Why influencers are questioning Kay Beauty after its Falguni Shane Peacock collaboration

The Indian beauty world is mostly known for its Ayurvedic products and ingredients across the globe. However, Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif’s makeup brand broke all the norms, crossed international boundaries, and is now making people wait in line in the United Kingdom and in the UAE.From unexpected partnerships with Huda Beauty in the Gulf and Space NK in the UK, she has now collaborated with Indian design duo Falguni Shane Peacock and has released a limited-edition kit, which has sparked a wave of discussion online. While some influencers and consumers are loving this beauty with a couture collaboration, others are voicing concerns over the high price point. What is this collaboration all about?In January 2026, Kay Beauty launched a limited range of matte bullet lipsticks and multi-use face palettes, inspired by the couture label Falguni Shane Peacock. The aim was to blend high-fashion aesthetics with quality and performance-orientated formulations. Both brands aimed at elevating their footprints, offering luxurious packaging with iconic design cues. What went wrong?Despite its creative ambitions, the launch received backlash from some beauty influencers who emphasised the fact that Kay Beauty is one of the celebrity brands in India whose price range comes under the ‘affordable’ bracket, with a suitable variety and high quality. However, these limited-range lipsticks are great quality-wise but have a steep price range. This has led to conversations about whether the brand is now abandoning its core audience. But many came in supportHowever, another side of the internet defended the brand and explained to the audience that charging Rs 1,800 for a piece of bullet lipstick under a limited-range release is better than opting for international brands that charge more than Rs 3,000-4,000 for one bullet piece. What does this mean for Kay Beauty?This pushback does not signal a widespread boycott of both brands, but it has definitely ignited conversations online. Well, negative PR is also PR, which is beneficial to the brand. Well, do let us know which side you’re on in the comments below.