India is a land of diversity. It has a plethora of ethnic wear and fashion culture that outshines the rest of the world. The western influence has had a profound impact on the daily attire and grooming habits of both men and women. But some are still frowned upon today because of stereotypes and archaic traditions. Here is a list of six of the beauty and fashion trends that still lag because of them.

1. SHORT HAIR ON WOMEN

For ages, Indian women have been sporting long hair to accentuate their natural beauty. But despite what Indian men prefer, it is a lot of work to maintain healthy, long, luscious locks. It takes a lot of time to nurture long hair by using a range of expensive products. It also needs a lot of patience to grow long hair. Most working women don’t have the time and patience to spend it in front of the mirror. Short hair is easy to maintain and efficient when it comes to being on the move. Hairstylists have developed a wide range of short hairstyles that look great. More Indian girls are trying to experiment with new styles and cut their hair short but are discouraged by their parents and the people around them. According to a survey by Dove India, 71% of Indian men find short hair less attractive than long, straight hair, and 87% advise against keeping short hair for marriage. There’s no doubt that these stereotypes are unhealthy for women of all age groups. Indians have to broaden their mindset about their beauty standards and become more inclusive of all hair types.

2. HAIR DYES

When it comes to hair color, it is more complicated than you think. If you are someone with premature aging, people will ask you to color your hair. But you may get backlash in your school, college, or office for being unprofessional if you dye your hair with something bright like red or blue. Brown and black, even maroon, are more acceptable. There are no strict rules, but it is always frowned upon by the people in authority. India should have some room for individuality in work-space and be open-minded to accept people’s expression of themselves. Flamboyance in someone’s presence should not be considered as a sign of triviality.

3. TATTOOS AND PIERCINGS

Much like hair color, tattoos are something that is often considered unprofessional in job interviews. Piercings and tattoos have been a part of Indian culture, and many proudly wear tattoos related to religious beliefs. Women pierce their noses and ears with studs and earrings to decorate themselves. While these are welcomed for women, men are sometimes mocked for wearing ear studs. People should realize that these are just accessories that anyone can wear irrespective of gender.

4. LONG HAIR ON MEN

India has a history of men with long hair since the ancient epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata. As time passed, Men cut their hair during the wars as it could become a liability. The culture of short hair was rampant after the British colonization and the western corporate influence on modern India. Short hair is efficient indeed to perform better without focusing on your looks. But not every man wants to have short hair. Some men are inclined towards longer hair for various reasons. How long? The topic is still debatable, but I think the answer lies individual-to-individual. Chris Hemsworth as Thor and Jason Momoa as Aquaman proved that men can look manly with long hair, if not outright sexy!

During the pandemic, men had no access to salons. A lot of them grew their hair out and found it much better than their previous short style. Hence, the trend of long hair is coming back in 2021. Instead of shying away, India should embrace it because we are the original trend-setters of men with long hair.

5. SHORTS AND RIPPED JEANS

Ripped Jeans, skinny jeans, shorts are some of the most common western attires in India. Even after decades, they are still criticized when worn in public. A minister once said that girls who wear ripped jeans are “asking for it,” which shows the orthodox mindset that still prevails throughout the country. It is not rocket science to understand that rape, by definition, is forced upon the victim. It is always the perpetrator who is to be blamed for his/her crime. India should stop curbing the basic rights of women. It should instead focus on morally educating the men in the society and establish a functioning law-enforcement system.

6. MAKEUP ON MEN

This can be alien to most Indian men, but yes, men wear makeup too! Not just gay men, but straight men too can wear makeup. Men also have the same skin conditions as acne, skin blemishes, dark spots as women. Testosterone makes the skin 25% thicker and produces more sebum, causing a lot of skin problems. Using skincare products or hiding spots by using a concealer is not making a man girly. People in the showbiz industry always wear makeup to perform in front of the audience. Men on the front lines of a company need to look good to impress the clients. While some products like face wash and serums for men are gaining awareness, wearing makeup is still taboo and is laughed at by Indian men themselves.

Despite the general backlash, companies like Shakeup Cosmetics and War Paint for Men are changing the game of the cosmetics industry. If women can wear makeup, why not men?

The fashion and beauty industry is fast-paced and rapidly evolving every few years. It is only a matter of time before India adapts to the changes and becomes inclusive of all beauty standards.

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