There are some stars who need very little introduction, and Katrina Kaif is certainly one of them.
For years, she has captivated audiences with her performances, timeless beauty and effortless glamour. From her memorable Bollywood roles to her signature makeup looks, Katrina has inspired women across generations. But beyond the world of cinema, she has built something equally impressive, a beauty brand that reflects her own experiences, creativity and belief that makeup should celebrate individuality.
On 8 October 2026, Luxurist Editor Anisha Vasani was invited to an exclusive celebration at The Langham London, marking the first UK anniversary of Kay Beauty, the cosmetics brand Katrina co-founded with Nykaa in 2019.
The invitation offered a special opportunity to meet Katrina Kaif herself and hear firsthand about her journey, her relationship with makeup and the inspiration behind creating a brand that has become increasingly popular with women across different backgrounds and skin tones.
For Anisha, who has long admired Katrina as both a Bollywood icon and an empowering woman, it was an experience to remember.
An Intimate Afternoon at The Langham
The Langham provided a beautiful setting for the occasion, bringing together elegance, glamour and a celebration of beauty.
Pink roses and floral arrangements adorned the space, alongside carefully curated displays showcasing Kay Beauty’s collection. Makeup stations allowed guests to explore the products, experiment with shades and discover the textures and formulas for themselves.
With champagne and cocktails being served, the atmosphere was relaxed yet sophisticated, offering guests an opportunity to connect, explore and enjoy the occasion.
However, this was far more than a traditional beauty launch.
The highlight of the afternoon was an engaging conversation with Katrina, who spoke openly about her personal journey, her experiences in the film industry and how her passion for makeup developed over the years.
It was an opportunity to understand the woman behind the brand rather than simply admire the finished products.
From Bollywood Beauty Icon to Entrepreneur
During the conversation, Katrina reflected on her early days in Bollywood, when she was still discovering her own beauty identity.
Working alongside talented makeup artists gave her the opportunity to observe different techniques, experiment with products and understand how makeup could enhance rather than conceal natural features.
Over time, her interest developed into a genuine passion.
She shared that she eventually began doing approximately 80 to 85 per cent of her own makeup, having learnt techniques from the professionals she worked with throughout her career.
For someone whose beauty looks have inspired countless women, it was fascinating to hear how personally involved she had become in creating them.
Katrina also spoke about the importance of authenticity and staying true to yourself, something that has clearly influenced her approach to developing Kay Beauty.
When she launched the brand in 2019, it was not simply about introducing another cosmetics collection to the market. It was about using her experience and understanding of makeup to create products that women could genuinely enjoy and feel confident wearing.
Her transition from actress to entrepreneur has been an inspiring one, showing how a personal passion can develop into a successful business while retaining a strong sense of identity.
A Special Meeting with Katrina Kaif
For Anisha, meeting Katrina in person was undoubtedly one of the most memorable parts of the celebration.
Having admired her for years as a Bollywood star, beauty icon and successful businesswoman, the opportunity to speak with her offered a more personal perspective.
Warm, funny and approachable, Katrina came across as someone who was genuinely passionate about her brand and proud of what she had achieved.
What stood out was not simply her beauty or celebrity status, but the enthusiasm with which she discussed the products, her experiences and the importance of creating makeup that works for different women.
As someone with a keen interest in beauty and makeup, Anisha particularly appreciated the opportunity to explore the collection firsthand.
From the dual-ended kajal eyeliner and lip liners to the concealers and foundations, there was plenty to discover.
The richly pigmented colours, modern formulas and consideration given to different undertones were particularly impressive, especially for South Asian complexions, which have not always been adequately represented within mainstream beauty collections.
The experience was a reminder of why Katrina has remained such an influential figure. Beyond her success in Bollywood, she has continued to evolve, using her platform to create something meaningful and accessible.
Makeup That Celebrates Every Skin Tone
One of the most important messages behind Kay Beauty is inclusivity.
For many South Asian women, finding makeup that complements their complexion has historically been a challenge. From foundations that do not account for warmer or olive undertones to colour cosmetics that appear differently on deeper skin tones, the industry has not always catered to the diversity of its customers.
Kay Beauty was developed with these needs in mind, offering products designed to work across a broad spectrum of complexions.
During the anniversary celebration, Katrina spoke proudly about the importance of representation and what it meant to see her brand recognised internationally.
In the brand’s anniversary announcement, she explained:
“Kay Beauty was born from the belief that beauty should feel inclusive, intuitive and deeply personal.”
