• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

MacKenzie Scott, Melinda French Gates, and Lauren Sánchez Bezos are rewriting the rules of billionaire giving—one quietly, one strategically, one very publicly

2

After donating $48 billion to the Gates Foundation, Warren Buffett is quietly ending one of the biggest philanthropic relationships in history

3

Current price of silver as of Tuesday, July 14, 2026

1

MacKenzie Scott, Melinda French Gates, and Lauren Sánchez Bezos are rewriting the rules of billionaire giving—one quietly, one strategically, one very publicly

2

After donating $48 billion to the Gates Foundation, Warren Buffett is quietly ending one of the biggest philanthropic relationships in history

3

Current price of silver as of Tuesday, July 14, 2026
RetailCovergirl

CoverGirl’s First-Ever Male Model Is Genius Gen Z Marketing

By
John Kell
John Kell
Contributing Writer and author of CIO Intelligence
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
John Kell
John Kell
Contributing Writer and author of CIO Intelligence
Down Arrow Button Icon
October 13, 2016, 5:00 PM ET
Photo by Lacey Terrell
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Early this week, CoverGirl named the beauty brand’s first-ever male model. It was a savvy move to capture relevancy among the newly-emerging Generation Z. It also may be indicative of a pivot other marketers likely will be taking to advertise to this younger generation, who are more open to more fluid definitions of gender and sexuality.

CoverGirl, a 58-year-old brand, generated numerous headlines when it formally announced 17-year-old makeup artist and social media star James Charles as a CoverGirl spokesman. CoverGirl says the partnership with Charles isn’t exactly a new direction for the brand. In the past, the brand has partnered with other public figures that defy traditional beauty standards—campaigns with Ellen DeGeneres and Queen Latifah are notable examples.

“Our population is becoming increasingly diverse,” says Laura Brinker, vice president of influencer marketing at Coty (COTY). “These trends are certainly something millennials have appreciated as they’ve grown up, but they’ll be even more important for Gen Z.”

Most marketers and media stories about shifting trends in the consumer goods world are currently paying great heed to the whims of the millennial generation. Millennials have called for more “authenticity” and in general, are more untrustworthy of traditional brands they grew up with. They want a feel-good message (side-projects related to sustainability, support of environmental projects, etc.) and they’ve changed marketing in notable ways. Ads most be more inclusive in terms of showing more diversity and less restrictive gender roles. In the beauty world, success in targeting diverse millennials helped e.l.f. Beauty earn a warm welcome on Wall Street when it went public last month.

But Gen Z—individuals born after 1998—have become a fairly new target for marketers. That group, which accounts for a fourth of the population in North America, is the most ethnically diverse generation ever and influences $600 billion in family spending, according to a report commissioned by public relations and marketing agency Ketchum.

They also tend to be far more accepting of gender fluidity. A survey by branding expert J. Walter Thompson Intelligence finds that 56% of Generation Z know someone who uses gender neutral pronouns. Male vloggers are popular on Instagram and other social channels. And the popular TV show RuPaul’s Drag Race also highlights a broader acceptance of beauty products beyond the core cisgender female audience.

Charles serving as a CoverGirl hits a few key themes that should resonate with fellow teens. Charles is well established on social media: he has nearly 74,000 followers on Twitter and 587,000 on Instagram. This generation generally seeks less restrictions on gender norms, as seen by the recent move by colleges to allow new students to pick their gender pronouns.

CoverGirl is aware of these trends. The brand says it has launched a new mascara, called So Lashy, that is deemed an universal mascara designed “for anyone wanting to transform their lashes into a bold look.” So essentially, the brand is saying: we aren’t marketing this to just women.

Social media star James Charles is the new CoverGirl.

