Sam Fine + Fashion Fair. What Are Your Thoughts?

Beauty/Makeup/Pop Culture

August 26, 2011

36 COMMENTS

Makeup lovers have been buzzing this week over the big news — venerable cosmetics brand Fashion Fair has hired legendary makeup artist Sam Fine to be their creative makeup director.

Photo above and info below via WWD:

“Fashion Fair Cosmetics has appointed celebrity makeup artist Sam Fine as its creative makeup director. The Chicago-based prestige cosmetics brand for women of color is tapping Fine, a 20-year industry veteran, to bring his experience with the fashion editorial world, global beauty brands and celebrities to Fashion Fair’s consumers. Fine will also advise on the creation of new products and, in 2012, Fashion Fair will unveil Sam Fine for Fashion Fair trend collections.”

I literally gasped and clutched at pearls I wasn’t even wearing when I read the news. Fresh life hs been brought to the Fashion Fair brand and I’m truly excited to see what this brings. I hope this brings big, exciting change for Fashion Fair, for the beauty scene in Chicago, and for we, the consumers.

I hope that Sam truly gets to execute his vision as he sees it, because I KNOW whatever it is, it’s an awesome vision. I’m psyched to see some true innovation coming from a brand that has been a favorite in my family through the generations.

When I think Fashion Fair, I think of classic cosmetics. Those beautiful vintage ads. Pink marbled packaging. Vantex. I also think of a very finite range of colors in terms of eye and lip cosmetics. So I hope this means Fashion Fair steps up and truly becomes a brand that younger women of color can look to as a trendsetter at the department store counters.

I hope to see the brand stepping away from the traditional coppers and browns and bronzes and moving towards some truly HOT new shades of eye and lip colors. I’m hoping to see lighter blends of foundation in a wider range of shades. I’m expecting awesomeness. And I am SUPER excited for Sam, because he is just all around a great guy.

What do you think, bellas? What do you hope to see from the new Sam Fine for Fashion Fair collections?

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Tagged With: cosmetics, makeup

COMMENTS

LaToya says:

August 26, 2011, 7:11 am

I was looking at the fashion fair website just last week. I was VERY dissapointed with the selection. Where are the VIBRANT colors! I didn't want anything loud and crazy just more choices. The color choices now are very limited. I'm glad they are bringing in Mr. Fine. I hope he shakes things up a bit.

Reesa says:

August 26, 2011, 7:44 am

I've had no success with the Fashion Fair brand. So, I am super excited to know that they are bringing in Sam Fine. I just love his work....he's so talented!! I have high hopes that he will liven things up and give FF new life!

PoetrysTruth says:

August 26, 2011, 7:50 am

I haven't worn FF in over 20yrs. They were just too oily and heavy for my skin. The packaging was horrible and didn't appeal to me either. I hope Mr. Fine is able to bring some magic to the brand. He's going to have to really wow me to get me to leave my MAC, MUFE, NARS, and Urban Decay. Just speaking my truth

Hosea Johnson says:

August 26, 2011, 8:14 am

Sam Fine is a class act and knows adding him to Fashion Fair is a positive.

Ronni says:

August 26, 2011, 8:17 am

I love Sam Fine. I hope he can bring FF back from the brink. I have Sam's makeup book and love it! Good luck competing with MAC. They have a heavy black following.

Verania says:

August 26, 2011, 8:25 am

Excited about Sam Fine's appointment to Fashion Fair. Sam's creativity, vision and expertise will breath new life into the Fashion Fair cosmetic line. As a former Fashion fair client...open to see what wonderful options Sam will bring to the brand!

Robin C. says:

August 26, 2011, 8:26 am

Fashion Fair has made an excellent choice in selecting Mr. Sam Fine as Creative Makeup Director. Mr. Fine has the both the talent & vision to return Fashion Fair back into the innovative, trendsetting cosmetics company it started out as.

Vivianne Dane says:

August 26, 2011, 8:28 am

I am certainly looking forward to the Fashion Fair brand becoming comparable to the likes of other mega brands. I have witnessed how Mr. Fine has mentioned that he likes to use Black Opal in his kit on twitter...his followers and their followers flock to the local pharmacies to buy up each and every shade of stick foundation for women of color. Sam accomplished several things: however minimal the sales of Black Opal rose slightly, he deepened his r'ship with his followers by showing them a cost effective way to stock their kit and produce amazing makeup and lastly. Fashion Fair is barely surviving and with Sam Fine as a life line this company can recover and compete in the makeup market. I foresee Sam providing everyday women, pro MUAs, aspiring MUAs, beauty bloggers and MU junkies with jolts of color, revamped foundation formulas and sleek packaging. If and only if he has complete creative reign.

