By Aarti Kapur Singh
Before she was launched opposite Shahrukh Khan in the 2007 blockbuster, Deepika Padukone was the queen of the ramp. It may have been half a decade since then, but Deepika is on an upward spiral with films like Love Aaj Kal, Bachna Ae Haseenon, Cocktail and Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani, to name a few. Once a Kingfisher calendar girl, she has worked with almost all the leading men of tinsel town. It would probably be blasphemy, but it is true, that she stole the thunder of Amitabh Bachchan in Piku recently. Daughter of badminton champion Prakash Padukone, Deepika was born in Denmark and was an established model before Farah Khan introduced her to Bollywood. A national level badminton player, the to-be Mastani, is perfect to suggest beauty maintenance and secrets. Her youth and genes have given her all that in abundance. She doesn’t have to do much else, just her presence can light up a room.
Flashing those famous dimples every now and then, she gives a peek into what keeps her looking the way she does and the secret behind her flawlessness.
“Cleansing toning and moisturizing is most important”
Healthy skin needs mild cleansing, for which I use gentle soaps. I use products that are mild and do not strip my skin of essential proteins. For makeup, I stick to basics like a moisturizer, lip balm and a neutral foundation. Rather than regular facials, I indulge in clean-up sessions once in a while. As a ritual, I like a relaxing body massage with lukewarm coconut or baby oil every week – twice if my schedules permit. Usually, a speedy work out followed by a quick spa session, sometimes just a steam and sauna will instantly make me feel good about myself. Exercise followed by a spa treatment makes me feel great.
“Hot water is the worst thing for your hair.”
Just like my skin, I do take good care of my hair. The most important part of my hair care routine is washing my hair with cool water instead of hot water. In addition, I do oil my hair every other day with extra virgin coconut oil.
“I need only three things to be beautiful.”
And they are – moisturizer, lots of water and Neutrogena sunscreen. I don’t wear make-up unless I have to. I’ll just wear mascara and a Neutrogena lip balm with SPF.
“Don’t experiment with your skin.”
I firmly believe you should take care of your skin using natural products. One should never try to go overboard on any products, as I think the more you try to be experimental with your skin, the worse it gets. It is better to adhere to basic skincare. Choose a reputable cosmetics brand after researching its quality and stick with it. I am careful to highlight one feature at a time when applying make up – either eyes or lips, never both. I love taupe and brown eyeshades, so I can sometimes risk coloring my lips with darker shades such as reds or plums. It is very important to understand the difference between day and night looks.
“Sun screen is your best friend!”
I use plenty of sunscreen – because prevention is better than cure. Many people are unaware of the effects of the sun on their skin and if I had to pick a product I use the most, it would have to be my sunscreen. I never ever leave home without literally bathing in it. And I always carry more than one bottle of it, in case I lose one, if I am traveling.
Elegant, demure and wise beyond her years, Deepika Padukone is an enigma of sorts in the industry that she’s chosen to be in. With her love life splashed across the Internet and her laundry hung out to dry on page 3 every now and then, she’s become far more closed about her personal life than she once may have been. I asked her for any parting words she would want to share with those trying to emulate her and she replies, “Be happy and you will be beautiful.”
