This year, Kryolan celebrates its 80th anniversary. During this momentous time, the professional make-up pioneer reflects on a legacy built on science, artistry, and unwavering support for creators worldwide.
From post-war Berlin to film sets across India, Kryolan has consistently empowered performers and professionals with skin-safe, high-performance products. In this exclusive conversation with Vidhi Arya, Mr. Wolfram Langer, Executive Director of Kryolan, shares the brand’s remarkable journey, its milestones in India, and the vision that continues to inspire make-up artists and beauty educators across the country
How would you describe Kryolan’s evolution from its 1945 beginnings to becoming a global professional make-up leader today?
When we started Kryolan in 1945, the world was rebuilding — not just infrastructure but hope and spirit. Right from the beginning our mission was simple to create high quality, skin safe make-up for professionals in theatre world. We weren’t just making products — we were supporting storytellers, performers, and artists behind the scenes.
The very first products Kyrolan created were Supracolor and Aquacolor and they set the tone for everything that followed. With a strong focus on science and working closely with make-up artists we’ve grown far beyond our Berlin roots.
Today, Kryolan is a global brand trusted around the world — not because we chased trends but because we’ve always stayed true to who we are. Our journey has been shaped by consistency, curiosity and a real respect for the craft of make-up. And as we keep growing one thing will never change that is our commitment to supporting creativity with top-quality professional products.
When and how did Kryolan first enter the Indian market, and what were those early days like?
We entered the Indian market in the early 2000s, marking the beginning of our make-up production journey with the establishment of our factory in Chennai in 2005. India has rich cinematic legacy, vibrant theatre culture and evolving fashion scene which made us feel more welcomed as our brand is more committed to support professionals behind the scenes. Artists and common users quickly embraced our high quality and skin-friendly products. From the beginning our focus has been on building strong ties with the make-up community.
Today, Kryolan is proud to support professionals in India’s film, fashion, bridal and special effects industries.
What key milestones or turning points shaped Kryolan’s growth in India over the years? What challenges did you face in establishing a professional make-up brand in India, and how did you overcome them?
A major milestone was the launch of Kryolan City stores. Not just retail outlets but creative hubs where professionals could explore products, get expert advice and receive hands-on
training. Education has always been the heart of our brand, leading to strong partnerships with loyal network of make-up artists across the country.
The market was dominated by consumer beauty brands, and the concept of professional- only make-up required education. There was also initial hesitation about products manufactured in India, as many professionals preferred imported Kryolan. It took time to build trust and demonstrate that locally made products offered the same world class formulation and quality.
We also overcame logistical and regulatory hurdles by investing in local distribution and training. Through it all, we stayed close to the community listening, learning and adapting rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach. Today, Kryolan is proud to be a leading name in India’s professional make-up industry. From movie sets and bridal studios to fashion weeks and beyond.
Which products or innovations have become iconic for Kryolan in India specifically?
Several Kryolan products have become iconic in India for addressing real challenges faced by professional make-up artists from intense heat and humidity to long hours across bridal, film and fashion industries.
The TV Paint Stick remains a staple in most professional kits. Its buildable coverage and flawless finish perform exceptionally well under studio lights, in extreme climates and on camera.
Our Fixing Spray has become a game-changer for Indian artists. Designed to lock make-up in place. It offers long-lasting, sweat resistant hold which is ideal for outdoor shoots, weddings and high-pressure environments. Its reliable performance reduces the need for touch ups making it a must have in any kit.
Our Dermacolor Camouflage range is also highly used in conditions of vitiligo, hyperpigmentation, scarring and so on. It is trusted by both make-up artists and dermatologists, as it offers professional results with confidence.
With sweat-resistant formulas, our Digital Complexion range and inclusive shade options, we continue to be a trusted name in India’s professional make-up industry — combining science, performance and artistry.
Are there any partnerships with Indian beauty schools, salons or artists that contributed to the brand’s journey here?
At Kryolan, we highly value education as a key part of our brand’s journey in India. Over the years, we have worked closely with leading beauty schools, salons and professional make-up
artists across the country. We have been training artists from renowned brands such as VLCC and Lakme providing them with advanced professional make-up techniques. These efforts have helped us grow and contributed to elevating the standards of make-up artistry within the Indian beauty industry.
Also these partnerships have helped us build a strong, loyal community of professionals who trust and grow with Kryolan who are a core part of our story in India.
As the brand turns 80, what is your vision for the next chapter of Kryolan’s story in India?
As Kryolan celebrates 80 years globally, our vision for the next chapter in India is all about innovation, inclusivity, and continued collaboration with the professional community. We want to deepen our commitment to education and skill building by expanding our partnerships with beauty schools, artists and training platforms across the country.
India is full of emerging talent and we see ourselves not just as a product provider but as an enabler of creative careers. We also focus on evolving with the needs of the Indian market — investing in R&D to ensure our formulations continue to meet the demands of diverse skin tones, climates, and performance environments.
From cutting-edge SFX to Digital Complexion, we aim to support every aspect of professional make-up artistry. Ultimately our goal is to continue being more than just a brand. We aim to be a trusted partner, a source of inspiration and a constant presence behind the scenes of India’s thriving creative industries.
How has PBI played a part in your journey? How has the association looked so far?
Yes, PBI Shows have played a significant role in our journey in India. They’ve provided a valuable platform for us to connect directly with the professional beauty community — from make-up artists and salon owners to students and educators. For us, it’s about more than showcasing products.
It’s about engaging with the industry, understanding evolving needs and contributing to conversations that shape the future of beauty in India. Through PBI, we’ve gained insights into regional trends. We’ve discovered emerging talent and demonstrated our product’s performance and versatility in real time.
It helped us to build trust and credibility across the market. Our association with PBI reflects a shared commitment to raising professional beauty standards in India. And, we look forward to continuing that journey together.
Join Kryolan at PBI Mumbai
Kryolan is the official Makeup Partner at Professional Beauty India, Mumbai. PBI will take place on October 6 and 7 at BEC, NESCO, Hall 1, Mumbai. Join in to know more about the brand and its recent offerings.Register Now: https://professionalbeauty.in/register/mumbai?
