Becky G and ColourPop launched their second collaboration makeup collection “Hola Chola” on Thursday, and it has sparked a bit of controversy online.
The line, which has been touted as “por la cultura” for its ‘90s chola aesthetic, was criticized as an example of what it means to “culture vulture.” The name of the line was originally used by Susana Gonzalez, the owner of a pre-existing Los Angeles indie brand called Hola Chola Inc. At her shop, Gonzalez vends everything from embellished jackets featuring the classic, celestial image of the Virgin Mary to earrings.
In a brief chat over the phone, Gonzalez tells Remezcla that she learned about the cosmetics collaboration through a friend who works at New York radio station Hot 97. It took a few hours before she looked into it herself, but when she did she laughed at how “identical” it was to her work.
Although Gonzalez’s line does not currently sell makeup, similar to her clothing under the same name, the just-released beauty collection is meant to pay tribute to Mexican-American heritage and culture.
Gonzalez has scaled up posts on Instagram since Tuesday, after hearing the news, but had no further comment at the time of publication.
The Becky G and ColourPop “Hola Chola” line features an array of neutral and deep hues in eye shadows, lipsticks, roller glosses and more. This is the second line the Inglewood-native has released with the makeup brand and the first to spark probing.
Commenters on Twitter weighed in on the controversy, expressing support as well as healthy criticism.