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If you are a Hindu married woman, you already know the importance of sindoor in your life. While flaunting the marital status depends completely on an individual’s standpoint, the application of sindoor on the forehead and hair partition can actually enhance the feminine grace of a woman to a large extent. In this modern age of globalization, the practice of sindoor application has also been going through changes and evolution. So, let us talk about everything about sindoor in this article. Also, find 10 best sindoor brands available in India to flaunt your marital status in a stylish and fashionable way.
What is Sindoor?
Sindoor or sindooram is basically a cosmetic powder used by women of Hindu communities in the Indian subcontinent. Earlier, it was prepared at home by mixing natural ingredients like turmeric powder, camphor, saffron, alum, sandalwood powder, and beet extract. But these days, commercial sindoors are mostly made of synthetic compounds while only a few brands are offering herbal ones. Traditional sindoor has a beautiful vermillion red hue but it can also be orange in color. In the southern part of India, sindoor is also popularly known as ‘kumkum’. However, the composition of kumkum is slightly different than the traditional sindoor as it contains turmeric powder and limestone only.
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Uses of Sindoor
The practice of wearing sindoor dates back to centuries. It signifies the sacred bond of marriage and hence, is considered as a prominent symbol of being married among Hindu women. Stopping the practice usually indicates that the woman has entered her widowhood. Sindoor is mainly applied along the parting of the hair. It is also used to make a ‘bindi’ on the forehead in between the eyebrows. (1)
According to the Hindu community, sindoor, along with mangalsutra, bangles, and toe ring, defines the marital status of women. While today’s society has become quite liberal about other pre- and post-wedding customs, the use of sindoor is still considered as a must.
Chemical Composition of Sindoor
The primary component of sindoor is ‘cinnabar’ or mercury sulfide, which contributes to its signature reddish-orange color. It is a toxic material and should be avoided at all costs (2). Other common elements of powdered sindoor include turmeric powder and limestone. However, commercially manufactured sindoors are mostly composed of synthetic ingredients, such as chemical dyes, powdered crude red lead, rhodamine B, etc. In fact, some of these unbranded products contain low-priced red dyes that give attractive rich red color at the cost of your health.
Many herbal cosmetics brands are now coming up with herbal sindoors, which are primarily composed of natural, herbal, and/or ayurvedic ingredients. They are free from lead, mercury, and other toxic materials, which reduces skin damage on application. (3)
Different Types of Sindoor
Following are the most common types of sindoor available in India:
- Powdered Sindoor: This is the oldest form of sindoor, which is extremely popular among women across the country. Typically, the sindoor powder is kept in a small decorated container named ‘sindoor daani’ and one needs to apply it directly by using fingers. However, it falls on the face and smudges during the summer months easily.
- Stick Sindoor: Just like lipsticks available in twisted packaging, this type of sindoor also comes in the form of a stick. The best thing about a stick sindoor is that it has a creamy texture and a pointed tip, which facilitates an easy, smooth, and smudge-free application.
- Liquid Sindoor: This is the best choice for today’s modern-age women. This type of sindoor comes in packaging similar to liquid lipsticks, which is very easy to carry and handle. The product dries very quickly and does not smudge at all. Moreover, the sponge tip applicator in it makes the application effortless.
10 Best Sindoor Brands Available in India
Here is a list of the best sindoor brands available in India that can help you flaunt your marital status with pride and elegance:
1. Lakme Jewel Sindoor
This Jewel Sindoor from one of India’s leading color cosmetics brands Lakme is specially crafted by experts for the Indian skin. Make achieving your traditional look a non-messy affair with its one stroke and feel like a bride every day!
Key Features:
- Two classic shades – red and maroon
- A liquid-based sindoor
- Long-lasting formula
- Does not smudge
- Has sponge-tip applicator
- Offers precision and finesse
- Easy to carry packaging
Price: Rs. 140 for 4.5 ml.
