Over the past week, I’ve seen entirely too many articles decrying Sephora for selling an eyeshadow named, “Druggie.” I anticipate my opinion on this matter to be fairly unpopular – and while I welcome dissent and discussion in the comments, let’s keep it civil.
Making Light of It
Those upset say that the shade name is insensitive; that it makes light of the losses so many have experienced related to addiction. There’s even a Change.org petition with over a thousand signatures begging Sephora to pull the shade. They even go so far as to suggest alternate names.
Interestingly enough, these articles and people are largely targeting Sephora, like they made the damn shade name. Fun fact, people: Sephora doesn’t own Urban Decay or Urban Decay Druggie eyeshadow or the After Dark palette. Efforts would be better focused there, or at their parent company, L’Oreal.
Is it a chic name for a shade? No, but Urban Decay, purveyors of Smog and Walk of Shame, doesn’t always give their shades the most flattering names. Is it even in good taste? No, not really. But it also isn’t the first edgy or off-beat shade they’ve released – it is just one in two decades of odd names.
It isn’t as if Urban Decay is either a) supporting addiction or b) shaming addicts.
Offensive?
Seriously, let’s have a look at some of their shades. If we’re being equally ridiculous…
- Asphyxia – Offensive/making light of death by suffocation
- Bordello – Offensive to sex workers
- Radium – Offensive to the descendants of Marie Curie
…do you see what I’m saying here?
Yes, addiction is sad and lots of people need help. But this eyeshadow isn’t encouraging people to adopt or continue unhealthy habits. If a person is so easily influenced that seeing Urban Decay Druggie in the After Dark palette makes them want to use immediately after coating their eyelids with it…the eyeshadow isn’t the problem.
The Bottom Line
As far as I’m concerned, if you don’t like the name of the product – don’t buy it. If you feel that strongly about the product to not feel comfortable supporting the manufacturer? Again, don’t buy from them. Vote with your dollars. It isn’t wrong to reach out to the company to voice your concerns! But let’s be honest – a Change.org petition with >1500 signatures and feisty HuffPost and similar articles aren’t going to do jack.
Personally? I don’t care for the name. I think the name is in poor taste. I also had no intention of buying After Dark in the first place. But if I did otherwise want it, the tiny font above the pan wasn’t going to ruin an otherwise nice palette.