If you’re a dark-skinned girl, you know what a real challenge it can be to find the right makeup that matches your skin tone. Either the halftones will be a little out of place, or there won’t be a wide range of shades available. Therefore, it is not too far-fetched to assume that not all beauty products are suitable for darker skin. And if you are a bride-to-be, it just becomes a nightmare.
Read also | Even a simple Radhika Merchant printed shirt, pant and loafer set is worth it ₹5,40,000; check out what she’s wearing
How often have you seen videos of makeup artists doing wedding makeup on dusky brides that aren’t even close to their skin tone? Most try to whiten their complexion to meet stereotypical standards of beauty. Against this backdrop, one makeup artist brings smiles to the faces of many brown and dark-skinned brides on their special day by enhancing the beauty of their skin without bleaching it.
Flawless makeup for dark brides
Chennai-based make-up artist Nirmala Mohan shares the before and after makeover of brides on her Instagram page. What stands out about her content is how well she does makeup for brown and dark skinned girls. In one video, titled “Nothing brings more joy to a makeup artist than to see a happy bride,” she kept the bride’s skin tone dull.
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Nirmala spoke about why she never bleaches dull brides. This is a practice followed by many artists in her industry. She said: “When I completed my first makeover, showing off the natural beauty of my skin with a deep shade, I saw the bride’s eyes light up with joy – a joy that spoke louder than words. At that moment, I realized that this is my calling: to make changes in the makeup industry and redefine the standards of beauty.” She added: “I think it’s not about one way being easier than the other, it’s about choosing the right way.”
“I receive at least five messages a day from women who tell me that they are hesitant about wearing makeup because of past experiences of being bullied by coworkers, friends, or family members. However, they express a newfound confidence, feeling inspired by the positive changes taking place in the industry. In truth, their stories inspire me no less, pushing me to keep making a difference,” she added.
In one of her posts, Nirmala mentioned that her brides never shy away from showing off their ‘before’ look because they know they ‘will look like themselves after the makeover’. When asked to explain, she replied: “I deliberately titled this video as a response to a disturbing trend in the make-up industry where models or brides are shown in an unflattering light before dramatically changing, often through excessive bleaching.”
“Seeing this practice and the negative comments that accompany it makes me sad, especially knowing that they are done purely for achievement. It’s frustrating that many of those who support this trend don’t realize the damage it causes, even to the women in their lives who have this beautiful natural skin tone. I am sure that no bride will agree to such a presentation voluntarily,” she added.
“Today, my brides look forward to their videos or posts, often proudly sharing them with friends and family. Some even request specific songs to accompany their videos, making the experience even more personal and meaningful.”
“Finally an artist who respects skin color”
Meanwhile, Nirmala’s followers love her bridal makeup videos and often compliment her in the comments.
One user wrote: “Finally an artist who respects skin color. Queen Yasa.” The comment read: “You really are an artist!! Bringing out the best in everything you touch.” Another said: “It’s important that you keep her skin tone, unlike others who go for a lighter shade in the name of doing makeup.” A user commented: “Wow, I’ve never seen such perfect skin tone makeup.”
