PARIS — Prada has signed its first global beauty ambassador — Bella Hadid — who will help introduce the first blush, Prada Touch, into the brand’s makeup collection this month.
The cheek and lip product opens a new chapter for Prada makeup. With a cream-to-powder texture, it has stackable, pocket-sized packaging shaped in Prada’s iconic triangle. The tactile formula is meant to allow for intuitive application and gives a blurred, soft matte powder finish. The blush of color lasts for up to 12 hours with no touch-ups necessary, according to the brand.
“What made me say ‘yes’ to this? For anybody working in fashion, this is a dream job,” said Hadid, who is a model, actress and entrepreneur. “Then on top of it, there’s being such a huge fan of Miuccia for so many years, and her just being such an idol to me.”
Hadid has gotten to speak with the designer. “It’s something out of a movie to see the way that Miuccia Prada works,” Hadid said. “For me to be able to be in her orbit at all is just incredible.”
So, too, is being Prada’s first beauty ambassador, she continued. Hadid underlined how much the Prada designers, both Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons, care about the brand’s makeup. Hadid called it beautiful and a big deal for her, as someone who loves being passionate about whatever she does.
Hadid described the Prada brand as “timeless.” “It’s a real ode to Miuccia — being able to keep something as classic as it’s been for so many years is important, but also the way that Prada has evolved into the modernized version of what fashion and beauty is, while keeping the brand DNA,” Hadid explained.
She said the Prada Touch cream-to-powder combination is “so Bella in so many ways, because I am a grab-and-go kind of girl. I always say I have my Mary Poppins bag.”
Prada Touch blush is stackable.
Courtesy of Prada Beauty
Of the blush compact, Hadid said: “When they are all linked together, I can open one, put it on my lips, my cheeks, my eyes, and I’m good to go. I feel really powerful knowing that I don’t need much to be able to feel comfortable and confident. This is my go-to.”
While doing her own “glam,” the one thing Hadid had struggled with in the past was putting blush on after makeup. “Because I’m not a powdery kind of girl,” Hadid said, adding she’d gotten blotches. “When I saw how these worked, I was like: ‘This is exactly what I’ve needed for the past year.’ It can sit on top of makeup, and I like to put it everywhere. Knowing I’m not going to mess anything up by overdoing it means a lot to me.”
For Prada Beauty, Hadid was a good fit. “Bella Hadid is a true icon — someone who effortlessly balances an avant-garde spirit with a deep sense of authenticity,” said Rosa Carriço, global president of Prada Beauty and Miu Miu Beauty, which are licensed to L’Oréal. “In her, we have found a partner who shares our passion for beauty and unrestricted creative experimentation, and we are excited to see her bring this spirit to life alongside the brand.”
Prada Touch comes in eight shades, from nude to mauve, with product names such as R68 Cherry, P75 Tulip and P76 Waterlily. Hadid is partial to B32 Caffe. “This is like the perfect color that I mix five different products to make,” Hadid said, explaining it gives a fresh, tanned look to cheeks, can be used as an eye shadow and for eye contouring.
Through her teens Hadid’s focus was on horseback riding. For prom, she used only black eyeliner. “I didn’t know much about makeup,” Hadid admitted.
Then from the age of 19, she worked with a makeup artist who taught her about contouring and colors, and how to bring out natural beauty. “Over the years, working with a lot of incredible makeup artists has been like the TED Talk of the century,” she said.
Prada Touch blush.
Courtesy of Prada Beauty
Sure, there have been some makeup mishaps along the way. “Now, I think simplicity is key for me,” Hadid continued. “I like to keep it simple — but with my own little razzle-dazzle.”
Prada blush is blendable and buildable, allowing for a subtle flush of color to a vibrant hue that can be tailored to each person wearing it. The blush formula has a care element, thanks to raspberry extract.
Each compact will be priced at $42.
Prada Touch is first to be launched in North America exclusively on the Sephora app on March 22, then online at Sephora and PradaBeauty.com on March 23, followed by Sephora stores beginning March 27. The Europe and Asia introductions will take place between March 23 and early April.
Prada launched its Color and Skin with L’Oréal starting in 2023. From the get-go, the offer was meant to eschew clichés.
