Fenty Beauty, the globally renowned beauty brand founded by Rihanna officially launched in Guyana on Saturday, bringing its wide range of beauty and skincare products directly to local consumers for the first time.
The milestone launch was spearheaded by Glamour Beauty, Guyana’s premier retail chain founded by Varsha Sharma. Despite inclement weather, scores of eager customers turned out at Glamour Beauty’s MovieTowne location to celebrate the long-anticipated arrival.
Sharma revealed that the launch came one year after securing a contract with Fenty Beauty, marking a significant achievement for the local beauty industry and underscoring Guyana’s readiness to meet international standards.
Customers exploring the wide variety of products. (Photo: Davin Ramnarine)
“This launch proves that Guyana is no longer on the sidelines of beauty. We’re part of it now… we’re not just launching a brand. We’re making a statement that Guyana is ready. That we deserve global brands and that we can deliver world class experiences right here at home,” Sharma said.
Varsha Sharma, the founder of Glamour Beauty. (Photo: Davin Ramnarine)
Sharma collaborated with Miami-based beauty distributor Essence Corp which is executing the brand’s expansion in the Caribbean. It had not previously been available in the Caribbean, where superstar Rihanna is recognized as a cultural ambassador for her home country of Barbados and throughout the region. Guyana joins more than ten Caribbean territories in retailing the products.
Kimberly Layne, the Regional Retail and Training Manager for Fenty Beauty is part of the team that has worked directly with the Glamour team to ensure the rollout met brand’s global standards.
The strong demand for the brand, which has been especially designed for inclusivity to appeal to as wide a range of skin tones as possible, has been evident with multiple local influencers advocating for its availability in Guyana.
Saturday’s launch featured live product testing, with several professional makeup artists on-site to offer shade matching and personalised recommendations. Some customers, many already familiar with the brand, came with specific requests, eager to try out cult-favourite items.
Matthew Jeffrey, a customer said this launch provides high-end products that he excited to ‘spend a bag’ on.
“Its like knowing that Fenty is here, means I can venture off into my skincare here and makeup… persons do sell skincare and makeup here [locally] but it’s mostly drugstore makeup so knowing that I can get it from the store [is great],” Jeffrey said.
Makeup professional, Susan Ibrahim assists a customer with makeup matching during the launch. (Photo: Davin Ramnarine)
Customers can now purchase products directly, eliminating extra costs associated with overseas shipping and ensuring timely access to new releases as they become available globally.
Chontelle Sewett, local makeup artist and influencer pose with a Fenty Beauty lipgloss. (Photo: Davin Ramnarine)
Chantelle Sewett, a local makeup artist and influencer, who has years of experience in the beauty industry, said this is no ordinary brand launch, it is a shift in the country’s beauty market.
“I’m ecstatic, I’m speaking from a makeup artist perspective, it’s a huge deal. It’s big for our country, the fact that we are being recognised,” she said.
