From LED masks to airbrush systems, seven fashion insiders share the beauty tech they actually use

When asked if they swear by beauty, many of the people we interviewed for this story had similar first reactions: “Nah, I’m pretty low maintenance” or “I’m more analogue than I’m tech.” The awareness was high, adoption pretty low. Market data suggests something similar: It’s new, it’s early. But it’s coming. Almost every cosmetic giant is now hedging its bets on beauty tech. With a compound annual growth rate of 22.8 per cent between 2025–30, the Indian beauty tech sector is set for a boom much like skincare in recent years, as per research platform Horizon Databook.

We interviewed seven folks who’ve hitched their wagon a little earlier than most. And their recommendations come tried and tested.

Ashima Kapoor
Makeup artist

When first asked to talk about a beauty tech device she uses herself or on her clients, senior beauty artist Ashima Kapoor’s first reaction is “Oh dear!”. She politely declined, saying she tends to stick to the old school basics in her makeup techniques. However, a few minutes later, she calls back excitedly, asking me if her professional TEMPTU AirPod system falls in this sphere (ChatGPT nudged her, too).

That perfectly 'airbrushed’ magazine cover glam that’s always hard to come by? The TEMPTU Air Premier Airbrush Kit is the answer. A technique dating back to the 1900s, in film and television, HMU artists worked with the traditional cup-and-gun design, she explains, where the makeup was poured directly into a small reservoir (cup) on the airbrush.

The new age TEMPTU, however, makes the process faster, cleaner, and more hygienic. “The pre-filled cartridges,” she says, “allow instant shade changes without cleaning the airbrush, while the microfine mist gives a seamless, natural skin-like HD finish for bridal and editorial makeup.”

Kunal Walia
Head of business, Louis Vuitton

“I’ve been using electronic brushes since forever,” says Walia. His current favourite is the brush by London-based brand, SURI (Sustainable Rituals). Launched in May 2022, SURI’s sonic toothbrushes feature brush heads made from plant-based cornstarch and bristles from castor oil. With a magnetic mirror mount and LED tech which kills bacteria, it’s a tech-brush positioned as a luxe alternative to everyday brushing. “I feel it goes deeper (in cleaning)...and it’s easy to navigate in areas a normal brush just doesn’t reach,” he says.

Walia also always wanted to try LED eye masks, which he finally picked up on his last trip to London. The results have been well worth the hype. “I do feel they instantly give your eyes a lift.” His pro tip: Selfridges has some great options. “I am someone who is scared of injectables in general,” he admits, “so I keep indulging in other alternatives.”

Try out: Numour I-CONIC Smart Electric Eye Rejuvenation LED Mask

Akanksha Bhakoo
Stylist

For the Delhi-based celebrity stylist, her LED electric gua sha massager is an essential. “It’s my favourite beauty hack for looking like I’ve had eight hours of sleep when I absolutely haven’t,” she sheepishly admits. “It depuffs, wakes up my face, gives me a bit of contour, and makes me look awake in minutes.”

With back-to-back shoots, frequent travel, and unpredictable schedules, Bhakoo says she needs all the help she can get: “LED therapy is great, but honestly, the fake-well-rested effect is what keeps me loyal.”

Try out: Numour G.O.A.T Smart Gua Sha

Akshat Kapoor
Brand strategist, advisor, and marketer

While almost every beauty device comes with “science-backed” skincare tech, for many of us, it is also just a matter of trying to take care of ourselves. Delhi-based marketer Akshat Kapoor reaches for his at-home LED mask every once in a while as part of his beauty routine. “I don’t know how much of a difference it makes, but it’s the feel-good factor,” he says. Kapoor’s preference is the 3-in-1LED Face Mask by Ahmedabad-based brand ProTouch.

“To be quite honest, I never really go for any (tech-based) treatments—massive oxy facials, sculpting, this and that, which a lot of other folks do.” For Kapoor, the appeal lies in its convenience. It’s “within the beautiful four walls of my home,” he says, and unlike many in-clinic treatments, it’s non-invasive, with nothing to inject and nothing to peel.

Ridhi Asrani Jewellery
Designer

A non-negotiable in Asrani’s evening routine is her Amiro Spectra 5-in-1 LED Light Therapy Facial Mask. “I usually wear it while I scroll through Pinterest at night, or when preparing my morning beverage,” says the Hyderabad-based jewellery designer. “I’ve never been particularly interested in beauty that promises instant gratification; I’m far more interested in the long game.” For her, the mask’s multiwavelength technology feels more “like skincare’s chic overachieving cousin.” Founded in 2015, the Shenzhen-based brand launched with a sensor mirror and moved to an LED light therapy mask in 2023. For Asrani, the allure lies in tech that makes her feel “a little more luminous, a little more rested, and a little more expensive.”

Aparnaa Verma
Model

If there’s anyone in the industry who can confidently give haircare advice, it’s Aparnaa Verma—whose signature look involves her decadent, silver-streaked locks, a fashion favourite. It is thus fitting that for her favoured beauty tech, Verma talks of an LED Comb, picked up on her travels abroad. “What appeals to me is that it’s a gentle, non-invasive technology that can support scalp health without adding complexity to my routine,” says the Delhi-based model. As someone who appreciates evidence-based treatments, Verma’s continued use of the product is proof enough.

Bonus: If buying another gadget isn’t your thing...

Jeetinder Sandhu Footwear
Designer

And then there are those who’d like to leave the tech to the professionals. “I’m not very big on tech and beauty,” says Delhi-based footwear designer Jeetinder Sandhu. “But one treatment I genuinely rely on is the HydraGlow facial.” It’s a multi-step salon treatment that cleanses pores and hydrates the skin intensely. Sandhu explains how the LED treatment at the end gives the skin an extra boost, leaving him with a glowing complexion. “With a busy schedule and frequent social events, it’s an effective, low-maintenance way to keep my skin looking healthy and hydrated.”

All images: Respective brands 

This article originally appeared in Cosmopolitan India's July-August 2026 print issue.

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