Onam is a time of abundance, of floral carpets, homecoming feasts, and moments of togetherness. And while celebrations are grand, the makeup ideas for Onam often lean towards simplicity and tradition. The classic Onam traditional look is less about dramatic colours and more about glowing skin, soft touches of kohl, and lips that look nourished and healthy.
If you’re dressing in a Kerala saree and jasmine flowers this year, here are some gentle, minimal yet festive beauty ideas to complete your look.
1. Begin with a Fresh, Clean Base:
Every radiant festive look starts with clean skin. Instead of scrubbing harshly or using stripping cleansers, go for gentle, sulfate-free cleansing that respects your skin barrier.
The Kumkumadi Face Wash from The Bare Bar brightens while cleansing, with saffron and kumkumadi oil bringing natural luminosity. It ensures your skin feels fresh, hydrated, and ready for makeup, or even bare, if you prefer.
2. Hydrate for Dewy Skin:
The hallmark of the Onam traditional look is skin that feels lit from within. Hydration is the simplest way to achieve that. A lightweight gel cream keeps skin plump without looking oily under Kerala’s humid climate.
Our Rose Geranium Day Gel Cream offers that balance. Infused with shea butter, cocoa butter, and jojoba oil, it softens and nourishes without heaviness, so your foundation or kajal applies seamlessly.
3. Sun Protection Comes First:
Onam often involves day-long festivities, including outdoor gatherings. To keep your glow safe from sun damage, always apply SPF before stepping out.
The Bare Shield SPF 30 Sunscreen cream is non-greasy and pH-balanced, blending in like a feather-light layer. It doubles as a primer, making sure your makeup lasts longer through the day’s warmth.
4. Keep Eye Makeup Minimal but Striking:
Traditional Onam beauty focuses on the eyes. A line of kajal, a touch of mascara, and neatly groomed brows bring definition without going over the top. If you’d like, you can add a soft golden shimmer for an evening celebration.
The key is balance, let your natural glow do most of the work, and keep your eyes simple, expressive, and rooted in tradition.
5. Lips That Stay Soft & Natural:
Instead of heavy lipstick, try tinted balms or oils that let your lips breathe while adding a touch of colour. Healthy lips are the best base for any shade.
The Bare Bar offers a range of Lip Balms, from Strawberry to Gulab, crafted with castor oil, jojoba oil, and soy wax. They hydrate, heal chaps, and keep lips naturally rosy. For a glossy finish, choose a Lip Oil like Rose or Kesar Elaichi, which blends jojoba and coconut oil for shine that lasts through every festive smile.
6. Skin That Glows Beneath the Saree:
When you’re draped in a Kerala saree, your skin often becomes the backdrop for gold jewellery and crisp fabric. Keep it soft and radiant by indulging in body rituals before you get dressed.
A layer of Body Butter (think sandalwood or rose blends) melts into skin, leaving it silky and hydrated. This not only makes you feel festive-ready but also prevents dryness that can sometimes show through saree drapes.
7. Don’t Forget the Hair Ritual:
The finishing touch of the Kerala saree makeup is always the hair, oiled, glossy, and adorned with jasmine. To make sure your strands look healthy and frizz-free, prep with a nourishing serum or oil.
Our Hair Serum, with Squalene, Jojoba Oil, and Argan Oil, tames flyaways, boosts shine, and makes your hair feel cared for. It pairs beautifully with traditional hairstyles like braids or buns, holding flowers gracefully in place.
8. Less Powder, More Radiance:
Instead of caking your skin with powder, keep it light. A touch of translucent powder on the T-zone is enough to control shine while leaving your skin luminous. The Onam glow comes from skincare, not from layers of makeup.
9. Balance Colour with Attire:
With the Kerala saree’s cream and gold palette, let your makeup stay soft. Peachy blush, nude lips, and warm undertones complement the outfit beautifully. If you’d like to go bolder, let the lips carry colour while keeping the rest minimal.
10. End the Day with Care:
Festivities can be long, but the ritual of removing makeup is sacred, too. Cleanse thoroughly, moisturise generously, and let your skin breathe overnight.
The Saffron Night Cream with rosehip oil and bakuchiol works wonders post-makeup, helping skin recover, restore, and glow the next morning.
Gifting the Onam Glow:
Onam is also about giving, whether it’s flowers, sweets, or small acts of love. If you’d like to share the glow, The Bare Bar’s Onam Gift Hampers are available at 25% off until 5th September on our website. Each hamper is curated with care, packed with nourishing rituals, and perfect for gifting to family or treating yourself.
Final Thoughts:
Makeup ideas for Onam don’t have to be complicated. The essence of the festival lies in staying authentic, glowing skin, soft touches, and a traditional look that complements your Kerala saree rather than overpowering it.
By embracing skincare rituals from The Bare Bar, gentle cleansers, nourishing butters, calming lip care, and hair-loving serums, you’ll glow naturally, so that when you finally apply your festive makeup, it enhances rather than hides.
This Onam, let your look reflect what the festival is all about: simplicity, beauty, and joy rooted in tradition.
