Priyanka Chopra, won both Miss India and Miss World in 2000, at the age of 17. Soon after, in 2002, she began her Bollywood career with the The Hero. She now shoots about four movies a year, among many other projects. She’s not afraid of a 20-hour work day — or junk food. I recently got to share a few beauty moments with her.
T Magazine: I am a huge fan of eyeliner. First off, I want to know about kajal kohl. Is it always a cone shape? How is it applied?
Priyanka Chopra: The cone-shape kajal is actually Arabic. With that, a woman closes her eye on on the tip and runs it back and forth along the rim. Traditional Indian kajal kohl comes in a long, slim box. A woman takes her fingertip, rubs it into the kohl and applies it directly to the rim of her eye. It also has eye-brightening ingredients in it, such as eucalyptus. Modern-day Indian women don’t use it very much, though. They use pencils.
T: I suppose a pencil is a bit neater than having black fingertips. What pencils do you like?
PC: M.A.C Teddy Eye Kohl, a bronzy brown, is my favorite. I usually smudge that into Armani Smooth Silk Eye Pencil in Black. But the most magical is the M.A.C. black liner in a pot, in Black Track. I apply this to the inner rim of my eye with a firm brush, and it doesn’t move at all. It never irritates my eyes. It is great for swimming, rain or crying scenes.
T: I’m checking out your everyday makeup now. The colors meld into your skin tone beautifully, the way natural looking makeup should. What do you rely on to create this effect?
PC: I must have my Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer in Honey. There are so few that are yellow enough for my skin. I apply that where needed and then M.A.C. Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation in NC43. My favorite blush is Nars Orgasm Blush. My lips are usually M.A.C. Spice Lip Pencil, or a Laura Mercier Mulberry Lip Stain. Armani Eyes to Kill Mascara is a must.
T: I know threading is of Indian origin. Is that how you keep your brows in such lovely shape?
PC: Yes. Threading is wonderful! It stays clean for a week. So it lasts longer that plucking.
T: Are you into yoga or any ayurvedic practices?
PC: No, not really.
T: What about your diet?
PC: I love junk food! The pizza in Bombay, where I live, is so good. French fries are like my soul food. Great to cure the blues. I also like Indian food, but not the healthy kind.
T: You would never know it looking at your skin, it’s so clear and smooth. How do you take care of it?
PC: No. 1, I have good genes. But it’s also very important to drink a ton of water. I think it’s the best way to keep it moist from within. It also cleanses all the toxins out of your body, helping your skin look clearer. At night it’s essential to remove all makeup and dirt thoroughly. You must let your skin breathe and regenerate.
T: What products do you use at night?
PC: Usually, Clarins Instant Eye Makeup Remover, followed by Garnier Nutritioniste Nutri Pure Detoxifying Cream Cleanser or Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel. I use Garnier Vital Restore Night Cream. For eye cream, Strivectin works best for me.
T: Are there any fragrances you are loving right now?
PC: I’m a huge fan of Jo Malone fragrances. Especially, Lime Basil & Mandarin and Vintage Gardenia. Sometimes I switch off and go with Dolce and Gabbana The One.
T: Any secrets to achieving your silky, shiny hair?
PC: Most come from the kitchen. Beer and egg are great for the hair. Yogurt is excellent for helping with dandruff. And in India we do a lot of warm coconut oil deep-conditioning treatments. Massage coconut oil directly into scalp. This way it gets to the root, so the hair grows in healthier. For puffy eyes, I like to freeze any kind of steeped tea bags. Let them sit a minute, so they’re not too cold, before placing on the eye area. You’ll see an instant difference.
T: Do you have any comfort items in your bag?
PC: My fragrance, Burt's Bees Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil and Dentyne Ice gum. I always have some sort of candy in my purse … did I mention how much I like sugar?
