What is with the mass blogger (and extended family) exodus to India this holiday season? That’s nine people so far. Weird.
Speaking of things desi, ANNA recently emerged only marginally scathed from Mission: Lipstick. Her task was to test the new brown shade of NARS lipstick known simply as Hindu.
The high-end cosmetics company NARS has a new lipstick shade called Hindu¦I wonder how a shade called Jew or Protestant would fare in the public eye? Is the idea that all Hindus have temptingly red lips? To be fair, there are also shades called Afghan Red and Gipsy. What do you think?
… I finally located a tester of it at Blue Mercury Apothecary (apothecary!) and made my way to my prey. Part of Nars“ Holiday ˜06 collection, Hindu had sold so well, it would take a month for me to procure one for the Mutiny. Nars just didn“t make enough, my source said, as they prepared the tester for germ-phobic me.
… When she was done with me, I was wearing a very brown lipstick with excellent texture, which reminded of a sheer version of Chanel“s Very Vamp. I expected redder tones, not the muted brown which I was studying.
Her final review of the product: “It’s way subtle. Not unpleasant, but not something I’d wear. It’s too quiet.”
ylrsings, an SM commenter, dashed off a note to NARS with the following thought in mind: “I didn’t see one lying around called Baptist.” The response?
We acknowledge receipt of your email concerning the NARS lipstick named “Hindu”. Please be assured that in no way is the use of the name intended to offend the Hindu religion, culture or people of India. We appreciate that you have shared your viewpoint with us and for taking the time to contact NARS.
I guess Episcopalian or Latter Day Saint is not as exotic as Hindu, but as another commenter said, “I am so over this exoticism nonsense.” Hindu implying brown, Shanghai implying red, etc. Honestly, I simply don’t care that this lipstick is called Hindu or that Lost Coast Brewery named one of their beers Ganesh. As I’ve said time and again, my concern lies instead with westerners going for the half-assed, urban-chic value of eastern iconography and Indians/Hindus latching onto the symbolism like there’s no tomorrow, when neither group wants to realize and protect the beautiful reality behind the icon.
In closing, if you’re going to borrow the terminology, can you not use it improperly? It makes me cringe. Case in point: this bottle of Bath & Body Works Sandalwood Rose body wash that stares at me from my shower caddy each day.
Say it with me, kids: Hindi is the language, Hindu is a follower of Hinduism.
