When Kylie Jenner released Kylie Cosmetics in 2015 with the now-iconic Lip Kits, it revolutionized the beauty organization. A combination of superstar effect and direct-to-purchaser marketing, the emblem changed into an right now achievement, regularly selling out within minutes. But because the preliminary excitement diminished and the logo multiplied, so did customer scrutiny. Over the years, Kylie Cosmetics has faced large backlash, mainly over tremendous control and customer support problems. Here's a more in-depth have a take a look at how the logo stumbled, how the general public reacted, and what it method for the future of influencer-led beauty ventures.
Read Also: What makes Kylie Jenner one of the most followed celebrities on Instagram?
The Rise of Kylie Cosmetics

Kylie Jenner’s big social media following made her beauty line a runaway fulfillment from the begin. The Lip Kits—liquid lipstick and matching liner devices—were hyped heavily on systems like Instagram and Snapchat. This advertising and advertising version bypassed traditional marketing and advertising and created a revel in of urgency and exclusivity. However, with rapid scaling got here operational traumatic conditions, pretty some which would possibly later come again to dangle-out the brand.
Early Quality Concerns
As Kylie Cosmetics grew, clients started out elevating crimson flags about the product exceptional. Complaints ranged from faulty applicators and off-setting smells to inconsistent formulation. One most important controversy emerged in 2016 at the same time as customers claimed their Lip Kits arrived with damaged or poorly manufactured brushes. Images circulated on-line of frayed, bent, and unusable applicators.
Kylie Cosmetics replied with the aid of blaming a batch trouble and promised corrective measures. While a few customers desired the acknowledgment, others felt the reaction lacked transparency and timeliness. As courtroom times piled up, the backlash intensified, mainly due to the truth many anticipated a pinnacle fee enjoy for the price.
You May Also Like: How long does kylie jenner challenge last?
The "Glue Smell" Scandal
In 2017, some other controversy rocked the emblem while the contemporary Kylie Cosmetics highlighters—known as Kylighters—reportedly had an remarkable chemical or "glue-like" scent. Beauty influencers and customers alike voiced worries about capability safety dangers and questionable production practices. Though the employer maintained that the goods were comfy and met all required necessities, the backlash on social media emerge as fierce. Critics accused the brand of prioritizing profits over protection.
Customer Service Woes
Beyond product problems, customer service at Kylie Cosmetics became a top sticking issue for unhappy customers. Many noted no longer on time responses, unanswered emails, and trouble acquiring refunds or replacements. In severa instances, packages had been each not on time or in no manner arrived, and the lack of effective verbal exchange only exacerbated frustration.
One customer’s complaint on Reddit went viral: after weeks of searching ahead to a lacking order, she obtained a regular response that did no longer cope with her particular concerns. These testimonies damaged the brand’s image, particularly in a market in which patron experience is as crucial as product tremendous.
Lack of Transparency and Corporate Accountability

Kylie Jenner end up first of all praised for being deeply worried in her brand, however as troubles surfaced, her silence on those subjects drew criticism. Many customers and watchdogs felt that the emblem did now not take duty in a sizable way. Forbes’ 2020 document retracting Jenner’s billionaire reputation furthermore raised questions about the brand's monetary and operational transparency.
While Kylie Cosmetics did take some steps to address issues—like switching producers and overhauling packaging—those efforts had been regularly seen as reactive in desire to proactive. The absence of open communique from Kylie or the logo at some point of controversies made many clients experience deserted.
Read Also: What is the age difference between Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner?
The Influence of Social Media
Social media has played a double-edged function in the upward push and fall of Kylie Cosmetics’ popularity. On one hand, it allowed the logo to develop hastily. On the alternative, it have become the platform for public shaming and huge grievance. Influencers who as soon as hyped the goods began calling them out. YouTube opinions, TikTok movies, and Instagram recollections showcasing product flaws unfold rapid and had an enduring impact.
This stage of visibility makes it difficult for any emblem to cover its flaws, and Kylie Cosmetics became no exception. The power of client voices amplified with the resource of virtual structures forced the logo to confront its shortcomings in actual time.
Rebranding and Relaunch Efforts
In 2021, Kylie Cosmetics underwent a primary rebrand. The relaunch promised vegan formulation, cleanser components, and additional sustainable packaging. It changed into seen as an try and realign the emblem with current-day-day purchaser expectations and rebuild accept as proper with.
While a few welcomed the changes, others remained skeptical. Critics confused whether or not or not the overhaul addressed the center problems of tremendous manage and customer service or actually served as a advertising and marketing pivot. The achievement of this rebranding technique remains debated amongst organisation insiders.
Lessons for Influencer-Led Brands

