What's your Color Code?

 Give Me "RED" - Operation Sindoor  

While a debate goes on the skin color and the side effects of lightening crèmes, no makeup looks etc. but at the same point there is no denial that we love to wear color, be it on our face, hair or body. 16 shringars have been known since time immemorial and so make up has always been an essential part of human existence, be it the tribal paintings with feather head gears or a high fashion look on a ramp.

Recently the importance of vermilion powder - termed as "Sindoor" was the nomenclature of the army operation conducted in retaliation to the terrorist attacks in Kashmir where caste was primary specification of those targeted.  This itself indicates that makeup and grooming have been an essential element of our culture and tradition since time immemorial.

The loud red streak was adorned by Aishwarya Rai at the Cannes as representation of both fashion and fury, Peace and power.

The Queen arrived clad in Red &White 

To blow some smoke, (not the cigarette brand)

Some hot and a bit Cold 

The Rubies & Benarsi ensemble,

Little fire and layers of Snow..

The traditional Indian look,

The red streak - right amidst the tresses,

The Vermilion termed as "Sindoor"

The nine yard drape termed as "Saree"

To etch on the cannes,

The foot print of Indian roots

The queen arrives..

Lets take a sneak peek into the makeup revolution..

With onset of the new millennium, in late 90’s; the Indian makeup industry witnessed a gargantuan surge.. Miss World and Miss Universe titles bagged by Indian females attracted the Loreals for the laurels and since then there was no looking back!!

Loreal  the third biggest brand worldwide chose Aishwarya Rai, an Indian, as their global brand ambassador in 2005.  Estee Lauder, the mother of major cosmetic brands holds a second position globally after Coty, but Estee enjoys a faster growth cause of more colour ranges in different segments on offering. Estee Lauder Companies Inc Net Income in the 3 quarter 2019 grew year on year by 19.12 %, faster than average growth of Estee Lauder Companies Inc's competitors of 16.75 %, they have also surpassed Loreal with a threefold growth in past five years (between 2014 -2018). This reflects a welcoming scenario in terms of spending capacity vis-à-vis the global recession. Technavio, a market research company has projected growth of global premium cosmetics market to USD 36.53 billion during 2018-2023, progressing at a CAGR of more than 5% during the forecast period.

The optimistic backdrop was a perfect setting for Indians also to wake up and enter in the ever thriving makeup Industry which is full of vibrancy.  Apart from Lakme which started in 1952, Shahnaz Husain and Biotique stepped into Indian markets with good range of lipsticks and kajal which enjoyed a niche in the herbal segment during late 90’s but their legacy didn’t last long due to price sensitive markets and probably lack of influencers the way we have today!! Lotus too chartered its own territory and has occupied a decent market share. Year 2005 brought in Colorbar; the Indian origin brand entered markets with a low key presence and today they have retail presence of 2800 outlets. One of the eye-catchers is the mini tempo truck model, so it’s not only food which you get in vans but can buy makeup from a vanity van.

Mr. Samir Modi, Founder and MD of ColorBar mentioned, “The aggressive marketing and branding plans of Colorbar have helped us create two world records. First, that of creating largest nail paint mosaic consisting 22,00 nail paints and the other of doing 458 manicures in an hour. We have also launched a make your own lipstick segment where upto 1050 shades can be created. Colorbar has been able to stand out in market by creating a benchmark of delivering quality at par with leading international brands. We source our ingredients from European markets, from same places where the top five luxury brands source. Today Colorbar is Rs.450 crore worth brand having International presence in Turkey, Srilanka & Bangladesh that too after reaching every Indian household.”

Mr. Modi addressed and inspired a huge set of audience from beauty industry in Makemeup event, another huge event which has marked it’s debut in the growing glam world. The event with a tagline #everyonebeautiful was organised in December 2019 in the National Capital, an effort to create a common platform for all players and have a more organised industry as lot of men and women are opting makeup as a full time profession.

The cosmetics market in India in 2018 – 2019 is valued at about USD 6.5 billion. A report by Euro-monitor estimates the country’s overall beauty and personal care market at Rs 97,100 crore, of which colour cosmetics have a share of Rs 8,000 crore; this is estimated to further grow 17.4% through 2022, skincare will top growth of about 10.4%.

Samir Modi

Hence, ladies whatever may be your shape, size or color. Makeup has always been part of our existence and will remain to be till eternity.. but ofcourse we must make wise choices to select paraben free products or those which don’t have harmful side effects, use your wisdom and color your life!!