The damage control products India’s top models swear by

Surelee Joseph

For hair: “I don’t do much for my hair – just wash it twice a week."

For skin: “For my face, I use Ayurvedic stuff – like the Wheatgerm Cream by Biotique. My face wash has been Cetaphil for years now; I don’t think I’ve ever changed it. While removing make-up I use cold-pressed coconut oil because I have dry skin.”

Arshia Ahuja

For hair:  “I use this shampoo called Nioxin. I buy it on e-Bay; it’s for thinning hair. It’s got a foamy serum thing you put in the end, and it helps damaged hair. I use that every day. I also use Biotin supplements; they’re pills that are really good for hair growth. I take one every alternate day.”

For skin: “I have oily skin; very acne prone. It’s clearing up now. I use Clinique products – the cleanser, the toner. I realise I have to use toner, because even after you’ve washed your face it somehow removes the dirt, you can see it on the cotton pad. I use Vichy’s water-based remover. And every 20 days I go for a clean-up too.”

Kanishtha Dhankhar

For hair: “The Moroccanoil range which is really good for my hair. I don’t use a lot of shampoo and I apply Moroccanoil leave-in conditioner.”

For skin: “The Kiehl's range for oily skin is really good – the Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash, the Calendula Herb Extract Alcohol Free Toner, the Hydro-plumping Re-texturizing Serum Concentrate and the Acne Blemish Control Daily Skin-clearing Treatment (in case I get a zit from fashion week). I also mix carrot, beetroot, apple, a nice big piece of ginger and a whole lemon in a juicer and drink it every day – it cleanses your body, boosts your immunity and leaves your cheeks and mouth pink.”

Smita Lasrado

For hair: “I don’t do much for my hair. My hair gets really dry, because you need to wash it every day to get rid of all the products we use. So I try to invest in really good products. right now I'm using Moroccanoil shampoo and conditioner. And this really heavy, heavy serum from L'Oréal for damaged hair. I’m also seeing this Ayurvedic doctor in Chembur [Mumbai] – Dr Shempi – she’s really helped my hair with just natural products.”

For skin: “I use a Bioderma Crealine (Sensibio) cleanser and then I use an Embryolisse cream. If I feel like I haven’t managed to get the mascara off properly I use a face wash – anything from Kiehl’s to Himalaya. and once in a while I use Dr. Hauschka’s rose oil. The less I do for my skin, the better it is. I have dry skin, so I also use extra virgin olive oil on my skin. It makes your skin tighter.”

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Photographs: Manasi Sawant