That philosophy can be seen throughout the collection, with products that combine pigmentation, skincare-inspired ingredients and formulas designed for everyday wear.
For women who have grown up struggling to find their perfect foundation shade or a lip colour that complements their undertones, this approach feels particularly relevant.
And while the brand has strong South Asian roots, its appeal extends far beyond one community, embracing beauty in all its diversity.
A Touch of Classic Bollywood Glamour
No conversation about Katrina Kaif and makeup would be complete without discussing her signature eye makeup.
Beautifully defined eyes have long been part of her look, and during the event, she spoke enthusiastically about her love of eyeliner.
Among her favourites is the Kay Beauty 24H Kajal Eyeliner Duo, which combines two eyeliner formats in one convenient product, allowing for everything from subtle definition to a dramatic winged look.
It is a style that carries echoes of classic Bollywood glamour, where expressive eyes and beautifully applied kajal have long been central to beauty traditions.
There is something timeless about that look. Whether paired with traditional Indian clothing for a festive celebration or a contemporary outfit for an evening out, defined eyes remain effortlessly elegant.
Katrina’s collection brings together these familiar influences with modern textures, colours and techniques, creating products that feel relevant to today’s beauty enthusiasts.
Celebrating One Year at Space NK
The celebrations continued on 9 October 2026, when Katrina visited Space NK’s Oxford Circus flagship to mark Kay Beauty’s first anniversary in the UK.
The event welcomed fans and beauty enthusiasts, offering them the opportunity to discover the collection and celebrate the milestone.
With Diwali approaching, the occasion featured a special Gloss Up makeup masterclass, showcasing a radiant festive look using some of Kay Beauty’s most popular products.
The look brought together luminous skin, warm eyeshadow tones, defined eyeliner and glossy lips.
Products featured included the Illuminating Liquid Luminizer, Hydra Cloud Full Coverage Cushion Foundation, Velvet Creme Multi-Use Blush, 12-in-1 Eyeshadow Palette and the Hydra Luscious Lip Gloss Stain.
It was a fitting celebration for a brand that draws inspiration from Katrina’s personal beauty journey while embracing the colours, confidence and creativity associated with South Asian beauty.
A Milestone for South Asian Beauty
Kay Beauty’s first UK anniversary also represents a significant achievement for the brand.
When it launched at Space NK in September 2025, it became the first India-founded beauty brand to join the retailer’s portfolio.
For British South Asian women, seeing a brand with such strong cultural connections stocked alongside internationally recognised beauty names is an important moment.
It reflects a wider shift within the beauty industry, where greater attention is being given to diverse skin tones, cultural influences and the needs of consumers who have historically been overlooked.
According to Kay Beauty, the brand ranked among Space NK’s top five brands shortly after its UK launch, while its 24H Kajal Liner quickly became a customer favourite.
The brand has also reported strong early success on TikTok Shop and received the Best New Brand award at the CEW UK Consumer Choice Awards 2026.
These achievements demonstrate how a brand built around inclusivity and personal experience can resonate with a much wider audience.
For Katrina, it is also a proud moment to see an India-founded cosmetics brand establishing itself within the British beauty market.
More Than a Beauty Brand
As Kay Beauty celebrates its first year in the UK, Katrina Kaif continues to show that her ambitions extend far beyond the film industry.
For many of us, she will always be the Bollywood star whose films, fashion and beauty looks have been part of our lives for years.
But meeting her in person offers a different perspective.
For Luxurist Editor Anisha Vasani, the afternoon at The Langham was about more than meeting a celebrity. It was an opportunity to connect with an inspiring woman who has transformed her personal passion into a business that celebrates confidence, individuality and representation.
From the beautiful setting and carefully curated makeup collection to Katrina’s warmth and genuine enthusiasm, the occasion offered a memorable insight into the story behind Kay Beauty.
What makes the brand particularly compelling is that its foundations are rooted in Katrina’s own experiences. Years spent learning about makeup, experimenting with techniques and understanding what works for different complexions have helped shape a collection that women can make their own.
Kay Beauty is ultimately about more than looking beautiful. It is about feeling comfortable in your own skin, embracing your individuality and having the freedom to express yourself.
And as the brand enters its second year in Britain, Katrina Kaif has every reason to celebrate.
Kay Beauty is available at Space NK stores across the UK and online at www.spacenk.com.
Credits:
Photography: Dave Benett / Getty Images
Kay by Katrina: @kaybykatrina
Space NK: @spacenk
