Beauty, Fashion

Breaking The Stigma with Anusha Dandekar

Introducing BrownSkin Beauty, a ground-breaking start-up founded by a renowned television host and former VJ Anusha Dandekar. With a passion for breaking barriers and promoting diversity, this innovative venture is dedicated to celebrating and uplifting women with dark skin tones. BrownSkin Beauty is inspiring women to embrace their unique beauty and celebrate their cultural heritage. Hashtag Magazine captures the journey…

From being a VJ, actress, television host, and judge on India’s Next Top Model to now launching a beauty skincare brand with a message, tell us a little about your entrepreneurial journey.

It’s been a completely new experience for me creatively, mentally and physically. It’s incredible to create products and learn so much about ingredients and various formulas for the skin. You also learn to be patient because you want to get it perfect and I can’t stop testing the products until I’m happy with every bit of the product from ingredients to the packaging to the way we advertise it. I think with being on camera, I had to just focus on that, whether it was hosting, acting, or singing, and I would shoot and leave. Here it’s a million things happening at once and it never ends, even when you get home!

Why did you choose to launch a skincare brand specifically for brown skin women? Any personal experience or stigma?

I think for Indian skin and brown skin all over the world, it was important to change the narrative, be inclusive and also have representation for an entire colour that was more or less abandoned by the beauty industry. I have been a brown girl, who grew up in Australia and I wanted to fit in with the kids all the time, so I would hide my culture a lot. I didn’t have anyone representing me and making me feel a part of anything. As I got older, I had to build that path for myself and luckily I come from a family that never told me being brown is bad. So, I started this because I wanted everyone to feel empowered with products that are specifically designed for our skin type. After all, we have problems like hyperpigmentation, melasma etc., but being Brown is NOT and shouldn’t be the problem!

Being Brown is NOT and shouldn’t be the problem!

Starting a brand that targets dark skin people in a country that’s obsessed with fair skin can be quite a challenge, how has the project taken off so far?

It feels like a one-woman army sometimes and then once I hire girls for the company and educate them on the same, it feels great to see them understanding so much more in-depth how serious a problem and how brainwashed we are as a society, nation and world! We have customers ask if this will make you “browner” because they thought it might be the opposite effect to Fair and lovely which promises “Fairer skin”. I wish people knew there is no cream in the world that can make your skin lighter and that bleaches are very harmful. And BrownSkin beauty is not and doesn’t want to change you, it wants to enhance you and make you feel proud to be brown and comfortable in your skin #filterfree. So, we are doing well, but believe me, we have a long, long way to go for it to make a massive impact.

Tell us a little more about your line, how different is it from what we have in the market?

We use safe chemicals and natural ingredients with the perfect blend; we really take into consideration our weather for each range. We think about the different skin types during different seasons. We focus on the majority of skin problems in our country and how we can help minimise them and still be for the majority of people to use. If you are completely new to skincare, we know how confusing and intimidating it can be, so we created sets for you and you get free merchandise with each set! So, it makes a great gift as well. We aren’t time-consuming yet so effective.

I think for Indian skin and brown skin all over the world, it was important to change the narrative, be inclusive and also have representation for an entire colour that was more or less abandoned by the beauty industry.

Our products do not dry your skin out or make it greasy. Our sunscreen is also the best in the world and I vouch for that. So really just an honest brand doing honest things and also giving 5 percent of profit to help girls finish their education, our foundation is called Beyond Brown Skin… so not only do we want you to feel good about yourself but also feel good that you helped someone through your purchase. Also, we use glass packaging as much as we can to help the environment and overall, we genuinely want to see everyone see themselves differently in the best way possible and that’s beautiful.

How do you see your beauty brand evolving in the future? What are your plans/ strategies going forward?

I want to take it worldwide! A “made in India” brand created by Indians would feel so incredible. Helping change the narrative here and all over would make me feel so proud and help so many feel included and confident! I also want to start BrownSkin Boy, BrownSkin Mumma, and BrownSkin Baby… but all in good time!

How different is being an entrepreneur from being an artist?

