Pinrose Starter Witch Kit
[Photo by: Pinrose]

Sephora pulls "Starter Witch Kit" after massive backlash from actual witches

Sephora and perfume-brand Pinrose have canceled production of their recently announced “Witch Starter Kit” after receiving massive backlash from those who study witchcraft.

Read more: A DEFINITIVE RANKING OF EVERY BLACK LIPSTICK AT SEPHORA

Last week, Pinrose announced their plan to release a “Starter Witch Kit” this October that was set to retail at $42 in Sephora stores. The nine-piece set included a variety of items such as tarot cards, sage, and rose quartz crystal.

The kit quickly received backlash from those who study the art of witchcraft, claiming it to be “extremely disrespectful” and a form of religious discrimination.

https://twitter.com/cosmicindigo_/status/1035661003785228289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1035661003785228289%7Ctwcon%5Elogo&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fbabe.net%2F2018%2F09%2F01%2Fsephora-witch-kit-77468

Even SZA got in on the heated debate.

Some witches took to YouTube to voice their opinions and urge a boycott of Sephora.

The massive backlash was heard by Pinrose who issued an apology in a statement made via their website, and agreed to stop manufacturing the kit.

“First and foremost, to those who have shared their disappointment or taken offense to this product, we apologize profoundly. This was not our intent. We thank you for communicating with us and expressing your feelings. We hear you; we will not be manufacturing or making this product available for sale.

Our intention for the product was to create something that celebrates wellness, personal ceremony, and intention setting with a focus on using fragrance as a beauty ritual.”

Many also questioned the sacred use of white sage in ceremonies and the threat to Native American-owned businesses, to which Pinose responded:

“Per the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, Salvia Apiana (White Sage) is not classified as threatened or endangered. The sage that was planned to be used in this kit is sourced from a Green America Gold Certified company. The sage is grown in the wild in California and is sustainability harvested and sold by Native American-owned and operated businesses….The product did not reference smudging or ceremony circles.”

Some were thankful to the two companies for listening to customer concerns and pulling the product, while others feared the apology to be too vague, claiming that neither company actually learned anything from the backlash.

https://twitter.com/tspofwitchcraft/status/1037574132270018560

https://twitter.com/sarahsesquire/status/1037717763962351617

What are your thoughts on Sephora and Pinrose’s “Starter Witch Kit”? Sound off in the comments below!