Lee says:

August 26, 2011, 8:35 am

I think this is a great move for Fashion Fair and long overdue. My mom bought me a lipgloss recently from FF that is actually quite good, and I would buy again. Otherwise, I havent worn anything from FF in years . They will need a serious marketing push to break into the younger market but with Sam Fine onboard they will at least get a second look. This is exciting news for the brand.

RevealingBeaute says:

August 26, 2011, 8:54 am

I was extremely excited when I read the news. It has been a few years since I've used any FF products but I am very excited to see what's next for the brand. I believe that it is a smart move and great results will come from it. I'm excited to see how Sam merges the gap between industry professionals and consumers (young and old). FF has been around for years, and with the addition of Sam Fine, they will continue to rise.

Mahalia says:

August 26, 2011, 9:01 am

I'm proud of Mr.Sam. Always will be. This man wow's me when painting with anything. I'm sure what he brings will be amazing. It's a matter of how soon. I've been waiting for a line from him. Now that I know it's close I am gonna be tracking down FF in WA state since it isn't carried in my mall anymore.

Marquita says:

August 26, 2011, 9:02 am

I believe this will be a breakthrough for many makeup artist. Sam Fine being appointed Creative Director will open up the door for many new artist like myself. I am so proud and excited for Mr. Fine.

Julie says:

August 26, 2011, 9:18 am

I too was excited to learn that Sam Fine was named as Creative Director of Fashion Fair. I had the pleasure of interviewing him for my blog. Fashion Fair is dated - it needs a makeover.

Mykel Smith says:

August 26, 2011, 10:01 am

I love SAM known him for years he is so what they need right now. I grew up loving everything about Fashion Fair . Sam and I both are from Chicago so I can't wait..

Curvy CEO says:

August 26, 2011, 10:05 am

I have to admit, Fashion Fair is one of those brands that, when I see it in the department store I think, "They still make that?" I hope that Sam's new partnership with them does, indeed, reignite the brand - both in terms of name recognition and quality. I have only vague memories of my mom trying to use it in the 80s but not having much success because she is "redbone" and couldn't find colors in the collection that worked for her. Also, I do recall the texture of the makeup being really . . . cakey.

Ava says:

August 26, 2011, 10:38 am

How exciting! And just in time as other brands have and are expanding their color ranges. Lancome just expanded their foundation range to include darker colors, Chanel will do the same next month, and a couple of the blogs just announced that NARS will has expanded their concealer range to include lighter and darker colors. MAC is already there, of course.

Dana Gibbs says:

August 26, 2011, 11:23 am

Sam is the prefect person to upgrade them and bring them a younger new customers. I use to love FF back in the day when we did not have many options.

Sam Fine says:

August 26, 2011, 11:40 am

Thank you Patrice for such an engaging article! I appreciate every response! I'm humbled by each comment regarding my new position as Creative Makeup Director for Fashion Fair and look forward to the journey ahead! Sincerely, Sam Fine

Seleema Miller says:

August 26, 2011, 12:14 pm

This is wonderful news! My mom has been wearing Fashion Fair for over 20yrs now. I remember borrowing it from her and wearing it in high school. Definitely a classic, but, yes it does need some revamping. Brighter colors and such. No pressure Sam :-)

H. Grayson says:

August 26, 2011, 12:23 pm

Fashion Fair was one of the first and only ethnic makeup lines for many years. Its the "Genisis", "the beginning" for all the options we now have available. Not only is he taking on a new position but he is taking a position within a legacy. This is huge! I have absolutely no doubt that he will give this line an exquisite new face. VERY HAPPY for him and proud of him!

hehe says:

August 26, 2011, 12:26 pm

I'm excited too. I hope he can turn fashion fair around. It's ironic to me that a brand that caters to black women don't understand that we come in multiple undertones and that red base foundation isn't going to work for everyone. Also don't understand how a makeup that caters to black women with deep skin tone don't understand that brighter shades of blush actually looks good and can appear natural. Anyway I'm truly interested to see how Sam Fine is able to change Fashion Fair around.

Terez Mychelle says:

August 26, 2011, 12:55 pm

Kudos to the legendary Fashion Fair Cosmetics and Sam Fine !! Excellent choice when two branded legends get together to continue to inspire images of beauty and makeup ! This team simply put is BRILLIANT !!! I'm excited and remain to be inspired !!

