US retailer Sephora has got consumers talking thanks to the shape of its new beauty sponge range, the Ocean Crush Sponge Set, with similarities drawn to that of a penis.

Designed to look like nude-coloured shells, the sponges have made headlines due to their apparent likeness to a man’s private parts, with one Twitter user stating, “I love that someone in the sephora headquarters signed off on these sponges that kinda look like tiny penises/interesting nipples.” (sic)

According to the Sephora website, the sponges’ design was created to have a more functional purpose, with the product having ‘multiple ridges and points, as well as a flat cut edge on the base to apply makeup to larger areas of the face.’