Our grannies, for the most part, never bothered with pots and jars of ready-made potions that promised to ease out wrinkles and impart a rosy glow. Instead, they knew the art of mixing certain oils, natural ingredients, essences, spices and flowers to concoct indigenous beauty remedies on par with any shelf product. Unfortunately, these time-consuming rituals couldn’t always be passed down to subsequent genera-tions who rely more on instant quick-fixes. Indian brands came up with the perfect solution by combining home - grown beauty traditions with slick packaging. Over a period of time, they have proven that when it comes to looking good, they do have all the answers. Verve frontlines the most successful local brands and their choicest offerings.

Forest Essentials: Exotic Elixirs
“There is an increasing awareness about natural beauty treatments today. People know what is toxic for the mind and body and what makes nutritious food for both,” says Abhisarika Sharma, senior spa consultant, Forest Essentials. Since it was founded in 2000 by Mira Kulkarni, the Forest Essentials range of natural and Ayurvedic products, which use distilled pure essential oils and vegetarian and plant extracts to rejuvenate and tone skin, have managed to establish a clientele from all walks of life. With a line ranging from crystal body scrubs to detoxifying facial serums, their most popular items include the Cane Sugar and Tamarind Body Polisher, made by soaking real sugarcane crystals in a blend of apricot, almond and sunflower oils to leave skin supple and gleaming. Another bestseller is the Sandalwood and Saffron Night Cream which contains pure sandalwood, carrot and saffron oil that boosts cell renewal and maintains skin elasticity.

Aroma Magic: Essential Luxury
Beauty is holistic, believes aroma–therapist Dr Blossom Kochhar. Drawing from the Vedas, particularly the Rasayana Tantra or Veda of rejuvenation, she found that natural, organic or chemically free products work wonders for the body, mind and soul and started her Aroma Magic line in 1994. Among her most pop–ular products is the Beautiful Skin Oil which uses a blend of jojoba, wheat germ, grape seed, jasmine and frankincense to fight against lines and wrinkles. The Exotica Bath and Body Oil contains ylang ylang, sandalwood and orange to impart a sensuous feeling while the Grapefruit Face Wash cleanses, brightens and retains the skin’s natural moisture.

Lakme: Eye Drama
In the days of yore, women spent hours mixing clarified butter and soot together to make an excellent kajal which when applied to the eyes could give any mascara tube a run for its money. Today several brands offer easy-to-use kajal pencils. But the most enduring one remains the Lakmé Kajal that uses camphor and castor oil to cool, soothe and also help eyelashes grow longer. Make-up artist Cory Walia is a fan. “I have been using it for about eight years now. Once applied, it stays put. Since it’s also waterproof and hypoallergenic, it’s extremely safe and can be used by anyone, even those who wear contact lenses. I’ve never known it to cause an adverse reaction,” he says.

Amritam: Pure Decadence
Following the basic principle of Ayurveda – applying on the skin only that which is pure enough to eat since it gets absorbed and carried into the blood stream – Good Earth’s own beauty brand Amritam seeks to rediscover ways of dealing with skin care. “Amritam means pure and our aim is to live up to this name,” says Anita Lal, creative head and founder, Good Earth. Their best products are their soaps. “Our glycerine soaps are made of a mix of emollient oils and contain real essential oils as well, which makes them unique,” says Lal. Amritam’s fragrant Kashmir Lavender and Bela Jasmine soaps are handmade with vegetable oils along with rehydrating honey, jojoba, vitamin E and glycerine to gently uplift and revitalise skin.