Both Pat McGrath Labs and Fenty Beauty are high-end makeup brands that offer a wide range of products with a focus on quality and innovation. Pat McGrath Labs is known for its luxurious packaging and high pigmentation, while Fenty Beauty is celebrated for its inclusivity, cruelty-free status, and more accessible pricing. The choice between the two depends on individual preferences, budget, and ethical considerations.
| Attribute | Pat McGrath Labs | Fenty Beauty |
|---|---|---|
| Product Range | Offers a wide range of products, including eyeshadows, lipsticks, foundations, concealers, mascaras, highlighters, and more. | Offers a wide range of products including eyeshadows, lipsticks, foundations, skincare, and hair care. |
| Pigmentation Quality | Known for highly pigmented eyeshadows and lipsticks. Eyeshadow palettes are known for their vibrant and intense color payoff. Lipsticks deliver full opacity with a single swipe. | Known for loaded pigments and freestyle formulas. |
| Longevity and Wear Time | The LiquiLUST Legendary Wear Matte Lipstick is designed to last up to 12 hours. The Legendary Longwear Lip Liner is designed to stay in place for up to 8 hours. Eyeshadows also have phenomenal lasting power. | Pro Filt'r foundation is celebrated for its long-lasting wear. Soft'Lit foundation lasts for 8-10 hours. Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint can last for over 8 hours. Icon Velvet Liquid Lipstick lasts through a whole day of eating and drinking. Stunna Lip Paint is long-lasting, even through eating and drinking. Gloss Bomb Stix can lock in moisture for up to eight hours, but needs reapplication after blotting lips or drinking. |
| Packaging Design and Luxury Appeal | Known for its artistic and luxurious packaging. The packaging often includes unique details, like retro paper envelope/folder designs. | Clean lines, a sleek appearance, and often incorporates metallics, geometric shapes, and minimalist design. Aims to convey both luxury and accessibility. Uses simple, elegant, and distinctive product themes centered around the brand name. Lightweight package that is easy to carry. |
| Color Range and Inclusivity | Strives for inclusivity by offering a diverse range of shades for various skin tones. The Sublime Perfection Foundation is available in 36 shades with an equal distribution across light to deep skin tones. | Known for its inclusive shade ranges, particularly for foundation. Launched with 40 foundation shades and has expanded to 50. Offers an impressive selection of shades that caters to a diverse audience. |
| Skin Compatibility (Sensitive Skin, Acne-Prone) | The Skin Fetish: Sublime Perfection Primer is designed to hydrate and smooth the skin. No specific information about products causing irritation or breakouts on sensitive skin. | Soft'Lit Naturally Luminous Hydrating Longwear Foundation is available in 50 shades for all skin types. Product pages should be consulted for information about irritation or breakouts on sensitive skin. |
| Texture and Blendability | Eyeshadows are known for their creamy, soft texture and extreme blendability. MatteTrance lipsticks have a creamy, lightweight, and smoothing texture. | Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint is a lightweight formula designed to blur imperfections, provide a natural skin-like finish, and melt easily into the skin. Freestyle Cream Blushes are described as melting easily into the skin. Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint blends well. Fenty Beauty cream blush and bronzer blend together super well. Gloss Bomb Stix have a balmier finish. Stunna Lip Paint has a matte formula. Eaze Drop Blur + Smooth Tint Stick is a lightweight formula. |
| Price Point and Value for Money | A high-end luxury brand with a premium price tag. Many believe the high-quality formulas, innovative products, and vivid pigmentation justify the investment. | Considered a luxury brand, but with prices lower than competitors. Foundations range from $36 to $40. |
| Brand Reputation and Hype | Pat McGrath is a legendary makeup artist, and her brand is highly respected and sought after in the beauty industry. Known for its innovative formulas and trend-setting designs. | Gained popularity for its inclusivity and high-quality products. Rihanna's involvement and the brand's focus on diversity have significantly contributed to its reputation. |
| Availability and Accessibility | Available at major retailers like Sephora and Ulta Beauty. Also available online. | Available in over 30 countries through online stores and physical retail locations. Sold at Sephora, Ulta Beauty, and Harvey Nichols. |
| Cruelty-Free Status | Not certified cruelty-free by organizations like Leaping Bunny or PETA. While the brand states they do not test on animals, there is uncertainty regarding their suppliers and third parties. | A cruelty-free brand. They do not test their products or ingredients on animals, nor do they allow suppliers or third parties to conduct testing on their behalf. |
| Ingredient Quality and Formulation | Prides itself on using high-quality ingredients and innovative formulations. Some products previously contained PFAS, but the brand is reformulating to remove them. | Emphasizes high-quality formulations. Fenty Skin and Fenty Hair are fully vegan lines. Products are formulated without gluten-derived ingredients and are paraben-free and phthalate-free. Claims their mica is ethically sourced without child labor and is committed to only using natural mica from mines that comply with human rights and labor standards. |