"Colors Unsuitable for Asians"... Est?e Lauder Faces Racism Controversy for Arbitrarily Changing Colors Sent

A note sent by the Est?e Lauder branch at a department store in Seoul. Photo by Online Community Capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Nah Han-ah] The Korean branch of the famous American cosmetics brand Est?e Lauder has been embroiled in a racial discrimination controversy after sending a different color than the one the customer chose, stating that the selected color "does not suit East Asians."

On the 7th, various online communities raised concerns that a branch located in a Korean department store sent a product in a different color than the customer selected, along with a note saying it "does not suit East Asians."

On that day, photos of the note circulated widely across communities, and multiple reviews and complaints appeared on the product sales page stating they had received the same note.

The controversial note read, "The matte powder in the shell color you selected as an option is a specific color that clearly has divided opinions and does not suit East Asians," and added, "Due to the nature of not being able to check the color directly, the product will be shipped in Ivory Nude (approximately shade 21), the best color that suits East Asians, at the store."

It also included the phrase, "If you are dissatisfied with the option change, we will assist you with the return process."

Recipients of this note left negative reviews such as, "A product different from the selected option arrived, and if it had been a color change due to the original being out of stock as a gift product, it would have been acceptable, but the wording on the note was very striking," and "I am posting this for those considering a purchase as a reference."

Some buyers criticized the racial discrimination aspect, saying, "The assumption that East Asians have darker skin is outdated racial discrimination," and "I bought this product as a birthday gift for my younger sibling, but I received racial discrimination as a gift," expressing their displeasure.

However, some buyers responded positively, saying, "I chose the brightest color because there was nothing else I wanted, and I appreciate the thoughtfulness of sending a color that suits East Asians."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.