The 2026 dates: Dhanteras on Friday 6 November, Choti Diwali on the 7th, Diwali and Lakshmi Puja on Sunday 8 November, Govardhan Puja on the 10th and Bhai Dooj on the 11th.
We already have a general Diwali timeline. This one is about the day itself, because that is where people get stuck: the puja has a set time, guests arrive after it, and you have to be ready before both.
Work out the deadline first
Check the puja muhurat for your city and note when the family plans to sit. Then work backwards: makeup takes about 75 minutes, makeup with hair about two hours, and draping half an hour. Add a buffer of at least an hour, because on Diwali day nothing runs on time.
| If you want | Time needed | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Party makeup only | About 75 minutes | ₹1,499 |
| Makeup and hairstyle | About 2 hours | ₹1,999 |
| Saree or lehenga draping | About 30 minutes | ₹499 |
| Makeup, hair and draping together | About 2 hours 30 minutes | ₹2,498 |
The days before
- Dhanteras week: skin. A gold facial (₹699) or diamond facial (₹899) four to five days before Diwali gives any breakout time to settle. Do not try a new facial two days before.
- Two days before: waxing and threading. So redness has gone before the puja and photographs.
- The day before, Choti Diwali: manicure and pedicure. The combo is ₹699. Nails done the day before survive the cooking and cleaning.
- Diwali morning: hair and makeup. Or the afternoon, depending on the puja time.
The Glow Package at ₹2,299 (gold facial, full body honey waxing, manicure and pedicure combo, face and neck bleach, threading) is designed for the day before a function and takes about three and a half hours, which works if you want it all done in one visit.
Makeup that suits diya light and camera flash
Diwali evening is a mix of warm lamp light and phone flash. A base that is too heavy looks flat in the flash; too light and it disappears in a dim room. Ask for a medium finish with a soft glow, warm lip colour and defined eyes. Tell the artist if you will be sitting near diyas or a fireworks display later, as smoke and heat affect how long it holds.
If you are hosting
You will be up all day. Choose services you can sit through in the morning and leave the afternoon for cooking and cleaning. If two family members are booking, ask about doing both in one visit; it saves a second trip and can bring the total above ₹799, where there is no visiting charge.
Tell us your puja time and who needs to be ready. We will plan the order of the morning and confirm a slot.
Common questions
When is Diwali in 2026?
Sunday 8 November 2026, with Dhanteras on 6 November and Bhai Dooj on 11 November.
How long does Diwali makeup take at home?
About 75 minutes for makeup, 2 hours with a hairstyle, and about half an hour more for draping.
How much is Diwali makeup at home in Jaipur?
Party makeup is ₹1,499, ₹1,999 with a hairstyle, and saree or lehenga draping is ₹499.
When should I get a facial before Diwali?
Four to five days before, so any reaction settles before the puja.
Should I book early for Diwali?
It is sensible to. On the day itself many families want makeup at the same hour, so the earliest slots tend to go first.
Book what this guide covers
Full price lists and details for the services discussed here.