They are quite different, both require incredible patience as things can change any minute, stamina as hours can be long, creativity because you are building a show or products, and passion because if you put your whole heart into it, your audience knows and can feel it! And I love both things I do so it never really feels like work unless there is paperwork! Yet still, they are very different because when I come home from a shoot, I switch off. BSB never ends.

How do you balance your career between work, business, and personal commitments?

I think a human has time to make for any of these things if they want to. And for me, work and business have always been things I enjoy and can immerse myself into. I also believe personal commitments are important and you have to make time for them, I just also believe if you need some alone time to be with your own energy after long days, that’s healthy also.

Helping change the narrative here and all over would make me feel so proud and help so many feel included and confident!

What next, any other interesting projects on the cards?

I have a Marathi film coming soon and another project in the pipeline that I can’t talk about right now. But I am excited about different things this year!

Quick takes:

What’s your daily skincare routine?
Thirst trap Face wash, Immortal face cream, and SunLit tinted sunscreen serum, all from my BrownSkin beauty range.

What are your top skin rules?
Always take make-up off and do a night time routine to relax and let your skin breathe. Stay away from sugar and dairy as much as possible. Exercise to release all toxins from your body and mind. Say kind words to yourself when you look in the mirror.

Must have in your beauty bag?
Lip gloss, studio fix by Mac, cream blush by Nars, my tinted sunscreen serum, Sunlit by BrownSkin beauty.

One mantra you swear by.
Love yourself or change till you do. And the kinder you are to yourself, the better your mind and body will feel and it will show, glow!

March 31, 2023

The Rental Revolution: How to Dress for Every Wedding Function Without Breaking the Bank

Buying a bridal lehenga or a groom’s sherwani for a single-day wear can burn a serious hole in your wedding budget, but it doesn’t have to. From bridal couture to groom’s sherwanis and guest outfits, renting wedding wear is fast becoming a smart, sustainable way to look your best without the steep price tag. Stage 3One of the most well-known names in the rental space, Stage 3 deals specifically in high-fashion, designer-label outfits. If you’ve had your eye on a Sabyasachi bridal lehenga or a Varun Bahl sherwani but can’t justify the purchase price, this is where you’d find it: a way to wear real designer couture for a fraction of the retail cost, without it sitting in a cupboard afterwards. Rent It BaeBeyond ethnic wear, Rent It Bae also stocks Western outfits and wedding accessories, so it works well if you’re dressing for a cocktail party or reception gown as much as a traditional ceremony. Grooms can rent sherwanis and tuxedos, and the brand runs a subscription-style ordering model with delivery across a wide network of cities. Rent An AttireWith physical stores in Pune, Delhi and Dehradun, this one stands out for its menswear depth: sherwanis, bandhgalas, tuxedos and other groom essentials sit alongside a full bridal and bridesmaid line. It also carries designer names like Sabyasachi, Amit Aggarwal, Dolly J, Pallod, Kalki and Kora, and extends rentals to groomsmen blazers and pre-wedding shoot outfits. Style on Rent (Pune)Based in Shivajinagar, this store keeps a large in-house inventory of over 500 outfits, spanning premium bridal lehengas, designer sherwanis, gowns and general ethnic wear. It’s a solid pick if you want to try on options in person rather than order sight unseen, and it caters to both brides and grooms under one roof. Jain Collections (Mumbai)Located in Borivali, this showroom

Beauty

The Secret to Wedding-Ready Skin? Start Six Months Before the Big Day

Dr Bhairavi Senthil is a Chennai-based dermatologist and founder of The Dr B 360 Dermatology Experiential Centre. Her advice for 2026 couples: skip the last-minute “bridal glow” fix; real results come from starting six months ahead, and the final few weeks should be about stability and hydration, not experimenting with something new. Skincare Trends 2026Couples are moving away from a last-minute glow and toward skin preparation as a long-term process. Brides want to look like themselves, just healthier and more even-toned; not heavily treated or made up. Grooms are becoming far more proactive about skincare and grooming too. There’s also a shift toward personalised, science-led routines over viral trends, and a growing focus on prevention and maintenance rather than dramatically changing how skin looks. Pre-Wedding Treatments & TimelineThere’s no universal best treatment; it depends on your skin and timeline. Ideally, meet a dermatologist six months before the wedding, earlier if there’s active acne, pigmentation or hair concerns, since collagen remodelling and barrier repair can’t be rushed. Peels, lasers, microneedling and injectables like botulinum toxin or fillers may all be options depending on the concern, but they all need proper consultation and time to settle. The golden rule: don’t experiment close to the wedding; the final weeks should focus on stability and hydration. Customising Skincare PlansIt starts with one question: what do you want your skin to look and feel like on your wedding day? From there, the plan factors in barrier health, pigmentation, acne, hydration, the wedding timeline, climate and even travel plans. A bride with pigmentation needs a completely different approach from someone dealing with acne or sensitivity, and sometimes the healthiest skin needs no procedures at all, just maintenance. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s healthy, balanced skin that lets you feel confident without hiding behind makeup.

