The last five years has seen a surge in beauty brands, especially those that are made in India. And while you may have been using them on the regular because they’re so good and formulated for brown skin, you may not necessarily be aware that they’re 100% desi. We roped in some women to give honest reviews about makeup by the most popular Indian beauty brands.
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1. Tinge Review By Akshita Gupta
Your favourite products by the brand
- Tinge Eye Pencil
I purchased the black shade and enjoyed using the product. I particularly liked it because my eyes are very sensitive, and using this didn’t cause any irritation (I suppose because Tinge products are vegan).
- Tinge Multishade Stick
I purchased the lip colour, which could also work as a lip crayon. My favourite part of the product was that it triples up as a lip balm, eyeshadow and cheek tint. So the product is a multi-tasker.
How do you think it compares to international brands
I think it definitely compares to an international brand which is a little more expensive. I think this is a great brand, not only because it is homegrown but because it’s vegan, cruelty-free. And also, their products work great on the skin. It is not very harsh, great for daily wear, and it is great for Indian skin, which is a blessing.
Price: Value for Money
Rating: 4 / 5
2. Kay Beauty Review By Srushti Pathak
Your favourite products by the brand
- Kay Beauty Matte Blush – Sweet Salmon
Blush is my go-to makeup product, whether I am doing a full face of glam or keeping it natural. And Kay Beauty’s blush is the perfect shade for someone with a neutral undertone as it adds just the right amount of colour.
- Kay Beauty Liquid Eyeliner – Chic Emerald
A must-have for all my brown-eyed beauties out there, this eyeliner is easy to apply and highly pigmented. It adds the perfect pop of colour for my smokey brown eye look.
- Kay Beauty Nail Nourish Nail Enamel Polish – Rose Dust 20
Ever since I bought this, I have forgotten all the other nail colours I have. It’s a one-coat nail polish that provides great coverage for someone like me who tends to mess up with multiple coats.
How do you think it compares to international brands
This brand is quickly becoming a favourite as it truly is value for money. There is variety and with the new launches, the brand is putting skin colour, inclusivity and shade range at the top. And while most Indian brands have failed miserably for years to maintain quality and inclusivity, Kay Beauty is already making positive headlines with its products.
Price: Value for Money
Rating: 4.5 / 5
3. Nykaa Cosmetics By Tanisha Tiwari
Your favourite products by the brand
- Nykaa Glamoureyes Colour Eye Pencil Kajal – Blue Hex 01
I cannot step out without lining my eyes with kajal and I’m always on the lookout for a highly pigmented, one-stroke application kajal. This shade ticks all boxes, it adds the right amount of colour and accentuates my eyes perfectly. It is a must-have.
- Masaba By Nykaa Lipstick – Kale-ing Me Softly
This is one shade that I can wear at any hour of the day. The subtle red-pink hues are to die for, and the creamy texture is just an add-on.
- Nykaa Breathable Nail Enamel – Cloud Nine (317)
Their breathable range is a class apart as it offers chemical-free enamels which prevent nails from chipping off. The colour is chic and unique and is an all-time favourite of mine.
How do you think it compares to international brands
Nykaa has set a standard for other brands as it offers top-notch products while maintaining an affordable price range. While most brands have failed to cater to Indian skin tones, this brand revolves around delivering the most suitable products. They constantly revamp their range by offering a ton of variety for everyone.
Price: Affordable
Rating: 4 / 5
4. Sugar Cosmetics Review By Divita Aggarwal
Your favourite products by the brand
- Smudge Me Not Liquid Lipstick
The lipsticks stay for a super long time. It doesn’t have an intense matte texture that would dry my lips out. Plus it looks awesome with pretty much any makeup look
- Nothing Else Matters Longwear Lipstick
It’s all in the name. This product doesn’t wear off through the course of the day, stays its original colours and makes your skin colour pop. It is super affordable too! I wore to work once, and 2 colleagues ended up purchasing it the same day
How you think it compares to international brands
It’s a great alternative to rather expensive International brands, it works better for Indian skin tones (I have a dusky complexion) as compared to international brands
Price: Absolute Value for Money
Rating: 4 / 5
Make the best of your products by taking inspiration from this quick tutorial for a soft winter glam makeup look!
Going through reviews to decide whether a makeup brand is worth your money and good for your skin is a must; and it’s fair to be picky while doing so. Why wing it when you can highlight and shine? We hope these unbiased reviews help you make an informed decision when shopping for Indie makeup brands next time.
Beauty Tip: What to do with expired makeup products? Want an answer for this, check it out here.
*Please note, all opinions are of the individuals alone and none of the recommendations are sponsored or paid for in any way.
