Indian baddie makeup: The global trend celebrating desi beauty

The western world’s representation of beauty in India has finally reached a point of accuracy, thanks to stars like Priyanka Chopra and Avantika Vandanapu. The latter’s role in the 2024 Mean Girls revival had her embrace thick, curly hair and soft glam makeup throughout the film. Meanwhile, the Indian beauty community is vast and continues to thrive, with homegrown brands like Diipa Khosla’s Inde Wild gaining traction for its quality and emphasis on age-old beauty rituals. This rise in appreciation for India’s rich beauty heritage is reflected in the Indian baddie makeup trend, which enhances our natural features while honoring our cultural secrets.

This makeup trend proves all the usual notions of Indian makeup are wrong; we see actors and creators sporting softer, muted tones and championing their natural skin. According to makeup artist Kruthika Sethiya, who has worked with popular stars from the south, “A lot of people are more into browns or blushed browns, rather than mauves, to really bring that youthful and fuller look—enhancing their natural skin tones,” she says.

How to recreate the Indian baddie makeup trend

To recreate the makeup look, the key is prepping your skin for a smooth and flawless base. Start by ensuring your skin is moisturised and supple, as this will help products glide on effortlessly. 

It’s all about the eyes
When it comes to the eyes, you can't go wrong with the classic kohl-rimmed look, paying homage to our indian ancestors. “A rich layer of mascara provides for fluttery lashes,” she adds. For a subtle look, brown, mauve, and soft pink eyeshadow shades work best, while shimmery gold, silver, and bronze eyeshadow shades are perfect for a more glamorous effect. Try blending a subtle and sparkly shade together for a classic two-toned eyeshadow look and top it off with a winged eyeliner adding definition to your gaze.

Blush and glow
Well-groomed brows with brow wax and subtle hues of rosy blush all over are the most common elements of this trend. It pairs well with the sharp contouring and defined cheekbones. Peach, coral, or warm pink blushes will create a sun-kissed effect, especially when paired with a luminous highlighter, blended from your cheekbones to the temples for a snatched and defined effect. 

Desi lip combo
The key to acing this trend lies in nailing your lip combo. Overlined lips with a brown or nude lip liner will pair well with nude, brown and peachy lip shades to create a plump and juicy pout. You could also choose a nude matte lip shade for a long-lasting and natural effect.

Indian hair diaries
When the “sleek-pulled-back-bun” trend took over the western world earlier last year, it seemed freakishly similar to our traditional champi hair care ritual, proving that most beauty trends that we sport in India are: a) cyclical, and b) can be easily recreated with products and ingredients nearby. So, go ahead and set your hair up the best way you know how. 

For the Indian baddie look, reach for the products that have always been your go-to and effortlessly master this stunning beauty trend.

Lead image: Netflix

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