Fashion

The Biggest Groom Fashion Trends of 2026: Modern Indian Menswear

What are the key trends you see emerging for grooms in 2026? How is menswear evolving beyond the traditional sherwani? Menswear is becoming much more exciting. The sherwani will always have its place, but now there are shorter proportions, beautifully cut bandhgalas, layered tailoring, relaxed trousers and jackets that bring Indian craft into a more international silhouette. I also see grooms becoming more interested in texture and tone-on-tone embroidery rather than only very ornate surface work. For me, jewellery is becoming part of that evolution too: brooches and collar pins can completely transform a very clean, contemporary look. Are today’s grooms becoming more experimental with colour, silhouettes, layering and accessories? Completely! Men are far more involved in the process now. They are open to colour, embroidery, jewellery and interesting proportions. Even traditional ivory can become very modern through texture, layering or tone-on-tone craftsmanship. And I love seeing men enjoy fashion rather than treating their wedding outfit as something they simply have to wear. How important are details such as jewellery, footwear, brooches, layering and personalised embroidery in completing a groom’s look? They can completely change menswear. I particularly love brooches and collar pins from our jewellery collection because they let a groom add personality and preciousness without overwhelming the look. A beautifully crafted brooch on a bandhgala or a pair of collar pins can become the focal point. The important thing is editing. Every detail should feel intentional; you don’t need to wear everything at once. What are the three top absolute must-haves in a contemporary groom trousseau? A beautifully tailored bandhgala, an impeccably crafted kurta set that can be worn repeatedly, and one great ceremonial look- whether that is a sherwani or something more individual. And while technically that makes four, I would always add a great piece of

Beauty

Skin That Still Looks Like Skin: Bridal Beauty in 2026

Celebrity makeup artist Bianca Louzado has spent over two decades in Indian beauty, from her start at India Couture Week working on Manish Malhotra to becoming one of the country’s most trusted names in luxury bridal makeup, with a portfolio that includes Jasprit Bumrah and Sanjana Ganesan, Randeep Hooda and Lin Laishram, and Radhika Ambani’s pre-wedding event. She breaks down why real bridal beauty starts weeks before the wedding, not the morning of, and why 2026 brides are choosing skin that still looks like skin over heavy, “done-up” makeup. What skin prep should brides start ahead of the wedding?Skin prep is about healthy, balanced skin, not last-minute transformation. Start a consistent routine 6–8 weeks out: gentle cleanser, moisturiser, daily SPF, and any new actives introduced early enough to see how skin responds. No experimenting in wedding week. In the final week, simplify: hydration, sleep, water, and skip aggressive treatments or picking at breakouts. Well-prepped skin means less product and a complexion that looks like skin, not a mask. What’s the biggest mistake brides make choosing their look?Picking a look because it worked on someone else, rather than one that suits their own features, outfit and personality. Chasing every trend at once is another; bridal makeup needs to photograph beautifully today and still feel elegant years later. References are useful, but they’re a starting point, not a blueprint. And don’t wait until the wedding morning to find your look; the trial is where that conversation happens. How has airbrush vs. traditional makeup evolved for 2026?The debate itself is outdated! It’s about what the skin needs. Brides want longevity without heaviness, especially for long Indian wedding days. Traditional techniques now allow thin, strategic layering with more control and natural dimension, and unlike airbrush, they can be touched up rather than redone entirely.