We read all the reviews and found Indian makeup products that actually deliver

There’s something for everyone

For the longest time, I was obsessed with a lipstick from an international brand. After subtly pressuring my friend for months, she finally agreed to pick it up for me at Singapore duty-free while returning from her holiday. I was certain I had found my signature shade of nude. The creamy formula felt like butter, and it stayed put without making my lips look like the shrivelled-up tamaatar that had been forgotten at the back of the fridge.

What more could I ask for, right? I should have asked for longevity of the lipstick itself. After two weeks of carrying it around in my purse, the lipstick left solid state faster than my salary leaves my savings account after payday.

I started to look beyond hyped-up international brands that had hijacked the attention of my Instagram algorithm. I read reviews on Reddit, and made notes as I listened to what the beauty experts were saying about Indian makeup products. With inclusive shade ranges, formulations that survive our hot summers and budget-friendly prices, these brands have been claiming their well-deserved time in the spotlight and my makeup kit.

If you’re already plotting your next beauty haul, I recommend you try Indian makeup products from legacy brands that have stood the test of time, or experiment with the latest homegrown products without worrying about a depleting bank balance.

19 Indian makeup products worth buying

For a flawless base

While you wait for your skincare routine to pay off, you can rely on Indian makeup products for a helping hand. It’s no longer just about matching the right shade of foundation to your skin tone (that’s important too), you need to prep it correctly as well. A primer, like Colorbar Perfect Match will blur pores and smoothen any texture, making it easy for you to apply foundation. It will also help your makeup last longer.

The Kiro Daily Dewy Serum Foundation feels hydrating and is perfect for dry skin, while Charmacy Matte Foundation keeps your oily T-zone in check through the hottest summer days. Their formula ensures they last all day and their shade range is designed for Southeast Asians tones.

Need extra coverage? The House of Makeup Zoom In Concealer delivers a smooth, blendable finish and won’t crease in the heat. Online reviewers have been calling it a dupe for the Huda Beauty Fauxfilter Concealer in terms of coverage. If longevity is your goal, the Nykaa Matte to Last Concealer won’t budge, even through an afternoon nap.

For a glowing flush

A well-placed blush can sculpt your cheekbones and make your eyes pop. Celebrity makeup expert Namrata Soni, suggests applying blush on the apples of your cheeks and sweeping it upwards for a lifted look.

For that fresh, lit-from-within glow, Simply Nam Velvet Cream Magic Blush (the Partner in Crime shade is Soni’s favourite) blends seamlessly and hydrates dry skin. If you prefer a sheer flush, Fae Beauty Lush Blush delivers a just-pinched effect that can be built to the intensity you like. Want a soft matte finish? The Diam Beauty Soft Focus Blurring Pot is lightweight and works on all skin types. And for multitaskers, Sommer Beauty Huesicle’s vegan formula gives a diffused look while working as a blush, lip tint, and eyeshadow.

For a hint of shine, try Asa Beauty Crème Highlighter. It’s infused with jojoba seed and argan oil, and cocoa and shea butter—so it’s skincare-meets-makeup perfection (try these multitasking skincare products to simplify your routine). Plus, the shade range is spot-on for Indian skin tones.

For glamorous eyes and strong brows

No international brand can rival kajal formulations from our Indian makeup brands, but when it comes to eyeshadows and brows there have been fewers hits and more misses. The Mars Bright and Colorful Eyeshadow Palette and Praush Showstopper Palette are worthy of your trust. Their shades are easy to blend, highly pigmented and buildable, so start small and build up swaad anusaar.

For those who are always running late or lack patience, a creamy eyeshadow, such as the Studio West Eyeglam Eyeshadow Stick is easy to use. It’s buttery smooth and delivers colour in one swipe so you don’t have to rub it on multiple times.

Indian brands have a few good eyebrow products too. For well-defined brows, go for the Sugar Arch Arrival Brow Styler—it’s a clear gel with a strong hold, and comes with a spoolie. If you have thick brows, this works well because it helps define each hair without adding colour. To fill in your brows, the Lakme Facelift Brow Sculpt Palette in the shade Brown will give a soft look.

For stunning lips

Makeup enthusiasts are raving about Mars Lip Drip Tints on Reddit, with the shade Cocoa Drip being a crowd favourite. It’s being touted as a dupe for Instagram’s favourite Rom&nd Juicy Lasting Tint, but at a fraction of the price. Its shades complement Indian skin quite well, especially if you have a warm tone. Kay Beauty Signature Crème Lipstick is another one that’s nailing it in the shade department. It’s also hydrating, creamy, and lasts all day with few touch-ups.

If you’ve sworn allegiance to long-lasting liquid formulas, Flossy’s In Therapy Liquid Lipstick is enriched with vitamin E, ensuring comfort and longevity. Typsy Beauty’s On n Off Lipstick is another game-changer—it lasts long and gradually fades into a tint; it even comes with an eraser on the other end for easy fixes.