On Saturday, Fenty Beauty announced the launch of some pretty exciting new products. The first was a shade inclusive range of bronzers that Rihanna took over two years to develop. While it's safe to say the internet lost its mind for an 8 shade bronzer collection that "adds warmth for the fairest to the deepest", Rihanna's second new beauty launch wasn't met with such praise.
Following the announcement of their new range of bronzers, Fenty Beauty also revealed the launch of three new Killawatt highlighters. Fans were quick to flood to the Instagram comments section of the announcement to show their excitement for two of the three shades: 'Afternoon Snack/Mo' Hunny' and 'Penny 4 u Thots'. However, the reaction to the third shade, 'Geisha Chic' wasn't quite so welcoming.
"I'm really excited for this launch, however this shade name "Geisha Chic" is not great because it ignores the history, full weight, and overall experience of being a geisha. I've been waiting for a colour like this, but I don't want to question my judgement if I purchase this product with the current name. Please change the name so I can shine this summer with this heat!"
"TF id this shade name? Being a geisha isnt 'chic' it's not an aesthetic to be worn??? I thought Fenty knew better"
"Yeah speaking on behalf of East Asians: nice colour, but the name? Really? This is a brand that wants to be inclusive, and yet... lol I put faith that RiRi learned from her 'princess of China' days but I guess not..."
" Love Fenty, and this colour is GORGEOUS. I'm slightly uncomfortable with that name though."
And it wasn't just Instagram that wasn't too pleased with the shade name. Twitter users have also been sharing their disappointment in the brand's choice of name.
F*nty naming a highlighter Geisha Chic Hunny is a big fucking yikes and this not the first time she’s been racist towards Asians either
— ♡ mollie moose ♡ (@mollierattigan) March 30, 2019
Rihanna was really about to bring out a blush called geisha chic thank god people noticed how gross that was and fenty delayed the launch to rename it. Really weird how the entire fenty beauty team didn't catch how inappropriate that name is from the start
— Sunny (@sun1796) April 1, 2019
However, many have since updated their threads by revealing apologies sent directly to them by Fenty Beauty.
We love when a company realizes casual racism is harmful and listens to criticism!! pic.twitter.com/aWubiQVkng
— ♡ mollie moose ♡ (@mollierattigan) April 1, 2019
Fenty DMed me about Geisha Chic after I left a comment on their post https://t.co/6POr4aouAc
— Beautyguruchatter (@beautyguruchat) April 1, 2019
However, according to beauty account @trendmood1, Fenty Beauty has since removed the shade name from the initial Instagram launch post and the shade, 'Geisha Chic' can no longer be found on the Fenty Beauty website. This has left fans questioning whether the name will simply be changed or whether the shade will be removed entirely.
Irish Tatler has reached out to Fenty Beauty for a statement and will update this post once received.
