From the nooks of Odisha’s enchanting Mayurbhanj, Global Beauty Secrets introduces India’s first beauty ritual collection inspired by Indian Royal Heritage, titled “Harta – Beauty Secrets From The House of Mayurbhanj”.
Curated in collaboration with Maharajkumari Mrinalika M Bhanjdeo of the erstwhile state of Mayurbhanj, Odisha, The Royal Range is an exquisite beauty lineup inspired by the heritage and history of the erstwhile royal family of Eastern India. This unique collection spotlights the ancient beauty secrets from the women’s zenana’s of Indian palaces.
The products curated for this range consist of Hibiscus Hair Dew, Kukmu Mahua Face Oil, Pakhura Copper Sculpting Wing and Sandal Dar – all of them named after Santhali words of the famous tribal community found in Mayurbhanj.
In candid conversation with Aishwarya Nir, Founder, GBS, and Maharajkumari Mrinalika M Bhanjdeo of Mayurbhanj, GlobalSpa dives into the many facets of this one-of-a-kind collaboration:
1. The Royal Beauty Range is India’s very first beauty ritual inspired by the Indian Royal Heritage. How did this collaboration come about?
Princess Mrinalika: I am a certified Yoga teacher with expertise in Hatha and Yin Yoga styles and I have always been passionate about organic brands in the health and wellness space. I stumbled upon the brand Global Beauty Secrets while searching for an authentic beauty brand to partner with.
Collaborating on a beauty range with Global Beauty Secrets has been an exciting journey, as it allows the world to experience first-hand the community and culture of India’s best kept secret – Odisha! The curation of the three beauty products beautifully showcase the mélange of the communities and their indigenous knowledge of flora and fauna present in Odisha’s largest district – Mayurbhanj. I was certain that I could not find a better partner to introduce the world to Odisha’s beauty secrets, especially a brand who took the time to do the research and understand the region-specific ingredients and rituals associated with beauty here. With the launch of this range, I aim to shine a light on the powerful heritage and customs from offbeat rural locations and pay homage to the communities who have preserved them for so long with utmost care.
2. The range consists of an exquisite concoction of ingredients. Can you tell us a bit about where the products are sourced from and manufactured?
Aishwarya: We procure our ingredients and raw materials from vendors that source them in an ethical manner and ensure that Fair-trade standards are practiced. Additionally, we do have COAs (Certificate of authenticity) to establish the purity of our ingredients used. All Global Beauty Secrets products are FDA approved and are manufactured in and distributed from Mumbai, India with ingredients that are sourced from the country of its origin (In this case from Orissa). This set up allows us the ease in quality control for our original formulations that are crafted exclusively for you.
3. It is an elegant tribute to your family’s legacy, sharing these ancient beauty rituals with the world. How important was this for you?
Princess Mrinalika: Mayurbhanj is a thriving melting pot of over 30 different indigenous communities, hosts a plethora of festivals, languages, artistic practices, and ancient cuisines. The Mayurbhanj collection was inspired by beauty secrets passed down by women of the erstwhile royal family and pays homage to the indigenous groups who have resided in the state. The name of oils is based on the Santhali words ‘kukumu’ meaning dreams, phakura means ‘wings’ and ‘baha’ means hibiscus. The copper wing face tool ‘phakura’ is special as they were inspired by the wings of the peacock from our family emblem, and were reminiscent of the ‘kansa’ pots we used in our rasooeghar. My community that I grew up around has been my forever inspiration and I hope when you use this collection, the sensory experience can transport you, albeit momentarily to the land of art and culture – Mayurbhanj.
The contents of this box were consciously curated keeping in mind the art deco design of The Belgadia Palace my 18th century ancestral home which I returned to after being away for almost a decade, and the journey of creating this box reintroduced me to both the rustic and regal part of Odisha – and in doing so parts of myself I had forgotten existed. My last name Bhanja comes from the word ‘breaker’, I come from a long line of men and women who have broken tradition to do what they believed was the greater good. I hope by introducing you to some of my family secrets, your imagination has been roused to go off the beaten part and explore the world to reconnect and find yourself!
4. With clean and organic beauty reigning over vanity today, how is this collection aiming to distinguish itself?
Aishwarya: Being a millennial, who has spent a lot of time in the city, I have always been attracted to nature’s tranquility. A life enriched with pure air, serene and stunning views, disconnected from everyday work life and closer to the healing lap of the nature, and that is what GBS incorporates in all their products. Our products are ECOCERT Certified and clean of any toxic ingredients. Keeping in mind the hazardous effects some skincare ingredients do on our skin, we have made all our formulations free ppt those ingredients to give a clean/toxin – free experience to our customers.
While we look towards the past for answers, and towards nature for its heirlooms, we also deeply honour the future and advanced science by creating effective wellness products enriched with high performance ingredients. From the pages of history or the kitchens and courtyards to the most advanced labs in the world, I was always passionate about giving the most unique and indulgent self-care experience poured in a bottle.
5. The collection also seems to beautifully bridge the gap between wellness, beauty, and luxury all at the same time. How essential has this prospect been for both the brands?
Aishwarya: Global Beauty Secrets has always been an endeavor to help discover, revive, create and share beauty rituals and secrets from around the world. In spirit it is about celebrating, loving and bonding on the same cultural differences that have otherwise divided us. The Mayurbhanj Range is our endeavor to connect with the majestic family legacy of Princess Mrinalika Bhanjdeo and experience the beauty rituals followed by the Royal Family and feel its richness. It was essential to work on this Range because it is something which I know GBS truly believes in when I got a glimpse into Mrinalika’ wondrous universe of ancient, authentic beauty traditions. Delving deep into her family’s history, we drew inspiration from Mrinalika’s grandmother and her age-old beauty rituals, artifacts and ingredients.
To me the true vision of beauty is – a collective evolution of our being, a space that challenges hate and division, a space that nurtures who we are and doesn’t ask of us to adhere to normative beauty standards. A space I strongly believe we should continue to cultivate as a civilization to encourage and share wisdom on spiritual, mental, and physical revitalisation.
6. Lastly, what would be your personal picks from the range and why?
Aishwarya: My favourites are Sandal Dar and Baha Hibiscus Revitalising Hair Dew. The warming notes of Sandalwood mixed with Almond Oil and Lemongrass Oil is a divine to the senses. Our Sandal Dar is Hand poured, Vegan Massage Candle that contains a blend of Cold Pressed Oils and Butters that helps nourish the skin as well as calms the mind with the exotic oils. It reminds me of the time when my grandmother used to use different oils and apply it on our body for massaging and how it made us feel lighter and rejuvenated after a long day.
Princess Mrinalika: The reason I like the Baha Serum is it is the most treasured product because of the memories I have as a young child of the women of the house coming together in the Zenana (womens chambers) by hand collecting, curing and fusing the healing ingredients of the hibiscus flowers, and creating this elixir for all of us at the Royal household, storing them in the kansa bowls, like precious stones in hand carved boxes, in the Rasoighar near the black stone mortar and pestle used for grinding the flower. The overpowering fragrance and the joyous comradery between the women of different ages, languages, bonded together in the making of the products stayed with me, especially the strength in the diverse communities since the women of the Mayurbhanj households have come from faraway lands such as Nepal, Rajasthan and Gujarat.