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2. Lotus Make-Up DivineDEW Herbal Sindoor
The DivineDEW Herbal Sindoor from Lotus Make-Up is a novel product with natural, herbal ingredients. It is absolutely safe for long-term usage and offers an elegant look every time.
Key Features:
- Two unique shades – Love Drop and Rosy Blush
- A liquid-based sindoor
- Water-resistant formulation
- Enriched with botanical extracts
- Gives a beautiful matte finish
- Free from mercury, lead, and other toxins
- Comes with a sponge-tip applicator
- Sturdy packaging without spillage
Price: Rs. 135 for 8 gm.
3. Shahnaz Husain Herbal Sindoor
This herbal liquid sindoor from the renowned Shahnaz Husain brand is based on age-old traditions but designed specifically for modern needs. It not only serves the purpose without causing allergic reactions but also nourishes the skin beautifully.
Key Features:
- Two classic shades – red and maroon
- Natural composition with a liquid base
- Comprises herbal extracts and oils
- Nourishes the skin effectively
- Free from toxic ingredients
- Has a sponge tip applicator
- Clinically tested product
- Easy and convenient application
Price: Rs. 130 for 9 ml.
4. Keya Seth’s Aromatherapy Aromatic Jewel Sindur
This Keya Seth’s Aromatherapy Aromatic Jewel Sindur is prepared from various floral colors and minerals, which makes it absolutely safe and harmless. It also has a touch of gold dust in its formulation that gives a glittering style.
Key Features:
- Available in four shades – vermillion, red, maroon, magenta
- 100% natural product
- Enriched with herbal color, flower extracts, and minerals
- Free from mercury and chemicals
- Creates a glittering style with gold dust
- Does not cause allergic reactions
- Does not increase hair fall
Price: Rs. 130 for 8 ml.
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5. Jovees Herbal Sindoor
The Jovees Herbal Sindoor is another naturally formulated product that is completely free from toxins like lead and mercury. It is also available in red and maroon colors to suit your choice aptly.
Key Features:
- Two shades – red and maroon
- 100% natural product
- Comprises precious herbs and natural color
- Water-resistant formulation
- Free from parabens and alcohol
- Does not have mercury or lead
Price: Rs. 115 for 8 ml.
6. Coloressence Aqua Sindoor
Coloressence, the color cosmetics brand of Nature’s Essence, has come up with this Aqua Sindoor containing top-quality pigments imported from Germany. It has natural herbal ingredients and the application is smudge-free too.
Key Features:
- Two bright shades – red and maroon
- Uses top-quality pigments imported from Germany
- Offers the goodness of antiseptic turmeric and cooling sandalwood
- Waterproof formulation
- Dries up fast
- Does not smudge
- Stays for the whole day without fading away
- Gives a perfect matte finish
- Easy to use applicator wand
- Transparent and sturdy packaging
Price: Rs. 125 for 6 ml.
7. Blue Heaven Xpression Sparkle Sindoor
Specially formulated with some safe and exotic herbal ingredients, this Blue Heaven Xpression Sparkle Sindoor provides a wonderful glittery look with a velvety matte finish. The non-messy product is highly affordable too.
Key Features:
- Two bright shades – red and maroon
- Enriched with exotic herbal ingredients
- Waterproof formulation
- Has a subtle glitter look
- Yields a velvety matte finish
- Stays for a long time
- Dries very quickly
- Completely safe to use
- Does not cause any skin irritation
- Sponge tip applicator for smooth and precise application
Price: Rs. 80 for 6.5 ml.
8. Colorbar Sindoor
The Colorbar Sindoor blends the love of traditions with the power of innovation to give you a rich and long-lasting color. It is a time-honored product with a modern twist, which is perfect for the modern Indian woman.
