Fenty Beauty’s Darker Foundation Shades Are Still Sold Out But I’m Okay With It

It’s been a little over a month since Rihanna’s new cosmetic line, Fenty Beauty launched and yet it’s still very much a big part of today’s beauty conversation. This is in large part due to the fact that it deeply resonates with women of color – especially when it comes to the line’s most sold out product, the Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation, which comes in 40 gorgeous shades to match every skin tone. The fact that a majority of the dark shades are still sold out in most Sephora stores and online, is just a testament to how important this brand really is for WOC everywhere.

Fenty Beauty officially launched in early September and I still haven’t managed to find the Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation in my shade. Not because it doesn’t exist – but because it’s been sold out since the debut. Sephora stores haven’t been able to keep Fenty Beauty’s darker shades in stock for weeks. The second they come back – they sell out ASAP.

The first time I tried the Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation, I fell in love. I was originally overwhelmed by the bountiful amount of shade options. There were so many shades in the tan family, it took a few tries before I finally figured out my perfect shade, which wound up being “330,” designed for tan skin with yellow undertones just like me. The color went on like second skin and the texture was amazing. Finally a foundation that covers even the peskiest dark spots but doesn’t feel like clay on my face and won’t break me out. In fact, the oil-free formula actually absorbs excess oils and leaves your face with a flawless finish. Seriously, where has this been my entire life?

Photo: Courtesy of Johanna Ferreira

But after finding my perfect match, I realized the shade was completely sold out. I checked several Sephora stores throughout the city and even signed up for Sephora.com to email me a notification once the shade came back in stock. But nada so far.

Photo: Courtesy of Johanna Ferreira

I grew frustrated and asked a Sephora employee to give me a sample of my shade – they do this by the way. Fortunately, the foundation covers enough where I don’t have to use a lot of the sample and still have a quite a bit left over but it’s obviously not the same. The good news is when I finally get to purchase the product – I know I’ll be satisfied. As someone who normally sticks to BB creams and tinted moisturizers, it’s hard for me to find a liquid foundation that won’t break out my oily, acne-prone skin. Fenty Beauty’s Filt’r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation has been that foundation.

Photo: Courtesy of Johanna Ferreira

But as frustrated as I am to still not own a full size bottle of this beauty goodness, a part of me can’t help but be happy about all this. As a brown-skinned Latina, I’m used to seeing beauty brands only offering a few dark shades starting with tan and maybe three darker shades at most.  A majority of my darker skinned black and Latina friends have expressed their frustration to me in not always finding their foundation match when it comes to certain brands. When asked why they don’t offer a larger range of shade options, certain beauty brands have gone on to claim that darker shades don’t sell but Fenty has clearly proved that to be BS.

For centuries, women of color have been forced to give into Eurocentric beauty standards. We have been told that the “whiter” we look, the more beautiful we will be. But over the years we have recognized that to be far from the truth. Our brown skin, our ethnic features, our textured hair is actually what makes us uniquely beautiful. Therefore, to find a brand that finally recognizes that and the importance of providing a diverse range of 40 shades – is not just impressive – but very personal to all of us.

If waiting a few more weeks for my shade to come back in stock means that more women of color get to finally find a high-quality foundation that actually matches their skin tone – then I’ll take it!