Deepika Padukone is inching closer to world domination every day, especially with her latest stint as the brand ambassador for L’Oréal Paris. This year’s been a good one for the actor: she made her Hollywood debut with xXx: Return Of Xander Cage and once again proved her credentials as a style icon on the Cannes red carpet. But it turns out that IRL, she’s happy to ditch the glitz in favour of a low-key beauty philosophy that is all about staying true to yourself.
ELLE: What’s your beauty philosophy?
Deepika Padukone: My mother’s ‘less is more’ mantra definitely rubbed off on me early on. She taught me to stick to a more natural look and to choose clothes and make-up that reflect my personality. I usually like to bring out only one feature instead of trying too many things, so I’ll either wear just eyeliner or red lips.
ELLE: What’s the one beauty mistake you wish you hadn’t made?
DP: I’ve made tonnes, but my katori cut from when I was a child is by far the worst—though I can’t be blamed for it! My friends joke and tell me that my mum probably got a ‘buy one get one free’ deal on the haircut, since my sister and I both debuted it together.
ELLE: What is your skincare routine?
DP: Skincare is a combination of things for me. A lot of how your skin looks depends on what you eat, so I make sure I eat healthy. I also plug in regular workouts because fitness isn’t just about working on my body for a particular movie or event, it’s what I do to feel good. Cosmetics like concealers and foundations help with extra touch-ups.
ELLE: What’s your go-to make-up look?
DP: I rarely do my own make-up. But if it were left up to me, I would always wear red lipstick.
ELLE: How do you zero in on the right red carpet look?
DP: The look you choose needs to be an extension of you. You need to feel good in it and not worry about what other people will think about it. I don’t care for being criticised for what I wear. The only time I regret a decision is if my mum or girlfriends give me flak for it.
