Content creator roasted for not in good taste ‘vitiligo-inspired’ makeup, sparks online outrage

A Kolkata-based content creator is receiving severe backlash for posting a video of ‘vitiligo-inspired’ makeup tutorial on Instagram. The video — which was posted back in July — has recently gone viral on social media. The creator, Rajanya Das, used paint on her face to represent vitiligo. Das — who herself doesn’t suffer from the skin disease — aimed at creating art inspired by those who do and thereby normalise it. In the video, she emphasised that the condition makes you look ‘pretty’ just like ‘art’.

Vitiligo is a disease that causes loss of skin color in blotches. It occurs when pigment-producing cells in the body die or stop functioning.

The video’s caption read: “It’s pretty just like art. My vitiligo makes me unique.” In current times when social media has become a toxic space in most cases, several users rightfully criticised the video and said that it was in ‘bad taste’. While social media sites are platforms for people to express freely and be authentic, it also comes with a responsibility to be aware of the impact one may have on society at large. Several users came forward and called the idea ‘insensitive’. “This is so tone-deaf. Do better,” a user commented on the post. The video is receiving flak for being offensive to those who actually suffer from the chronic autoimmune disorder. “Sometimes it is better not to make content, than make content like this,” another user wrote.

After the backlash, Das edited her caption and apologised. Defending herself, the creator wrote: “My goal was never to mock or belittle anyone with vitiligo. Rather, as a skin-positive creator, I aim to celebrate and highlight unique features instead of concealing them. I was trying to normalise having it because it’s not under someone’s control and treating it as normal rather than something different.”

Irrespective of the fact that the creator’s intent was to destigmatise the condition, the approach and execution were extremely inappropriate and in bad taste. Netizens were outraged by the video and slammed the creator for choosing such a sensitive subject as an idea for a makeup tutorial.