Photo by Rosa Rafael on Unsplash
SZA is undeniably one of the most influential and multi-talented artists of 2025. After kicking off the year with major milestones, including being the first artist to hold both a No. 1 movie and No. 1 album at the same time, and delivering a jaw-dropping performance at the Super Bowl alongside Kendrick Lamar, SZA continues to cement her place in the cultural zeitgeist. She’s shown no signs of slowing down, and now, in what could be the most exciting move yet, SZA is branching into the world of entrepreneurship with the launch of her own beauty brand, Not Beauty.
In a recent appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show on March 21, 2025, SZA took a moment to chat with Jennifer Hudson about this exciting new chapter in her career. With her usual candidness, SZA shared the inspiration behind creating Not Beauty. “People are always asking me about my lip combo,” she explained. “And I talk a lot — I’m always yapping away, whether it’s singing or just chatting — and I needed a product that would hold up throughout the day, something that would last longer than your average gloss or lipstick.”
For SZA, the journey to creating her own beauty brand wasn’t about glitz and glam. Instead, it was driven by a simple, personal necessity. “It all came from my own needs,” she added. “I just made a formula that works for me.” This laid-back, practical approach is what sets SZA’s brand apart from many others in the beauty industry.
The Not Beauty collection features a carefully curated range of products, designed to meet the everyday needs of its users. It includes lip glosses, liners, stains, creams, and more, offering a versatile selection for any occasion. However, SZA’s vision for her brand goes beyond the traditional beauty industry narrative. Unlike other celebrities who try to position themselves as beauty experts, SZA has no interest in adopting the typical “guru” role. She isn’t trying to create a massive beauty empire for the sake of it; she’s focused on offering practical and reliable products that serve a real purpose in people’s lives.
This authenticity is key to SZA’s brand philosophy. She’s not trying to sell an image; rather, she’s looking to create makeup that works, that is functional, and that fits seamlessly into the everyday lives of her fans. There’s something refreshingly down-to-earth about this approach — SZA is focused on delivering quality products that can keep up with the pace of modern life, where convenience and practicality often take precedence over glamour and perfection.
The name Not Beauty itself is a reflection of SZA’s approach to the beauty industry. She doesn’t view herself as the typical beauty mogul, and she’s deliberately distancing her brand from the pretentious or superficial connotations often associated with the beauty world. Instead of positioning herself as an expert on beauty, SZA’s primary goal is to offer something useful and dependable to her fans.
By naming her line Not Beauty, SZA subtly suggests that her products aren’t about fitting into society’s beauty standards or promoting a curated, flawless appearance. Instead, they’re about empowering people to feel comfortable and confident in their own skin, without needing to adhere to the conventional definitions of beauty.
It’s a bold statement, and one that perfectly aligns with SZA’s authenticity as an artist. This isn’t just about making products for the sake of it — it’s about making a genuine difference in her fans’ lives through functional and reliable beauty products.
One of the most exciting aspects of Not Beauty is its exclusivity. These makeup products won’t be available in stores or online, which makes them even more desirable to fans. The only place to get your hands on Not Beauty products is through pop-up activations during SZA’s “Grand National Tour.” This strategy adds an element of urgency for fans who are hoping to get their hands on these coveted items.
The exclusive availability of the line during the tour also builds hype and excitement, ensuring that those who do manage to snag the products feel like they’re part of an exclusive club. It’s a smart marketing move that ties in perfectly with the energetic and passionate vibe that surrounds SZA’s music and persona. Fans will have the opportunity to purchase these unique products while attending her shows, creating a memorable experience and a tangible connection to the artist’s personal brand.
However, SZA’s foray into the beauty industry is just the tip of the iceberg. In her interview with Jennifer Hudson, SZA made it clear that Not Beauty is merely the beginning of her larger entrepreneurial aspirations. “It’s going to expand into maybe Not Farming, Not Furniture — anything that I feel I can improve,” she shared. “If I see an armchair that needs a redesign, I’ll create one.”
This statement reveals a broader vision for her career beyond music and beauty. SZA is not only thinking about makeup — she’s envisioning a wide-ranging empire that encompasses various industries. Whether it’s furniture, agriculture, or other sectors, SZA wants to bring her unique perspective and creativity to everything she touches. She’s clearly not limiting herself to one niche but instead embracing a mindset of continuous innovation, driven by her desire to meet the needs she sees around her.
While many beauty lines are driven by trends and appearances, SZA’s focus remains squarely on functionality. This emphasis on practical beauty products designed for real people sets Not Beauty apart from other celebrity-driven beauty lines. SZA is not interested in selling an idealized version of beauty — she’s more concerned with providing products that can withstand the demands of daily life.
This approach is a refreshing shift in an industry often dominated by unrealistic beauty standards. SZA’s beauty line speaks to people who are tired of the unattainable standards promoted by traditional beauty companies. By making her products available only at her tour pop-ups, SZA is offering something authentic, rooted in her real experiences and her genuine connection with her audience
