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India Battling Its Obsession With Fair Skin

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Images from: Ayush Kejriwal and twitter.com

India is witnessing a number of attempts to fight against its obsession with fair skin and the stereotypes linked to dark skin

Text credits: Lakshmi Priya

A question in Quora asks, ‘What is it likely to be a dark-skinned person in India’, and around 100+ answers flooded on the site with Indians pouring out their emotions on being dark-skinned and the racist remarks they had to face every now and then. India has always been known for its obsession with fair skin from the innumerable skin whitening cosmetics available in the market to movies using derogatory terms on dark-skinned people.

On that note, our neighboring country Pakistan is now in a quandary for telecasting something derogatory and offensive which is highly racist in nature. In a make-up contest titled ‘Jago Pakistan Jago’ aired on Hum TV, the contestants are consigned with a task of black facing fair-skinned models and putting make-up to turn them into beautiful brides. This blatant act of the channel evoked questions among the viewers on why a dark-skinned model was not chosen instead of painting a fair-skinned model into black. The show also confused the viewers on what it aimed at, whether to create a mockery of dark-skinned people or to imply the dark skinned girls can only be beautiful with the intervention of make-up.

The show was a cohesive mix of the judges and the anchor claiming and validating that it is one of the most challenging tasks to make a dark-skinned bride beautiful along with the judges using racist terms in regional language which meant ‘Negro’ and ‘African origin’. This was followed by a social media backlash by the viewers on the ridiculous act of the channel.

Similarly, through advertisements on skin-whitening cosmetics and humorous scenes in movies, Indians have ‘successfully’ portrayed that dark is ugly and fair is beautiful. Movies have unremittingly used the tactic of ‘dark skin’ for creating scenes to delight our funny bones.But in recent times, India had seen attempts to fight against the stereotypes and turn the social stigma tied to dark-skinned people.

Fashion designer Ayush Kejriwal has recently broken this stereotypical outlook on models by featuring his designer clothes on dark-skinned models. He tried to break the superficial beliefs that dark colours won’t look good on the dusky skin. Attempts have been made by many other fashion designers to introduce dusky models to the fashion industry. The Instagram page of Ayush Kejriwal has a lot to tell us about the beauty of dusky skin.

In between all the advertisements that glorify fair-skinned women to be beautiful, India is witnessing a number of campaigns recently against the stereotypes tied on to dark-skinned women. NDTV, one of the most popular Indian English news channels has already initiated an awareness campaign titled ‘Fairness Creams: Exactly like Racism.’ The channel’s campaign discourages the use of skin lightening creams and vows not to air or promote any advertisement of such products.

In June 2016 in a parliament session in New Delhi Viplove Thakur, a female member demanded a ban on fairness creams saying that it leads to inferiority complex among dark-skinned women. Even though the debate did not result in a ban, it did lead to some turmoil.

In a country where fair skin is considered as the epitome of beauty and dark skin is seen as ugly, it is difficult to imbibe the fact that skin colour is not the device to measure someone’s personality. But, such initiatives are appreciable because baby steps like these can lead to wonderful changes in the society.

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Beauty

Step by step Skin Prep for All Bride To Be

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Congratulations, bride-to-be! As you prepare for your big day, glowing skin is undoubtedly at the top of your wish list. Your wedding day is a celebration of love and commitment, and feeling confident in your own skin is essential. To help you achieve that coveted bridal glow, we’ve curated a comprehensive step-by-step skin prep guide just for you.

Start Early with a Consistent Skincare Routine

Begin your bridal skincare journey well in advance to allow your skin ample time to adjust and improve. Establish a daily skincare routine tailored to your skin type and concerns. This should include cleansing, toning, moisturizing, and sunscreen application. Consider incorporating serums or treatments targeting specific issues such as acne, hyperpigmentation, or dryness.

Address Specific Skin Concerns

Identify any specific skin concerns you want to address before your wedding day. Whether it’s acne breakouts, uneven skin tone, or dullness, consult with a dermatologist or esthetician to develop a targeted treatment plan. This may involve professional facials, chemical peels, or laser treatments to enhance your skin’s appearance and texture.

Hydration is Key

Hydrated skin is happy skin, so make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day to maintain optimal hydration levels. Additionally, incorporate hydrating skincare products such as hyaluronic acid serums or moisturizing masks to replenish moisture and plump up your skin.

Exfoliate Regularly

Regular exfoliation is essential for sloughing off dead skin cells and promoting cell turnover, resulting in smoother, more radiant skin. Choose a gentle exfoliator suitable for your skin type and use it 2-3 times a week to reveal fresh, glowing skin underneath.

