When we shop for beauty products, we often look at brand names, the actual product and the cost of it. There are times, we cannot even pronounce the name of an international brand, yet we reach out for it. After all, foreign brands look sophisticated, are great in quality and are beautifully packaged. What if you have to shell out more on these brands? After all, quality comes at a price. Isn't it? In the midst of this, don't you feel its time to check out some equally good local alternatives too?
Today, there are a number of homegrown beauty brands in the market that have so much to offer in terms of skincare, hair care, makeup and beauty in general. These desi labels not only take pride in understanding the Indian skin type, shade and tone better but also know to create a fine balance between traditional recipes and scientific technology to offer a more effective solution. These beauty brands are also affordable and easily accessible in the market.
With the focus now on being 'atmanirbhar' and supporting local brands, I think its time these Indian skincare and makeup lines get a deserving place in our vanity box. Keeping this in mind, I have enlisted 15 Indian beauty brands that are not only trusted and well-known in the country's beauty scenario but also have a product range that is on par with their foreign counterparts.
1. Lakme
Lakme needs no introduction. After all, it is the country's first cosmetic brand to introduce a range of high-quality makeup products targeted at Indian women. A complete beauty brand, Lakme's makeup and skincare products are so diverse that you can get just about anything you want to augment your looks. Be it lipsticks, foundations, compacts, primers, eye makeup, blushes, makeup accessories, face washes, face creams and so on...they have nearly everything that you can add to your vanity bag.
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Brand Lakme is highly innovative and regularly introduces new beauty products in the market. Hence, it is a bit tough to keep up with them. Amongst their so many really impressive products, Lakme lip colors are absolutely smashing. Their highly-pigmented Lakme 9 to 5 Primer with Matte Lip Colors and Lakme Absolute Matte Melt Liquid Lip Colors are oh-so-good for any occasion. Lakme 9 to 5 Complexion Care Face Cream (picture/link above), Lakme Rose Powder with Sunscreen and Lakme Eyeconic Kajal are three other products that I am sure you would love to have.
Also Read:
15 High-Selling Lakme Products that You Need to Check ASAP
Review: Lakme 9 to 5 Complexion Care Cream
2. Forest Essentials
One of the most popular Indian Luxury Beauty Brands in the market, Forest Essentials is associated with 100% ayurvedic and cruelty-free products. This skincare brand offers a wide range of face care, body care, hair care and wellness products that are inspired by age-old Ayurveda formulations. All their products are non-toxic and do not make use of parabens, sulphates and synthetic fragrances.
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Forest Essentials is a luxe Indian beauty brand that is stylish, modern yet authentic and rooted in ancient beauty rituals. Not to forget, they are expensive too. Some of their highly acclaimed products are the Soundarya Radiance Cream with 24K Gold and SPF25 for glowing skin, the Brightening Tejasvi Emulsion, the Bhringhraj Enriched Head Massage Oil (picture/link above) and their Night Treatment Creams. To shop for their products, click here.
3. Biotique
Yet another Indian beauty brand that is well-known for 100% botanical and cruelty-free products is Biotique. This homegrown brand embodies ancient Indian medicine with advanced Swiss biotechnology to offer a range of affordable products for skin, body, hair and fragrance. Recently, this brand has launched their skincare-infused Biotique Natural Makeup line. All the makeup products under this collection are organic and silicone-free.
Besides catering to the beauty needs of women, Biotique also offers several products for baby, kids and Men.
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Though brand Biotique has a number of skincare and haircare products that are doing very well in the market, few products from this brand need a special mention here. They are Biotique Bio Honey Gel Refreshing Foaming Face Wash, Biotique Bio Cucumber Pore Tightening Toner, Dandelion Ageless Lightening Serum (picture/link above) and Biotique Morning Nectar Flawless Skin Lotion. These are Biotique best-sellers.
4. Kama Ayurveda
Feel nourished and radiant with one of India's premium skincare brands, Kama Ayurveda. Launched in 2002, this 'Made in India' beauty brand offers an array of high-quality products for face, body, hair and wellness. All these products are authentic and natural Ayurvedic formulations. Kama Ayurveda is a PETA Certified Cruelty-free vegan beauty brand and does not make use of paraben, phthalates, talc, GMOs, triclosan and other toxic chemicals in their products.
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Kama Ayurveda has won quite a few prestigious Beauty Awards under their belt. Some of their award-winning skincare and haircare products include Kama Ayurveda Bringadi Intensive Hair Treatment Oil, Kama Ayurveda Pure Rose Water (picture/link above), Kama Ayurveda Rose & Jasmine Hair Cleanser, Kama Ayurveda Kumkumadi Brightening Ayurvedic Face Scrub and Kumkumadi Miraculous Beauty Fluid Ayurvedic Night Serum.
