New Zealand embraces a unique make up of identities and stories where one size definitely does not fit all. It’s a place of diverse skin tones and types, each one beautiful in its own unique way, and contributing to New Zealand’s rich cultural tapestry. In celebration of this, Maybelline New York has recently extended its Fit Me Foundation range to 32 shades, highlighting that no matter your skin tone, there’s a shade to fit you. Maybelline looked to eight Kiwis paving their own future, showing us that they don’t need to fit in with the world; the world needs to fit them.
Check out the campaign video here.
I AM UFITIA SAGAPOLUTELE, I AM SHADE 310.
“For me, dancing is a way of expressing who I am. I’ve grown up surrounded by creative influences who inspire me every day to keep doing what I’m doing.”
New Zealand-born Ufitia (or Tia, for short) is proud of her Samoan heritage, even penning a dissertation about her cultural identity by way of choreographic exploration last year. Born and raised in South Auckland, Ufitia has grown up on the stage, and uses dance to express her emotions and her Samoan roots. Ufitia explains how dance provides a creative space for people to express themselves as they are, in a way that they may not be able to do with words.
I AM GEE GEE, I AM SHADE 322.
“I refuse to be anything other than my authentic self. I define who I am. I define my own self-value. I make my own rules to live by. I am me”. Unapologetically himself, Gee Pikinga has carved out a unique space in New Zealand’s makeup artistry scene as Maybelline New York’s New Zealand Makeup Director. No look is off limits for Gee – one glance at his OTT Instagram feed and it’s apparent that high-saturation colour, glitter and exaggerated winged eyeliner set him apart as a true creative. Gee furthers his passion as a tutor at Auckland’s Cut Above Academy, and was also tapped to work on the inaugural season of Project Runway New Zealand in 2018.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
I AM TESS, I AM SHADE 118.
“Singing is how I express myself, that’s when I’m at home, that’s when you really get to know me.”
Music clearly runs in the family for Tessa McDell – her older sister Jamie broke into the New Zealand music scene seven years ago. Tessa juggles her role as Kiwi synth-pop band Chores’ lead vocalist, and pursuing her solo music career.
The electronic artist dropped her first solo track; ‘Wait’ with Kings in 2017, introducing Kiwis to her moody, unique sound.
I AM SABBY, I AM SHADE 330.
“I am very open about who I am, what I like and what I stand for. I enjoy sharing all of this on my social channels with posts challenging cultural issues, beauty standards and societal pressures.”
Social media maven, model and actress Sabby Jey isn’t shy of being in front of the camera.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.The New Zealand-born, Sri Lankan Tamil starred in a South Indian film, and has been a strong advocate for the ‘Dark Is Beautiful’ campaign, which seeks to empower women from Asian countries with darker skin and discourage skin lightening.
I AM SHAQ, I AM SHADE 120.
“You don’t have to be anything to anyone. You don’t owe anything to anyone. Show up for yourself first. Be deliberate; be on purpose, the rest will fall into place.”
Where others zig, she zags.
Shaki Wasasala (or Shaq) is a talented DJ and music producer, who works behind-the-scenes with fellow Kiwi hip hop artist, Jess B.
She’s not afraid to dye her eyebrows green or wear a full fishnet body stocking in public, and encourages others to go boldly by embracing all the things that make them unique.
Shaq is a passionate advocate for creating spaces of empowerment, particularly for QTPOC communities, where no matter how you identify, you feel respected and valued.
WE ARE LEXXA, WE ARE SHADE 118.
“We’re obviously very similar, but we’re very different as well. The world would be very boring if everyone was the same,” says Maude. Twin sisters Maude and Julia Morris make up LEXXA, a Kiwi synth-pop band carving a unique name for themselves both here and overseas. They’ve opened for the likes of Julia Deans, Openside and Elemeno P, and dropped their first track ‘I Got Better Friends Now’ in 2018. It seemed like fate that the sister duo made their foray into music, after all it’s in their blood: their late father Ian Morris was a musician, producer, and recording engineer and their mum, Kim Willoughby, was in the band When The Cats Away.
I AM STEPH, I AM SHADE 220.
I AM STEPH, I AM SHADE 220 “My mission is to inspire women to explore more, know more, live more. I do this by sharing my truth every day.” She’s watched rockets launched at NASA, mined gems in underground Sri Lankan caves and travelled the world alone on a student budget. It’s a lifestyle that law student Stephanie Lai always dreamed of, and one that sees her jet set her way around the world as a travel writer and vlogger. Stephanie’s days are jam-packed and always changing, meaning she needs a foundation that can last as long as her ever-changing itinerary.
With backgrounds and lifestyles as diverse as their cultural heritage, these talented Kiwis found their foundation fit with Maybelline’s Fit Me Matte & Poreless foundation range. Perfectly suited to normal or oily skin, the lightweight, non-comedogenic foundation seeks to mattify skin and refine the appearance of pores, while leaving a natural, seamless finish.
Discover Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless foundation, RRP$24.99, from Farmers selected pharmacies and selected supermarkets nationwide, or online at Farmers.co.nz/maybelline
