Beauty brand Smith & Cult receive backlash for offensive product name

American beauty brand Smith & Cult has been heavily criticised for the name of one of its eyeliners.

A number of Twitter users have called out the beauty giant for the decision to use the name 'Wax Spastic' for one of its eyeliners. In Ireland and Britain too, the term is completely frowned upon but it seems in the United States, people use it as a slang term for clumsiness. Originally spotted by blogger Talonted Lex, the word spread when a number of her followers responded with similar comments expressing their distaste and dismay.

How many people saw and approved the name 'Wax Spastic' for your new eyeliner, @SmithandCult? Genuinely stunned ? pic.twitter.com/ycEbffV9Tw

— Lex ?? (@TalontedLex) June 19, 2017

People are shocked that it made it to the shelves without someone questioning the decision.

Like you, I just cannot believe it got through so many people without anyone objecting!

— Kate Leaver (@kateileaver) June 19, 2017

Having got in touch with the brand, Lex later tweeted their response which read:

"Art comes in many different forms. As an artist driven brand, Smith & Cult chooses its shade names based on experience or memories from the protagonist behind the brand. The name Wax Spastic is directly referring to a sentimentality and longing for our youth. "A time when life was joyful, innocent and full of the unexpected. We as an organisation do not intend for any representation of the Smith & Cult brand to come off as offensive to our customers and/or affiliates".

UPDATE: The (US) brand were informed, pre-launch, of the offensive meaning of the word in the UK. Their response below... pic.twitter.com/yea2OdGOz9

— Lex ?? (@TalontedLex) June 19, 2017

Understandably, this didn't sit well with many people who responded to the statement, again via Twitter.

.@SmithandCult Can my learning disabled son and I kick you in the pants? Purely for 'artistic' reasons, no violence intended.

— Emma Lloyd (@emmalloyddotco) June 19, 2017

However,the product has now been removed from shelves with Smith & Cult apologising for causing offence:

"We fully understand the offence caused by the name of our product, and wholeheartedly apologise. We have immediately removed the item from sale. "Although the understanding of the word in US is very different we have to take responsibility, and recognise that as an international brand we must do better, and will take urgent steps to do this".

UPDATE: they've apologised and removed the product from sale. So pleased that they listened and took swift action ? https://t.co/YJd7OvBkpL

— Lex ?? (@TalontedLex) June 20, 2017