5. Colorbar
Launched in 2004 under the able guidance of Mr. Samir Modi, Colorbar is one of the most sought-after makeup brands in India today. This desi beauty brand is credited for producing 100% vegetarian and PETA certified cruelty free makeup products for face, eyes, lips and nails that are at par with luxury brands. Colorbar also produces some amazing skincare products, makeup accessories and men's range, that is honestly too good to ignore.
Colorbar Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
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Colorbar is a hugely popular Indian cosmetic brand. Their Perfect Match Primer, lipstick range of Sinful Matte Lip Color and Velvet Matte Lipstick and Just Smoky Kajal are considered to be crowd favorites.
6. Himalaya
Himalaya is easily one of the oldest and established Indian beauty and wellness brands in the country. Founded 90 years ago by Mr. Manal, this modest company has come a long way now to offer a range of contemporized, safe and well-researched Ayurvedic products in the personal care, nutrition, baby care, moms, pharmaceuticals and animal health categories. Himalaya products are reasonably priced and easily available in the market.
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Brand Himalaya is known to provide something for everyone. Amid these, their Himalaya Purifying Neem Face Wash and Face Pack, Gentle Daily Care Protein Shampoo and Gentle Exfoliating Walnut Scrub have remained user favorites since years.
Also Read: Top 12 Himalaya Personal Care Products in India
7. Lotus Herbals
Mr. Kamal Passi founded Lotus Herbals in the year 1993, with the intention to offer first-rate natural beauty solutions to his customers. In the last 27 years, this brand has not only fulfilled their intent by perfectly combining ancient science of Ayurveda with modern technology but has also successfully manufactured a wide array of products for skin, hair and babies, including non-toxic makeup.
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Lotus Herbals is one of the prominent producers/marketers of natural cosmetics in the country today. Amongst their products, their Lotus Herbals sunscreens are hugely popular. Lotus Herbals Whiteglow Skin Whitening and Brightening Gel Cream, NUTRAMOIST Skin Renewal Daily Moisturizing Crème SPF 25 and Apriscrub Fresh Apricot Scrub are other top picks from this brand.
8. Khadi Natural
If you are looking for clinically proven products that are made from herbal ingredients and extracts, then your search would stop at Khadi Natural. This natural beauty and healthcare brand is one of the oldest in the market (established in 1963) and affiliated by the Khadi & Village Industries Commission. All Khadi Natural products are 100% Ayurvedic formations and free from harmful chemicals. Moreover, this brand is also certified by the department of Ayush.
Khadi Natural Sandalwood & Honey Face wash
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Khadi Natural makes an array of products for face, hair, body and hygiene. They also have massage oils and essential oils under their aroma therapy category, that I am sure you would love to explore. Their divinely scented handmade soaps, face washes, face packs, hair oils and hair cleansers are other products that are often bought.
9. VLCC
Started by Vandana Luthra in 1989, VLCC is a front-runner in offering weight management, beauty and wellness solutions in India. They have a wide presence in the country through their 205 wellness centers and VLCC run Institutes of Beauty & Nutrition with 73 campuses. VLCC has a diversified product portfolio with a plethora of pocket-friendly skincare, bodycare and haircare products under their personal care range.
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VLCC is perhaps one of the earliest Indian brands to offer bleaches and facial kits to its customers. Their VLCC Papaya Fruit Facial Kit (picture/link above), VLCC Gold Facial Kit and VLCC Diamond Facial Kit are some of their best facial kits for radiant and glowing skin. Besides these, their Indian Berberry Face Scrub, Water Resistant Sunscreen Gel Creme and VLCC Honey Moisturiser are also doing amazingly well in the market.
10. Aroma Magic
A respected name in the field of aromatherapy and holistic beauty, Dr. Blossom Kocchar's Aroma Magic is another prominent natural beauty brand in the Indian market. This desi label offers more than 170 aromatherapy-based products for skin, hair and body, including essential oils, curative oils and chakra oils for healing and general wellness. Their products are made from numerous nourishing ingredients that are found in nature and are free of parabens, phthalates, fragrances, alcohol, mineral oils and other harsh chemicals. The brand also ensures that no testing is done on animals.
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Out of their so many superb products, I would highly recommend Aroma Magic face washes and sunscreens. They are a must-try. If you want me to drop names, then check out their Neem & Tea Tree Face Wash (picture/link above), Lavender Face Wash, Aroma Magic Sunscreen Block Lotion SPF 30, Aroma Magic Mineral Glow Scrub and even their Honey and Shea Butter Body Lotion.
