Allure’s Annual ‘Best of Beauty’ Special Issue Spotlights the Rare Selena Gomez
Allure’s September ‘Best of Beauty’ special issue features the actor, singer, and beauty mogul Selena Gomez. The Emmy- and Golden Globe-nominated star of Only Murders in the Building, celebrates five years since the founding of Rare Beauty and the entrance of the brand into a new fragrance category. In the cover story, Gomez discusses the challenges and achievements of her life, while looking ahead to the future (including her marriage to fiancé Benny Blanco).
Gomez also stars in a new Allure YouTube pilot called Best of Beauty Hotline. In it, her fans step into the Allure phone booth to ask questions to their favorite artist. Gomez answers them all – including sharing some tips for a fellow bride-to-be.
While celebrating her 170 Rare Beauty employees on the brand’s milestone:
I’m sorry that I decided to be an actor and a singer now, because I wish all of my time could be here.
On creating her brand’s first fragrance, fittingly called Rare:
(The fragrance packaging—like that of all the products in the Rare Beauty line—was designed with accessibility in mind. Instead of a removable cap, the new scent is dispensed via a wide button that can easily be switched from a locked to unlocked position, then gently pushed to trigger a spritz.)
I deal with a lot of [dexterity issues] myself, and it can get frustrating. Even just popping open a can can hurt… I know what that feels like. (Gomez is currently in remission from lupus.)
On whether timing (in a relationship) really is everything:
Definitely. I don’t think I would have been remotely mature enough… It’s weird to think that only five years ago I wouldn’t have been in the right place, but I’ve learned so many lessons [since then] that led me to being the best partner I could be for Benny (Blanco, Gomez’s music producer and fiancé). And I believe the same with him.
He’ll say, ‘Gosh, why did we waste so much time?’ And I always say, ‘You wouldn’t have liked me back then.’
On the “W-word:”
I have all my folders of inspiration (from scrolling through Pinterest) for the wedding, for cooking, for style… not sure what route we’re going to take. That’s the fun part of creating a life with someone, being able to pull inspiration and combine your view with theirs.
On big sistering 12-year-old Gracie:
My favorite part about her is that she wants nothing to do with my [other] job. I was so worried when I had a sister…I didn’t want anything to cloud her vision. But she’s such a kid being a kid. I didn’t get to do that. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, but I’m just glad she has a bit of a childhood.
On taking regular social media breaks:
I want to feel content in whatever position I’m at in my life, and I want to be present. Taking a break from social media helps do that for me. I finally feel like I’m in a place where I don’t need to be apologetic for every single thing that I do. I like that I am a little unaware of things happening, and that I’m not so blinded by all the fakeness of it.
On mental health care:
(Gomez tends to her own mental health through dialectical behavior therapy, DBT) I want to keep evolving and getting better in every area of my life. And I want to experience everything, so it’s important for me to keep myself in check. I’m so stoked that when an emotion pops up, I’m able to acknowledge it and be a part of it, then let it go.
I got stung by a person saying I was fat. Why is that [emotion] coming up? I’ve dealt with a lot of weight issues in my life. (Through DBT therapy tools), now I understand, that’s stemming from that one time when I was going through some medical stuff and I had gained weight…
I try to make people feel seen so they don’t feel what people say ‘crazy’ is. Oh, that really dark thought? I thought that. Those really high highs? I’ve had those.
Gomez’s Rare Beauty funnels 1% of gross sales into its philanthropic arm, the Rare Impact Fund, which allocates funds to nonprofits that provide mental health education and resources to young people.
Read Selena’s full interview with Allure’s Dianna Singh here