This Beauty Brand Is Under Fire for Naming a Nail Polish the Most Racist Thing Ever
Like, what the actual hell?!
The year is 2018, and people are still unequivocally dumb and awful. And before you try to tell me otherwise, bombarding me with your positivity and optimistic quotes and your friend Barb who works for the Peace Corps, I bring you sad, sad, proof today.
A beauty brand is currently under fire for naming their black-toned nail polish an incredibly racist, offensive, terrible, WTF-worthy name: “Thick as a N****.” Except without the asterisks, because, I re-iterate, people are dumb and awful.
RELATED STORIES
Yes, Wycon Cosmetics, an Italian cosmetics brand, named its new gel nail polish that insanely racist and ignorant phrase, and almost immediately faced backlash across the internet after Italian beauty vlogger Loretta Grace pointed out the name on her social media accounts, according to Forbes.
And if you’re thinking, hey, maybe it was just a mix-up, and the company will immediately issue a deeply apologetic statement, you’d be wrong! Instead, Wycon Cosmetics allegedly responded to the controversy with a simple statement: “They’re made-up names that are a bit crazy.”
The brand then continued to defend its actions, stating that all of its polishes are named after “famous song titles, many of which derive from the landscape of hip-hop,” before including “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” “Candy Shop,” and “Bootylicious” as examples.
Oh, okay, that’s fine, then. It’s totally fine to use appropriated culture and racial slurs to sell your products, right? Wrong. Just so, so wrong. Thankfully (I guess?), the brand has officially removed its “hip-hop” branding from its website, and is instead using a numbered system for the time being. They also issued a more formal apology on Instagram.
Luckily, though, the internet lives on forever, so we will #neverforget Wycon’s absolute shittiness.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
RELATED STORY
Chloe Metzger is the deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan, overseeing the editorial content and growth strategy of the hair, makeup, and skin space on digital, while also obsessively writing about the best hair products for every hair type (curly girl here; whattup), and the skincare routines that really, truly work (follow her on Instagram to see behind-the-scenes pics of that magazine life). She brings nearly a decade of writing and editing expertise, and her work has appeared in Allure, Health, Fitness, Marie Claire, StyleCaster, and Parents. She also has an unhealthy adoration for Tom Hanks and would like to please meet him one day, if you could arrange that. Thanks.
-
Are Lee Si-an and Yuk Jun-seo Still Together After Becoming the Buzziest Couple of 'Single's Inferno' Season 4?
The answer may surprise you.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
I’m a Jeans Fanatic—19 On-Sale Pairs I’d Buy From Nordstrom to Elevate My Collection
Top-tier picks I'll wear again and again.
By Brooke Knappenberger Published
-
How Jennifer Lawrence Makes a Winter Schlep Chic
An editor-favorite coat trend helps.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
New York Fashion Week’s Fall/Winter 2025 Best Beauty Moments Are a Lesson in Juxtaposition
The week's best beauty looks were a maximalism master class.
By Ariel Baker Published
-
Zoe Saldaña’s Red Nails and New Ombré Hair Match Her $3,495 Shoes
The actor is a master of the monochromatic look.
By Ariel Baker Published
-
Keke Palmer's Lip Gloss Nails Co-Sign a Huge Winter Manicure Trend
A moment for the shine.
By Ariel Baker Published
-
Nécessaire's Extra-Strength Deodorant Outlasts an Editor's Sweatiest Test: Fashion Week
Even with my hectic schedule, I've never smelled better.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
Lily-Rose Depp’s Cool-Toned Makeup Is So ‘90s Coded
Clean girl meets grunge.
By Ariel Baker Published
-
Keke Palmer’s Chrome French Manicure Made Me Fall In Love with Green Nails
The actor is promoting her new movie, and the beauty details have been everything.
By Ariel Baker Published
-
The Nail Crown Trend Is 2025's Most Expensive-Looking Manicure
Grab your crystals.
By Ariel Baker Published
-
Cameron Diaz's Cherry Red Nails Made Me Fall In Love with the Classic Shade All Over Again
Booking a manicure as we speak.
By Ariel Baker Published