18 Best Cosmetic Brands in India

Best Cosmetic Brands in India market has emerged as one of the world’s fastest-growing markets. Driven by a youthful demography, increasing disposable income, and a dynamic internet presence. With a market that is poised to reach significant milestones by the year 2030, domestic and global players are vying for a share of this high-stakes market. The Best Cosmetic Brands in India market is characterised by a vast range of products, from mass-market products such as Lakmé and Elle 18 to high-end products such as MAC Cosmetics and Forest Essentials. With growing awareness of make-up and skin care trends, brands are focusing on innovation, sustainability, and diversity to cater to the varied needs of Indian consumers.

The Best Cosmetic Brands in India market for cosmetics is segmented into various categories like skincare, haircare, color cosmetics, and fragrances, of which the largest segment is skincare. The rise of e-commerce websites has contributed significantly to the growth of the market, with online retailing experiencing the greatest increase in the past few years. Social media has been a major driver of consumer behavior, with firms using media websites to market their products and engage with customers.

Here, we will analyze the Best Cosmetic Brands in India, their origin, market presence, product varieties, and customer reviews. From Indian homegrown players like Lakmé and Sugar Cosmetics to foreign companies like L’Oréal and MAC Cosmetics, every brand has its strengths and weaknesses. The identification of these Best Cosmetic Brands in India can provide valuable information regarding the evolving face of India’s cosmetic industry.

Table of Contents

Biotique

Founded: 1992
Ownership: Bio Veda Action Research
Entry into India: Homegrown brand
Stores: Commonly available in retail stores and online.
Average Cost: ₹150–₹315 for most items.
Famous For: Ayurvedic skincare and hair products such as face washes, shampoos, and serums.
Customer Reviews: Commended for natural ingredients and eco-friendly packaging but panned for insufficient makeup varieties.
Comparison: Biotique rivals Lotus Herbals in the herbal range but has greater emphasis on Ayurvedic formulations.

Elle 18

Founded: 1998 (India)
Ownership: Hindustan Unilever
Entry into India: Homegrown brand
Stores: Sold in multi-brand stores and online websites.
Average Cost: Under ₹300 for all products.
Popular For: Affordable lip balms and nail paints.
Customer Reviews: Popular due to price factor but lacks product assortment.
Comparison: Elle 18 faces competition from Blue Heaven in ultra-pricey category.

Mamaearth

Established: 2016 (India)
Ownership: Varun Alagh and Ghazal Alagh
Entry into India: Homegrown brand
Stores: Sold online and in select retail stores.
Average Cost: ₹300–₹900 for most of its products.
Famous For: Toxin-free skincare products such as face washes and moisturizers.
Customer Reviews: Appraised for natural ingredients and environmentally friendly packaging.
Comparison: Mamaearth is competing against The Moms Co. in the toxin-free category.

Revlon

Founded: 1932 (USA)
Ownership: Revlon, Inc.
Entry into India: Mid-1990s
Stores: Very popular in retail stores and online websites.
Average Cost: ₹500–₹1,200 for most products.
Famous For: ColorStay lipsticks and nail polishes.
Customer Reviews: Appraised for quality but criticized for lack of product innovation.
Comparison: Revlon competes with L’Oréal Paris in the mass-market category.

VLCC

Established: 1989 (India)
Ownership: Vandana Luthra
Entry into India: Domestic brand
Stores: More than 300 wellness stores in India.
Average Cost: ₹200–₹700 for the majority of products.
Well-known For: Skincare products with a focus on wellness, such as face packs and body lotions.
Customer Reviews: Popular due to natural ingredients but faulted for small number of products offered.
Comparison: VLCC faces competition from Himalaya Herbals in the wellness space.

Renee Cosmetics

Founded: 2020 (India)
Ownership: Priyank Shah and Aashka Shah
India Entry: Indigenous brand
Stores: Online and at some retail outlets.
Average Cost: ₹300–₹1,000 for most products.
Famous For: Innovative products such as roll-on lipsticks.
Customer Reviews: Commented on unique packaging and price.
Comparison: Renee rivalry with Sugar Cosmetics in the fashionable makeup category.

The Body Shop

Founded: 1970 (UK)
Ownership: Natura & Co
Entry into India: Late 1990s
Stores: More than 150 standalone stores in India.
Average Cost: ₹500–₹2,500 for most products.
Famous For: Cruelty-free skincare products such as body butters and face masks.
Customer Reviews: Commended for ethical practices but found to be pricey.
Comparison: The Body Shop rivals Forest Essentials in the luxury skincare market.

Kay Beauty

Established: 2019 (India)
Ownership: Katrina Kaif along with Nykaa
India entry: Local brand
Shops: Online and in select stores.
Average Price: ₹400–₹1,200 for majority of products.
Popular For: Makeup items such as lipsticks and eyeshadows.
Customer Ratings: Commended on shade inclusivity but panned on product range.
Comparison: Kay Beauty rivals Sugar Cosmetics in the fashionable makeup category.

