Kareena Kapoor
INDIA’S
MOST
Beautıful For this gorgeous actress, nothing is more important than looking natural both on and off the screen. In a candid interview, the star bares all her beauty secrets BY KARISHMA UPADHYAY
O
ne of the things that beau Saif Ali Khan loves most about Kareena is that she is ready in a jiffy. “Once I’m out of the shower, I barely take 10 minutes to slip on a dress and put on some kajal. When I’m not shooting, I completely avoid make-up,” says the actress. When the couple takes off to Europe for their four must-have breaks during a year, it’s this penchant of Kareena’s that helps her get away from fans. “It’s great because even in places with a lot of Indians, they keep wondering if it’s me. I guess no one expects a star to step out without a speck of make-up,” she says with a laugh. Photographs by SURESH NATARAJAN
That’s no mean feat for an actress whose last film — 3 Idiots — was one of the highest grossing Hindi films of all time. Since she debuted with Refugee in 2000, Kareena has evolved as one of Bollywood’s most successful actresses with hits ranging from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham in 2001 to Jab We Met in 2007. But it’s not just acting that’s in her genes. Kareena attributes her flawless skin and lustrous hair to mom Babita’s British antecedents. “My mom has the most amazing skin and hair so that’s where I’ve got my skin from.” And being People’s first Most Beautiful cover girl has tickled her pink. “I just feel really lucky that I was chosen. I’m PEOPLE June 18, 2010
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Most Beautiful happy that this is not about being sexy or pretty but about being and looking real.” When do you feel the most beautiful?
It would be after pack-up when I take off my make-up and tie my hair in a bun. I think I look my best then. When do you feel the least beautiful?
Probably, when I have overeaten.
When I’ve had too many chocolates or cakes and pastry and I feel like it’ll start showing on my face. I tend to indulge once a week and I end up feeling bloated. What is the biggest beauty mistake you have ever made?
At the risk of sounding pompous, I don’t think I’ve made any beauty mistakes because I read fashion magazines and keep abreast of trends. But when I look back about 10 years
ago when I was doing Aitraaz, I had streaked my hair golden. Everyone was doing it at that time. But it didn’t suit me at all. Half way through the shooting for the film, I realised that I didn’t like my hair. But I was too bored to spend four hours changing my hair colour. I did it after the film got over. You are associated with the glam look but do you also like the natural look?
FIRST FILM, FIRST LOOK
Kareena
“From my first film Refugee in 2000, I’ve had people telling me not to use makeup. So, I did Refugee [left, in a still with co-star Abhishek Bachchan] without make-up. In the first shot, I had only kajal in my eyes.”
THROUGH THE YEARS CHANGING COLOURS
PRETTY EYES GROWING UP “Everyone I met as a teenager like Akshay [Kumar], Ajay [Devgn] or Aamir [Khan] used to say, ‘She is going to be a star’. This was despite the fact that I looked very gawky.”
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“I have always liked kajal in my eyes. The heavier I went I realised that it accentuates the colour of my eyes.”
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: R.T. CHAWLA; EXPRESS ARCHIVES PHOTOS; DEVENDRA PARAB/PEOPLE
“When I entered the industry, I didn’t change my natural hair colour which is light brown. In between I had golden [right, in Fida in 2004]. Since Jab We Met I’ve gone dark brown. I think this shade suits me.”
Most Beautiful
“I believe you are what you eat which is why I don’t eat meat. Your stomach is not a graveyard. It’s been more than five years since I gave up meat and I can see the difference” —KAREENA KAPOOR
Kareena is wearing a nude strapless gown by Cue by Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna and bangles by Amrapali.
Most Beautiful particular about her regimen. She uses things like badam oil and milk on her face and I am totally the opposite. She moisturises her skin often. The only thing I do is drink a lot of water. Do you both share make-up?
No. Our make-up [preferences] are different because I like dark eyes and nude lips while she’s more into mascara and dark lips. But our styles are similar. Both of us like casual chic. One compliment you hear often?
Everyone tells me how I look really good with less or no make-up. Most people who meet me tend to say that I look prettier in real life. How does being happy contribute to looking good?
Feeling happy goes hand in hand with looking good. Being stressed and unhappy affects the hair, skin and under eyes. Having said that, it is normal to lie in bed and sulk. Being with my family, with Saif and having a great role make me happy. Apart from that, little things like snowflakes make me really happy. For the last three years, Saif and I have been going to Switzerland at least thrice a year. I just sit in the mountains and breathe in the cold mountain air and it makes me happy.
BEAUTY TIPS YOU’VE PICKED UP FROM YOUR SISTER?
What’s your basic beauty routine?
Any beauty rules for dating?
I don’t do much. I take my makeup off with MAC wipes along with a Clarins make-up remover. When I’m shooting, I moisturise before I put on make-up and if I’m shooting in the sun I use the Neutrogena sunblock. I don’t do anything else. Any home beauty remedies?
The only rule I follow is to look like myself because eventually the guy will find out. The ultra glamorous look doesn’t work beyond a point. I think a black shirt with jeans and a little kajal in the eyes is how I like to look on a date. It takes me five minutes to get ready.
What about skin care?
I am genuinely blessed with good skin because I don’t do much in terms of skin care. I do have my good and bad
Karisma [her sister] takes very good care of her hair and skin. She is very
When does Saif think that you look your best?
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YOGEN SHAH
days. At times my skin breaks out because of my excessive travel and change in weather. I just use a basic moisturiser.
I love spending time with my niece and nephew. I miss them so much when I’m not in Mumbai. I keep asking my sister to send me pictures of Kian because his features are changing every day. Also, I’m trying to cultivate the habit of reading. I like reading P.G. Wodehouse or books on history because they transport you to another world. It helps me take my mind off all the problems.
