In short: Mehndi makeup has changed enormously. Traditionally, a bride wore little to no makeup at her mehndi — instead she'd been cared for with ubtan (a turmeric and gram-flour paste) and oils in the weeks before, the idea being to rest the skin and save her roop (natural glow) for the main day. Today, many brides wear full, joyful glam at the mehndi too — dewy skin, floral details, bold colour. Neither is wrong; they're simply different beautiful traditions, and many brides now blend the two.
If you've looked at your mother's or grandmother's wedding photos and noticed how natural she looked at her mehndi, there's a lovely reason for it. Here's how mehndi beauty has evolved.
The old way: ubtan, oil and resting the skin
For generations, the weeks before a wedding were about preparing the skin, not painting it. Brides were massaged with oils and treated with ubtan — a paste of turmeric, gram flour and other natural ingredients — believed to brighten and soften the skin. At the mehndi itself, the bride often wore minimal makeup, sometimes none, so her natural glow (her roop) would peak on the main wedding day. The mehndi was about henna, family, music and joy — not a full face of glam.
The new way: glam from the very first event
Today, the mehndi is often a full event in its own right — photographed, filmed and shared — and many brides wear beautiful, considered makeup throughout. Think fresh, dewy skin, soft or bold eyes, florals in the hair, and colour that pops against bright yellows, greens and oranges.
| Then | Now |
|---|---|
| Ubtan & oils to prep skin | Professional skincare + makeup |
| Minimal or no makeup at mehndi | Full, photo-ready glam |
| Save the "roop" for the big day | Every event is its own moment |
Blending both today
Many modern brides take the best of each: the skin-first preparation of the old way (gentle, consistent care in the months before) and the artistry and confidence of modern makeup on the day. You don't have to choose one tradition over the other.
If you're weighing it up, our companion piece looks at the question honestly: bridal makeup — for good or worse? And whatever you choose, the goal is to feel like yourself.
Frequently asked questions
What is ubtan and why did brides use it?
Ubtan is a traditional paste of turmeric, gram flour and other natural ingredients, used in the weeks before a wedding to brighten and soften the skin — part of resting and preparing the skin rather than covering it with makeup.
Did brides really wear no makeup at the mehndi?
Traditionally many wore little or none, the idea being to save their natural glow, or roop, for the main wedding day. The mehndi was about henna, family and celebration.
What does mehndi makeup look like today?
Often full and joyful — dewy or fresh skin, soft or bold eyes, florals, and colour that complements bright mehndi outfits, with the event treated as its own photographed occasion.
Do I have to choose between the old and new way?
Not at all — many brides combine gentle, skin-first preparation in the months before with beautiful makeup on the day.
AÏNN London makes your mehndi and bridal outfits to measure in 900+ shades — so your colours and your look work together beautifully. See mehndi outfits.
Last updated: June 2026
