From eye creams to lip kits, the stars are aligned for these beauty products.

By Tanashya Batra & Samia Abbasi

The holiday gift-giving season brings late night hours of online browsing to find the coolest gifts of the year. In this pandemic, holiday-colored masks would be a practical gift, maybe? Masks aside, we want to help you send your appreciation and holiday cheer to friends and loved ones in a socially distant way. In the pages of trendy magazines, we’ve been seeing creative astrology-related articles, like this Zodiac-themed holiday hairstyle guide.

I am personally obsessed with Zodiac signs. I have a pretty worn out copy of Linda Goodman’s Sun Sign at home that I read at least 5 times as a teenager.  I’m also that obnoxious person who will say, “Oh, that’s such a Libra thing to do!” 

It’s fascinating that we can all be connected, in some way, to people born around the same time as us, anywhere in the world. 

So, we decided to put our own Kulfi Bites twist to the holiday gift guide. We asked South Asian content creators: 

What beauty product would you gift to someone who has the same astrology sign as you? What astrology characteristic does that product embody? 

15 ‘rising’ South Asian content creators tell us their favorite beauty picks under the ‘sun.’ 

Aries: Mar 21 - Apr 19

"I'm always on the run to take over the world like other Aries, and nothing speaks more effortless and bold—while being feisty—than liquid eyeshadows in metallic shades. Ruby’s Organics Quick Set Liquid Eyeshadow (Rs. 800) in the shade Copper or ILIA Liquid Eye Tint ($28) in the shade Sheen are perfect to pair our dynamic power with." —Fanna, @fannaforbooks (book blogger & South Asian Reading Challenge creator)

Taurus: Apr 20 - May 20 

"If you're a Taurus then chances are that you're a hard-worker who's patient and determined to get the job done perfectly. In that case, I would definitely recommend a setting spray like this Wet n Wild Photo Focus Setting Spray ($5.99), because the last thing you need is for your perfectly applied makeup to melt in the summer heat. Stability and perfection are key qualities for a Taurus and a setting spray will make sure that the makeup stays in its place perfectly." —Charvi, @not.just.fiction (book blogger & artist)

Gemini: May 21 - June 20

"My sign is a Gemini, which symbolizes spontaneity, adaptability, and liveliness. My favorite beauty item that I would gift to a Gemini would be the Glossier Colorslide Eye Pencil ($15). There are so many fun colors that spice up your eyes for a day when you're feeling spontaneous. My personal favorite shade Pretty Penny is a light brown that is versatile, but the perfect amount of shine. It reminds me of all the energy Gemini's exert and their ability to lighten up a room in an instant!" —Anushka Tyagi, @its.anushkatyagi (sustainable fashion blogger)

Cancer: June 21 - July 22

"If I were to recommend any makeup product to someone with the same sign as me (Cancer), it would have to be a good waterproof and smudge-proof eyeliner. We are, after all, pretty emotional, but we still have to look good while crying. Wet n Wild Mega Last Breakup-Proof Black Liquid Eyeliner ($5.99) is a personal favorite!" —Nabila, @nabiluh (makeup content creator)

Leo: July 23 - Aug 22

"I am a Leo, and I absolutely have all the typical Leo traits and characteristics. Almost every Leo I meet is just like me, so I would gift them the NARS Power Matte Lip Pigment ($26) in the shade Don’t Stop. It’s a bright orangey red that screams attention—just like how us Leos like it." —Vithya Visvendra, @vithyahairandmakeup (makeup artist/educator & content creator)

Virgo: Aug 23 - Sept 22

"Virgos tend to be workaholics, which can be both good and bad. Running on minimal sleep is often part of Virgo culture. Therefore, I highly recommend OLEHENRIKSEN's Banana Bright Eye Crème ($39). This immensely hydrating and brightening eye creme is a staple in my daily skincare routine." —Zenab Kashif, @zk.captures (photographer & designer) 

