4 Sikh Beauty Bloggers on Representation and Go-to Products

Instagram is home to beauty influencers worldwide, showcasing diverse looks that celebrate their various heritages, ethnicities, and religions. Swiping through their content emphasizes how much everyday life and beauty are related. Regardless of age and profession, beauty is an area that brings almost anyone together. 

For me, it's important to engage with women of color and religiously sidelined creators on social media. After doing some heavy Instagram research, I eagerly messaged the chicest Sikh beauty bloggers who opened up about their journeys in the media space. Ahead, we discussed obstacles they've encountered, ayurvedic beauty principles, and their makeup must-haves. Keep scrolling to read what they had to say. 

Mini Talwar

What inspired you to create your blog? 

I used to be scared to post pictures, but I love makeup. I have become so in love with the beauty community, and I adore that I can help influence peoples' choices, especially high school and middle school girls. I wanted to especially help South Asian women realize that we should be proud of our melanin and who we are.

What are your go-to products?  

Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 ($36) helps if you tan easily and don’t want an annoying white cast. Benefit’s Porefessional Setting Spray ($32) and Nars Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation ($49) are staples for my skin. I also love using drugstore brands like NYX Epic Ink Liner ($12). 

What are your favorite looks you’ve created? 

I love creating Indian looks paired with heavy Indian jewelry and Indian clothes. Bridal makeup is one of my favorite looks to create. One of the looks was Bengali-inspired, and it was fun to experiment with. It allowed me to go beyond my Punjabi comfort zone. 

What are some obstacles you’ve faced as a Sikh beauty blogger? 

I used to worry about my likes and comments or other Punjabi Sikh bloggers being younger than me, but then I stopped. I realized making the space more inclusive was more important to me. I started talking about companies that made products I truly enjoyed to be of honest service to my audience. I've had to juggle all of this with a full-time job and my newborn, so consistently setting aside up to five hours per week is critical for creating content. Thankfully, success is inevitable if you love what you do.

What are some of your tried-and-true beauty tips? 

I use setting spray for every stage of the makeup process to keep everything blended and set properly. Even for my under eyes, I apply setting spray after concealer to eliminate any creasing.

The Bajwa Sisters

What inspired you to create your blog? 

Simrit: I wanted to show that beauty is accessible, and you don't have to have airbrushed photos or look super thin to succeed. You don't have to subscribe to unrealistic beauty standards set by the media. You can break the cycle. 

Amrit: Simrit wanted to create a blog with me, and I wanted to fill the gap of not seeing Sikh representation in [beauty]. Our goal was to run a sustainable blog that showcases various ways to access beauty and fashion without over-purchasing and spending. 

What are your go-to products?  

Simrit: Eyeliner is my best friend. Kajal, pen liners—you name it. Maybelline has a great variety of liners. You can also never go wrong with any Anastasia Beverly Hills Highlighter Palette ($40).

Amrit: I love the Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream ($69) for refreshing my skin and the Pat McGrath Lip Fetish Sheer Colour Balm ($38). L'Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara ($20) is one of my favorite mascaras. We are also fans of the Shiseido Synchro Skin Foundation ($47). 

What are your favorite looks you’ve created? 

Simrit: I am obsessed with sunset eyes. I also love creating a mix of western and Indian looks. One of my all-time favorite looks would be one we recreated from F.R.I.E.N.D.S (Rachel, Phoebe & Monica) with a Punjabi twist. I ultimately love highlighting how you can wear different trends for different bodies, skin types, and cultures. 

Amrit: As a Punjabi, it's part of our heritage to have some form of black eyeliner. Dramatic wedding lenghas or Indian suits paired with intense cat eyes are always fun. I also love using one bold shade of pink or red for the eyes, lips, and cheeks paired with wing eyeliner. It's a classic look that is flattering on everyone.

What are some obstacles you’ve faced as a Sikh beauty blogger? 

Simrit: One main obstacle is getting shadowbanned on Instagram when we post about India's farmers' protests. We want to use our voice to talk about the important issues without it affecting things like our reach or comments on beauty posts. Regardless, we want to continue to use our platform to speak up while still sharing fun and creative content.

