Behind The Beauty with Rhea Kuruvilla
- Apr 29
- 4 min read
Rhea Kuruvilla exudes the quiet confidence of a woman who knows who she is and what she wants. As an art advisor specialising in contemporary South Asian art and Frieze’s VIP Consultant to India, she embodies a rare ability to navigate her deeply complex world of art, culture and design with an effortless poise that is both inspirational and aspirational. “From an early age, I’ve been driven by a desire to surround myself with beauty in all its forms,” says Kuruvilla, “whether it’s in design, food, fashion or the small rituals of everyday life.”
Following years on the strategy team at Condé Nast’s global HQ in London, Kuruvilla returned to Mumbai and began her career at Saffronart, India’s leading auction house dealing in modern and contemporary South Asian art. She also joined the founding team at Art Mumbai, the city’s first art fair, which debuted at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse.
Today, her days are spent between artists’ studios, galleries and her desk, creating strategies for clients that are as much about intuition and emotional connection as they are about research and market knowledge.This purposeful dance between the head and the heart seems to extend into her beauty wardrobe as well, which features both drugstore and clinical grade products, as well as signature, heirloom-worthy pieces, underscoring her belief that less is always more and offering a glimpse into her language of beauty that at once feels both personal and timeless.
What does a typical day in your life look like?
Without fail, every morning at home in Bombay begins with cuddling my eight-year-old boxer, Luna, and a cup of herbal (either cumin-coriander-fennel or spearmint) or green tea, a ritual that centers me and helps me start the day on the right note. Then I’m either on calls or meeting collectors and gallerists, visiting clients’ homes or deep in research and catalogue-building. Evenings are often social — there used to be a “low season” for art in Bombay, but not anymore. Dinners, openings, or previews tend to fill my calendar, though I always look forward to coming home, unwinding, doing my skincare routine (which really is more of a wellness routine for me), and some deep sleep.
What does your beauty routine look like?
When it comes to skincare, I believe in a pared-down approach — I choose either simple drugstore products or clinical grade products with quality ingredients. No fluff. Being a Bombay girl and exposed to pollution, humid weather and the harsh sun, my non-negotiables, especially as I get older, are a gentle cleanser, SPF and moisturiser.
I use the Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser for dry skin, the Laser Sunscreen from Cell Fusion C (a high-strength Korean SPF 50++ which leaves virtually no white cast!) and CeraVe’s ceramide-packed Moisturising Cream. Less is always more for me.
I’m more playful and indulgent when it comes to makeup; this is where I really like to have fun. I’m big on eyes these days — I swear by NARS’ Radiant Creamy Concealer, Armani Eye Tint, my beloved YSL Eye Duo Smoker that has sadly been discontinued and I always keep hunting down. I love a subtle brown smokey eye — I call it my “Bombay low-voltage glamour” look. Another staple for me is Charlotte Tilbury’s Hot Lips lipstick in the shade Secret Salma, and I’ve recently discovered Westman Atelier’s Face Trace Contour Stick, which I love as well.
How has living in Bombay, Milan and London influenced what beauty means to you?
Each city has left a distinct imprint on me. Bombay instilled a love of boldness: a sense of glamour, drama and a celebratory approach to beauty. Milan was all about refinement, polish, and the art of presentation. London, with its cosmopolitan spirit, was where I discovered the beauty of individuality and staying true to what feels like you. What remains constant for me, though, is an effortless, skin-first philosophy.
Is there a beauty piece or a ritual that acts as an heirloom in spirit, almost like a treasured item or practice that holds meaning and memory for you?For me, fragrance holds that heirloom-like quality. I’ve been wearing Thierry Mugler’s Alien since my university years in Milan — it’s basically my signature scent now!
You describe your work as visual, emotional and instinctive. Does this also extend to your beauty philosophy?
Absolutely, art is visual, emotional, instinctive, and beauty is no different. I go with what feels good in the moment, not rigid routines. Some days it’s a bold smokey eye, others it’s just layers of mascara. I love beauty as a way to play, to shift energy, to empower.
Beauty brands that you have discovered on your travels.
I was in Seoul for Frieze last month, but I made sure to stop at Olive Young, Korea’s beauty mecca, right before flying home. I came researched and prepared, and the haul was worth it. For my pigmentation issues, Anua 10+ has been a gamechanger, Dr. Althea 147 Barrier Cream is brilliant for when my skin barrier feels tight or compromised, and I’ve been very cautiously experimenting with a high-end pharmacy PDRN cream. It’s a staple product for many, but it’s very advanced for me, so I’m easing in. I’m definitely not an early adopter when it comes to skincare(!), but it’s incredible how quickly Korean skincare delivers visible results.
Are there any Indian brands that you have tried and loved and would like to see more of on the global stage?
It’s interesting to see how the rest of the world is only just catching up with our powerful Ayurvedic beauty and wellness rituals. I’m a big believer in gut health equals skin health. I love my rotation of herbal teas: CCF (cumin-coriander-fennel) which keeps digestion smooth, spearmint for its cooling and hormone-supportive properties and dandelion root tea for anti-inflammation. I take the loose-tea version (very important, as tea bags are full of micro plastics) from Luxmi Estates and The Indian Chai.
What do you reach for when you want to feel like your most confident self?
A perfect lip is my confidence switch. A top-up of Charlotte Tilbury’s Hot Lips in Secret Salma is usually my go-to before heading out. It instantly makes me feel pulled together.
What is a beauty product that you would love to create if given the opportunity to?
I’m yet to meet an under-eye cream that actually works!
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