Culture × Cosmetics: When Heritage Inspires Eye Products
How culturally inspired eye makeup blends rituals with product storytelling. See how brands use packaging, palettes, and traditions for visual depth.
12 Jun'25
By Amanda
Culture × Cosmetics: When Heritage Inspires Eye Products
In a world of Instagram makeup trends and filters, the products and looks that truly stick are the ones with stories. And not just 'inspo from Morocco', it's the real cultural threads, rituals, and iconography woven into pigments, palettes, and packaging that truly leaves an impact
It's where real stories and real culture are woven into products and rituals, and storytelling is preserved through them.
Packaging As a Portal to Rituals
Unboxing an eyeshadow palette shouldn't just be opening a box; it should be an experience that tells a story in itself. Like opening a time capsule of ancestral memory. Beauty lies in the details, like-
- Engraved mandala patterns on casings
- Color names that tell stories like 'Sindoor Spark' or 'Nazariya Noir',
- Gold-foil detailing mirroring mehndi, bangles, or rangoli patterns
These aren’t aesthetic accidents. They’re branding choices that pay homage to heritage. Packaging can hold immense power and tell impactful stories about the culture and history behind a brand and the product.
Palettes That Paint History, Not Just Lids
Culturally inspired eye makeup doesn’t stop at packaging. The shade curation itself is often a visual retelling of legacy. Imagine names like -
These colours don’t just go with your outfit—they come from your culture.
Rituals Incorporated Into Modern Makeup
From kohl used to ward off evil to haldi preps before the wedding day, rituals have long centred around the eyes. Today’s beauty brands are reimagining them as product lines, how-to reels, and campaign themes.
- Kohl kajals infused with almond oil & camphor (traditionally cooling)
- Loose pigments that mimic rangoli powders
- Eye oils that reference Ayurvedic eye treatments
Brands aren’t just creating makeup-they’re preserving rituals and reinterpreting and retelling them.
Traditional Eye Makeup Practices That Have Made it to Modern Makeup
- Kohl: Kohl dates all the way back to the ancient civilisations of Egypt and India. They were used to line lines and were said to have cooling and protective properties
- Bindis: Another symbol of South Asian beauty is the Bindi. It represents beauty and has spiritual symbolism as well
- Vibrant Colours: They often use culturally significant colours like gold or red
Culturally Inspired Eye Products to Try:
Eye Makeup Storytelling in Motion & Media
Beauty brands that win? The ones that go deeper than just the surface!
Admigos, for example, uses,
- Motion graphics showing the evolution of kohl from soot to stylus
- Interactive packaging that reveals traditional meanings when scanned
They mix tradition and tech to create meaningful beauty content. So give them a visit before you leave!
Makeup is not just about being “inspired” anymore. It’s about acknowledging, honouring, and evolving. Beauty is finally understanding that what’s personal is powerful. And that’s where culturally inspired eye makeup leads.
Brands that don’t just slap on motifs but go deep into the rituals, culture, and practices, are the ones that create an impact and make a difference!
“I didn’t know my grandma’s pre-wedding eye oil ritual was now a serum in Sephora. That’s kinda iconic.” - @PriMeetsPalette, Beauty Creator
#Culturallyinspiredmakeup #MakeupStorytelling #Culture #Makeup #Heritage
South Asian Eye Makeup: Kohl, Glitter, and Bridal Magic
Discover the beauty behind Indian bridal eye makeup, from kohl makeup looks to glittering rituals rooted in culture..
Lash Anatomy 101: Why Detailing Matters in Mascara Ads
Dive into lash zones, density, length and why mascara wand animation and lash growth visualisation are key in beauty campaigns today.
