makes an impact. Mascara fans, you need this.
Fenty Beauty Full Frontal Volume, Lift & Curl Mascara, $, available at Fenty Beauty
Fenty Beauty Flypencil Longwear Pencil Eyeliner, £19
As someone with perpetually sweaty hands (sexy, I know), holding a smooth, round eyeliner can be a recipe for disaster. So the triangular shape of Fenty Beauty’s offering was an instant relief. It’s easier to hold so you can get really close to the eye line, and has a strong black pigment with a great payoff. It’s also water-resistant, meaning it’s going nowhere until you take it off. There’s no need for a sharpener either, as it simply twists up. The product developers should take a bow with this one.
Fenty Beauty Flypencil Longwear Pencil Eyeliner In Cuz I’m Black, $, available at Fenty Beauty
Fenty Beauty Invisimatte Instant Setting & Blotting Powder, £25
This may be the most famous setting powder on the planet. For anyone who didn’t watch the Super Bowl halftime show, Rihanna brought this product out midway through her performance for a star-worthy touch-up. You don’t want your forehead shining bright like a diamond when the eyes of the world are on you, after all.
The light lavender shade works with any skin tone, instantly brightening the face while stamping out shine and excess oil. I prefer a dewy yet not sweaty-looking shine and this offered the perfect balance when applied to my forehead, chin and nose. If you’re after a fully matte finish, it can be worked across the entire face throughout the day, too.
Fenty Beauty Invisimatte Instant Setting & Blotting Powder, $, available at Fenty Beauty
Fenty Beauty Sun Stalk’r Instant Warmth Bronzer, £29
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