Top 5 Controversial Celebrity Makeup Brands
The celeb makeup brands have experienced some major controversy, but any PR is good PR right? For this list, we're looking at celebrity beauty brands that tend to attract drama. The issues may be over the product themselves or the stars behind the brands.
#5: Kat Von D Beauty
Regularly one of Sephora's best-selling lines, Kat Von D Beauty offers a wide array of highly regarded products, and many of which are free from animal-derived ingredients. Even if the makeup's quality is beyond reproach, Kat Von D's naming practices have repeatedly garnered criticism; specifically: her "Underage Red" lipstick and the "Celebutard" shade. Kat Von D's decision to advertise her "Basket Case" eyeliner by evoking imagery of Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen's proved to be problematic as well. During a 2017 contest, reports arose that Kat Von D disqualified a makeup artist because she was a Trump supporter, although the celebrity later confirmed that the decision was mutual.
#4: The Honest Company
Nowadays, honesty can be pretty hard to find. Founded by Jessica Alba after the birth of the actress' first child, the Honest Company strives to offer beauty and baby products derived from chemical-free and natural ingredients. Over the years, customers have hit Alba's brand with multiple lawsuits, regularly stating false advertisement as a justification. In 2017, the company was criticized for including Sodium Lauryl Sulfate in their cleaning products, despite advertising to the contrary. While Honest stated that Sodium CocoSulfate was used instead, Alba's company agreed to settle the class action lawsuit by paying $1.55 million.
#3: Jeffree Star Cosmetics
When someone's name is on the tin, any personal controversy will automatically be associated with their products. Whether beefing with Kat Von D, Kim Kardashian, or Kylie Jenner; the musician and fashion designer always appears to be in the middle of a Twitter feud. Jeffree Star garnered a ton of negative publicity after an old video surfaced containing racist comments, prompting the makeup artist to apologize profusely. So, how about the actual products? Star's cosmetics are generally well-received, although there was a strange incident involving two customers who found hair embedded in one of the brand’s highlighters.
#2: KKW Beauty
This star has always been a controversial figure, and Kim Kardashian's first beauty line has not failed to conjure up drama. Right out of the gate, many criticized the beyond famous celebrity for seemingly using black face in a photo shoot advertising the new line. Addressed during an episode of “Keeping up with the Kardashians”, Kim stated the Internet world is way too toxic and the darker skin tone was a result of the applied contour. From one extreme to the other, KKW Beauty grabbed headlines due to a line of concealers that offered limited variety and seemed to favor lighter skin tones.
#1: Kylie Cosmetics
Where to even begin? Ever since it launched in the mid-2010s, Kylie Jenner's cosmetic company has been seemingly unable to avoid controversy. Kylie’s lip gloss received a very harsh review from Jeffree Star, who suggested the brand needs better quality control, while a variety of customers took to social media to express disappointment with their purchases. Even when doing good, Kylie Cosmetics cannot help but flub the delivery, like advertising the brand's partnership with the charity Smile Train by comparing children with cleft lips to Halloween monsters. Selling blushes with names like “Virginity” and “Barely Legal”, Kylie's name choices have also been called into question.
