A Kuwaiti social media star ignited a backlash after criticising a law allowing domestic workers one day off a week, prompting cosmetic brands to sever ties with her.

Sondos Alqattan, a make-up artist, had uploaded a video on social media earlier this month bemoaning new regulations that allow domestic workers a day off every week and the right to keep their passports, which employees often confiscate.

"How can you have a servant at home who has her passport with her?," Ms Alqattan asked indignantly in a video posted on Instagram to her 2.3 million followers.

"She will have a day off a week, and work six days a week. And of course you won't know happens on these days, while her passport is with her."

Social media users decried Ms Alqattan's comments as racist, and demanded cosmetic brands cut their ties with her. Chelsea Beautique, a make-up company, announced it would remove a video sponsored by Ms Alqattan from its social media channels.