'Suicidal Hair' Shampoo Pulled From Urban Outfitters
After social media backlash, Urban Outfitters has pulled a shampoo for “suicidal hair” from its shelves. The product, from U.K. brand Anatomicals, is called “Peachy Head,” which, according to BuzzFeed News, is a reference to Beachy Head in England, a notorious location for suicide attempts. The back of the shampoo bottle shows what appears to be hair throwing itself off a cliff, with the words:
Well, I knew it was feeling a little off colour, but I just put that down to the bad dye job. I never knew my once beautiful hair would actually commit suicide by tossing itself off dramatic white cliffs to the rocks below. Now look at me, completely bald.
Before it’s too late, bring your locks back from a state of complete depression with this conditioning peach shampoo. It’s hair heaven on earth.
Dear @UrbanOutfitters think this is an acceptable product aimed at teenage girls? Shameful AND hugely irresponsible. pic.twitter.com/3gdwadGj5Q
— Sam Missingham (@samatlounge) April 28, 2016
When Twitter user Sam Missingham tweeted at Urban Outfitters asking the company if it was an acceptable product to market towards teenage girls, social media outrage ensued. “Suicide is not hip,” another user chimed in. “Or a fashion choice.” Urban Outfitters, which has a history of selling controversial products, eventually responded directly to Missingham on Twitter, a day later, saying the product would be removed from all retail stores immediately.
Thank you very much. I think you’ve made the right decision. Well done. https://t.co/2BfUwvN8gT — Sam Missingham (@samatlounge) April 28, 2016
Anatomicals co-founder Paul Marshal told BuzzFeed News the company will “probably not” continue selling the product, which has been on sale for years. “We want to bring smiles to people’s bathrooms,” he said. “We never set out to offend.”
This is what can happen when you tweet something important, @matthaig1@sambaker and MANY others get behind it. https://t.co/RfmlbjRjXo
— Sam Missingham (@samatlounge) April 29, 2016
According to the most recent data from Samaritans, in 2013 there were 6,233 registered suicides in the U.K.
Urban Outfitters responded to The Mighty’s request for comment with the following:
Earlier this year, URBN became aware that ‘Shampoo for Suicidal Hair’, a product manufactured by a UK company, Anatomicals, was offered for sale by Urban Outfitters in the UK. Although the product’s name is a humorous attempt to market a shampoo for hard-to-manage hair, we reevaluated and felt it was not appropriate and it was pulled from the Urban Outfitters website. Regrettably, some of the product was not pulled from our retail stores. We have instructed all of our UK stores to remove the product immediately.
If you or someone you know needs help, please visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting “START” to 741-741. Head here for a list of crisis centers around the world.
The Crisis Text Line is looking for volunteers! If you’re interesting in becoming a Crisis Counselor, you can learn more information here.