Rhea Raj is Unapologetic About Showing Skin

Lady Gaga? Celine Dion? If there’s one thing we stan, it’s an Aries pop queen—including birthday girl Rhea Raj, a rising star on the cusp of releasing her debut album Hunter in May. Her latest single, “Messy,” is a sporty, bedazzled banger perfect for a Friday night playlist. Here Raj shares her style philosophy, her favorite Bollywood film, and the sweatpants she lives in. — Maraya

SIGHT

Om Shanti Om (2007): I want everyone in the world to watch Om Shanti Om at least once. I just saw it for maybe the 30th time and it’s my favorite Bollywood film ever. It’s a classic and I’m a sucker for maximalist visuals. Every scene is so colorful, vibrant, and emotional, with legendary dance numbers.

SOUND

MOTOMAMI by Rosalia: MOTOMAMI by Rosalia will always be one of my favorite albums. I saw her perform at Coachella last year and I’ve been trying to relive that life-changing experience by listening to this project. The songs on MOTOMAMI balance being delicate and fierce in such a special way, and her work inspires my own music and visuals so much. I also love that she’s a producer and gets recognized for it!!!

TASTE

My Mom’s Saag Paneer: Lately I’ve been craving homemade Indian food all the time and one of my favorite dishes is my mom’s Saag Paneer. It’s a dish filled with ground spinach and we make it vegan by subbing the cheese with tofu and adding cashew cream. We measure with the heart, but here is a (kinda messy) tutorial we made together.

SMELL

Sandalwood Incense: A new nighttime routine for me includes a 432 Hz deep sleep playlist and lighting sandalwood incense. It’s a nostalgic scent for me because I would visit my grandparents in India and they only used sandalwood-scented products, from handmade soap bars to lotions, candles, and incense. It’s so comforting and warm so I light it to help me wind down.

FEEL

Traditional Indian Jewelry: My current obsession has been layering traditional Indian jewelry with my day-to-day looks. I’ll accessorize a plain crop top or bralette with a statement gold arm cuff and layers of bangles.

RHEA’S ESSENTIALS

I dance every day and spend a lot of time training, so I feel like my overall style is influenced by that; I want to feel sexy and fierce while being able to move and emphasize my form. I love baggy pants and pretty much only wear bras if they’re gonna be the top of my outfit. I’m unapologetic about showing my skin and love interesting cutouts and mesh fabrics. Oversized jackets, statement accessories, and a bindi are a must to elevate my more minimalist looks.  

Named Collective Sweatpants I live in their sweatpants and especially love wearing them for dance class and rehearsals.

Alo Onesie Also a staple for any workout. I also feel cute running errands in this.

Crystal Bindis I love pairing my looks with a matching bindi.

1XBlue Faux Fur Bag Basically my everyday bag now.

“Hating pop music doesn't make you cool.”

Rhea Raj

VANITY

Pat McGrath’s eyeshadow palettes are works of art themselves and my go-to for any look I’m doing. I also use them on my cheekbones and collarbones as colorful highlighters! My intro to the makeup world was through MAC. My mom swore by their products so I would steal her lipsticks and highlighters as a kid and spend hours in her bathroom trying all these crazy looks. My general approach to beauty and skincare is: sparkly, dewy, glossy. Love a DIY wet hair look, super shiny lips, and tons of highlighter everywhere to create a maximalist glow. 

Luxury/Splurge: Mothership Totale IV

Drugstore Discovery: TRESemme Tres Two Extra Hold Hair Mousse

Cult Classic: Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer

Indie Option: Pacifica Vegan Collagen Complex Lip Balm

All Time Ole Reliable: MAC Mineralize Skinfinish

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