She [Karisma] takes a lot of care of her skin and hair while I don’t. But I have learnt the correct way of washing my face. I used to scrub my face hard but Karisma taught me to gently dab my face. I think I’m known for my natural look. My fans know me as Dolly from Omkara or Geet from Jab We Met. At the same time, they also like me in the glam avatar in films like Kambakkht Ishq. In a commercial film like Golmaal Returns 3, I’m going without make-up. I don’t think too many actresses would dare not to wear at least the make-up base. That’s the kind of challenge that turns me on.
What gets you through the times when being happy is a challenge?
Most Beautiful
Kareena FILLS IN THE BLANKS The first time I wore make-up… “Was when I was nine or 10 years old. When Lolo [Karisma] used to get ready for her shoots, I used to try out her make-up.” Even though I’m considered beautiful I still can’t… “pose on a magazine cover in a bikini. Though I have worn bikinis in films I can’t face a still camera in a bikini. It’s a mental block.” When I look in the mirror I see… “my beautiful face every day.” I wash my face every… “on a day off, it would be three-four times a day. If I have make-up on then I can’t.” I wash my hair every… “two days.” I blow-dry my hair… “almost every day. I either have to blowdry or straighten my hair for shoots. That’s my life.” Your favourite splurge… “kajal pencils and mascaras. I have lots of eyebrow pencils in every colour.” If I could change anything about my looks it would be… “nothing. I’m happy the way I am.” I covet… “I’m quite content with myself.” If someone opened my medicine cabinet they would find… “lots of MAC wipes.” The last night I ate… “Spaghetti Arrabiata.” When I walk the red carpet I tell myself to… “walk straight and not slouch.” When I get a zit, I… “I let it heal on its own because it gets
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worse if you put something on it. I normally don’t get zits but if I do it’s on my chin.” When I feel down, I can make myself feel better when I… “Eat chocolate. I can finish a whole box of Godiva while watching TV.” The make-up products I simply can’t live without are… “Chanel and YSL Kajal pencils.” Before every magazine cover shoot I… “I do yoga because it makes my body limber and lean.” My guilty pleasure is… “anything with chocolate like a chocolate sponge cake.” I love my hair when it’s… “freshly blow-dried.” When people meet me for the first time they’re surprised by… “people normally can’t believe how good my skin is.” I love my… “eyes.” I laugh about… “calves. My dadi, dad and I have heavy calves.” I wake up looking… “a little swollen.” I go to sleep looking like… “when I’m working, I look dogtired and like a wreck.” My 30s are for… “good roles and lots of travelling. I have to have the right balance between work and a personal life. I love travelling to Europe and I hope to buy a home in London and Paris.” When I’m 60 I hope I look like… “Elizabeth Taylor and Meryl Streep.”
Kareena in an ombre oneshoulder Gauri & Nainika dress, footwear by Miss Sixty and bracelet from Curio Cottage.
“Feeling happy goes hand in hand with looking good. Being with my family, with Saif and having a great role make me happy. Little things like snowflakes makes me happy” —KAREENA KAPOOR
PEOPLE June 18, 2010
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Most Beautiful
WHO GROOMS
Kareena?
EYEBROWS I do it myself because I don’t need to wax or thread them. I’ve never had my eyebrows done ever. I just take out the extra strands.
HAIRCUTS Pompy Hans, my make-up person, trims my hair. I can never get my hairstyle changed because I don’t have the guts. I love my hair to be long so I’m never going to do anything drastic.
HAIR COLOUR Again, it’s Pompy who colours my hair a chocolate brown once in six months.
MANICURE/PEDICURE I go to a parlour called Glories in Bandra because I have gel extensions. I have to go at least once a month because of the extensions.
WAXING I don’t wax. I know it’s terrible but I use a razor. There is no time to wax and also, my skin is very sensitive so waxing is a problem.
Saif thinks that I look the best in the winters, when it’s snowing. My skin is all flushed and pink. Apart from that Saif likes that I oscillate between being a woman and a girl. He likes me to dress up in the evenings in a hot outfit. He likes it when I’m dressed elegantly and sexily at the same time. He buys me outfits from designers like Roberto Cavalli and D&G.
which is why I don’t eat meat. Your stomach is not a graveyard. It’s been more than five years since I gave up meat and I can see the difference. I eat a lot of greens like spinach, asparagus and broccoli and browns or organic foods like brown rice and pasta. My skin is glowing. Also, I drink about 10 glasses of water every day.
I am hoping that directors here also start thinking that way. Actors like Kajol and Aishwarya [Rai Bachchan] have managed to break the marriage barrier so hopefully age will also stop being a consideration.
What are you insecure about?
What does he compliment you the most about?
I am conscious of my huge Pathan arms. Thanks to yoga I have managed to make them leaner.
Maharani Gayatri Devi looked great with grey hair and there are women in their 60s who look amazing. Saif’s mother is one of them. She is so gorgeous and well-maintained. I’m hoping to follow in their footsteps. I should be able to maintain myself because I’m careful about what I eat and do yoga regularly. Also, I don’t smoke or drink.
He likes my stomach. Saif thought I was too thin during Tashan. But now he thinks that I have the perfect body. How does your diet affect your looks?
I believe that ‘you are what you eat’ 50
June 18, 2010 PEOPLE
How do you view ageing?
I think you should embrace ageing. It’s part of life and I don’t want to be a teeny-bopper for the rest of my life. Look at Meryl Streep, the older she got, the more amazing her roles got.
How do you think you’ll react when you see that first grey strand or a wrinkle?
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Styled by KIMI DANGOR; Make-up and hair by SUBHASH VAGAL; Location: INTERCONTINENTAL THE LALIT GOA RESORT; Photo shoot co-ordinated by SANDIPAN DALAL;