Sindoor, a traditional cosmetic powder used widely by married women in South Asia, is an essential part of cultural and religious practices. It symbolizes marital bliss, and over the years, various reputable brands have emerged, offering quality sindoor in different forms, such as powder and stick. Among these, some brands have set a benchmark for their purity, vibrant colors, and long-lasting formulas that cater to modern preferences. For those interested in adopting or switching to a better product, we have compiled a list of the best sindoor brands available today. Read on to discover which brands stand out in terms of quality, trust, and innovation in the world of sindoor.
Illustration of sindoor
Best brands of sindoor in 2025
Shahnaz Husain
Shahnaz Husain is a renowned brand in India, particularly noted for its natural and herbal beauty products, including sindoor. Unlike many sindoor brands that contain high levels of heavy metals, Shahnaz Husain's sindoor has been found to have relatively lower concentrations, with lead levels as low as 18.1 ppm, which is significantly lower than the FDA limits. Founded by Shahnaz Husain, the company has been a leader in the beauty industry since the 1970s, offering over 375 different products as of 2016. The brand's commitment to natural ingredients and safety has made it a trusted name, especially among those seeking traditional yet safe cosmetic products. Shahnaz Husain's products are widely available, including through a network of over 400 franchisees. For more insights into the brand's journey, visit the Shahnaz Husain profile interview at Harvard Business School.
Lakme
Lakme, as India's first home-grown makeup brand, holds a significant market share in the beauty and cosmetic industry, including a strong presence in traditional products like sindoor. As of 2021, Lakme commands over 15% of the Indian beauty and cosmetic market, with a notable 40% market share in the facial makeup segment. Its innovative products and extensive network, including over 450 Lakme Salons, contribute to its dominance. Lakme's commitment to adapting to beauty trends and its advanced digital beauty innovations further solidify its position. The brand's financial growth, such as a 19.3% revenue increase in FY23, underscores its market strength. Discover six things to love about Lakme, India's biggest makeup brand for more insights.
Lotus Herbals
Lotus Herbals, renowned for its high-quality personal care products, has made waves with its lead-free sindoor, which has become an unexpected success in various unconventional markets. Founded by Kamal Passi in 1994, the company has experienced remarkable growth, with the sindoor becoming perpetually out of stock, underscoring its popularity. In the domestic market, Lotus Herbals' WhiteGlow skin-whitening cream holds a 12% share, and the company is the second biggest brand in the sun protection category, trailing only behind HUL's Lakme. With a robust presence in over 150,000 retail outlets and 35,000 salons, Lotus Herbals is actively expanding its omnichannel presence. The brand's emphasis on research and development, rather than extensive advertising, has been a key driver of its rapid growth. For more information about Lotus Herbals, visit their customer story page.
Colorbar
Colorbar, a leading brand in the cosmetics industry, is poised to become a significant player in the market for traditional products like sindoor, given its robust growth trajectory. With plans to go public within the next three years, Colorbar is expected to achieve a revenue of Rs 1,000 crore in the upcoming fiscal year and aims to expand its presence in international markets, where exports are anticipated to contribute 10-15% to its total cosmetic business. The brand is part of Modi Enterprises, which generates about Rs 3,000-3,500 crore revenue from its brands, including Colorbar, 24Seven, and Modicare. Colorbar's growth is driven by the rapid expansion of India's beauty and personal care market, which is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 10% between 2022 and 2027. This growth is further bolstered by the brand's 50% expected growth this year. You can find more information about Colorbar and explore their range of products on their official website.
Blue Heaven
Blue Heaven Cosmetics is a renowned producer of sindoor, among other cosmetic products, with a strong presence in tier-2 and tier-3 cities and suburbs of metros in India. Founded by Charanjit Singh and Gurnam Singh, the company has been growing at over 15% per annum and generates sales of over Rs 160 crore. Blue Heaven's sindoor products have been found to have relatively lower lead content compared to other brands, with a concentration of 20.5 ppm, which is significantly lower than the FDA limits. The company's partnership with Samara Capital has further enhanced its growth prospects, focusing on marketing, distribution, and ecommerce channels. Blue Heaven's products are widely available through traditional channels and are known for their quality and affordability.
Elle 18
While Elle 18 is predominantly known for its extensive range of color cosmetics in the Indian market, it is not specifically renowned for sindoor. In this segment, brands like Insight Cosmetics and Lakme are more notable. Insight Cosmetics began with sindoor and has expanded to over 350 SKUs, featuring various shades and distributing their products across more than 7,500 stores in India. Lakme, another prestigious brand, offers liquid-based sindoor with precise application available in classic shades such as red and maroon. These brands maintain a robust presence in the Indian market, catering to a diverse array of cosmetic needs.
VLCC
The query appears to be misleading, as the provided sources do not mention VLCC as a producer of sindoor, which is a type of vermilion powder used in Indian culture. However, VLCC, or Very Large Crude Carrier, is notable for its significant role in the global oil shipping industry. In 2023, the industry witnessed an average of 282 spot VLCC cargos per month, marking a 6% increase from the previous year. This rise was driven by the heightened crude oil exports from the US and other Atlantic basin suppliers. For a detailed analysis, you can explore the impact of VLCCs in 2023.
Faces Canada
Faces Canada stands out as a premier brand for sindoor, offering a highly pigmented, smudge-proof, and crease-proof liquid sindoor that is dermatologically tested and suitable for all skin types. This product features a long sponge-tip applicator for easy application and a velvet matte finish, making it a favorite among married Indian women. With its water-resistant formula and cruelty-free certification, Faces Canada's sindoor is a blend of tradition and modernity. The brand ensures quality, as evident from the positive customer reviews highlighting its long-lasting color and ease of use. Available in red and maroon, this sindoor is a must-have for those who value both tradition and contemporary beauty standards.
Insight Cosmetics
Insight Cosmetics has established itself as a leading producer of sindoor, among other color cosmetics, with a rich history dating back to the late 1970s when Dinesh Jain's father, Bastimal Jain, started a small cosmetic manufacturing unit. The brand gained significant traction with its sindoor product, Mayuri Kumkum, launched in 1994, which was available in 11 shades and became an instant hit, with production reaching 10,000 pieces per day. Today, Insight Cosmetics boasts over 350 SKUs, including a wide range of color cosmetics, and has a presence in more than 7,500 stores across India. The company achieved a turnover of Rs 73 crore in FY 2019-20 and has been certified as India's first toxin-free brand by Bureau Veritas, reinforcing its dedication to safety and quality. Insight Cosmetics products are FDA-approved, cruelty-free, vegan, and dermatologically tested, aligning with the highest international manufacturing standards.
Coloressence
Coloressence is a renowned brand in the Indian cosmetics market, particularly celebrated for its high-quality sindoor products. Sindoor, a traditional cosmetic item, holds significant cultural importance, and Coloressence has successfully tapped into this demand with its innovative liquid sindoor offerings. The brand's products are known for their ease of application and long-lasting color, making them a favorite among married women. While specific market share data for Coloressence is not provided, the brand's popularity can be gauged from its presence in various online and offline retail channels. The Indian cosmetics market, valued at over $20 billion, sees brands like Coloressence competing with established players like Hindustan Unilever and L'Oreal.
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