Revolutionizing Red Lipstick: Fenty Beauty's Inclusive Approach

Rihanna has been seen wearing a red lip on many occasions. As such, it was no surprise when she decided to add it to her Fenty Beauty collection. Like all of the brand’s products, the lipstick is designed to be worn by women of all skin tones.

Fenty Beauty prides itself on boosting inclusivity in the world of beauty and when Rihanna launched the brand’s red lipstick line, she was making a groundbreaking move. While the product has gone on to have a significant cultural impact when it comes to all women, its effect is more pronounced when it comes to women of color.

As a product, Stunna lip paint is revolutionary in its own way. The lipstick is relatively long wearing thanks to its 12-hour hold. This lipstick doesn’t feather or flake – making it a low-maintenance option. This means that unless you have very dry lips, one quick swipe is all you need to give your lips that attractive red gloss.

Furthermore, the lipstick is so light that you might forget that it’s on your lips. Most importantly, the lipstick is suitable for all skin tones.

For many years red lipstick has been viewed in a negative light. For many women with darker skin tones, this lipstick color was a non-starter. As recently as the early 2000s, darker-skinned women were encouraged to try berry or plum lipstick colors by articles in women’s magazines. The same publications advised white women to try classic Revlon reds. In simpler terms, red lipstick was a preserve of white women.

For many years, darker-skinned women have been discouraged from wearing red lipstick. The underlying message was that the lips of Black women were meant to be played down. However, Fenty’s Stunna Lip Paint is working to overturn this message in a big way.

To say the least, Stunna Lip Paint is transformative. In the YouTube video that Rihanna used to show off the product, she transforms from a normal-looking relatable woman into her bad self in a few quick swipes. In the video, the fashion mogul first appears unkempt and barefaced – just like a regular girl would – before transforming in full view of the camera.

This demonstrates to all her fans – and especially women of color – that you can use this product to transform yourself into a rebel, someone unapologetic, in a matter of seconds. Simply put, the need to conform to restrictive norms should no longer hold you back.

Red lipstick continues to be the center of many unforgettable moments in fashion simply because history shows us that red lipstick is unapologetic, unpredictable, confrontational, assertive, and reckless. By availing a line of red lipstick that matches all skin tones and portraying it as a transformative and empowering choice, Fenty Beauty is impacting lipstick trends and driving cultural changes - especially when it comes to women of color.