Opinion piece: Fenty Beauty vs Kylie Cosmetics. Which brand is actually making money?

New age cosmetic titans, Rihanna and Kylie Jenner, have both been revolutionizing the makeup game in recent years and my skin thanks them. Both strong and committed women dedicating their time to helping women slay on a day to day basis, doing the lords work I tell you. Both have companies that have been reaching the top steadily and inspiring women across the globe. When we take a closer look at both brands though; we are forced to ask, which is about to hit that Billi mark and reach the proverbial peak first?

Kylie’s cosmetics and beauty line which launched in 2015 has been raking it in at a steady pace over the last few years and continues to grow as her kits grow in range and availability. Kylie, having a hundred percent ownership of her brand which she got off the ground with Colourpop as a manufacturer on her own speaks volumes about her business mindset and well thought out plan for her brand and make up line. This allows her to have more say in where her products are placed and if she decides to venture out more she has the freedom to do so without anyone holding her back. A well thought out move from a young queen. Kylie’s highest numbers came in during 2016 where her site almost did $19,000,000.00 in sales proving that she has the same power play as Rihanna. Since her launch Kylie has improved her brand by catering to all skin tones and bringing more to the table as her company grew.

Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty line broke records when it dropped in 2017 and what a time it was. Coming through with a whopping 40 shades on its first launch this upped Riri’s ante tenfold against any cosmetic line, Fact. Time Magazine named Fenty Beauty one of 2017 Best Inventions of the year and they aint never lie. For a first timer to release such a vast range revolutionized the market and caused every other make-up brand to refocus their tactics. In just its first month, Fenty Beauty sales were reportedly FIVE times higher than those of Kylie’s. Wow. According to an article in Elite Daily, research shows that Fenty Beauty customers spend more on the product as a whole. Rihanna’s only downfall is that she doesn’t own her entire brand, but a company named Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton also known as LVMH holds ownership meaning it’ll restrict her ability to venture out beyond Sephora. Although Rihanna’s shares in Fenty Beauty haven’t been disclosed publically, it’s known that LVMH has the larger stake to it. Although Kylie might be getting richer and quicker through her smart moves, Rihanna’s sales are undeniably greater and raking it in for the star.

Rihanna’s distributer Sephora gains her more accesses around the world which aids her in longevity but don’t sleep on Kylie yet. Teaming up with Ulta, kylie’s brand will soon be reaching out globally as well and we’ll be seeing a match not only between Kylie and Rihanna but mega houses Sephora and Ulta. Both ladies are raking it up steadily and both of them are proving to be powerhouses that cannot be stopped. Although I see Rihanna making smart money moves and studying her craft before launching, which goes toward creating the longevity she needs to rival those of Chanel, Mac and Revlon; Kylie is young and learning as she goes, proving that she has more up her sleeve than we think. Either way both ladies are contributing to my slay game and we’ll just have to wait and see who joins the billi crew. Will Fenty Beauty out run Kylie to the billion man mark? Or will Kylie swish her way past Riri’s sales and pocket first? Let me know what you think in the comment section below: