When multi-talented superstar Rihanna announced her beauty line, to say that I was excited would be a major understatement. I counted the days until the collection would be released, and was more so delighted that it would be available in Ireland without the country having to wait longer than our US or UK counterparts.

Fenty Beauty hit shelves in September 2017, and boasted not only a range of boundary-breaking foundations, eyeshadow and highlighters, but also primers, lipstick, and palettes too. The beauty line is also 100% cruelty free, and is very affordable, which has been extremely popular among both Riri fans and makeup enthusiasts.

Rihanna proudly showcased the foundation to the world, that caters to women (and men) of all skin tones, while some of her packaging has unique magnetised features to them, alongside capsule collections, mesmerizing glitter pieces and bold colours. Today’s blog post is one of the first beauty reviews I’ve written in a while, covering two of the products from the Fenty Beauty line.

The Product: Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation

As a product, the Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation sure made waves after Rihanna unveiled its vast variety of shades, that makeup brands have definitely been missing out on. It promises a soft matte finish that is buildable with a medium to full coverage, delivering a long wear and instantly smooth, pore-diffused, and shine-free skin. Its oil-free formula is made with climate-adaptive technology that apparently is resistant to both sweat and humidity, and won’t clog pores either. There are four different categories to the foundations, (Light, Medium, Tan and Deep), resulting in an impressive 40 shades available.

Foundation is one of those areas in the beauty industry that has a big void for women at extreme ends of the shade spectrum. There’s this middle ground that’s covered really, really well. But then if you’re very pale or if you’re very dark, there aren’t a lot of options. And so, I wanted to make sure that women of all skin tones were covered so they could be included in what I created. – Rihanna

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation, €32 (exclusively available at Harvey Nichols, Dundrum)

The Verdict: Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Foundation – 5/5

When I first visited the Harvey Nichols store in Dundrum Town Centre, I had no idea I’d be leaving with a Fenty Beauty foundation. But oh am I glad I did! Admittedly, it took the beauty artist in store a little while to find the correct shade, but with 40 different ones to choose from it’s very forgiving. My shade of the Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation is 300, the “lightest” of the Tan category of the foundations.

On my first application at home, I was positively surprised at how pigmented the foundation is. With an undertone of yellow, the shade matches my natural tan skin tone very nicely, giving my complexion a more evened out finish. It really does blend very easily, I used my Chanel Foundation Spiral Makeup Brush, and I genuinely have only needed one pump or less. As aforementioned, the foundation is buildable and starts by giving a light to medium coverage. Personally this is my desired look and I would only apply one layer, however if you prefer a fuller look apply to your heart’s content!

I am extremely impressed by this foundation, it leaves me with a soft matte finish that lasts all day and all night long – exactly what it says on the tin! Plus, on days when I don’t feel like wearing a full face of makeup, I apply two tiny drops into my morning moisturizer and voila – instant colour! Considering the product is only €32 and it’s associated with a top celebrity, it’s extremely great value and I can see my bottle lasting me a long, long time.

Before and After

The Product: Fenty Beauty Match Stix Shimmer Skinstick

Another big product that Riri is very proud of is the shimmering version of the Match Stix. These multi-purpose makeup sticks promise a long wear, light-as-air shimmer formula that let’s you highlight, blush, and bronze to your heart’s content. Buildable and blendable, the cream-to-powder formula is weightless and apparently it LIVES to be layered, delivering a sheen shine to the skin. Match Stix Shimmer Skinstick is also available in 10 colourful shades, from low-key tangerine sheen to all-out violet iridescence.

I like to look at these Shimmer Skinsticks like I look at my clothes in the closet. Am I doing fun? Am I doing alien? Am I doing weird? Am I doing sexy? Am I doing extra? Am I doing girl next door? You choose. The point is, there are so many and they’re so fun. You can just collect them, magnetize them and use them as you please depending on your mood, your outfit and where you’re going, the occasion. – Rihanna

Fenty Beauty Match Stix Shimmer Skinstick, €25 (exclusively available at Harvey Nichols, Dundrum)

The Verdict: Fenty Beauty Match Stix Shimmer Skinstick Highlighter – 5/5

I will admit, that when it comes to highlighter (or bronzer and blusher), I have only started using it on a daily basis in the past few months. As a fashion blogger, people assume you use every product type on the market, but my makeup confidence has bloomed much later than others, therefore I’m only delving right in as of late. When exploring Fenty Beauty that fateful day in Harvey Nichols Dundrum, I did have a gander and fell in love with the Match Stix Shimmer Skinstick in Trippin’ and cheekily added it to my wish list. Luckily for me, my Dad had wrapped it up for me under the Christmas tree!

I love the magnetised design of this, in that dusty pink bullet, that compliments the shade I got. Described as a “gold-glazed apricot”, this shimmering shade has soft flecks of gold throughout, with a pinky-orange hue base that suits my natural skin tone perfectly. A twist-top style of product, the highlighter glides onto the skin, without pulling the skin as you apply, and starts off with light coverage.

Its pigmentation is subtle at the beginning, but as it’s buildable, once you layer it on it becomes more obvious, more daring and definitely more noticeable. Due to it also being a cream-to-powder formula, this means it won’t go everywhere or spill in your makeup bag or drawer. Plus, the magnetized design of the casing means you can collect as many shades as you like (or need) and never lose one, because they’ll stick to one another like glue! Just like the foundation, the price point of Match Stix is of great value, and knowing me it’s going to last years.

Nirina xx

Images © Nirina Plunkett, Fenty Beauty