SoFrolushes says:

August 26, 2011, 5:41 pm

I like their foundations. better matches for me than mac's 1 shade suits all. However since they stopped doing their free gifts with purchase and repackaged the products I dont see any reason to buy anything but foundation and maybe blush. Such a quality brand that could do with an upgrade. Sam fine will be great for them

Funmi says:

August 27, 2011, 1:19 am

I am so excited about this news!! I for one am a devoted fashion fair customer and this addition of Sam Fine will really bring life into Fashion Fair because Lord knows they sure could use a little more BAM!! in their products. Looking forward to what's behind the veil!!

Les says:

August 27, 2011, 6:11 am

I think Sam Fine will be great additiona to FF. FF was the first line of make up that I used.

LaTasha says:

August 27, 2011, 10:41 am

He can only help. Their line is seriously outdated and they need a major overhaul. I think they forgot that they no longer hold the market for black women beauty consumers.

crystal g. says:

August 28, 2011, 12:03 am

EXCITED! Fashioin Fair has been around for a while but i could never get with their makeup. I hope Sam Could turn their whole market around- maybe into a more Afroish Bobbi Brown or Mac... im just excited for him and the company!

Mickey says:

August 28, 2011, 9:45 am

Very interesting news! I will still buy FF occasionally, just because. I miss the gift w/purchase though. Looking forward to seeing how this will improve the presence of FF in dept stores again.

Dee Dee Russell says:

August 30, 2011, 6:39 am

It's a perfect fit and CONGRATULATIONS to Sam Fine for this great position. Fashion Fair was the first makeup line that I bought and I was very proud to be supporting a Black company. I see him bringing Fashion Fair back to it's glory days ... those bombastic gift-with-purchases... Pure Plum lipsticks, omg - and those teeny tiny spray perfume bottles! Sam Fine is gonna turn FF *out*! It is gonna rock so hard, I'm very happy about this, cause he can beat the face. I know his colors are going to be beautiful, I will go crazy with his nude collection... it is very exciting! And it must be said... I do think that FF will stay true to their core consumer and not pull a 'Carole's Daughter'

Sherry says:

August 31, 2011, 8:43 pm

Well, I just hope the powers that be at FF listen to Sam's advice and direction. I worked at Johnson Publishing Company back in the early 90s and I didn't like the snootiness and coldness toward temp office workers. Not to mention the office's decor/carpenting was still stuck in the 70s and it was time for an overhaul and Mr. Johnson & Mrs. Johnson were still alive and in charge and their daughter, Linda was just getting her feet wet into the business.

Goddess8281 says:

September 1, 2011, 1:43 am

This is definitely a breath of fresh air. I hope Mr. Fine can turn FF around. That line was created for US and it would sadden my heart to see it die.

Kezia says:

September 3, 2011, 11:45 pm

I know that Mr Fine will produce amazingness as Fashion Fairs' new Creative Director of Makeup! Love him!!! xo

lynn says:

September 6, 2011, 4:25 pm

I've been wearing Fashion Fair for over twenty years. I wore liquid, and cream to powder in the color tender. Now, I wear Fashion Fair's stick foundation in latte, which I believe is a new color. It doesn't have red in it, and it is fabulous. I am so excited to hear that Sam Fine is joining Fashion Fair.

Lisa says:

September 7, 2011, 10:41 am

I'm sure I'm like the majority of women in our 30s+ who haven't touched FF since MAC came on the scene. I think FF missed a HUGE opportunity by not updating their products when newer, fresher, trendier competition was on the horizon. Its sad when you walk past a FF counter and they have one or two customers and the NARS/MAC counter is buzzing with people waiting to throw our dollars down. Hopefully Sam Fine can give this dying brand some new energy and consumers. Good Luck:)

Anita says:

September 26, 2011, 10:07 am

I remember the first time I applied Fashion Fair to my face. It was June of 1974 and it was a hit for so long. I switched only when I couldn't find my shade and my lifestyle changed to healthier products. I hope that Fashion Fair jumps on the no parabens, healthier options band wagon and amps it up for applying makeup like MAC does!

Louise says:

December 3, 2011, 11:53 am

Mr. Fine, I am excited for the opportunity you have to take Fashion Fair to the next level. I am sure your skill and expertise will propel the Fashion Fair brand to the "Luxe" brand it should be. I am, however, disappointed for myself. While this admission will certainly date me, I will admit that I have been using Fashion Fair for the last 25 years. Fashion Fair Perfect Finish, oil free, Brown Blaze is/was the only formula that was able to provide the coverage I needed to deal with my particular skin issues. Being a loyal Fashion Fair customer, I have tried the products with their new formulas....they just do not work for me. Over the years I have tried almost every brand there is...and the old Brown Blaze was my best option. Why did the revamping of the formula change the way the product provided coverage?

Sam Fine + Fashion Fair. What Are Your Thoughts?

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