For over two decades, Namrata Soni has quietly shaped the visual language of beauty in India – from red carpets and film sets to magazine covers and bridal mornings. Long before “clean skin,” glow, and effortless glamour became industry shorthand, Soni was championing a skin-first philosophy rooted in an intuitive understanding of the Indian face. Today, that vision extends beyond the makeup chair through Simply Nam, her eponymous beauty brand. Through her artistry, education, and digital presence, Soni continues to reshape how Indian women approach makeup. She represents a shift in how beauty is imagined today: less about correction, more about confidence; less about imitation, more about identity.

FL: When did you realise your taste didn’t fit neatly into what already existed?

NS: Very early in my career, I realised what excited me wasn’t extremes – neither overdone glamour nor bare minimalism, but the space in between. I wanted makeup to enhance character, not overpower it. That instinct didn’t always align with what was popular, but I trusted it because it felt honest.

FL: What do you reject even if it sells or trends?

NS: Fear-based beauty. Anything that tells people they need fixing, hiding, or correcting. Trends

come and go, but confidence built on insecurity is never sustainable.

FL: Who or what shaped your sensibility early on, outside formal training?
NS: The women in my life — my mother, sisters, and aunts. Watching how differently each of them expressed themselves through beauty taught me that makeup is personal, emotional, and instinctive. 

FL: What does success look like to you now, compared to five years ago?

NS: Earlier, success was visibility and validation. Today, it’s impact and longevity. Building something that genuinely serves people and stands the test of time, even when I’m not in the room.

FL: What are you currently unlearning?

NS: The idea that more is always better – more products, more launches, more noise. I’m learning to trust restraint and clarity.

FL: What gaps in the beauty market led to the birth of your brand?

NS: There was a clear lack of products designed for Indian skin tones, climates, and lifestyles without compromise. I wanted makeup that performs intuitively and celebrates real Indian beauty instead of borrowing definitions from elsewhere.

FL: From an India-first perspective, what idea about beauty do you think we’re finally ready to question?

NS: That beauty has to look a certain way to be “acceptable” – lighter, quieter, more restrained. I think we’re finally ready to embrace individuality – boldness, softness, texture, emotion – on our own terms.

FL: What is next for you?

NS: Going deeper, not wider. Building with intention, whether that’s product innovation, education, or creating spaces where people feel seen and confident in their own skin.

The Tastemaker Code

A movement you’re obsessed with right now

Skin-first beauty that still makes a statement.

What you never compromise on

Honesty – in the product, the intent, and the experience.

A quiet influence people wouldn’t expect

Backstage moments. Watching artists transform in silence before stepping into the spotlight.

What people get wrong about my work

That it’s effortless. It’s actually very intentional.

One decision that changed everything

Choosing to build my own brand.