Dig into any Indian woman’s handbag today, whether she’s a teenager or an elderly lady, and you’ll almost always find a bevy of beauty products. A few lipsticks? Of course. A tint that doubles as a blush and eye shadow? Absolutely; multi-functional beauty products are very much in vogue. A kohl pencil (or eyeliner) and mascara for a quick, bold eye makeover on the go? Not surprising at all. And don’t forget the creams, one for busy hands and another for a quick cold-weather fix. These are mere essentials.

But back in the 1950s and 60s, makeup was a major taboo. Only “bad girls” wore makeup. A bold lip colour or lacquered nails could earn you labels you wanted no part of.

One woman, however, challenged this stigma head-on and gave Indian women a new kind of power: the power to embrace bea

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