Radiant. Grounded. Unrehearsed. Despite life in the spotlight, Selena Gomez is making more mindful strides to protect her light. “I try and stay off the Internet and social media as much as possible. I love that it connects me to fans directly and that part I love. Other than that, I try not to give it too much space in my life anymore. That is what works for me. I’ve always only been able to be myself and when I’ve tried anything that wasn’t authentic, I think it came off exactly as that,” reflects the multi-hyphenate in Vogue Singapore’s July/August ‘Breath’ issue.
Instead, Gomez has been channelling her time, energy and immense creativity into music, having recently released her third solo album and first Spanish EP; television, with a new comedy and another season of her cooking series coming up; and the colourful world of make-up—with the highly anticipated launch of Rare Beauty. An industry-redefining brand with a mission to break down toxic standards of perfection, Rare Beauty currently offers a collection of glow-boosting, colour-enhancing formulas that celebrate one’s unique features and self-expression. Beyond make-up, it is also a message and a movement that seeks to cultivate self-love, self-acceptance, diversity and mental well-being.
“My goal with Rare Beauty was to break down these unrealistic standards of beauty. I saw from personal experience how these impossible beauty standards were having such an effect on my mental health and I know a lot of people that felt the same way. Because of this, it was important to me that Rare Beauty could create a safe, welcoming space in beauty—and beyond—that supports the mental well-being of our community,” says Gomez.
To celebrate the launch of Rare Beauty across Asia Pacific—the brand launches in Sephora Singapore on 15 July and Australia in August—Gomez spent some quality time with Vogue for a stunning shoot lensed by Alique and styled by Patti Wilson. Here, the global sensation shines bright on the cover in a gleaming Noir Kei Ninomiya number and matching silver boots, before revealing different facets of her style, beauty and the season’s cosiest cuts and scintillating silhouettes inside.
We invite you to take a moment for yourself as you thumb through our July/August ‘Breath’ issue, taking a few slow, deep breaths in between our stories on healing, rejuvenation, mindfulness and great escapes. As editor-in-chief, Norman Tan puts it, “this is a safe space to dream”.
Editor-in-Chief: Norman Tan
Photographer: Alique
Fashion: Patti Wilson
Hair: Chris McMillian/Solo Artists using Drunk Elephant
Make-up: Hung Vanngo/The Wall Group using Rare Beauty
Manicure: Tom Bachik/A-Frame Agency using Essie
Photographer’s assistants: Jack Buster, Davey Clarke and Daniel Patrick
Digital technician: Steve Kay
Stylist’s assistant: Christina Corso, Zoe Heller, Patrick Lopaze and Hasmik Kourinian
Make-up assistant: Jayden Ho Pham
Producer: Gabe Hill
Casting: Jill Demling, Creative Casting Agency
Set design: Ali Gallagher
Set assistant: Zoran Radanovich
Production manager: Suzy Kang
Outfit: Noir Kei Ninomiya
Story: Dana Koh and Alli Sim
For the full cover story, pre-order your copy of the July/August ‘Breath’ issue of Vogue Singapore online now or pick it up on newsstands from 30 June 2021.
