Rihanna, though always flawless, looks particularly stunning gracing the cover of Vogue's June issue this year. Styled by Tonne Goodman and photographed by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, Rihanna's gorgeous headshot is truly captivating. It is inside the magazine, however, where the rockstar reminds us all of just how beautiful she is. While curled up in a plush bathrobe in her suite in the Four Seasons in Paris, Rihanna opens up to talk about her new cosmetic and lingerie line, body positivity, and her mental health in this June's issue of Vogue.
Inclusive cosmetics
Rihanna has already made a splash in the world of cosmetics with her new brand Fenty beauty that she developed in collaboration with Kendo last September.
In just 40 days an unprecedented $100 million in sales was made, selling out fast and racking up a waiting list that spans months. It is not surprising to see why when the brand offers 40 different shades of foundation, assuring everyone will find their nude. Whether someone is porcelain white or the richest dark, Fenty Beauty has you covered. The brand has sparked a well overdue conversation in the cosmetic industry regarding the large chunk of shades missing from the skin tone spectrum in existing products and brands.
"As a black woman, I could not live with myself if I didn’t do that," Rihanna commented on the issue in her interview in Vogue. What the VMA winner and cosmetic CEO was surprised about was not necessarily the immense success of the makeup line, but the emotional response it invoked. Finding someone's exact complexion on the shelf for many people was something that meant more than Rihanna had anticipated.
Now, Rihanna is turning her beauty line into a fashion empire with a key focus on inclusion and keeping that same body positivity. Her new lingerie line Savage X Fenty, launching May 11. The nude underwear and bras are keeping with Fenty Beauty cosmetics and offering a wide range of colors to fit your nude.
Furthermore, the clothing line is for all shapes and sizes. "I accept all of the bodies,” Rihanna said in her interview with a shrug of her shoulders. “I’m not built like a Victoria’s Secret girl, and I still feel very beautiful and confident in my lingerie.”
New lingerie line
The name of the new lingerie line was strategically chosen for what the word means to Rihanna. "Savage is really about taking complete ownership of how you feel and the choices you make. Basically making sure everybody knows the ball is in your court,” she told Vogue.
Having been in the spotlight since she was a teenager, Rihanna is used to internet trolls and constantly being criticized. The Grammy winner has also dealt with her own fluctuations in weight and is no stranger to body shaming.
With Savage X Fenty, she hopes to spread body positivity in the inclusion of all shapes and sizes for the real women out there that don't conform to the models they see airbrushed on billboards and plastered over Instagram.
“As women, we’re looked at as the needy ones, the naggy ones, the ones who are going to be heartbroken in a relationship. Savage is just the reverse," Rihanna continued with regards to the brand's name. Savage seems to be the moto for 2018 according to Rihanna.
Personal time
Speaking of taking back ownership, that's just what Rihanna has decided to do with regards to herself. Having turned 30 this past February, Rihanna has decided to put herself first and take care of her needs, both mental and physical.
Instead of partying until the early hours of the morning on her birthday, Rihanna is taking a break and giving herself personal time.
"I used to feel guilty about taking personal time," Rihanna admitted to Vogue. For reportedly the first time in years, the pop culture icon is set on maintaining a healthy work-life balance. This includes unplugging herself and being away from her phone if need be. "That has been key for my growth,” she said in her interview. She had reportedly been going nonstop, keeping her acting career, vocal career, and beauty-turned-fashion empire running. It all caught up with her recently and she's realized a change in lifestyle is necessary. Now she'll be carving out that Rih time and taking a breather. "I’m glad I’m taking the time," Rihanna reported. "I’m happy.”
We're happy for you, Rih Rih. Keep slaying and stay savage.