Coloressence

Founded: 2007 (India)
Ownership: Nature’s Essence
Entry into India: Homegrown brand
Stores: Available in multi-brand stores and online shopping platforms.
Average Cost: ₹150–₹500 for the majority of products.
Popular For: Reasonably priced makeup products such as lipsticks and eyeshadows.
Customer Reviews: Priced reasonably but short on quality.
Comparison: Coloressence is pitted against Elle 18 in the very budget-friendly category.

Forest Essentials

Founded: 2000 (India)
Ownership: Mira Kulkarni
Entry into India: Domestic brand
Stores: More than 100 independent stores in India.
Average Cost: ₹800–₹3,000 for most products.
Famous For: High-end Ayurvedic skincare products such as face creams and body oils.
Customer Reviews: Loved for high-quality natural ingredients but felt pricey.
Comparison: Forest Essentials rivals Kama Ayurveda in the high-end Ayurvedic category.

Lakmé

Established: 1952
Ownership: Hindustan Unilever
Entry into India: Domestic brand
Outlets: More than 450 Lakmé Salons across India.
Average Price: ₹200–₹800 for most products.
Popular For: Affordable makeup and skin care items such as the Lakmé 9-to-5 range and Absolute line.
Customer Reviews: Popular for quality and price, though some customers prefer the products to be more inclusive for darker skin tones.
Comparison: Lakmé rivals Maybelline in the budget cosmetic category but is popular for its salon facilities.

Maybelline

Established: 1915 (USA)
Ownership: L’Oréal Group
Introduction in India: Early 2000s
Retailers: Present in multi-brand stores and online sites.
Average Price: ₹250–₹1,000.
Popular For: Mascaras (Colossal range) and Fit Me foundations.
Customer Reviews: Complimented for fashionable and high-performing products at affordable prices.
Comparison: Maybelline is usually compared with Lakmé but is more young and global in appeal.

Sugar Cosmetics

Founded: 2015 (India)
Ownership: Vineeta Singh and Kaushik Mukherjee
Stores: Available in more than 30,000 retail stores; to expand to 60,000 stores.
Average Cost: ₹150–₹1,200.
Famous For: Trendy lipsticks and cruelty-free formulations.
Customer Reviews: Adored for its vibrant colors and new-age branding.
Comparison: Sugar competes with Nykaa Cosmetics but emphasizes more on vibrant color schemes.

Nykaa Cosmetics

Established: 2012 (India)
Ownership: Falguni Nayar (Founder & CEO)
Shops: More than 100 physical shops in addition to its online store.
Average Price: ₹80–₹1,500.
Renowned For: Extensive collection of lipsticks, eyeshadows, and skincare products under its Nykaa Naturals brand.
Customer Reviews: Well-rated for inclusivity and price.
Comparison: Nykaa competes with Sugar Cosmetics but offers a wider range of products due to its marketplace business model.

MAC Cosmetics

Founded: 1984 (Canada)
Ownership: Estée Lauder Companies
Entry into India: 2005
Stores: Over 100 standalone stores in India.
Average Cost: ₹1,500–₹3,000.
Famous For: High-quality foundations like Studio Fix and iconic lipsticks like Ruby Woo.
Customer Reviews: Celebrated for premium quality but criticized for high prices.
Comparison: MAC is often compared to Bobbi Brown as a luxury makeup brand but offers more vibrant shades.

L’Oréal Paris

Founded: 1909 (France)
Entry into India: Mid-1990s.
Stores: Common in retail stores and online websites.
Average Cost: ₹300–₹2,000.
Famous For: Hair care products and True Match foundation range.
Customer Reviews: Committed to quality but found a bit pricey for mass market customers.

Colorbar

Founded: 2004 (India)
Ownership: Samir Modi (Founder)
Stores: More than 100 exclusive stores across India.
Average Cost: ₹250–₹1,200.
Famous For: Nail paints and lipsticks with unique packaging.
Customer Reviews: Praised for being affordable and colorful.

Lotus Herbals

Founded: 1993 (India)
Ownership: Kamal Passi (Founder)
Stores: Commonly found in retail stores and online websites.
Average Cost: ₹200–₹800.
Famous For: Herbal beauty products such as sunscreens and face packs.
Customer Reviews: Complimented for natural ingredients but criticized for narrow shade ranges in makeup.

The Best Cosmetic Brands in India market has seen phenomenal growth, backed by both indigenous and international players catering to the needs of different consumers. Lakmé and Sugar Cosmetics have become market leaders by introducing a variety of products that cater to different skin types and tones. Nykaa and Kay Beauty are also well on their way with their inclusive offerings and out-of-the-box marketing strategies.

Global names like Maybelline and L’Oréal have been able to successfully adapt their offerings to Indian skin tones, while MAC and Bobbi Brown still rule the luxury market. At the same time, herbal and Ayurvedic players like Biotique, Lotus Herbals, and Forest Essentials are becoming increasingly popular for their natural products.

The Best Cosmetic Brands in India market is poised to keep expanding, fueled by demand from consumers for quality, value, and ethicality. As the sector develops, Best Cosmetic Brands in India will have to emphasize inclusivity, sustainability, and innovation to stay ahead of the competition. Whether it’s the affordable products from Elle 18 and Blue Heaven or the premium products from Forest Essentials, there’s a Best Cosmetic Brands in India to suit every consumer choice in India’s dynamic cosmetic market.