There are some evenings that feel less like events and more like little poems — woven with colour, warmth, familiar faces, and that soft glow that only beauty and celebration can create. The launch of Etude’s three new K-Beauty lip tints at the gorgeous Soraia, the newly unveiled garden restaurant inside The Bombay Club at Mahalaxmi Race Course, was exactly one of those moments.
This collaboration between Etude x Fabindia promised a festive celebration of beauty that honours the Indian woman, her tones, her palettes, her glow — and it delivered on every note.
The Perfect Venue: Soraia’s Magical Setting
Soraia itself set the mood for the evening, almost like stepping into a dreamscape. Designed by Gauri Khan, the space blends indoor and outdoor seating, flowing seamlessly like a European glasshouse kissed by Mumbai’s sundowner breeze. Warm espresso tones, soft velvets, textured details, and that signature mix of wood and white stone made the evening feel intimate yet elevated.
At the centre stood the chic Omakase cocktail bar, while tufted leather sofas invited guests to linger and chat. The rain-tree-inspired pillars — a nostalgic nod to the old structure — grounded the space in a graceful balance of past and present. With its pretty interiors, global flavours, and a glow that only Mahalaxmi Race Course evenings can offer, Soraia made the perfect stage for a beauty celebration.
A Launch That Celebrated Every Indian Skin Tone
Etude’s big moment of the night was the debut of three new lip tints, created with a thoughtful understanding of what Indian skin tones truly love — wearable shades that flatter, uplift and blend seamlessly into diverse complexions. It’s refreshing to see a global K-Beauty brand lean into the Indian aesthetic so deeply, and this launch felt like a warm acknowledgement of that shift.
Experiences That Made the Evening Sparkle With Little Joys
The event wasn’t just about launches; it was a curation of moments — each one adding its own shimmer.
The event wasn’t just about the launch — it unfolded like a curated tapestry of small, happy moments that added sparkle to the evening. Guests floated between experiences, from a quick personal colour insight by Juhi Sachdeva that subtly nudged us toward tones and prints that truly flatter, to festive touches like mehndi, gajras and delicate bangles that made everyone feel beautifully dressed for the occasion. The food at Soraia kept spirits high, with flavourful starters and a chaat counter that drew constant smiles.
All this while, the gentle strumming of a sitar wrapped the evening in a soulful rhythm, its notes drifting gently through the sundowner setting and tying the entire celebration together in a mesmerizing rhythm — It felt like beauty set to music.
Palak Tiwari Unveils Etude’s New Shades
The evening reached its brightest moment when Palak Tiwari made her grand entry — radiant in a festive lehenga, embodying the spirit of the launch with effortless charm. She spoke about her journey with Etude, from exploring Seoul’s beauty culture to co-shaping the three new lip tints created especially with the Indian woman in mind. The anticipation in the room lifted instantly as the shades were revealed, and the cheers said everything.
The trio of colours felt like a love letter to India:
Mocha Mantra, a modern, grounding brown inspired by our timeless love for classic earthy hues;
Nude Noor, a soft beige-pink that flatters every complexion with its understated elegance;
and Sufi Red, a bold, iconic Indian red reimagined with a clean, contemporary twist.
What struck me most was how naturally these shades resonated with nearly every woman present — each tint finding its own admirer. And for me, Mocha Mantra was the undeniable winner. One smooth swipe, and it stayed with me through the evening like a warm, confident whisper.
Models later showcased the hues, and guests tried them firsthand, sealing the night as a true celebration of beauty, culture and colour.
Leaving With a Heart Full & a Gift Box That Made My Night
I walked out happy, glowing, and honestly a little mesmerised — partly because of the sitar melodies still humming in my head, and partly because of the lovely Etude gift box and the beautiful Fabindia scarf that came home with me. I can’t wait to try the shades and see if one (or all!) make it to my favourites list. I’ll share a sneak peek very soon.
Until then, here’s to evenings that remind us that beauty is not just in lip colours or fabrics — it’s in people, stories, laughter, and the magic of feeling celebrated.
Here’s to beauty. Here’s to Mumbai. And here’s to all of us who shine a little brighter when colour meets culture.
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