There was a time when buying lipstick as a brown-skinned Indian woman required a certain amount of optimism. A nude might disappear into the face entirely. A soft pink could turn oddly fluorescent. A red that looked deep and sophisticated in the tube might emerge much brighter on the lips. We learnt to adjust. We mixed shades, outlined our lips in brown and quietly accepted that many popular colours had not really been created with us in mind.

Indian beauty brands are changing that. The newer generation of home-grown lipstick labels seems to understand something global beauty companies have often missed: brown skin is not one shade or one undertone. It moves through warm, golden, olive, neutral and deep tones. Our lips may also be naturally pigmented, which means a lipstick needs enough depth and opacity to show up as intended.

These are five Indian brands worth knowing, particularly when you want colour that complements brown skin instead of fighting it.

1. RENÉE Cosmetics: Stunner Matte Lipstick In Red Hawt

Let me begin with my personal favourite. RENÉE’s Stunner Matte Lipstick in Red Hawt is the kind of red that does not need much negotiation. It is bold without looking theatrical and warm enough to sit naturally against brown skin. The colour brightens the face immediately, even when the rest of the makeup is minimal.

What I like most is its certainty. Some reds require the right outfit, careful eye makeup or a particular mood. Red Hawt simply works. It has the confidence of a proper Indian red, but the matte finish keeps it contemporary rather than bridal.

The Stunner Matte range is highly pigmented, weightless and designed for long wear, with shades extending from reds and berries to deeper tones.

Where To Buy In Singapore: RENÉE products are available through selected Amazon Singapore listings, although the range and individual shades can vary.

Where To Buy In India: Buy directly from the RENÉE website, Nykaa or major beauty retailers. The official website usually offers the widest shade selection and frequent discounts.

2. Kay Beauty: Matte Drama Long Stay Lipstick

Kay Beauty does not treat Indian skin tones as an afterthought. That is visible in the depth of its colours, particularly its browns, mauves, plums and muted reds. The Matte Drama Long Stay Lipstick range includes shades created to complement Indian complexions. For brown skin, Dialogue is a dependable brown-toned nude, while Red Carpet offers a softer red with brown undertones. Those undertones matter. They stop the colour from appearing too stark and allow it to settle into the warmth of the face.

Kay Beauty lipsticks tend to feel more polished than playful. The packaging is elegant, the pigmentation is reliable and the colours are designed for people who want makeup they can wear repeatedly rather than merely photograph once. For those who prefer liquid lipstick, Panache is an easy everyday brown nude, while Treasure is a deeper berry-red that works especially well on dusky complexions.

Where To Buy In Singapore: Kay Beauty does not currently appear to have reliable official retail distribution in Singapore. Reseller and cross-border listings occasionally appear, but shade availability and pricing can be inconsistent.

Where To Buy In India: Nykaa is the simplest and most dependable option because Kay Beauty was developed in partnership with the retailer. It is also available at selected Nykaa physical stores, where swatching the shades in person is preferable.

3. SUGAR Cosmetics: Matte As Hell Crayon Lipstick

SUGAR was among the earlier modern Indian makeup brands to say clearly that its products were being made for Indian skin rather than adapted for it. Its lip colours remain one of the strongest parts of the brand.

The Matte As Hell Crayon Lipstick is especially useful for people who like precise application but do not enjoy the stiffness of traditional matte bullets. The crayon shape makes it easy to trace the edges of the lips before filling them in, often eliminating the need for a separate liner.

For a statement shade, Cherry Darling offers a warm red that works particularly well on wheatish and brown skin. Warm reds, including those with brick or orange undertones, generally sit more harmoniously across Indian complexions than very pale or sharply blue-based shades.

SUGAR is also a good place to look for deeper berries and chocolate-based colours. The formulas are created with Indian heat, humidity and warm-to-deep skin tones in mind, which makes them especially practical for Singapore as well.

Where To Buy In Singapore: A selection of SUGAR lipsticks is available through Amazon Singapore, including the Matte As Hell Crayon and Nothing Else Matter ranges. Stock and shades may vary between sellers.

Where To Buy In India: Shop through the SUGAR Cosmetics website, app, branded stores, Nykaa or other major beauty retailers. India offers a much wider range and better-value sets, making this one worth stocking up on during a visit.

4. MARS Cosmetics: Queen Of Mattes Liquid Lipsticks

MARS is proof that affordable makeup does not necessarily have to feel like a compromise. The brand has built its following around highly pigmented, trend-aware products at accessible Indian prices. Its lipsticks are particularly attractive when you enjoy experimenting with different tones but do not want every purchase to feel like a major financial decision.

The Queen Of Mattes Liquid Lipstick sets are a practical starting point, particularly the brown-toned combinations. They offer several complementary shades that can be worn independently or mixed together. Reviews on the brand’s official site frequently mention the depth of the browns and a matte texture that remains relatively comfortable rather than excessively dry.

MARS understands that a brown nude needs enough pigment to remain visible on naturally pigmented lips. That alone puts it ahead of many more expensive international options.

Where To Buy In Singapore: MARS has limited availability through Amazon Singapore and other cross-border marketplaces. The selection is significantly smaller than in India and individual lipstick lines may not always be listed.

Where To Buy In India: Buy from the official MARS website, Amazon India, Nykaa and local cosmetic retailers. The prices are considerably more attractive in India, particularly for lipstick sets and bundled products.

5. Swiss Beauty: HD Matte Lipstick In Athena

Despite its international-sounding name, Swiss Beauty is an Indian beauty brand that has become difficult to ignore. It occupies that useful space between budget makeup and genuinely wearable everyday formulas. For brown skin, the HD Matte Lipstick in Athena is a particularly strong option. It is a brown nude with enough warmth and depth to avoid washing out the face.

Those who prefer a slightly softer nude can also look at Bare from the Non-Transfer Matte range, while deeper complexions may find the brand’s caramel, cocoa, wine and oxblood shades more flattering than conventional pale nudes.

Swiss Beauty is not about perfect luxury packaging. Its strength is choice. There are enough finishes, depths and undertones to make experimentation affordable, particularly when you are still learning which kind of nude or red suits you best.

Where To Buy In Singapore: Swiss Beauty is one of the easier Indian brands to find on Amazon Singapore. Listings include HD Matte, Pure Matte, Non-Transfer and liquid lipstick options, although prices are noticeably higher than in India.

Where To Buy In India: Shop from the official Swiss Beauty website, Nykaa, Amazon India or local beauty stores. Purchase it in India where possible, as the same product is usually far more affordable and the shade range is broader.

What To Buy In Singapore And What To Save For India

Singapore makes it possible to access some of these brands, but not always in the way Indian shoppers are accustomed to. Amazon Singapore is currently the most practical option for RENÉE, SUGAR and Swiss Beauty, with smaller selections from MARS. Kay Beauty remains the hardest to source reliably.

However, cross-border availability comes with two disadvantages: prices are often considerably higher and the most flattering shades are not necessarily the ones stocked. My suggestion is simple. Buy one lipstick in Singapore when you need it or want to test a formula. When travelling to India, visit a Nykaa store or a good multi-brand beauty retailer and swatch properly. Look beyond the colour on your hand. Try it on the lips, step into natural light and give the shade a few minutes to settle.

Brown skin rarely needs louder lipstick. It needs lipstick with the right depth, warmth and intention. And once you find that colour, as I did with RENÉE’s Red Hawt, you tend to keep returning to it.