Everyone online has probably seen the beauty influencers on their For You Pages raving about the best concealer to get for the upcoming Sephora sale. This bi-annual savings event lets customers score 20% off on their favorite makeup, hair, and skincare items, and is a major moment in the beauty community.
However, the sale has been criticized for its indirect encouragement of overconsumption. With rarely dropped prices, buyers feel a need to spend their money on unnecessary products. Influencers partner with brands to market these products—further exacerbating the issue.
In addition to consumerism, Sephora has been under fire for its recent “tone deaf” ad with Mariah Carey. The commercial was in partnership with the singer for her annual “It’s Time” Christmas announcement that launches every November 1st. The ad depicted an elf worker going on strike, blaming Mariah Carey for creating “Holiday Hell.”
Viewers were angry with the ad’s insensitive nature—seemingly poking fun at labor unions and overworked employees. Having been released at the peak of the government shutdown, where many Americans workers were furloughed, the ad’s message was problematic for some.
Every year, controversial marketing tactics and influencer recommendations flood our screens. With large corporations like Sephora offering savings events in the holiday season, the question of consumerism lingers: Do we really need this new product?