China make-up brand faces backlash for ‘vulgar’ ad with penis-shaped lip gloss stick
Cosmetics company labelled “disgusting” for provocative poster advertising a new lip gloss, sold 30,000 units
A Chinese cosmetics brand’s latest advertisement has been criticised as “vulgar” for featuring a female model provocatively kneeling next to an image of lip gloss shaped like a penis.
The furore began on September 2 when a blogger with about 5 million followers, known as “Bunny Class”, criticised FLORTTE’s latest promotional design and tactics on Weibo, saying they were excessively “teasing”.
Established in January 2019, FLORTTE targets women aged 18 to 24 with its affordable products, including lip mud and lipsticks costing less than 100 yuan (US$14).
The controversy centres on a promotional poster from their official Taobao store for the latest “Little Bow Series” lip gloss, priced at 45 yuan, of which about 30,000 have been sold.
Taobao is operated by Alibaba, owner of the South China Morning Post.
The poster shows a female model in lace gloves kneeling provocatively.
