If you’re thinking about doing your own wedding makeup I’m here to convince you otherwise! There are a many reasons a bride may choose to do her own makeup. South Asian bridal makeup can be expensive but it’s definitely worth paying a professional who does this job for a living than trying to figure it out for yourself. Even if you’re great at makeup it’s still not a good idea. Another reason a bride may want to do her own makeup is to achieve the look she wants. The modern South Asian bride does not want that old-fashioned plastered “whitey” look and prefers something more natural. The great thing about makeup artists these days is that they are willing to work with you. They are accustomed to working with other modern brides such as yourself and will work with you to achieve the look that you want. For this reason it is very important that you have a trial makeup session. At the trial you can bring in your outfit, dupatta, and any accessories to help your artist match your look so that everything comes together professionally and gracefully. In addition, you should also take any pictures with you of brides from magazines or printouts to show the artist exactly what you’re looking for. After all, it is your big day and there is no reason for you to fear that you will turn out looking like someone else. It’s very important that you choose the right makeup artist whom you feel comfortable with and is willing to work with you to create the perfect bridal look. Times have changed and there is no reason for a bride to have to settle. Don’t let a friend or aunty do your makeup either! They may know how to make you look good but not for the camera! I also advise against going to a makeup counter such as MAC. I know people who have had horrible experiences from there. It’s not that they don’t know how to do makeup but South Asian makeup, especially bridal, is very different. (I will talk more about that later). So start your hunt early. Even six months before the big day isn’t too soon. There are so many great artists out there who are willing to work with you at reasonable prices by offering you great packages that include makeup, hair, dupatta and jewelry setting, and even sari styling that you don’t need to stress yourself out on your wedding day. After all, you have so much more to worry about!

The farshi gharara or pajama is a late 17th and early 20th century dress of the privileged classes of Uttar Pradesh. It was worn by royalty in the Muslim courts.  (more…)

Lenghas began to replace saris as wedding wear. Some people choose to believe that saris are not elegant when in fact this is not true. Saris are very elegant and perfect for casual as well as formal and bridal wear. (more…)

The sari and the hijab…two good things on their own but HIDEOUS when paired together. Yes, I said hideous. The sari is beautiful, graceful, traditional, and fashionable. The hijab is a part of religion and more than just a headscarf. It is also interpreted differently by various individuals. I’m not going to get into that though. Some people wear a hijab or headscarf with a sari. It’s very unfashionable, untraditional, and just plain ugly. I have nothing against hijab but it just doesn’t go with a sari! I mean, just look how stupid it looks:

For the more conservative woman who thinks a sari won’t cover her head, she’s wrong! In fact, our mothers and especially grandmothers were more conservative than us and they managed to cover their heads while wearing a sari. That’s exactly what the pallu is for! It’s purpose is not to be thrown over the soldier Bollywood style. The pallu was always meant to cover ones head when necessary or required and does a perfect job of doing so. There is no need for a separate headpiece. Especially one that doesn’t belong. In fact, if you wanted to go a step further, you could even cover your face with the pallu if you wanted. It’s all quite possible when you have six to nine yards of fabric…the possibilities are endless.

Now if you don’t like this look or you feel the pallu is not long enough, I suggest a Dupatta Sari. Many saris come with a matching dupatta. If draped appropriately they do a quite fine job of covering the head and looking elegant as well.

Many saris, not just bridal saris, come with matching dupattas. They are elegant and beautiful. If your sari doesn’t come with one you can always find a matching one. Don’t follow the model though. This may not be the look you’re trying to achieve. Saris usually come with long, free flowing, and large enough sized dupattas to cover your head and drape elegantly over your shoulders.

The dupatta goes with many sari drapes and does a great job of changing up and enhancing any look.

The dupatta sari is not just for brides. Try one today and see what you think.

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There are some questions that always puzzle and intrigue me. The answers, when I learn them, will fascinate me even more. I am very interested in knowing more about the Indian garment. I wonder if in Bollywood films, do they really pleat the actresses’ saris or do they merely just don an automatic “sari.” I know that in Devdas, the famous blue sari worn by Aishwarya Rai, took several hours to drape. I truly admire the beauty and grace of the nine yard Bengali beauty. The Bengali sari is so elegant and unique. It was upsetting that she didn’t wear that sari for very long in the movie. So much trouble for just a few seconds. What a waste.

Another question that puzzles me on a daily basis is that how, in the movies and on Indian television, do they make their pallu or dupatta firmly adhere to their head?? I know brides do it all the time. However, bobby pins are used many times. I’ve even heard of the use of safety pins…Ouch!! Another technique is to sew little hooks into the dupatta and then slide bobby pins through them, securing them through the head. Sure this is a great idea but I don’t have the time to do this to all my clothes! I wonder if they really do this on Indian television?? Any answers to my puzzling questions will be appreciated.

Going back to Bengali saris I just want to say that it saddens me to see them dissappearing. Everyone is draping the sari in the usual modern manner. Not that I have anything against that and it is perfectly fine but many drapes and styles are very sadly becoming obsolete…which I will discuss more upon later.

Look what I just found. A two-piece sari. My first thought was if the pallu, as is in this case, is “detached” or seperate then wouldn’t that make it a dupatta and wouldn’t the outfit then be just a ghagra choli? Is it really a “sari”? Whatever it is or whatever you want to call it, it’s worth giving a try for only $69!

It’s definitely a style statement. Nothing “new” though. Just a new name with a contemporary twist perhaps.

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Lenghas, Chaniya Cholis, Ghagras, Ghararas, Shararas, or whatever else you choose to don…they come with long and wide dupattas, chunris, odhnis… (more…)

Of course, there are many variations to the salwar kameez. There’s the churidar kurta and of course the infamous Anarkali which is basically a variation of it. (more…)

Anarkalis, also known as the empire-waist, are the latest trend in Indian fashion today. After a long wait, they have made an incredible come back within the last year. (more…)