With the current Navaratri Festival nearing a close, we thought it would be the perfect opportunity to work with BindiBabe to learn more about this Hindu tradition, and explore makeup looks that would work well for the duration of this festival.
Navaratri is a 9 day festival that usually occurs in Autumn every year, celebrating the Victory of Good over Evil. These nine days are focused on Goddess Durga and her victory against the demon Buffalo Mahishasura, to which she rises victorious and restores Dharma (peace). These nine days ultimately celebrate this victory of Good over Evil, with each day associated with the incarnation of the Goddess.
Day 1: Shailaputri
Shailaputri is worshipped on the first day of Navatri, and she is the daughter of the God of Mountains, Himalaya, hence known as ‘Daughter of Mountain.’ She is most commonly known as Parvati, the wife of Shiva. She is usually depicted as riding the bull, Nandi, with a trishula in her right hand and a lotus in her left, and is considered to be the direct incarnation of Mahakali. She is known to have defeated all prominent Gods and is an embodiment of Shakti (Power).  The colour for this day is red, conveying action and vigour.
Day 2: Brahmacharini
Brahmacharini is the goddess worshipped on the second day, she embodies peace and prosperity. The name is actually derived from two words ‘Brahma’ which means peace and penance and ‘charini’ which means an ardent female follower. She is depicted as walking bare feet and holding a japamala and kamandal in her hands, and becomes an ultimate symbol for bliss and calmness. The colour for this day is blue, which conveys tranquillity yet strong energy
Day 3: Chandraghanta
This day is the worship of Chandraghanta. this day worships the avatar of Goddess Durga and her forehead bedecked with a half chandra (half- moon) resembling the shape of a temple bell. She is the embodiment of beauty and is symbolic of bravery. The colour of this day is yellow, to resemble a bright and positive mood.
Day 4: Kushmanda
This day is the worship of Kushmanda and is referred to as the ‘Smiling Goddess’, her name itself breaks down into the literal meaning of ‘little cosmic egg’ which derives the meaning of creative power or universe. She is typically associated to the endowment of vegetation on earth, which means the colour of this day is Green. She is usually depicted as having eight arms and sitting on a tiger
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Day 5: Skandmata
The goddess worshipped on this day is the mother of Skanda (Parvati’s son) which means it is clear that this is another form of Parvati. The colour grey represents this day and is symbolic of the transforming strength of a mother when her child is confronted with danger. She is depicted as riding a lion, having four arms and holding her baby close to her.
Day 6: Katyayani
Katyayani is worshipped on this day as another incarnation of Durga Goddess, and is known to exhibit courage. She has four hands and wields a long sword and lotus in two hands, blesses with the third hand and protects with the fourth. She is known as the warrior Goddess and is one of the most violent forms of Goddess Parvati. The colour for this day is orange.
Day 7: Kalaratri
Kalaratri is worshipped on this day and is known as the most ferocious form of Goddess Durga. It is believed that Parvati removed her fair skin to kill the demons Sumbha and Nisumbha. She is most commonly known as Kali, and her name itself translates to the death of darkness or the ender of ignorance. The colour for this day is white, as on this day she appears in white with a lot of rage in her eyes, and her skin turns black. The white colour connotes prayer and peace and ensures the devotees that the Goddess will protect them from harm.
Day 8: Mahagauri
On the eight day of Navratri, Mahagauri is worshipped. She is worshipped by her devotees to attain loyalty in relationships and create lifelong bonds, and is also a symbol of intelligence and peace. On this day, the colour pink is worn to depict optimism.
Day 9: Sidhidatri
On the last day of the festival people pray to Sidhidatri. She sits on a lotus and is believed to possess and bestow all type of Sidhis. Here she has four hands and is also known as Sarswati Devi. The colour for this day is light blue and portrays an admiration towards natures beauty.
BindiBabe X TrendTangle
BindiBabe’s founder Mayurie Moët and TrendTangle’s Gurgina Sandhu got together to explore three different looks for this festival and the remaining days, being sure to incorporate Navratri and the Autumn season into our looks
Look 1: Personally Pink by Mayurie (BindiBabe)
I created this look to suit my personal style as well as practicality, when attending these Navratri events, as it involves lots of dancing! Using a dusty pink shadow, blush and pink lip topped with BindiBabe Head-Tikka and Pink Swarovski Bindi from ​‘The Simplicity Collection’.​ Pink is the colour of the 8th day of Navratri, symbolising peace and intelligence.
Look 2: Brilliantly Blue by Mayurie (BindiBabe)
This is the colour of 9th night, the final day which reflects ‘admiration for nature’s beauty’. I wanted the same dusty effect that the pink had and funnily enough, but adding a aqua blue shadow on top of look 1, I achieved my ideal light blue look. This was topped off with a BindiBabe Head-Tikka and Aqua Blue Swarovski Bindi from ‘The Simplicity Collection’.
Look 3: Autumn Blues by Gurginais
I went with a burgundy and dark brown colour scheme for the eyes, using a mustard colour for the crease and a burgundy and dark brown shade for the lid. I went ahead and further added black to the outer corner of my eye to create a soft smokey eye look. In this I’m wearing BindiBabe’s ‘Coachella’ collection Bindi, with BindiBabe’s faux one of a kind nose ring.
The nine days in whole are dedicated to the female Goddess Durga and her avatar manifestations, it’s an important festival in Hinduism as a celebration for women. It’s incredible to see the way each day adds to the empowerment and strength for females, and we hope that women across India today are empowered and dedicating love and energy to themselves, as well as to the Goddess Durga.
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What do you think of these looks for the Navratri festival? let us know your thoughts in the comments below!