How Bollywood Divas Helped Influence The Evolution Of Eyeliner Trends
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It’s no secret that Indian women love their eyeliners. But did you ever wonder how we went from those iconic cat eyes to the subtle or outlandish eyeliner looks that we come across today? Well, a lot of it has to do with what we see in the media. Bollywood actresses have been inspiring beauty trends since they were first allowed to set foot onto the big screens. Some of these looks have become eponymous with these actresses’ names and many fans even associate the looks with them. So let’s take a look at some of the most interesting eye makeup trends of the past few decades:
1. Waheeda Raheem
The thin, retro-style liner is said to be the first time the eyeliner trend truly picked up among Indian women. It was a simple, everyday look and was considered uber classy and sophisticated in those days. While eyeliners grew popular in Hollywood in the 50s, thanks to actresses like Marilyn Monroe, Bollywood too caught on to the trend and actresses began sporting simple eyeliner looks. In the 1957 film, Pyaasa, Waheeda Raheem rocked a beautiful thin-retro eyeliner style and inspired many Indian women who had the means to, to follow suit.
2. Sharmila Tagore
As India had just gained independence less than a decade ago, eyeliner wasn’t something you would find in the common woman’s home. Most women made their own homemade eyeliners out of materials like coal and oil. The winged liner trends grew in popularity thanks to actresses like Sharmila Tagore who often overdrew their cat-eye for a dramatic effect.
3. Zeenat Aman
Hare Rama Hare Krishna brought with it the iconic character of Janice/Jasbir. Zeenat Aman channeled this nihilistic, hippie-like persona brilliantly in the stoner anthem, Dum Maaro Dum. The actress’s bohemian look was highlighted by her bold eyeliner and simple makeup. Clearly, the actress wanted to draw attention to the character’s eyes through her choice in makeup.
4. Sridevi
When Sridevi put on her blingy outfit and loud makeup, she probably never expected people to catch onto the trend so quickly. The actresses’ iconic Hawa Hawai look featured all things bling. She rocked a heavy eyeliner and glossy, glittery eyes. Her lips were a dark cherry pink and her outfit was equally out there. However, this proved the actress was open to experimenting with her looks for the big screen.
5. Madhuri Dixit
Madhuri Dixit was a true heartthrob for many men (and women) out there during the 80s and 90s. Starring alongside actors like Anil Kapoor, Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and many other big names. Her looks were usually quite simple and as the simple brown lip and basic cat-eye trend picked up, Madhuri too went along with it.
6. Kajol
Kajol stole everyone’s hearts with her natural and girl-next-door look in this film. She lined her eyes in a simple manner and kept her natural eyebrows (which often made her the victim of mean jokes). The actress’s simple yet modern look in the film won the attention of many fans across the country.
7. Kareena Kapoor
How can one forget the iconic Poo? Kareena Kapoor channeled a fierce fashionista in her role in the film Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and wasn’t afraid to experiment with her fashion taste in the film. She tried everything from slivery eyeliner to a kohl-rimmed look in the film.
8. Priyanka Chopra
Priyanka Chopra channeled a bold vixen character in Aitraaz and her makeup is equally powerful. The actress went for a slick look in the film and fans were highly impressed by her bold persona and look for the film.
9. Deepika Padukone
Deepika’s Leela is all about the bold eyeliner and smokey-eye look. She kept her eyebrows neatly trimmed as well and the rest of her makeup was leaning more towards the nude side, coupled with some decent bronzer action.
10. Anushka Sharma
In the Film NH10, Anushka reveals a bold avatar we have never seen her in before. The actress turned producer rocks the bad-girl, punk vibe really well and channels her inner rebel with ease for this role. As the film goes on her look gets darker and darker and truly inspires us to grab our eyeliner and try to pull this look off (just kidding, we’ll look like pandas).
11. Alia Bhatt
Alia Bhatt was all about the modern desi look as her role as Ananya for 2 States. She is shown with maturing makeup looks as she goes through her college life and enters the workforce. However, one thing remains staple, and that’s her barely-there, subtle eyeliner.
Whatever be the decade, the eyeliner has made its entry and has established that it is here to stay. Have you ever experimented with different eyeliner looks? Which eyeliner look was the most iconic according to you? Let us know all your thoughts in the comments down below. Do share this article if you learned something new!
