Makeup guru Jeffree Star is facing accusations from fans that his recent eyeshadow palette is too similar to the packaging of another brand.
The Products
The Lorac “The Royal” full face collection has packaging that is certainly similar to Star’s “Blood Lust” palette packaging. The packaging for both brands is an unusual hexagonal shape and both have filigree style edging. Both feature crowns.
Beyond that, the two brands don’t share many more similarities. Despite the shape and styling, the coloring is completely different, making them instantly recognizable as separate products. The fonts are also completely different, which an essential aspect of a brand’s image.
Besides the aesthetic differences, each package contains completely different products. The Lorac box contains a full face makeup set, while Star’s similar package is an elaborate eyeshadow palette. The Lorac products are mostly neutral while Star’s palette is populated with his signature bold colors.
Despite any similarities or differences, the fan’s accusations raise questions about how close similarities between brands can be. In the age of the internet, every product every brand puts out is up for public viewing and criticism.
The Bigger Issue
This is great in that brands have a wide range of potential customers that can be accessed and tons of advertising opportunities. However, it leaves brands vulnerable to potential imitation by other brands.
On the flip side of this, in this day and age, is it even possible to come up with an entirely unique branding? It seems like there’s very little out there that is entirely original and never been done before.
This obviously does not excuse blatant plagiarism but in cases like Star and Lorac, it seems more probable that the original palette is more of an inspiration than a source for a carbon-copy.
In the makeup world especially, opinion leaders discuss the line between inspiration and imitation at length. Artistic circles deeply value originality, but its increasingly hard to come by.
Obviously Copywrite laws exist to prevent outright stealing of designs and branding. However, another invisible line exists that is drawn by fans and consumers. This line indicates what might be legal, but not acceptable in terms of similarity.
Because of this line, fans and beauty bloggers often “call out” brands for branding that’s a little to close for comfort. The question then becomes, at what point does it become unacceptable? How do we tell what is inspiration and imitation? That’s for every brand and consumer to decide for themselves, but in the current market, in the case of Star vs. Lorac, I’m leaning towards inspiration.
