Girls in the Beauty Department

The Kat Von D "Underage Red" Lipstick Controversy: What's Your Take?

In what could be the longest social media response a celebrity has ever issued amidst controversy, Kat Von D has published a 700+-word Facebook message defending her decision to name one of her Studded Kiss lipstick shades (sold at Sephora) Underage Red. Although Von D notes that this lipstick shade was one of the first four that she named/released seven years ago, a Twitterstorm of objections to the name suddenly erupted this week, leading to more widespread discussion—and disgust—across the blogosphere, with people arguing that the name promotes statutory rape and pedophilia. In her sorry-not-sorry not-gonna-change-the-name response, Von D says that the name is about teenage feminine rebellion and her 16-year-old self's first love affair with lipstick. She even points out that another one of those original four shades was called Lolita. Of course, makeup and nail polish shade names are one area where cosmetics brands are known for pushing the envelope, as part of a never-ending quest to cleverly rebrand what might otherwise be seen as familiar colors. These names routinely cross the line into non-PC territory (examples here). In fact, mainstream makeup brand MAC also sells a shade called Underage. However, this isn't the first lipstick-name controversy

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In what could be the longest social media response a celebrity has ever issued amidst controversy, Kat Von D has published a 700+-word Facebook message defending her decision to name one of her Studded Kiss lipstick shades (sold at Sephora) Underage Red.

Although Von D notes that this lipstick shade was one of the first four that she named/released seven years ago, a Twitterstorm of objections to the name suddenly erupted this week, leading to more widespread discussion—and disgust—across the blogosphere, with people arguing that the name promotes statutory rape and pedophilia. In her sorry-not-sorry not-gonna-change-the-name response, Von D says that the name is about teenage feminine rebellion and her 16-year-old self's first love affair with lipstick. She even points out that another one of those original four shades was called Lolita.

Of course, makeup and nail polish shade names are one area where cosmetics brands are known for pushing the envelope, as part of a never-ending quest to cleverly rebrand what might otherwise be seen as familiar colors. These names routinely cross the line into non-PC territory (examples here). In fact, mainstream makeup brand MAC also sells a shade called Underage.

However, this isn't the first lipstick-name controversy for Kat Von D; she caught heat for a shade called Celebutard back in 2013 (it got yanked from shelves, but Von D was sorta unapologetic).

We're curious to hear your thoughts on the Kat Von D lippie controversy. Do you find Underage Red offensive as a lipstick name, or do you think people are being oversensitive? Do you feel cosmetics brands in general go too far trying to be clever with shade names, or do you enjoy the creativity? Tell us below!