Don’t Forget About Your Lips

Soft, smooth lips are a must-have for any bride. Incorporate a lip scrub into your skincare routine to buff away dry, flaky skin, followed by a nourishing lip balm to keep your lips hydrated and kissable soft.

Prioritize Stress Management and Self-Care

Wedding planning can be stressful, but don’t let it take a toll on your skin. Practice stress-relieving activities such as yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises to keep your mind and body in balance. Remember to prioritize self-care and make time for activities that bring you joy and relaxation.

Get Sufficient Beauty Sleep

Quality sleep is crucial for healthy, radiant skin. Aim for 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night to allow your skin to repair and regenerate. Invest in a silk pillowcase to minimize friction and prevent creases and wrinkles while you sleep.

By following this step-by-step skin prep guide, you’ll be well on your way to achieving a radiant bridal glow that will leave you feeling confident and beautiful on your wedding day. Remember to start early, be consistent with your skincare routine, and prioritize self-care throughout the process. With a little dedication and effort, you’ll be glowing from the inside out as you walk down the aisle to say “I do.”

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Beauty

Kiara Advani’s Soft Glam Makeup Look

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Kiara Advani is proof that a look may be beautiful without always requiring intense contouring and layers of makeup. The actor from Satyaprem ki Katha has a natural, luminous, and unquestionably head-turning approach to soft makeup that is worth emulating. Lekha Gupta, her makeup artist, created the ideal mix between a clean, glowing complexion and a subtle brown smoky eye. Whether it’s for her big day or multiple red carpet appearances, the actor has a reputation for doing minimalist makeup flawlessly.

Kiara Advani, wearing a body-hugging pink gown by Tran Hung, was spotted having a pink moment that was enhanced by her bold beauty appearance. Her face was defined by the delicately bronzed cheeks, her glossy nude lips completed the ensemble, and her gently smudged out makeup accentuated the shape of her eyes.

Lekha Gupta, the makeup artist, accentuated Advani’s eyes by using mascara to lend drama to the lashes. She gave Advani’s skin a dewy base and then defined the cheekbones with a warm, peachy bronzer. Her lips were covered in a glossy lip gloss that complemented the brightness of her pink costume, and her brows were nicely shaped and filled in. In terms of hair, the actor sported a glossy, blow-dried mane that had a contemporary centre part to complete the symmetry of the ensemble.

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Beauty

The IT Girl Hair Colour for 2024

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January is over halfway through, so now is the ideal time to schedule a hair appointment and treat yourself to a much-needed makeover. It’s time to give your desire for a fresh appearance some action, starting with a chic hair colour makeover. Your distinctive personality is reflected in your mane of hair, which changes colour and shape to mirror the range of emotions you experience during your life. Thus, wear your hair the way you prefer it since, in 2024, it will make a statement and the revolution will be colourful, daring, and wholly original! Are you looking for new and inspiring ideas? Fear not—we’ve got you covered.

In contrast to 2023, which focused mostly on adding warmth to varied hues, 2024 will be all about subtly updating those in-vogue colors that are already well-known to us. We’re still living in the past and trying to figure out how to style those early aughts beauty trends in a more contemporary manner. Additionally, we’ll keep seeing fresh takes on red hair, which this year proved to be the “it” colour. There’s a shade of red that works for everyone, whether you want to use lowlights to draw attention to certain areas or not.

Red hair was trendy in 2023, as seen on Emily Ratajkowski, Dua Lipa, Megan Fox, and many more of our favorite celebrities. Red hair can be really entertaining, depending on your skin tone and eye colour. You can choose between a bold red like Lipa and a more subdued, natural auburn like Meghan Fahy. Whichever shade of red suits you best, aftercare is crucial. Use a shampoo and conditioner with Color Care to prevent color fading. 

Rich bordeaux, a gorgeous blend of brown oak and burgundy-red, is the ideal option for giving dark hair a dash of refinement and coziness. It appears that this is the color of the season for everyone from Dua Lipa to Ira Khan. 

Copper, a color that isn’t typically considered red. A shiny, intensely contrasting auburn that strikes a balance between deep red and brown could be the hairstyle of 2024. This tint has great appeal for both Bella Thorne and Kendall Jenner, she declared herself a certified redhead when she wore it.

There will be more to red hair than a fashion statement in 2024. Since red is the undisputed color for IT girls in 2024, there is a red for every girl out there, regardless of shade.

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