“Everyone in my family is a doctor. My father is an eye surgeon, my uncle is a heart surgeon, and my other uncle is a brain surgeon. So I grew up thinking that I would become a doctor in the future. My father is an ophthalmologist, and my older brother is an ophthalmologist. I had a dream of becoming an optometrist and starting a private practice with my family. So I was about to go, and when I turned 16, I was scouted.
career
At first, people try to put you in a box. People say you’re a runway model, an editorial model, or a commercial model, but I don’t fit into any of those categories. I remember everyone thinking I was very “exotic” as there were very few Indian models at that time. They told me, “You should call yourself mixed.” That would be more exciting and ambiguous for people.’ But then people would say I’m ethnic too. It took me a long time to build up the confidence to approach castings without worrying that I didn’t fit a certain mold or beauty standard. Luckily, I have a great support system and the industry is changing so much that there is so much work to do. So I was lucky enough to be able to do all of that.
I have edited many magazines such as trend, Elle, Harper’s Bazaarand L’Officiel, Estée Lauder, Bobbi Brown, MAC Cosmetics, and Fenty Beauty. I walked the Dolce & Gabbana Altamoda show in June. The runway started at the top of the hill and wound through the town. I felt as if I had traveled back in time. There were local artisans and livestock. That was insane. I even got to walk the red carpet for brands like Pomellato. I went to the Cannes Film Festival with them and my parents were surprised. They were like, “All the movie stars are there.” oh my god. oh my god. ” [Laughs]
I also studied financial economics at Columbia University and launched my own beauty brand during my last year there. practice. I started with a question. Why don’t beauty brands from India reach global scale? There are several reasons. Ayurveda is very traditional and there hasn’t been much innovation to easily incorporate these rituals and treatments into the daily lives of modern women. Secondly, there is a gap where we felt that Western brands were more clinical and results-oriented, which is surprising because people want to see results. But none had combined these sensory, ritual, and holistic brands with results-oriented brands. Prakti is both. I partnered with Dahlia Myers, who worked at Estée Lauder for almost 40 years, and we soft launched it in 2021.
skin care
i use our Prakti DeviDetox Purifying Face Cleanser Both morning and night. A cream cleanser that can be used even on sensitive skin. If you have a lot of makeup on, you can also use it to double cleanse your face. Charlotte Tilbury Multi Miracle Glow Cleanser, Mask and Balm It’s also my favorite. I love multi-use products and sometimes use this as a highlighter.
I don’t use lotion much, but if I did… Aesop B&T Balancing Toner. If my skin has dry patches, this is my go-to. This is really effective if you have deep cysts. I have sensitive skin so I appreciate how gentle it is.
Dr. Barbara Sturm was very welcoming when I needed a sounding board as I built my practice. She was very good at knowing what to use and when to use it.she Clarifying Serum It was especially great when it continued to break out after fashion week. I think my skin wasn’t as fair as it should have been because it was so appealing.I’ve been using it since the evening party ended. SundaSkin Essential Hydrating Serum, my favorite serum. It moisturizes and yes, plumps your skin. It was formulated with the idea that it would be ideal as a makeup base. I often go for the gram right after use, but if you want to add a layer of moisturizer afterwards, SapnaSoft Essential Hydrating Moisturizer. It has neroli and clove buds, so it has a wonderful but light scent.
When I was a kid, my mom used to put vitamin C powder in my moisturizer. That was one of her beauty secrets. She probably doesn’t like me talking about this, but she should stop monitoring. [Laughs] I heard that vitamin C is most powerful in this form, so I’m doing the same now Nue’s Topical-C Twice a week.If you want serum instead, I’ll get it Sunday Riley’s CEO Vitamin C 15%. And I always use SPF, even if I’m indoors all day. I’ve been getting more freckles and pigmentation, which I think is probably due to too much light in my apartment, so I keep reapplying it and I really like it. Iris & Romeo Weekend Skin SPF 50.
I’ve been hooked on lip care lately and I love it. mario badescu lip mask. I usually use it at night, but sometimes during the day as well. Sometimes I add brown sugar or pieces of dried orange zest and use it as a scrub. I also love eye masks. 111SKIN Rose Gold Illuminating Eye Mask very good. I use these when I need something a little more concentrated to brighten or plump my eyes after traveling. My makeup artist always puts this on when getting me ready.
I met Mimi Luzon when I was in Cannes and she gave me a facial before walking the red carpet.she took advantage of her Mimi Luzon Sparkling Champagne Super Mask As the name suggests, it felt like having champagne poured on my face. It was bubbly and very cold to the touch, and I instantly fell in love with it.