Amrit: There isn't a lot of representation on Instagram. Even if there are Sikh beauty bloggers, we aren't spoken about. We genuinely believe in our Sikh teachings, which are to love and care for everyone, to include everyone, and help in any way we can, and those messages should be heard.

What are some of your tried-and-true beauty tips? 

Simrit: I think cotton swabs are an absolute gift. There is nothing that they can't fix, along with some micellar water. Also, I find eye makeup so fun, so don't be afraid to experiment. 

Amrit: For a cat eye, draw the wing first using small strokes and check to see if it's straight when you look in the mirror. It's also helpful to use a card or tape to achieve the perfect lines. 

Seerat Saini

What inspired you to create your blog? 

I've always wanted a career in the fashion and beauty space. After a ton of unpaid internships in New York, I moved to San Francisco to work in tech. I felt like I was losing my sense of personal style and wanted to reclaim that side of myself, which inspired me to start posting about makeup. 

What are your go-to products?

I am a huge advocate for South Asian beauty brands. Sahajan Radiance Face Serum ($74) is full of ayurvedic ingredients. Doing light hair massages with Fable and Mane HoliRoots Hair Oil ($34) has been life-changing, and Soma Ayurvedic Vitamin C Serum ($118) is great for hyperpigmentation.

What are your favorite looks you’ve created?

I love to mix and match different cultures. I did a recent shoot with desi undergarments. It made me feel so powerful to use beauty and fashion to express my individuality as both a woman and a South Asian minority. 

What are any obstacles you’ve faced as a Sikh beauty blogger?

When I started going viral on TikTok for South Asian hair care, I realized my tips could help people by making them laugh, embrace their sexuality, or try a new product. People don't seem to take others who work in the beauty space seriously, so I wanted to be a role model that isn't afraid to talk about crucial issues or give back. My friends, other influencers, and I ended up raising a lot of money for Khalsa Aid, which I am very proud of. Sikh influencers must amplify the voices of anyone that needs it.

What are some of your tried-and-true beauty tips? 

Much of my routines are from Punjabi practices, where beauty is internal as much as it is external. I try to consistently oil my hair and braid it to protect my scalp. I also try to incorporate organic ingredients like amla, Haldi, and ashwagandha into my routine because of their positive effects. 

Lucky Kaur

What inspired you to create your blog? 

Growing up, I had severe cystic acne, so I scavenged for skincare videos on YouTube. Eventually, I found myself trying makeup techniques which led to my passion for beauty. I wanted to start Sikh Beauty because beauty can be found anywhere: yourself, your soul, in nature. I wanted to shine the light in my way through makeup. 

What are your go-to products?

Drugstore products are sometimes even better than luxury brands. Revlon Longevity & Moisturize Lipstick ($5) does wonders for my lips. Maybelline Fit Me! Dewy & Smooth Foundation ($8) evens my complexion, especially when paired with Maybelline Baby Skin Pore Eraser Primer ($5). Benefit Hoola Bronzer ($32) is worth the hype, in my opinion, and Benefit BADgal BANG! Volumizing Mascara ($27) makes me look like I’m wearing fake lashes. 

What are your favorite looks you’ve created? 

Anything with color is a popular choice of mine. Recently, I did Khalsa colors with orange and navy blue eyes. I always appreciate a classic gold eyelid with red lips, and sometimes I prefer more muted looks with coffee hues and peach tones that enhance my natural features. 

What are some obstacles you’ve faced as a Sikh beauty blogger? 

I have seen so many Sikh women who wear dastar or turbans ridiculed for expressing themselves with beauty and fashion. I’ve also received my fair share of backlash. People comment on my content saying I’m not Sikh, I don’t look Sikh enough, or I shouldn’t be posting beauty content. I’ve learned to keep a positive attitude and not get so caught up in Instagram politics. 

What are some of your tried-and-true beauty tips? 

I'm a firm believer in giving your skin love and moisturizing. I also love a good foundation and highlighter brush, which makes a huge difference in how the makeup looks on your skin. Most importantly—don’t forget to purge your makeup collection once in a while.