If you know your beauty, chances are you’ll know Rabanne, having smelt or owned one of their blockbuster best-selling fragrances Million or Fame, but the latest arrival is Rabanne makeup. It's the dawn of a new era from the iconic '60s fashion house, formerly known as Paco Rabanne after the late great designer, with the launch of a playful, new, vegan makeup line, inspired by the freedom and self-expression of Gen Z. And we’re excited to be able to reveal the full lowdown on Rabanne makeup here exclusively.
We first heard rumour of exciting Rabanne makeup happenings last year, but we had to wait until Spring 2023 to set eyes on the new collection. We headed to the fashion atelier in Paris, a floor above Harris Reed’s Nina Ricci Atelier, to get a sneak peak of the new makeup, interestingly from the same parent company (Puig) as Charlotte Tilbury.
Inspired by the fabrics and metals that define the fashion collection, the products are imbued with a Gen Z spirit of playfulness and individuality. The textures range from matte to gloss, shimmer and glitter. They include metallic powders, shimmer sprays, creamy Colour Shots, and a Liquid Glitter and Shimmer shot, plus lipstick, balm, skin tint, mascara and eyeshadows all housed in sleek, metallic silver packaging.
“The idea is all the products can be mixed and layered allowing you to be your own MUA and create sheer or intense finishes,” says legendary makeup artist Diane Kendal, who worked on the range and creative imagery.
With so many exciting new products to try, the GLAMOUR beauty team couldn't resist slathering and spraying on the heroes from the range, in order to share with you our honest thoughts below…
Rabanne Fresh Touch Foundation, £37
Camilla Kay, GLAMOUR's Deputy Editor/European Beauty Director:
“Described as a light foundation and available in 39 shades (with warm, cool and neutral tones), I'd say it's verging on a skin tint that gives sheer but glow-y coverage. I went up a shade to create a sun-kissed glow, but what I really loved was the way it appears to dry matte on the skin, yet still maintains a really pretty, light reflective skin finish, while also allowing your skin texture to shine through. It's perfect for days when you want lightweight cover; if you prefer a little more coverage you'll need to wear alongside your concealer. I'm also wearing the Lovebalm in this pic, which is a yummy and somewhat addictive, hyaluronic acid and shea butter-infused balm in the pale pink hue Love Language. Another tick from me. ”
Rabanne Famous LipColor, £29
Denise Primbet, GLAMOUR's Beauty Commerce Writer:
“As a self-proclaimed lipstick connoisseur, I was beyond excited to try the new Rabanne lipstick. I opted for a bold red shade with a warm and almost orange-y undertone and found that it complemented my skin tone like a dream. The application was silky smooth and precise, thanks to the smaller bullet size, which allowed me to apply the lipstick on my bare lips (no lip liner needed). As someone who can’t get enough of matte lipsticks, I appreciated the soft blurred finish. The best part? No bleeding, creasing or dry patches whatsoever. It managed to perform well and withstand a whole 10-hour working day without budging. Plus, the sleek packaging and a magnetic cap definitely scored some extra points in my book.”
Rabanne Eyephoria Handbag Palette in No More Drama, £36
Fiona Embleton, GLAMOUR's Acting Associate Beauty Director:
“Eyeshadow is my ‘special occasions’ makeup that I reserve purely for nights out and friends’ weddings. So the first thing that struck me was how pleasingly slimline and lightweight the compact was – perfect for slipping into a small clutch. The shades inside – two matte, two shimmer – sing a particular siren song for me as they are my favourite combination of softly spoken nudes and latte makeup. I first buffed the matte peach shade from my lash line up to just below the brow bone to create a base for my eye look. I then used a small brush to circle the chocolate hue around my water line in lieu of eyeliner. The shimmer shades are surprisingly versatile, too. I loaded up my pinkie finger with the iridescent beige shade for a pop of brightness in the inner corners of my eyes, before piling the glossy coral high on the lids. For the final touch, I added a mixture of both shimmer eyeshadows to the tops of my cheekbones to pull the whole look together. The effect was actually prettier than my regular powder highlighter. Even though the texture is billed as a powder, these eyeshadows are so effortlessly creamy they almost have a gel-like consistency. They blend like a dream whether you use a brush or fingers and never tugged on the delicate skin around my eyes. All-importantly, after testing the longevity of these eyeshadows on a particularly humid day, I can also testify that they don’t bunch up in the crease after a few hours either. This palette is a keeper for me – I just wish it was refillable.”
Rabanne Shimmer Bomb, £27
Shei Mamona, GLAMOUR's Beauty Writer:
"The moment I saw these Rabanne products drop on the beauty desk I scrambled for the glitter. Packaged in an aluminium spray can – similar to the spray paint used for graffiti – this is what illuminator dreams are made of. I’m not really a highlighter girl; instead I opt for an all-over glow achieved pairing an epic skincare routine with a powder illuminator. Unlike liquid highlighters, which can get a little messy, this spray evenly distributed the product onto my skin with a few spritzes and was perfect for under makeup or top ups throughout the night. A little goes a long way, though – if you’re heavy handed, you might end up with too much glitter (yes, there is such a thing). So for the ultimate distribution and that coveted glow, I'm following this golden rule: hold the spray around 20cm away from the face to allow the product to disperse evenly. You can also massage it with your foundation or moisturiser for maximum luminosity. At £27, it's not the most affordable glow amplifier, but this luxurious product gives you a luxurious finish. Could this be my new party season bestie?"
Rabanne Famous Mascara, £27
Elle Turner, GLAMOUR's Beauty Editor:
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“This mascara was great for lengthening, the pigment was jet black and helped to add a good amount of definition. However, I struggled a little bit with separation on some lashes and found it trickier to unclump them with the wand than others I've tried. I was really excited by the top coat, but I have to confess it didn't really work for me. When I combed it through my lashes it was hard to get the glitter particles to stick and stay put. You can get some on there if you load your lashes using the end of the wand, but it means it's not evenly distributed. I love the concept, I just didn't find it the easiest to apply for the effect I wanted.”
The Rabanne makeup range is available in-store and online at Selfridges from 31st August. And an immersive brand pop-up will arrive in London's Covent Garden 14-18th September 11am-7pm.
