Grandmother outraged at Disney false eyelashes marketed at young children

'It is completely opposite to what I thought Disney stood for'

(Mercury Press)

A grandmother has spoken out about her outrage upon finding Disney false eyelashes for sale, marketed at children over the age of three.

55-year-old grandma-of-four Nicolette Harvey from Thurrock, Essex explained that she’d found the eyelashes at Poundland but fears such products sexualise children from a young age.

The packaging on the Cinderella-themed eyelashes says they’re unsuitable for children under the age of three, but Harvey believes they could be dangerous for young children.

(Mercury Press)

Harvey claims the eyelashes, manufactured by cosmetics firm H&A, measure no more than three-quarters of an inch each, and there’s no adhesive included.

This, she says, could lead to young children trying to apply the lashes unsupervised with craft glue.

“I think it’s terrible that the product is for sale,” Harvey said. “It’s shocking for children that age.

“I don't agree with sexualising young girls in this way and Disney will attract them to the products. I know for certain that my granddaughter would be more attracted to them with the Disney logo on than any other brand.”

Harvey has a four-year-old granddaughter called Mariah, but she fears the young girl could “poke her eyes out with them.”

Disney, who license H&A to manufacture the eyelashes, claim the three-plus symbol is to highlight a choking hazard and warn parents about the small size of the product.

The company claim the product is aimed at teens and adults, however the packaging does not explicitly say it is only for those ages.

“I was most surprised because it’s Disney trademarked with Cinderella on it,” Harvey said. “Mariah absolutely loves Disney princesses. Products like this for young children are awful. The eyelashes were tiny. It’s a bit hard to swallow.

“It is completely opposite to what I thought Disney stood for. I thought Disney encouraged childhood innocence and imagination. You think they’re wholesome and about letting children enjoy childhood.”

Harvey added that due to the size of the lashes, she believes they must be aimed at girls aged five to six.

Nicollette Harvey (Mercury Press)

Harvey was so shocked when she found the lashes in the store that she whispered “Oh my God” under her breath. When a member of staff overheard her, she reportedly said “you don’t know the half,” and added that they sell false nails for children too.

“It’s worrying because my granddaughter loves Disney, especially the princesses and Frozen, and I’d be terrified she’d poke her eyes out,” said Harvey.

“The eyelashes were Disney with Cinderella printed on the packet and the trademark too. Why would you use the Disney brand if they’re for adults? You wouldn’t go out as an adult and buy a Rapunzel mascara.”

Harvey explained that her daughter - Mariah’s mother - didn’t want anyone bringing the false lashes into her home.

Disney confirmed that H&A made the eyelashes under license and that the age certificates on the back of the product are to warn parents of potential choking hazards.

A spokesperson said: “The Disney-branded eyelashes, which are manufactured by H&A under a license with Disney and sold at Poundland, are designed for teens and adults, and can normally be found in stores within the beauty section only.

“The 3+ symbol on the packaging does not refer to the intended age range of the product, but rather serves as a reminder that this item contains small parts.”

They stated while other retailers had previously sold the eyelashes, Poundland were now the only stockists.

Poundland confirmed that they sold the products along with other retailers.