Beauty Byte: Topshop Pulls "Jesus" Cosmetics

BellaSugar — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 14:00:48 -0800

If you like religious kitsch, then don't plan a trip to Singapore. After receiving complaints about a cosmetics line called Lookin' Good For Jesus, Topshop has pulled all of the products from its shelves. The line features lip balm (in "virtuous vanilla"), bubble bath ("Feel like you're walking on water!"), and a "King-size" tote bag, among other cheeky items.

Catholics found the items "disrespectful and distasteful," and Topshop has pulled all of the products. The line is from Blue Q, which also makes the Dirty Girl body-care line. It's always a little bit jokey - witness its tongue-in-cheek Queen soap - but this is the first time I remember this much of a hullabaloo over the products. Have a look below. Do you think they're offensive, or is it just good clean fun?

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UK's ASA to ghd: FU!

BellaSugar — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 10:00:40 -0700

Britain's Advertising Standards Authority would like to straighten something out with hair-care company ghd. The ASA recently banned ghd's latest advertising campaign, which features women praying for beautiful hair. The juxtaposition of lingerie-clad women with iconic Christian imagery didn't sit well with some viewers, and after 23 complaints, the ad was pulled. Here it is, if you want to see what the fuss is about:

I'm not sure that it's the most amazing commercial I've ever seen, but I'm not sure that it's blasphemous, either. Then again, between this ad and the Lookin' Good For Jesus controversy, it seems like beauty companies might want to steer clear from adapting religious images for a while.