Fenty unveiled at Fontana

Fun, flirty, and simply fabulous were just a few of the words Living heard from attendees describing how they felt the moment the doors to Fontana Waterloo opened for the Fenty Beauty, Skin and Eau De Parfum launch in St Andrew on Thursday morning. After weeks of anticipation, sparked by an official confirmation from beauty mogul and Bajan popstar Rihanna on social media last month, influencers, content creators, make-up artists, and self-care lovers marked their calendars to experience the launch of the cosmetics and skincare brand up close and personal.

“This is Fenty on fifty!” Trinidadian Angelique Beaubrun said, referencing her age and her full face of make-up as she reapplied her Fenty Icon Velvet Liquid Lipstick. “I love how Fenty caters to such a wide variety of shades and people, and oh gosh, I’m such a Fenty girl!”

While Rihanna wasn’t physically present, fans of Fenty and her signature fierce style were still eager to snap photos and try out the products. For many, this wasn’t their first encounter with the brand —most had already tried the beauty line — but the real excitement came from knowing that a wide range of Fenty favourites, including skincare, were now available locally for hands-on testing and shopping.

If you have ever visited the beauty section of Fontana Waterloo, you will notice that the space has been expanded, now featuring larger-than-life images of Rihanna and sleek, branded display cases showcasing Fenty Beauty, Skin, and Fragrance. A particularly noteworthy section highlighted the impressive array of foundation shades Fenty is famous for. For any self-care or beauty lover, this upgrade feels like a kid walking into a candy store. Unveiled just in time for the launch, Orá by Fontana is the pharmacy chain’s new luxury beauty space designed to house high-end make-up, skincare, and fragrance brands.

Speaking on how this is a huge step for Jamaica, especially when it comes to access and creativity, celebrity fashion stylist Neko Kelly, better known as Bootleg Rocstar, says he is glad that make-up artists, fans, and lovers of Rihanna can now just jump in their cars and head to Fontana. “For a country that I feel like has been a big part of Rihanna’s branding and her aesthetic and music, I’m glad she came back to the Caribbean and gave back in the best way that she could.”

HIGH-END PRODUCTS

Building on the excitement surrounding Fenty’s arrival in Jamaica, YouTuber and make-up artist Sue-Ann ‘Petite-Sue’ Gordon-Pitter said that when she first heard the news, she was excited Jamaicans would have quicker access to high-end products. While she is familiar with the beauty side of the brand, Gordon-Pitter is looking forward to diving more into Fenty Skin.

“My make-up kit is packed with Fenty. Their products are something that I have in my routines. However, I want to tap more into the skincare element, so being here today, I want to get a better idea of the products offered and really want to try the cleanser and the Fat Water,” she explained.

One of the main highlights of the launch was a classic Fenty face demonstrated by Kimberley Layne, Fenty education manager for the Caribbean, on YardMas Carnival band model Nelly Modest. The demo showcased how a full face could be achieved with just a few products.

Skin prepping with Fenty Skin products, Layne quoted one of Rihanna’s frequent phrases: “Good skin is the way to good make-up.” The goal was to achieve a skin-like finish, starting with a shade match, followed by the We’re Even Hydrating Longwear Concealer, one of the first make-up products from the Fenty Beauty line. Using the 180 Fenty concealer brush, Layne explained, “The brush is angled perfectly for blending out under the eyes.”

The look was completed with Fenty Match Stix for contour and colour in the shade Ebony, Invisimatte Instant Setting + Blotting Powder, and a lip combo of the Trace’d Out Longwear Waterproof Pencil Lip Liner and Gloss Bomb Stix High-Shine Gloss Stick in Blaz’d Donut. The Hella Thicc Volumising Mascara added the finishing touch.

Following the discussion of “blush blindness”— a term popular on TikTok that describes when too much blush is applied — Living asked Layne for her thoughts on the best way to apply blush, particularly on darker skin tones.

“It’s always easier to start at a deeper shade and tap the excess off from the brush. Starting from the outer part of your face and working your way inwards as opposed to starting on the cheeks.”

As the conversation moved to tips for beginners, Kym Watt, a make-up artist, shared her go-to Fenty products for a minimalist look.

“For me, it’s all about a great base, so any one of the foundations is a start. I’m a liquid foundation kind of girl. Then Diamond Bomb All-Over Highlighter for that glow, and you can’t go wrong with a nice plump, juicy lip — Gloss Bomb of your choice and Hella Thicc Mascara to tie it together.”

Fenty Beauty, Skin and Fragrance, will be taking over Fontana Fairview next for the second launch on Saturday morning.

rollesha.laing@gleanerjm.com