The Kylie Cosmetics backlash is a cautionary story for influencer-pushed agencies. Celebrity fame can ignite speedy growth, however keeping client loyalty requires consistency, duty, and transparency. Consumers are certainly greater discerning and vocal than ever, specially within the age of social media.
For producers tied to a personal photograph, controversies not great have an impact on the company but also the movie big name’s public personality. Kylie Jenner learned firsthand that silence or vague employer statements are not enough to quell a consumer base that expects direct engagement and determination.
Conclusion
Kylie Cosmetics' journey from groundbreaking fulfillment to going thru backlash illustrates the challenges of scaling a celeb-led logo with out compromising on terrific and purchaser care. While the logo has taken steps to get higher, the episodes of splendid manage lapses and terrible customer service have left a mark that may not effects fade.
For influencer producers searching for to enter or growth in the beauty corporation, the Kylie Cosmetics experience is each a roadmap and a caution. The takeaway is plain: excellence in product and issuer isn’t non-obligatory—it’s vital. Celebrity appeal may also additionally open doors, but high-quality normal fine and patron respect will hold them open.
When Kylie Jenner released Kylie Cosmetics in 2015 with the now-iconic Lip Kits, it revolutionized the beauty organization. A combination of superstar effect and direct-to-purchaser marketing, the emblem changed into an right now achievement, regularly selling out within minutes. But because the preliminary excitement diminished and the logo multiplied, so did customer scrutiny. Over the years, Kylie Cosmetics has faced large backlash, mainly over tremendous control and customer support problems. Here's a more in-depth have a take a look at how the logo stumbled, how the general public reacted, and what it method for the future of influencer-led beauty ventures.
Read Also: What makes Kylie Jenner one of the most followed celebrities on Instagram?
The Rise of Kylie Cosmetics
Kylie Jenner’s big social media following made her beauty line a runaway fulfillment from the begin. The Lip Kits—liquid lipstick and matching liner devices—were hyped heavily on systems like Instagram and Snapchat. This advertising and advertising version bypassed traditional marketing and advertising and created a revel in of urgency and exclusivity. However, with rapid scaling got here operational traumatic conditions, pretty some which would possibly later come again to dangle-out the brand.
Early Quality Concerns
As Kylie Cosmetics grew, clients started out elevating crimson flags about the product exceptional. Complaints ranged from faulty applicators and off-setting smells to inconsistent formulation. One most important controversy emerged in 2016 at the same time as customers claimed their Lip Kits arrived with damaged or poorly manufactured brushes. Images circulated on-line of frayed, bent, and unusable applicators.
Kylie Cosmetics replied with the aid of blaming a batch trouble and promised corrective measures. While a few customers desired the acknowledgment, others felt the reaction lacked transparency and timeliness. As courtroom times piled up, the backlash intensified, mainly due to the truth many anticipated a pinnacle fee enjoy for the price.
You May Also Like: How long does kylie jenner challenge last?
The "Glue Smell" Scandal
In 2017, some other controversy rocked the emblem while the contemporary Kylie Cosmetics highlighters—known as Kylighters—reportedly had an remarkable chemical or "glue-like" scent. Beauty influencers and customers alike voiced worries about capability safety dangers and questionable production practices. Though the employer maintained that the goods were comfy and met all required necessities, the backlash on social media emerge as fierce. Critics accused the brand of prioritizing profits over protection.
Customer Service Woes
Beyond product problems, customer service at Kylie Cosmetics became a top sticking issue for unhappy customers. Many noted no longer on time responses, unanswered emails, and trouble acquiring refunds or replacements. In severa instances, packages had been each not on time or in no manner arrived, and the lack of effective verbal exchange only exacerbated frustration.
One customer’s complaint on Reddit went viral: after weeks of searching ahead to a lacking order, she obtained a regular response that did no longer cope with her particular concerns. These testimonies damaged the brand’s image, particularly in a market in which patron experience is as crucial as product tremendous.
Lack of Transparency and Corporate Accountability
Kylie Jenner end up first of all praised for being deeply worried in her brand, however as troubles surfaced, her silence on those subjects drew criticism. Many customers and watchdogs felt that the emblem did now not take duty in a sizable way. Forbes’ 2020 document retracting Jenner’s billionaire reputation furthermore raised questions about the brand's monetary and operational transparency.
While Kylie Cosmetics did take some steps to address issues—like switching producers and overhauling packaging—those efforts had been regularly seen as reactive in desire to proactive. The absence of open communique from Kylie or the logo at some point of controversies made many clients experience deserted.
Read Also: What is the age difference between Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner?
The Influence of Social Media
Social media has played a double-edged function in the upward push and fall of Kylie Cosmetics’ popularity. On one hand, it allowed the logo to develop hastily. On the alternative, it have become the platform for public shaming and huge grievance. Influencers who as soon as hyped the goods began calling them out. YouTube opinions, TikTok movies, and Instagram recollections showcasing product flaws unfold rapid and had an enduring impact.
This stage of visibility makes it difficult for any emblem to cover its flaws, and Kylie Cosmetics became no exception. The power of client voices amplified with the resource of virtual structures forced the logo to confront its shortcomings in actual time.
Rebranding and Relaunch Efforts
In 2021, Kylie Cosmetics underwent a primary rebrand. The relaunch promised vegan formulation, cleanser components, and additional sustainable packaging. It changed into seen as an try and realign the emblem with current-day-day purchaser expectations and rebuild accept as proper with.
While a few welcomed the changes, others remained skeptical. Critics confused whether or not or not the overhaul addressed the center problems of tremendous manage and customer service or actually served as a advertising and marketing pivot. The achievement of this rebranding technique remains debated amongst organisation insiders.
Lessons for Influencer-Led Brands
The Kylie Cosmetics backlash is a cautionary story for influencer-pushed agencies. Celebrity fame can ignite speedy growth, however keeping client loyalty requires consistency, duty, and transparency. Consumers are certainly greater discerning and vocal than ever, specially within the age of social media.
For producers tied to a personal photograph, controversies not great have an impact on the company but also the movie big name’s public personality. Kylie Jenner learned firsthand that silence or vague employer statements are not enough to quell a consumer base that expects direct engagement and determination.
Conclusion
Kylie Cosmetics' journey from groundbreaking fulfillment to going thru backlash illustrates the challenges of scaling a celeb-led logo with out compromising on terrific and purchaser care. While the logo has taken steps to get higher, the episodes of splendid manage lapses and terrible customer service have left a mark that may not effects fade.
For influencer producers searching for to enter or growth in the beauty corporation, the Kylie Cosmetics experience is each a roadmap and a caution. The takeaway is plain: excellence in product and issuer isn’t non-obligatory—it’s vital. Celebrity appeal may also additionally open doors, but high-quality normal fine and patron respect will hold them open.