The Lawyer, the Liner and the Lipstick

By Kim Lehal, Partner & Head of International Children, RWK Goodman

At almost every event I attend, someone will ask me about my make-up.

It might be my eyeliner, a bold lip, the glow, the jewellery, or the fact that I rarely shy away from colour. And I always smile, because for me, it has never been “just make-up”. It is part of my identity, my upbringing, my culture and, in many ways, my personal brand.

I was born in the 1980s. My paternal grandparents came to the UK with my father in the 1960s, when he was 14. My maternal grandparents arrived in the 1950s, and my mum was born here. I grew up surrounded by a village of grandparents, aunts and uncles. Neither set of grandparents spoke English, so much of my childhood was shaped by family, food, music, stories, “Asian TV” and Bollywood.

Bollywood was not background noise in our house – it was entertainment, glamour, drama, escapism and style. The women on screen were captivating, with kohl-rimmed eyes, flicked liner, glowing skin, rich fabrics and jewellery that moved as they did. Looking back, I realise how much of my idea of beauty was formed there.

But my first icons were much closer to home.

My mum, my aunts and my mum’s friends were – and still are -incredibly glamorous. My mum worked in a bank and wore a navy and red uniform. Her blue eyeliner was a staple and, more often than not, paired with a bright red lipstick. It was polished, powerful and completely her. I watched all of this as a little girl, absorbing the rituals: the liner, the lipstick, the scent of perfume, the careful choice of jewellery, the handbag that matched the shoes.

Our weekends were often taken up with Asian weddings – not just one afternoon, but Thursday through to Sunday, with each event carrying its own traditions, colours and expectations. We dressed up to the max: clothes, jewellery, make-up, shoes, handbags, everything considered. There was no such thing as too much sparkle.

In my family, I am known as the magpie. Anything sparkly draws me in. I have been building my Asian wardrobe since I was young – bangles, jewellery, embellished outfits, shoes and handbags to match. I am incredibly proud of it. Each piece carries a memory: a wedding, a family trip, a celebration, a moment in time.

Asian weddings also introduced me to the artistry of make-up long before “MUA” became a phrase everyone used. Make-up artists were, and still are, an essential part of getting ready for big occasions. Over the years, I picked up tips almost by osmosis: how to contour, how to create glowing skin, which lipsticks refuse to move, which concealers actually cover dark circles, which foundations work best on olive skin tones, how to cover blemishes, how to use highly pigmented eye shadows, and how to make our almond shaped eyes look bigger, bolder and more defined.

I have always loved the transformation of make-up – not because it hides who you are, but because it can reveal how you feel. A sharp eyeliner flick can make you feel ready. A strong lip can shift your posture. Jewellery can change the energy of an outfit. There is power in presentation when it is chosen deliberately.

If I ever gave up law – or perhaps more realistically, if I ever found more time in my life – I think I would pursue my make-up artist passion properly. I love the artistry of it: the precision, the colour, the creativity and the ability to make someone feel like the best version of themselves.

In the legal profession, we often talk about authenticity, but we do not always leave much space for it. There can still be an unspoken idea of what a lawyer is supposed to look like: restrained, neutral, understated. And of course, there is nothing wrong with that. But it has never been quite me.

My style is not something I put aside when I step into professional spaces. It is part of what I bring with me. My cultural heritage, my love of glamour, my jewellery, my eyeliner, my appreciation for colour and detail – they all sit alongside my legal expertise, not in competition with it.

For me, personal brand is not about creating a version of yourself for other people to consume. It is about allowing the different parts of who you are to show up consistently. I am a lawyer, a daughter of immigrants, a mother, a specialist in international children law, a woman shaped by Bollywood, Asian weddings, strong female role models – and yes, a very good eyeliner flick.

The law needs expertise, discipline and judgment. But it also needs personality, humanity and difference. I am proud to bring all of mine.