Key Features:
- Two exclusive shades – My Red and My Maroon
- A liquid-based product
- Highly pigmented sindoor delivering rich color
- Stays for hours
- Smudge-proof and crease-proof
- Free from parabens, allergens, synthetic fragrances, and other toxic chemicals
- Dermatologically-tested product
- Has a long, sponge-tip applicator
- Easy and precise application
- Suitable for all skin types
Price: Rs. 145 for 3.8 ml.
9. Patanjali Herbal Suhag Teeka
The Suhag Teeka is basically an ayurvedic proprietary medicine by Patanjali Ayurved. Being rich in herbal ingredients, it is completely safe and suitable for everyday use. The sindoor also revitalizes, nourishes and softens the skin/scalp.
Key Features:
- An ayurvedic formulation with natural dye
- A unique combination of precious herbs, vegetable oils, and waxes
- Revitalizes, nourishes, and softens the skin/scalp
- Contains the extracts of rakt chandan, manjishtha, and kesar
- Waterproof, sweat-resistant, and smudge-proof
- Stays on the parting for hours
- Does not cause skin irritation
- Retractable sindoor stick
- Glides very smoothly
- Can be washed away easily
Price: Rs. 75 for 3 gm.
10. Oshea Herbals Mystic Herbal Sindoor
The Oshea Herbals Mystic Herbal Sindoor combines Indian cultural colors with the goodness of herbs. It is another safe formula that gives you chic style without causing any harm to your skin, scalp, or hair.
Key Features:
- Two classic shades – red and maroon
- Promises the purity of Ayurveda
- 100% natural and vegetarian ingredients
- Waterproof formulation
- Free from mercury and lead
- Easy to apply and remove
- Suitable for sensitive skin too
- Has a sponge applicator
- Completely safe on scalp and skin
Price: Rs. 155 for 6 ml.
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Always store stick or liquid sindoor in cool, dry, and dark place. Make sure that you protect it from direct sunlight. Also, shake it well before use every time.
Side Effects of Using Sindoor
Ayurvedic or herbal sindoors containing all-natural ingredients are absolutely safe for regular use. However, non-herbal formulations, especially the powdered ones, may cause adverse effects if not used carefully. Some of the most common risks associated with this sacred vermillion are rashes, itchiness, dandruff, frequent hair fall, acute hair loss, etc. The toxic chemicals used in this product can also cause lead poisoning or lead nephropathy, hereditary disorders, and even skin cancer.
Preventive Measures to Follow
Being a ubiquitous need for every married woman, sindoor should be chosen and applied in a very careful way. Following are the preventive measures you can take to steer clear of the harmful effects of the product:
- Go only for herbal or ayurvedic products consisting of natural ingredients
- Invest in a high-quality branded product
- Always check the label of ingredients while buying a sindoor
- Apply a small amount of sindoor every time and use it occasionally (if possible)
Summary:
Sindoor is a cosmetic powder that is applied by Indian Hindu women to signify that they are married. It usually contains mercury sulfide, turmeric powder, and lime. Commercially synthesized sindoor contains a number of toxic chemicals, which cause a lot of damage to our skin, scalp, and hair. However, choosing herbal or Ayurvedic products from the best sindoor brands can help you stay away from all the adverse effects.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Many Colors of Sindoor are There?
Sindoor comes in a number of colors, which include blood red, red, vermillion, orange, maroon, magenta, and so on.
What Happens If We Eat Sindoor?
Commercial sindoors contain high amounts of mercury, lead, and other toxic chemical compounds. So, eating it can put your life at risk.
Why is Sindoor Red?
According to Hindu belief, the color red is considered as auspicious. Hence, for a sacred event like marriage, red-colored sindoor is always chosen.
References:
- “Sindoor“, Wikipedia.org
- “Mercury Based Drug in Ancient India: The Red Sulfide of Mercury in Nanoscale“, ScienceDirect.com
- “Formulation and Evolution of Herbal Sindoor Using Different Natural/Herbal Ingredients“, Academia.edu
