Selena Gomez penned a letter in the New York Times to her Rare Beauty team as they prioritized reducing stigmas around mental health and beauty standards since launching in 2020.
“I want to thank you for all your hard work in making the brand such a beloved part of our community. None of it would have been possible without you,” Gomez, 29, wrote in a full-page letter published in the Sunday New York Times to her Rare Beauty team.
The Revelación singer says she was inspired over the holidays to praise her team for making an impact and building community, as well “prioritizing mental health in the workplace” and “developing an amazing line of vegan, cruelty-free products for all to feel good in.”
Gomez has long been vocal about her own personal struggles with mental health issues, which she says were exacerbated by her obsession with social media, particularly Instagram.
Through Rare Beauty, Gomes says she’s aimed to help reposition the beauty dialogue, particularly around self acceptance and “embracing your uniqueness,” she wrote, calling it something that has been “desperately needed in the beauty space.” The brand now boasts more than 200 products sold in Sephora stores across the globe.
“The heart of this brand is in recognizing that we’re not meant to look a certain way, and that we’re all unique and different and that’s something that should be celebrated,” Gomez wrote.
Despite the comprehensive range of products in the Rare Beauty line, Gomez went makeup-free in a video with a copy of the letter in the Times. It’s part of her own personal journey to reduce dependence on social platforms and the beauty standards they promote.
“I knew when I founded the brand that we would need to win over skeptics who doubted our commitment to deliver great products with an authentic mission,” Gomez said. “But with all your hard work and dedication, I believe we have proven that we are building a brand that will deliver on our promise.”
Gomez launched Rare Beauty in 2020, joining a growing roster of celebrities in the vegan beauty space. The brand has been led by its mission to provide mental health resources to underserved communities, a service provided by the Rare Impact Fund. According to Gomez, sales of Rare Beauty helped the brand donate $1.2 million to eight grant recipients.
The brand also launched the #MentalHealth101 campaign which works with philanthropies to raise awareness about mental health issues in schools. It raised more than $400,000 to date.
Wondermind
Last year, Gomez launched Wondermind along with her mother, Mandy Teefey, and Daniella Pierson. The platform aims to be a hub for supporting mental health. Gomez was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2020. Her mother struggles with ADHD.
“I want there to be a place of people coming together and understanding that they’re not alone,” Gomez said in a promotional video about the platform.
Covid lockdown was part of the reason for the launch. “It’s not easy for anyone to be walking through what we’re walking through. It’s not normal, and it’s affecting people, specifically with mental health, and people who could have never thought about things they’re thinking about now. And it’s really confusing,” Gomez said during a 2020 press event.
“Being vulnerable and seeking help is one of the most terrifying things in the world,” Gomez said. “It requires much courage and bravery.”
Content on the Wondermind site will include journaling exercises, public discussions, and a podcast covering mental health issues.
Rare Beauty will continue to support mental health causes. And Gomez says the work that’s been done by the Rare Beauty team is no small feat, especially during the pandemic.
“If you’re wondering why you’re seeing this letter in the New York Times, it’s because I wanted to give your accomplishments the platform they deserve,” she wrote.