We’re Bored Of Onscreen NRI Makeup Looks Ft. Tacky Bindis, Frosty Eyeshadow
In April 2022, Instagram’s favourite fashion police, Diet Sabya kickstarted a conversation around NRI fashion with a desi vs NRI fashion debate. And while this topic got people talking about NRI fashion, there’s one thing that no one is really talking about – NRI makeup. TBH, NRI makeup needs to be debated just as much as Indian traditional clothes and culture-appropriate trends. NGL but the way the makeup looks of NRIs are presented in films and series is beyond disappointing.
With Ms Marvel, we saw how desi fashion evolved, even if it was marginal. But the same cannot be said for NRI makeup looks in films and series. People might have been pissed with the makers of Sex And The City reboot, And Just Like That for showing Sarah Jessica Parker in a lehenga and calling it a saree but the beauty girls in India were more upset about the makeup look. Be it Ms Marvel or Never Have I Ever, the makeup looks of brown people are either shown as tacky or it’s just non-existent and unmemorable.
Also Read: Evolution Of NRI Film Fashion: From ‘Bend It Like Beckham’ To ‘Wedding Season’
Now, I can understand the lack of knowledge about Indian fashion trends may affect the way films and series dress NRIs but why the tacky makeup look? Makeup does not have much to do with culture but more to do with the trending looks that are everywhere, thanks to social media. And yet, we’re all stuck looking at NRIs wearing dull makeup looks. With tacky bindis, frosty eyeshadows and the most basic (read: pathetic) lip colours or lip gloss that just doesn’t suit their skin tone, we’ve seen brown characters in films and series looking banal. I wonder why makeup artists abroad aren’t willing to play with their makeup.
Simone Ashley’s makeup looks during the promotions of Bridgerton Season 2 were much more happening than her makeup looks in the show. And Devi’s makeup looks are much better in real life than they are in reel life. TBH, her minimal makeup looks in the show are much better than the tacky bindi and dull makeup look the MUA paired with her Indian outfits. I totally get the idea of keeping it minimal and going for a no-makeup makeup look but can we please put the effort to play with makeup to add colour to the faces of brown characters instead of leaving them looking dull AF with the most plain looks? The lack of effort in creating NRI makeup looks is so last season, guys!
Also Read: Priyanka Chopra Makes Some Valid Points On Diet Sabya’s Debate Around Tacky NRI Fashion
Psst….DS are you listening? We need to get this conversation going!
