South Asian Heritage Month 2026

When I look back at my journey, both as a woman and as an artist it is impossible to separate who I am from the two worlds that raised me. My aesthetic has always been a complete collision of Eastern richness and Western modernism.

My earliest beauty memories aren't from a makeup counter. They are from watching Bollywood films with wide eyes, mesmerised by the intense glamour. They are the quiet, magical moments of watching Maa get ready to go out, wrapping her sari, the scent of rose water, the deliberate strike of kohl. But right alongside those memories is the teenage me, sitting on my bedroom floor, obsessively tearing out magazine pages of Way Bandy and Sandy Linter’s work - the sharp contouring, the clean lines, the unapologetic boldness of the West.

I’ve always believed that culture is best when shared. As an artist and a brand founder, my entire ethos has been built on collaboration.

When Millie and I launched Ruby & Millie, we were just two friends doing what we loved. People often commented on how incredible it was to see a brown and white face representing a brand... a Muslim and a Jew standing side-by-side. At the time, we didn't overthink it, to me, it was simply me and a friend bringing to market some of the coolest products we could dream up, in a range of shades to finally suit everyone.

It’s funny looking back now and realising how impactful that actually was. We were just living our truth, but in doing so, we were shifting the landscape.

To celebrate the incredible beauty rituals that have been passed down through generations of South Asian women, here are five of my favourite traditional secrets, adapted for our modern routines:

The Modern Champi (Hair Oiling): Traditional coconut or amla oil massages stimulate the scalp and nourish the hair. Today, we have incredible, lightweight pre-wash scalp serums that offer the same root-stimulating benefits without needing to sleep with a heavy towel on your pillow. Massaging it in is still the most important part. I love Fable & Mane HoliRoots Hair Oil which not only smells beautiful but it doesn't weigh down thinning hair.

From Kajal to the Lived-In Liner: The intense, black-rimmed waterline is iconic. To make it wearable for the everyday, use a waterproof gel pencil to tightline just the upper lash line, then smudge a soft brown or black pencil along the outer corners for a soft, diffused smokiness that makes the eyes pop. I love either my Precision Eyeliner if you want a more discreet finish or Kay Beauty Ink Artist Gel Kajal in Onyx. 

The Haldi Glow (Without the Stain): Turmeric is a powerhouse anti-inflammatory used in pre-wedding bridal rituals. Instead of DIY masks that might leave a yellow tint on lighter skin tones, look for modern Vitamin C serums or clinical masks formulated with turmeric extract to get that brilliant antioxidant glow. Sunday Riley CEO Glow Vitamin C and Turmeric Face Oil is a great example, it works brilliantly under makeup but lifts your complexion.

Rose Water Refreshed: Gulab jal (rose water) has been a staple in South Asian households for centuries. Rose has always been a favourite scent of mine. Keep a multi-tasking rose-infused facial mist in your bag, it is the ultimate way to melt your makeup layers together, revive your skin barrier mid-day, or soothe the skin after cleansing. Mario Badescu Facial Spray with rose water comes in two sizes so perfect for your bathroom and handbag.

Precision Threading & Fluffy Brows: Threading is an ancient Eastern technique for unparalleled precision. I recommend combining the clean, sharp arch of threading with the modern technique of brow lamination (or a really strong clear brow gel) to brush the hairs up. You get the best of both worlds: structured but beautifully fluffy. One of my commonly asked questions is why i have added a brow gel to my Mascara and it is a combination of brows being a large part of my heritage alongside them acting as a frame to the eyes (you wouldn't put a Picasso in an IKEA frame, likewise always keep brows groomed if defining your eyes).

Wear your heritage with pride, share your culture generously, and always take up space.