SZA Debuts Long-Awaited Lip Products After Super Bowl Tease

Grammy-winning artist SZA has officially unveiled her secretive beauty brand after months of subtle hints, including a stealth preview during her February Super Bowl halftime performance with Kendrick Lamar. The new venture, aptly named “Not Beauty,” launches with three lip glosses that the singer has reportedly been perfecting for years while secretly testing them during major public appearances.

“Not Beauty wasn’t about me trying to enter the beauty market, it’s about me filling a need,” SZA explained in a statement announcing the launch. “It’s about me needing something that lasted as long as my show, as long as my conversation, as long as my date.” This practical approach reflects the singer’s admission that while she may not consider herself a beauty expert, she has developed specific expertise in lip products through years of personal experimentation.

According to People, the 35-year-old artist’s initial collection features three carefully formulated lip glosses priced at $23 each: “In the Flesh” (a nude shade), “Strawberry Jelly” (a pink tint), and “Quartz” (a clear gloss). The products boast a non-sticky formula designed to provide long-lasting shine and moisture – qualities the singer found lacking in existing products despite her extensive search.

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From Super Bowl Secret to Tour Exclusive

The launch reveals that SZA has been conducting a months-long stealth marketing campaign, with the glosses making unannounced appearances during high-profile events. “Every time that you’ve ever seen me with any sort of color recently, I am 100% wearing Not Beauty lip gloss,” the singer confirmed to Vogue, noting that her Super Bowl performance in February served as an under-the-radar debut.

Initially, the products will be available exclusively through pop-up stores at U.S. stops on SZA and Kendrick Lamar’s Grand National Tour, which kicks off April 19. These pop-ups will be accessible to all fans regardless of concert ticket status, creating broad accessibility despite the limited distribution model. The company has not yet announced plans for retail partnerships or online availability beyond tour locations.

This unconventional distribution strategy aligns with the singer’s stated desire to build an authentic brand rather than simply leveraging her celebrity status. The approach also creates urgency among fans eager to secure products that have become a signature element of the artist’s look in recent appearances.

The Meaning Behind “Not Beauty”

The brand’s distinctive name reflects SZA’s philosophical approach to both business and life. When questioned about the seemingly counterintuitive title for a beauty brand, the singer explained that it serves as “a reminder of: Don’t try to be these other brands, don’t try to be anything,” emphasizing her commitment to authenticity over imitation.

“Don’t just make a random celebrity brand just because you can,” she added. “My whole life is about being pressure-free but still trying your best, and that’s what Not is about.” This authentic approach appears to resonate with her broader artistic philosophy, which has consistently prioritized genuine expression over commercial formulas.

The brand’s packaging further reflects this nature-inspired aesthetic, described in promotional materials as drawing inspiration from “wood textures, plants, insects, and bold natural hues – blending bushcraft inspiration with a touch of femininity.” This distinctive visual identity sets it apart from typical celebrity beauty offerings, which often favor more glamorous or minimalist packaging approaches.

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Clean Beauty Credentials Amid Industry Scrutiny

Beyond its distinctive formulation and packaging, Not Beauty enters the market with significant clean beauty credentials at a time when consumers increasingly scrutinize ingredient lists. According to Glamour, the debut products meet Sephora’s clean beauty standards while being cruelty-free, gluten-free, and vegan – specifications that address growing consumer demands for ethical and health-conscious beauty options.

These formulation choices position the brand for potential wider retail distribution in the future, should SZA choose to expand beyond the initial tour-exclusive model. The Sephora clean standards reference in particular suggests possible future retail partnerships, though the company has not confirmed specific expansion plans beyond the tour pop-ups.

For fans unable to attend tour dates, the brand has established a website where interested customers can register for updates. Meanwhile, social media has already begun flooding with reactions from followers excited about finally accessing the “lip combo” that has become a signature element of the singer’s recent appearances, from music videos to award shows.

As SZA prepares to begin her tour with Kendrick Lamar, the strategic timing of this launch creates additional momentum for what was already one of the year’s most anticipated concert events, while giving fans something tangible to bring home beyond the concert experience itself.

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