"The perfectionist in me is always looking for ways to up my makeup game. One problem I’ve always had in my beauty routine is keeping the color payoff and intensity of my eyeshadows exactly the same as they look in the pan (It’s what we deserve!). The KVD Vegan Beauty Shake Primer ($22) has an innovative formula that intensifies color payoff and applies completely clear, without the mess of traditional primers—the perfect gift for the beauty-loving Virgo in your life!" —Ritu, @riituu (makeup artist & singer)

Libra: Sept 23 - Oct 22

"Like all other Libras, I find happiness in balance, justice, and unity! This Unity Balm Gloss from Live Tinted ($20) gives JUST the right amount of a natural glow on the skin! I place it on my cheekbones and nose as the very last step in my makeup routine to bring back a skin like sheen to the face!" —Seerat Saini, @seeratsaini_ (beauty + fashion blogger & Brown Girl Memes co-creator) 

Scorpio: Oct 23 - Nov 21

Sagittarius: Nov 22 - Dec 21

"My type of Sagittarius (Originator - Week 3: Dec 3-10) is bold, creative, and here to make a statement. What better way to do so than embracing my thick Desi brows and emphasizing them? I’d gift Glossier Boy Brow ($16) to my fellow spicy Sagittarius babies and tell them: Be expressive, embrace the nakhre, and be you." —Harini Nilakantan, @__hxrini (dancer & interdisciplinary artist)

"My fellow Sagittarians know how easily we speak our minds. I think our lips should reflect the same energy as the unadulterated optimism and honesty that constantly slips through them. The Lip Bar (a Black-owned business!) has the most pigmented and lightweight glosses that’ll shine as much as we do. Their lip gloss in the shade Heart Breaker ($14) is perfect for a Sagittarius—bold, deep, and indicative of our independent spirits." —Roshni Lalchandani, @roshni.lalchandani (creative activist & lifestyle content creator)

Capricorn: Dec 22 - Jan 21

"I smirk at the stereotype that Caps are high strung, but also—I am the least chill person I know, haha. So, I’m recommending this Briogeo CBD + Arnica Flower Soothing Oil ($48) for Capricorns like me. It can be used on your skin and scalp, and reminds me of the calming act of my mom and grandma putting coconut oil in my hair and skin when it would get dry over the winter. I also love Briogeo as a brand; I use both their peppermint shampoo & deep conditioner. They’re Black femme-owned and ‘6-free,’ meaning they don’t use the 6 harsh ingredients found in most hair care products." —Meghana Nallajerla, @meghanahh (South Asian Reads creator)

Aquarius: Jan 22 - Feb 18

"Oh, Aquarius. Some days I love a muted, matte look, other days I crave something bold to feed my creativity (and to stand out, duh). If I were to gift something to a fellow aquarius I’d send them the Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette ($45)! This palette is my absolute go-to for all my looks and for all kinds of moods." —Nivita Sriram, @nivitasriram (digital marketer & writer) 

Pisces: Feb 19 - March 20

"I'd gift a fellow Pisces the Milk Makeup Hydro Grip Setting + Refreshing Spray ($36). Glow and behold: dewy looks for our water sign, gripping powers to withstand our intense feelings, and packaging appealing to our creativity have entered the chat." —Janvi Sai, @janvisai (beauty + pop culture writer)

"Since Pisceans are dreamy and have an artistic temperament that allows them to express feelings in creative and innovative ways, I thought the Makeup By Mario Master Mattes Pro Lip Palette ($60) would be a fun way to mix and match and create your own matte lipstick shade. You can be as innovative as you want with a deep blue lipstick color or create a subtle mauve-nude look that matches your nude lip exactly. Use the mixing plate and dual-ended brush to blend and experiment with different shades for customized depth, fullness, and dimension." —Sree Kathiravan, @beautybysree (makeup content creator)

 

Cover designed by Isa Medina-Kim, @isamedinakim

In-article images designed by Samia Abbasi, @samiabossee