An Indian girl should look herself on her wedding day, not like a fair porcelain doll

I've been to quite a number of weddings, Indian weddings, that is. One thing that always been a sore to my eye is the bridal makeup - they try to make a dark bride fair.



Nandita Das also quoted that every time makeup is applied to her, it's done with the sole intent of making her fair.

While some bridals dress up dark skinned brides without making them fair, (kudos to them), there are still bridals who make dark skinned brides white - especially on the face. As a result, these brides sport what I call the 'zebra look'. The face would be white and the rest of the visible body parts will be of a different, darker colour. I don't know about you but for me, it spoils not only the individuality and originality of the bride but also her personality on one of the most important day of her life.

I understand that we live in the hemisphere where it's extremely difficult to get the correct makeup shades for dark skinned girls - all want to make one fairer only.  All Asians are focused on is being fair when we come in different shades. But, there are makeup specially made for those on the chocolatey side of color - one should look hard enough, especially bridals.

Yet, acknowledge we must and see we must, all the dark bevy of beauties that have been relegated to the shadows of colorism. Makeup for the ordinary woman should function as her features enhancer, not a skin color alter.

Make sure you look like you on your wedding day - all dolled up and dressed to the nines but still uniquely and beautifully you. Else you risk your child asking, "Who's that woman beside daddy?" when he/she sees your wedding pic in future.

Above all, as Indian ladies of darker shades, we shouldn't hold back and succumb to the be fair pressure. Being comfortable in one's own skin is important.

~Assault Ambujam~ #OnlyAtKK