It's getting under my skin

Serums, acids, Vit C, active ingredients, granactive retinoids. How come beauty is so confusing now? And what on Earth is ear makeup?

- Karishma Kuenzang

If you're in your 30s and beauty is confusing, join the club. We were born in the decade that Aishwarya Rai became Miss World and Sushmita Sen was crowned Miss Universe. We grew up just as India's economy was opening up. Our mums started with face wash in a tube. Our older sisters wore colourful eyeliner to college. By the time we got interested, everyone was into retinol, serums had replaced creams, and we'd found ourselves in the middle of a beauty explosion.

So, what's on the shelf? A tall bottle with a picture of an orange on the front. Smells like Tang. It's got Vitamin C too. But it's not for drinking. You're supposed to pat it on to your cleansed face for some kind of glow. Basic skincare kits now have cleanser, serum, moisturiser and sunscreen.

The beauty aisle is learning from everyone. We've borrowed primer from the paint-supply industry.