'Our vision is to democratise lifestyle, beauty'

After two editions in Mumbai, Nykaaland—a beauty and lifestyle festival—has now made its Delhi-NCR debut. With over 60 global and Indian brands, live masterclasses, and music performances, the event marks a new chapter in how India experiences beauty. In a conversation with FE, Anchit Nayar, executive director and CEO, Nykaa Beauty, shares why the capital was a natural next step, the role of education in Nykaa's success, and what the future holds for India's fast-evolving beauty landscape. Edited excerpts:

- MITALI

Nykaaland has returned for its third edition—and this time, it has moved to Delhi-NCR. What drove that decision, and how do you see this region as a key market for Nykaa?

After two successful editions in Mumbai, which together saw nearly 40,000 attendees, it became clear that Nykaaland has evolved into the largest beauty festival of its kind in India and one of the largest globally. Delhi-NCR has always been one of Nykaa's strongest markets, not just in terms of consumption, but in its cultural influence and creator-driven energy. The decision to bring Nykaaland here was shaped by the region's highly engaged customer base, thriving influencer ecosystem, and its role as a key hub for global and Indian brands.

For our debut in the capital, we curated over 60 beauty brands, including first-time arrivals like MILK Makeup and TIR-TIR, alongside global icons such as Dolce & Gabbana Beauty, YSL, and Carolina Herrera. The lineup mirrors the larger evolution of India's beauty consumer, from mass adoption to mindful elevation, highlighting a rise in premiumisation across categories.

The festival's masterclasses feature leading artists like Daniel Bauer, Mehak Oberoi, Namrata Soni, and Meera Sakhrani. How important is education and skill-sharing to Nykaa's engagement strategy?