This new CoverGirl approach comes at an interesting time for the brand. Previously owned by consumer-goods giant Procter & Gamble (PG), it was sold off to Coty has part of a massive $12.5 billion transaction first announced in 2015, when P&G unloaded 43 of its beauty brands. Along with CoverGirl, Coty also got control of Clairol Professional, Wella Professionals and VS Salonist. That deal was completed earlier this month.

CoverGirl is currently the third-largest color cosmetics brand in the U.S., trailing L’Oreal’s Gemey/Maybelline/Jade and Estee Lauder’s (EL) Mac. Though CoverGirl’s sales have increased for two of the past three years, including a 5.2% jump last year, data from Euromonitor also shows the brand has lost some market share. It stood at 8.4% in 2013 for color cosmetics but slipped to 7.8% last year.

Getting Gen Z on board with the brand could help the brand find more success in that market again. “Social engagement is off the charts,” Brinker said. She added that the campaign—which formally kicked off on Monday via social media—has enjoyed positive feedback.

About the Author
By John KellContributing Writer and author of CIO Intelligence

John Kell is a contributing writer for Fortune and author of Fortune’s CIO Intelligence newsletter.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Retail

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Retail

Taco Bell pulls some items as parasite outbreak spreads
RetailTaco Bell
Taco Bell pulls some items as parasite outbreak spreads
By Daniela Sirtori, Lily Meier, Erinn Gardner and BloombergJuly 14, 2026
11 hours ago
Golfer at a bay.
C-SuiteSports
Topgolf’s CEO thinks the sport’s next star could get their start at one of its driving ranges
By Catherina GioinoJuly 14, 2026
13 hours ago
camera
Arts & EntertainmentGen Z
Gen Z’s analog obsession is reviving a film camera market that digital killed
By Rotem Rozental and The ConversationJuly 14, 2026
1 day ago
ph
North AmericaDEI
Summer camps remain a battleground over what it means to be American
By Seth T. Kannarr, Derek H. Alderman and The ConversationJuly 13, 2026
2 days ago
e
Arts & EntertainmentSocial Media
American influencers turn Erling Haaland into the World Cup’s breakout brand
By Kaitlyn Huamani and The Associated PressJuly 13, 2026
2 days ago
German carmakers are suffering some of their worst declines ever in China as Q2 sales plunge 30%-41%
AsiaAutos
German carmakers are suffering some of their worst declines ever in China as Q2 sales plunge 30%-41%
By Chan Ho-Him and The Associated PressJuly 11, 2026
4 days ago

Most Popular

MacKenzie Scott, Melinda French Gates, and Lauren Sánchez Bezos are rewriting the rules of billionaire giving—one quietly, one strategically, one very publicly
Newsletters
MacKenzie Scott, Melinda French Gates, and Lauren Sánchez Bezos are rewriting the rules of billionaire giving—one quietly, one strategically, one very publicly
By Sydney LakeJuly 14, 2026
15 hours ago
After donating $48 billion to the Gates Foundation, Warren Buffett is quietly ending one of the biggest philanthropic relationships in history
North America
After donating $48 billion to the Gates Foundation, Warren Buffett is quietly ending one of the biggest philanthropic relationships in history
By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezJuly 14, 2026
13 hours ago
Current price of silver as of Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of silver as of Tuesday, July 14, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJuly 14, 2026
22 hours ago
Current price of gold as of July 14, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of gold as of July 14, 2026
By Danny BakstJuly 14, 2026
18 hours ago
United States' $39 trillion national debt will mean fewer jobs at lower wages for Gen Z, according to think tank
Economy
United States' $39 trillion national debt will mean fewer jobs at lower wages for Gen Z, according to think tank
By Eleanor PringleJuly 14, 2026
20 hours ago
'He found their weakness. It might have been sex. It might be power': Warren Buffett stunned by Epstein pull as he snubs Gates Foundation
Banking
'He found their weakness. It might have been sex. It might be power': Warren Buffett stunned by Epstein pull as he snubs Gates Foundation
By Josh Funk and The Associated PressJuly 14, 2026
16 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.