Singer-songwriter and producer Alicia Keys, known for her stance on not wearing makeup, is collaborating with e.l.f. Beauty to launch a new “lifestyle beauty brand.”
The vegan, crᴜelty-free cosmetics company announced it will partner with the multi-Grammy Award winner to introduce a new product line next year.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Oakland-based brand revealed that Keys’ collection of “skin-loving, dermatologist-developed, crᴜelty-free products” will offer an “inclusive point of view” and an “authentic voice,” aiming to redefine beauty by emphasizing daily rituals and intentionality.
The company highlighted that the new line is a “culmination of Keys’ personal skincare journey and her commitment to spreading positivity.”
“This isn’t just another ‘celebrity beauty line,’” said e.l.f’s head of corporate communications, Melinda Fried, quoting the company’s chairman and CEO Tarang Amin. “Alicia is more than an icon; she’s an inspiration.
“In her music, interviews, editorials, and her (new book), she has openly discussed her skin struggles, the pressures of societal beauty standards, and her journey to self-acceptance. Through this new venture, she aims to help others find their own peace and power.”
Keys, who joined the CNN Heroes campaign, announced in 2016 her decision to wear little to no makeup in public to challenge unrealistic beauty standards.
Reflecting on her early career in Lena Dunham’s Lenny newsletter in 2016, the “A Woman’s Worth” singer shared how the industry affected her self-esteem.
“I remember when I first entered the public eye. Everyone had opinions. ‘She’s too hard, acts like a boy, must be gаy, should be more feminine!’ But I was just being myself, a girl from New York.
“I felt like I wasn’t good enough as I was,” she wrote.
A 2016 makeup-free photo shoot empowered Keys, marking the beginning of her new image. In her Lenny essay, she described the shoot as the “most empowered, free, and honestly beautiful” she’d ever felt. She has since appeared on red carpets and on “The Voice,” where she’s a judge, with minimal makeup.
Known for its affordability, e.l.f. has not yet disclosed the specific products in Keys’ line, but Fried mentioned it will cover multiple beauty categories and that Keys has been actively involved in the creative process. More details, including the brand nаme, will be announced in the coming months.
“Together we are envisioning a new path in beauty,” added e.l.f.’s chief marketing officer, Kory Marchisotto. “The world is now seeking a vision that goes beyond skin deep.”