When Rihanna dropped the first Fenty ad video, we were all shook. Here we were, seeing models of all shapes, colors and sizes being united under one industry. It was just this week when Rihanna shook the world by dropping her latest makeup line, Fenty Beauty. Fenty Beauty is selling in stores, notable for its inventory of 40 shades that encompass the full diversity of shades ranging from albinism to the darkest of chocolates. Just in this short time, Rihanna has proved to us that darker shades are profitable and should be represented in the makeup industry.
“Black Girl Magic is a rallying call of recognition. Embedded in the everyday is a magnificence that is so easy to miss because we’re so mired in the struggle and what society says we are.” – Ava Duvernay
The dark Fenty Beauty foundation shades are sold out everywhere! This is for all the makeup brands who think the dark shades won't sell well pic.twitter.com/JDKddaMa5r
— Affinity Magazine (@TheAffinityMag) September 10, 2017
https://twitter.com/amir_ahhh/status/906863487149854720
With that being said, with all this success has come the need for Twitter “stans” to compare Beyonce’s Ivy Park to Fenty Beauty.
I'm confused at how Ivy Park and Fenty Beauty are even seen as competitors considering they're two completely different type of products
— kay. (@beyoncehatesme) September 8, 2017
imagine still comparing rihanna and beyonce in 2017 😬 https://t.co/ZBm7b5kfJo
— ᴅ (@danithakid) September 4, 2017
“I think I can inspire a lot of young women to be themselves and that is half the battle. Just be yourself, it’s the easiest thing to be. Black girls, we just on another level.” – Rihanna
There is no denying that people will stop at nothing to compare Beyoncé and Rihanna. It’s so toxic that we live in a society where Black women and girls don’t get the space to flourish together as queens. Black women have the ability to build an industry that not only represents them but sets a precedent and legacy for all the black girls and women in the future that this world is made for them. Fenty beauty may just be a makeup line, but it provided a space for women, especially dark-skinned women, to express themselves in an industry that doesn’t particularly love or accept them.
Beyoncé’s success and Rihanna’s success don’t have to be a competition, but rather a collective unit and space where Black women can be inspired and thrive off of. The success of the line shouldn’t be put down by the constant forced comparisons and competition between Black women. In the end, we can all be queens and prosper.
Chanel vs Chanel because these are both beautiful black women advocating for diversity and inclusive beauty. pic.twitter.com/5HyeBLtnai
— kay. (@beyoncehatesme) September 9, 2017
