Autumn is finally here and that can only mean one thing – the countdown to Halloween has begun!
And although we’re looking forward to horror movies, scary costumes, and and a guilt-free candy binge sesh, the annual celebration of all things spooky means stores will soon be hawking anything with a ghost or pumpkin on it.
In fact, beauty chain Sephora has already begun doing so, with the release of their new “Witches Starter Kit.” As well as perfume, the package contains stereotypically witchy items such as sage, tarot cards, and a rose quartz crystal.
Unsurprisingly, Wiccans aren’t amused at their religion becoming a selling point for cosmetics, and have accused the French beauty giant of cultural appropriation.
Real-life witch Indigo told the Metro: “Sephora is definitely guilty of culture appropriation.
“I don’t think they’re doing it to spread awareness about the craft, they’re doing it just for profit in my opinion.
“Although most witches do use what’s in the Sephora box, most of us feel that it’s wrong for just anyone to grab those things and be like ‘oh hey I’m a witch now’ because it’s sacred to us.”
Witches on Twitter are equally as unimpressed
Sephora selling “witch kits” actually makes me really upset. Witchcraft isn’t something you just throw around, people put their entire being into this way of life and work so hard at it. I’ve been made fun of way too much for being a witch for it to just become another trend.
— ????? ⚰️ (@kayyloween) 1 September 2018
This whole over the counter tarot cards x Sephora starter witch kit dangerous es hell and very headass .. don’t do magic at the mall kids ??♀️
— SZA (@sza) 1 September 2018
How hard is it for people to grasp. #Wicca is a legitimate religion like Christianity. It’s not a joke so I don’t get why @Sephora thinks that a “Witches Starter Kit” is remotely okay to sell? Where’s the “Christian Starter Kit” or the “Jewish Starter Kit”?
— Zadidoll (@zadidoll) 2 September 2018
Witchcraft IS NOT a joke or a game. @sephora is going to have ppl trying to conjure up circles with fragrances which seriously puts people in danger. I wish they would have educated themselves FIRST before funding this offensive project…
— ??? The Astro & Tarot Queen ??? (@BehatiLife) 3 September 2018
Many suggested that those interested in witchcraft support their local spiritualist store instead
Being a witch is fashion ??♀️
Go support your local spiritual shops. Don’t give money to this bullshit and do your damn research. I’m appalled. https://t.co/tspQJTXww7
— Fangz ⚰️ (@fangznhangz) August 31, 2018
In light of this disturbing Sephora witch kit fiasco, please comment below if you are someone who sells and/or makes products for use in spellwork, witchcraft, and other occult practices and I’ll give you a promo!! I want people interested in witchcraft to buy from good sources
— pink witch ? (@sapphicstrology) 1 September 2018
While others claimed that modern witches are actually the ones appropriating other cultures
Modern “witchcraft” as practiced in the Western world is largely based on cultural appropriation ,, you all were the ones who took and twisted indigenous culture to make it a white ppl trend, so cry harder https://t.co/PUPFBedbNq
— Nabigal-Nayagam Haider Ali (@ab_varaham) September 1, 2018
i’m all about trash talking sephora witch kits but don’t act like half of y’all didn’t get into spirituality and any of this stuff if it wasn’t for the capitalistic market for it and the initial aesthetic interest.
— super astronomical (@WHITELIGHTCAM) 1 September 2018
no offense but white people who insist they’re witches are way more heated about sephora selling witch kits than they are about the fact that the over harvesting of sage bc of new trendy demand for it is making it so native americans are no longer able to perform sacred rituals
— b i c t h (@art_vandeIay) 1 September 2018
The controversial beauty kit may not be magical, but it has led to some important discussions around race and culture (instead of just making people smell nice).
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