11. Sugar Cosmetics
When Sugar Cosmetics, founded by Vineeta Singh & Kaushik Mukherjee, was launched in 2012, the Indian makeup world had some big names like Lakme, Maybelline, L'Oreal, Revlon and MAC, competing in the market. Today, Sugar has not only survived this very stiff competition, but is also one of the preferred makeup brands for Indian women.
Currently, Sugar manufactures multiple cruelty-free and 100% safe products for face, eyes, lips, nails and skin that is high on style and performance. Bold or subdued, vibrant or quirky, Sugar assures to meet all your makeup needs for any given day.
Sugar Cosmetics Matte As Hell Lip Crayon - 01 Scarlett O-hara (Red)
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Check out some of their most-loved products like the Sugar Cosmetics Matte As Hell Lip Crayons (picture/link above), Sugar Cosmetics Stroke of Genius Heavy-Duty Kohl, Sugar Cosmetics Arrested for Overstay Waterproof Eyeliner or their Contour De Force Mini Blush. You will know why Indian women love shopping from them.
12. Plum
Founded by Mr. Shankar Prasad in 2013, Plum is India's first 100% vegan beauty brand, that is also PETA certified cruelty-free brand and has an online-only presence. Plum's range of products for face, body and hair are honest beauty solutions to nourish, restore and protect skin and hair. This has been approved by a number of users, who have raved about getting real results after using their products. All Plum products are paraben, SLS and phthalates free, while their packaging is completely recyclable.
Plum Green Tea Renewed Clarity Night Gel
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Plum has a number of really effective products to choose from. Their super-pigmented Plum NaturStudio All-Day-Wear Kohl Kajal cum Liner in black, brown and gemstone green shades is superlative. Their Plum Green Tea Renewed Clarity Night Gel (picture/link above), Plum Green Tea Alcohol Free Toner, Plum Grape Seed & Sea Buckthorn Glow-Restore Face Oils and Plum Green Tea Pore Cleansing Face Wash are equally famous.
13. Mamaearth
Founded in 2016 by Varun and Ghazal Alagh, Mamaearth is a revolutionary brand in providing 100% toxin-free and natural beauty and baby care products. Their personal care products, be it for skincare, haircare or babies are formulated with the goodness of natural ingredients, are completely safe and cruelty-free. Mamaearth is FDA approved and also Asia's 1st Brand to be certified by Made Safe.
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Mamaearth products are not only heavily advertised across various social media sites but also well-received by beauty editors and real users. Their Mamaearth Aloe Vera Gel (picture/link given above), Mamaearth Vitamin C Face Mask with Kaolin Clay, Mamaearth Tea Tree Face Wash (for Oily Skin) and Mamaearth Skin Illuminate Face Serum are definitely worth a try.
14. Just Herbs
With so many 'natural' and 'Ayurvedic' beauty brands mushrooming in the country, Just Herbs is a homegrown luxury label that is much-appreciated for offering honest, effectual and safe products for the customers. This brand not only produces 100% Ayurvedic products for face, hair, bath and body but also discloses all ingredients in their product labels.
Each of Just Herbs items is free from parabens, SLS, GMO and other synthetic ingredients, is not tested on animals and are fully natural or nature derived. Just Herbs products are also certified by the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India.
Just Herbs Daily Skincare Essentials Trial Kit (for Oily/Combination Skin)
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If you are into clean beauty and want brands to be transparent, then I highly recommend Just Herbs. Though they are on the expensive side, their best-selling Silksplash Rehydrant Face Wash, their Herb Enriched Skin Tint, the Herb Enriched Ayurvedic Lipstick and Just Herbs Bhringraj Oil is worth trying out. If you are a first time user, then it is best to buy their Daily Skincare Essentials Trial Kit (picture/link given above). This trial kit is available for dry/normal and oily/combination skin type. This not only costs less than Rs. 600/- but will also let you know more about Just Herbs products.
15. Elle 18
Elle 18 is a popular Indian cosmetic brand - especially among the younger crowd. This label offers a super cute range of color burst lipsticks, lip glosses, eye and face makeup products and vibrant nail polishes that are affordable, funky and trendy. Elle 18 products are available on all major online shopping sites, including beauty stores.
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Do not miss out on their color popping nail paints, their eye-drama kajal and lip colors. They are very good in quality, considering their pocket-friendly price. Elle 18 products also make for good gifting items for teenagers and college goers. To check out some cool Elle 18 products, click here.
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