I love all of Mario Badescu’s facial sprays, but my favorite is Facial spray with aloe, herbs and rose water And that Facial spray with aloe, chamomile and lavender. There are many ways to use it. You can use it to set My Glam, use it as a hydrating mist, or touch up your makeup. I have probably 10 bottles in my closet. In fact, these sprays remind me of my grandmother because she used to make her own rosewater by boiling water with rose petals and other ingredients.
Home devices are a little scary because anything you have at home can easily get ruined. But I was lucky enough to meet them, Nuface I contacted the team in LA and they taught me how to use the device. I use it before important moments such as red carpets. It’s crazy how you can see the difference when you do half your face first. In particular, you can see a lift in the eyebrows. I was shocked when I used it for the first time. I was like, “Damn.” This is why everyone always looks snatched. ”
compensate
When it comes to makeup, I think of it as a way to accentuate your natural features, but I also believe that you should feel good in even your most natural, basic form. After Fashion Month, when I’m always dressed up and looking my best, I get a little whiplash when I’m not wearing anything at all. You’ll get dark circles and look tired, and you’ll think, “Oh, shit.” But I try to remind myself that I have to love this aspect too.
With that in mind, I didn’t use foundation when doing my own makeup. Let’s be honest: sometimes you just can’t find the right shade. The makeup artist I work with always mixes two or three shades to get the perfect color, but I can never recreate it, so I uses only concealer.like NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer Because it’s very light. I dot it under my eyes and if needed around my nose, lips, and other spots where I have blemishes.i use M2 Ginger.
I love bronzer and carry it with me everywhere. I NARS Laguna Bronzing Powder in 05 Below the cheekbones, temples, forehead, and jawline. I also use it as an eyeshadow for a seamless look.If you want more dimensions, add Drunk Elephant’s D-Bronze Bronze Drops, a little shiny.And we don’t know which makeup artist left the compact Shiseido Synchro Skin Invisible Silk Pressed Powder I think we were in Capri and it ended up being one of my favorites. It comes with a small pad to smooth everything out in a natural way.I also use Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powderin Moderate.
One of my makeup artists, David Bardwell, is the Executive Director of Global Education and Arts at Buxom.he introduced me plump mascara,it’s the best. I’ve been using it for 5 years now. There’s something about the tip of the cane that is a game changer. It will be long, but you will also get a sense of fulfillment. Since I can’t use anything else, I always replenish it when I go out.
Eyebrows greatly express the skeleton of the face. My eyebrow gel is probably my best product. If I don’t use it, I don’t feel like it’s my face.I like to combine Dior Onset Brow Gel And that brow styler in Dark brown. Just swipe the gel a few times, fill in the gaps with a pencil, and you’re ready to go. If you want to emphasize the fluffiness a little more, apply a layer of clear gel. Other than that, don’t touch your eyebrows. I got waxed when I was 16 and it took a minute for it to grow back. Never again. [Laughs]
hair
I’m obsessed with Fable & Mane and its founder Akash Meta. This brand is also inspired by Ayurveda. I have always oiled my hair, always using coconut oil or sesame oil from the kitchen, but then I realized something. Fable & Mane’s HoliRoots Prewash Hair Treatment Oil. I either apply the oil for 10 minutes before showering and give it a relaxing scalp massage, or I sleep with it on and shower in the morning.I don’t do much when I get out of the shower, but I really like their showers Mahama Mane Smooth & Shine Hair Oil Because it’s light and doesn’t feel oily. If you want a smooth look, just add a few drops to your hair and do the middle part.
body and health
i use Summer Fridays Summer Silk Body Lotion Right after taking a shower. It smells great and is moisturizing without making you feel shiny. The texture is great and has cushioning properties.i like to use Chanel Louise Orient Body Oil Everything too. It’s good because it absorbs quickly and isn’t sticky. It’s very light. Sometimes I apply a little bit of it to my hair and smell the scent.
From the time I was about 6 years old, my mother gave me amla, triphala, turmeric with black pepper and ghee, and various other supplements. I think it’s amazing that so many brands are thinking about beauty from within right now.Take Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Medicine repair hoodand I take Nutrafol on and off. My dad taught me this and if you use it consistently you will definitely notice a difference. My hair is thicker and healthier. During and after fashion month, styling can take a toll on me, and I swear this will help.
scent
diptyque ylang ylangThe room fragrance is very nice. It uplifts everything. Ylang-ylang has a very rich aroma. that’s delicious. Then, while shopping with his father in Miami, Creed’s Wind Flower. It has become my signature scent. It’s expensive and should be used with caution, but I’m not one for it. Contains so many different beautiful musical notes. It has depth. I spray it everywhere. myself. All over the bed. I just love it. ”
—As told by Dice Vedra
Photographed by Alexandra Genova in New York on October 22, 2023
