One of best-loved actresses in Bollywood, Kajol Devgan’s skin has only improved with age, glowing in that way most women covet. We chatted with the star at the launch of the Olay Total Effects Lightweight Moisturizer (a great anti-ageing tool for oily Indian skin) and she filled us in on her top tips.
ELLE: What does your skincare regimen include?
Kajol Devgan: It’s really short; I don’t have the patience or inclination for much. It’s basically cleansing, toning and moisturising. But I do it religiously because it’s the one thing I’m anal about. I can’t go to sleep with anything on my face.
ELLE: How do you keep your skin looking younger?
KD: I smile and talk a lot.
ELLE: Do you eat any specific food for your skin’s health?
KD: I drink a lot of water and I’m a protein freak. I love my non-vegetarian food, butter, cheese, mayonnaise and fish.
ELLE: Any skin or beauty mistakes you made growing up?
KD: I never took adequate care of my skin or used a sunblock. When we started working, we were shooting in some of the harshest conditions. We didn’t have chairs or vans so we would be in the sun from 7 am to sunset. I had constant exposure for years on end, until I finally realised that maybe we should be doing something about it.
ELLE: How do you manage to stay in shape?
KD: I workout like a dog – I do weights and I walk.
ELLE: What do you do to unwind?
KD: I read a lot, I pick up a book and I feel good. I love my vampires and my werewolves. I’m currently into dragons. One of the best books I read recently was the Hunger Games series.
ELLE: What do you think about mom-bods?
KD: We have a right to our bellies, we’ve produced babies. We have a right to mom-bods.
ELLE: What’s the craziest beauty trend you’ve tried for a film?
KD: My look for Dushman where I wore the short wig is something I would’ve probably not tried on myself.
ELLE: Are there any make-up tips you’ve learned from Mickey Contractor?
KD: Mickey was one of those people who taught me how to do my own make-up. He insisted that I learn because he was like “you’re an actress and you won’t always have somebody around to take care of your face and do it for you”. The most important thing that he told me about make-up was to blend, blend and blend till everything looks a little lighter and better.
ELLE: Your brows are quite the trademark…
KD: It’s sheer laziness, trust me. My tolerance for pain is at zero or minus 100. I’m one of those people that when I go to the parlour, they make sure I’m the only one there and it’s not because I’m famous.
