The concept of ‘clean beauty’ – chemical-free, vegan, not tested on pets, formulas, etc. – has taken the global beauty industry by storm. One of the many brands riding the bandwagon is House of Makeup, born out of one woman’s own struggle to find makeup that fits well on reactive skin.
Harleen Sachdeva battled rosacea, contact dermatitis and recurring illnesses for years. They identified a glaring gap: while the Indian market offered a wide spectrum of makeup, very few products were actually designed for reactive, acne-prone skin. That’s where her clean makeup brand, House of Makeup, was born, which aims to combine high-performance products with skin-first formulations that align with global safety standards like the European Cosmetic Directive.
In an interview with HT Shop Now, Harleen Sachdeva opens up about redefining clean beautyDealing with the challenges, and creating makeup that not only looks good but is right for the skin it is meant for.
Q: What inspired you to start House of Makeup and what gap did you see in the beauty market?
Harleen Sachdeva: After more than a decade of creating products from brands like Sugar Cosmetics and Nykaa’s private label, one pattern became impossible to ignore: There were plenty of makeup options, but very few designed for Indian skin concerns. Sensitive, acne-prone, reactive skin still wasn’t considered. I have dealt with rosaceaContact dermatitis, and frequent flare-ups, so I know what formulations can be harmful to your skin. There was constant innovation in shades and finishes, but not enough in formulations.
House of Makeup came from that gap, the need for products that were non-comedogenic, clean, high-performing and truly safe for skin like ours. Each product is designed to deliver performance without compromising skin health.
Q: How do you define “clean beauty” and how does your brand embrace that philosophy?
Harleen Sachdeva: To us, clean beauty isn’t a label, it’s a discipline. It starts with the formulation and applies to every decision we make. We work closely with our laboratories to develop products that are both safe and effective, using non-comedogenic ingredients suitable for sensitive skin. But more importantly, we hold ourselves to global standards, not internal definitions. For example, the European Cosmetics Directive bans over 1,300 potentially harmful ingredients, which is far more than is regulated by most markets. This is the framework we engage with, and we only work with partners who follow this directive.
So when we say “clean,” it’s not about marketing language, it’s about being accurate, transparent, and uncompromising about what goes into each product.
Q: What makes your brand different from other indie beauty brands?
Harleen Sachdeva: I have always believed that the Indian consumer deserves the best, not a watered down version of it. Often, we see exceptional products made here but meant for global markets, while what is left behind is not always held to the same standard. What we are building is a bridge between global-quality formulations and products that are truly designed for Indian skin. Everything we create is made keeping in mind the sensitive, acne-prone, reactive skin of different areas, because I am that consumer. There is an obsessive focus on the product, from research and third-party testing to ingredient selection. It’s not just about how makeup looks, it’s about how it behaves on your skin over time.
Q: What misconceptions do people have about clean or vegan makeup?
Harleen Sachdeva: One of the biggest misconceptions is that clear or vegan makeup doesn’t perform well, so you have to compromise. This may have been true at one point, but it is no longer valid. Formulation has evolved significantly, and today you can create products that are both high-performing and skin-friendly. Also, “clean” is often used very loosely. This is where the confusion arises.
Q: What current makeup trends are you loving right now?
Harleen Sachdeva: I’m really enjoying the shift towards darker, skin-conscious makeup. There’s a certain naturalness about it, the skin looks fresher, brighter and more like itself, and more refined. It’s less about hiding everything and more about enhancing what’s already there. The “no-makeup makeup” look has evolved beautifully; It’s thoughtful, balanced and yet very deliberate. You’re looking at products that work with the skin rather than on top of it, which makes a big difference in how natural the end result looks.
What I like most is that it gives room for both; You can keep the base light and bright while still playing with color, texture or definition elsewhere. It feels modern, wearable, and more in line with the way people want their makeup to look today.
Q: Are there any trends that you think people should skip or reconsider?
Harleen Sachdeva: Not necessary. Makeup should feel personal. What works for one person won’t work for another, and that’s the beauty of it. I think the idea of ”following trends too closely” can sometimes take away from that. It’s far more interesting when people figure out what works for them and create their own way of using makeup.
Q: How has social media changed the way beauty brands connect with consumers?
Harleen Sachdeva: This has completely changed the equation. Beauty is no longer a one-way communication; This is a conversation. Today consumers are much more aware. They ask questions, they understand the content, and they expect transparency. This has pushed brands to become more accountable, which is a good thing. It has also brought brands and consumers much closer. People want to understand not only the product, but also the intention behind it. And this creates an opportunity to build real trust, but only if you are honest about what you are doing. Creators play an important role here too. Those we work with not only promote, they also validate, question, and sometimes challenge. This ultimately helps consumers make better decisions.
Q: What were the biggest challenges you faced as a founder in the beauty industry?
Harleen Sachdeva: Building any brand comes with its challenges, and for us, one of the toughest phases was during COVID. Manufacturing came to a halt, cash flow was tight and at one point we did not even have the capital to produce fresh stock. For almost a year, we had very little to sell. This was an incredibly difficult phase, both emotionally and operationally.
But it also created flexibility. At a critical moment, we found an investor who believed in what we were building and supported us when it mattered most. This gave us the ability to rebuild, rethink and move forward with clarity. Today, the focus is on carrying the brand forward with that same intention, creating products that people can consistently rely on.
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