DIY Dressing For Diwali That's Lit

The festival of lights, celebrated every year in autumn in the northern hemisphere, is one of the most anticipated holidays feted in Hindu culture.
Coinciding with the new moon on October 19, 2017, celebrants of Diwali will be filling their homes, offices, and communities with lit votives. Fireworks will illuminate the sky as the holiday encourages people to look for light over darkness, and to take joy in adorning the body with love, kindness, and makeup.

These five easy steps to Diwali dressing can help you look your fiercest as you celebrate Diwali, wherever you are around the globe.

1.) Henna

The easiest way to achieve this look yourself is to buy a henna tattoo ($7). Before you apply the tattoo, clean your hands with alcohol to remove oils in the skin. To get the henna off the plastic appliqué, soak a cotton ball in oil, and then rub the paste off gently. The design will continue to darken over the next 10-12 hours. Avoid getting water on your hands for the first 24 hours to preserve the integrity of the tattoo.

2.) Makeup

The M.A.C. limited-edition Diwali-inspired palette in gleaming hues of gold, red and blue. Inspired by the flicker of flames and fireworks that celebrate the festival of lights ($5 to $25).

3.) More makeup

As Diwali is one of the most celebrated holidays in Hindu culture, you want to go big. International vlogger Vithya of Vithya Hair and Makeup gives a tutorial on everything from contouring to getting smokey and sparkling eyes.

4.) Jewellery

Bling out for the festival of lights. This Touchstone Gold Tone Traditional Indian Bollywood Jewellery Necklace Set retails at $24 and this LaRaso & Co Bangle Bracelets for Women, comes in a set of 26 for under $12.

5.) Attire

A post shared by sonamkapoor (@sonamkapoor) on Oct 10, 2017 at 4:07am PDT
Indian supermodel Sonam Kapoor models this ethereal look for Vogue India wearing contemporary designer, Rar-Studio. You don’t need a designer label to achieve this level of elegance. Some basic draping and clipping skills using fabric and trimmings—available at any fabric store—can help you make a DIY Diwali statement. According to Bollywood Shaadis, “there are a lot of different ways in which you can drape your traditional saree. So, try something out-of-the-box this time.” Make sure whatever style you choose allows you to move freely so you can dance and enjoy all the festivities.

About the author

Jill Di Donato

Fashion Editor

Jill is a New York native who holds a BA in Literature from Barnard College, and an MFA in writing from Columbia University. She is the author of the novel Beautiful Garbage (She Writes Press, 2013) about the downtown Manhattan art and fashion scene in the 1980s. A former staff writer for The Huffington Post and Bustle, Jill comes to Culture Trip after working with Refinery 29, Vice, Salon, Paste Style, Los Angeles Times, Nylon, Shopify, Autre, and producing content for emerging fashion labels. She teaches classes about fashion and culture at Barnard College and The Fashion Institute of Technology. Her prized possessions are her Gucci fanny pack, vintage rocker t-shirts, and her grandmother's collection of costume jewelry. She's always on the lookout for a gem-encrusted turban.