Six changemakers on finding your own authentic self

Regardless of the industry you are in, rolling out the rubble and finding your voice is a journey. But with a little bit of help, and wisdom from those who've done it already, the way can be made easier. We speak with six from diverse walks of life on their journey through beauty and self. 

Banita Sandhu, Actor

Beauty as an actor: It’s synonymous with being comfortable in one’s skin. I revel in scenes where I can be barefaced. 

A day of self-care: Indulging in a bath, applying face masks, nourishing my hair with oil, enjoying home-cooked meals, taking my sea moss supplements, and unwinding with binge-watching sessions. 

Biggest beauty mishap: Following eyebrow trends! I learned the hard way that one size does not fit all, and I’ve kept them natural ever since. 

Self-love in daily beauty routine: I religiously remove make-up and complete my skincare routine at the end of the day, no matter how tired I am.  

One childhood beauty ritual I still swear by: Curling my lashes and lash lifts!  

Advice to younger self: Resist the urge to pick at spots, prioritize weekly exfoliating masks, and steer clear of matte foundation for a more natural look. 

What makes me beautiful: My beauty mark, I was born with it and used to hate it when I was younger. It always serves as a reminder of my uniqueness and self-acceptance. 

Rahi Chadda, Content Creator & Tastemaker

Beauty as a content creator: It is a personal expression, reflected in how we present ourselves through grooming and style.

A day of self-care: Meditation. Also, I disconnect from work by putting my phone on ‘do not disturb’.

Biggest beauty mishap: Luckily, I haven’t had one (yet)! However, while I hold a lot of love for my previous self, I sometimes get irked about the kind of work I was putting out years ago. However, that was also because the standards of beauty were very different. Beauty is cyclical, so what goes around will come back! 

Self-love in daily beauty routine: I’m mindful of what I put on my skin, and massaging products helps me feel connected to myself, fostering appreciation and love for my body.

Childhood beauty ritual that I still swear by: Turmeric masks! I make them at home, and apply at least once a week!

A cherished memory associated with beauty: As a child, I was incredibly insecure about the mole on my left cheek, I would do anything to hide it. Over time, I learned to embrace it, symbolising my journey of self-acceptance and love, influencing my current work. 

Advice to younger self: Pay attention to the connection between diet and skin health. Awareness of how food affects the skin, especially while traveling, is invaluable. 

What makes me beautiful: True beauty transcends physical attributes; it’s rooted in confidence, self-acceptance, and the excitement of personal growth. Embracing flaws instead of concealing them celebrates self-love and empowerment.

Divya Saini, Founder, Bodements

Beauty as a fashion entrepreneur: True beauty transcends the physical to something much deeper, perhaps your emotional intellect, your morals, core value system, your ability to love, and nurture relationships.

A day of self-care: It begins with hydration and movement, followed by meditation and personal practices like journalling or learning something new. Disconnecting from technology, especially social media, is crucial for me to slow down and reconnect with myself. Immersing myself in nature, surrounded by music and dancing, completes my ideal self-care day.

Self-love in daily beauty routine: Beauty and self-love cannot act in isolation. Real beauty lies in truly loving yourself unconditionally over and over again, every single day.

Childhood beauty ritual that I still swear by: Something I hated the most growing up, but now love is turmeric milk. I think it has the most beautiful effects on your skin and health. Most of my practices growing up were more internal than external whether it was eating right and on time (very important), exercising, or getting ample rest.

Advice to younger self: Deepen self-love, practicing kindness towards oneself and others. Beauty standards evolve and true beauty lies within. Ageing, experiences, and love contribute to one’s beauty. Ultimately, I would remind her that she is already the most beautiful version of herself.

Gourab Ganguli, Photographer & Visual Storyteller

Beauty as a creative director and photographer: Growing up in India, I was immersed in beauty manifested in diverse forms. It’s the joy of connecting, almost spiritually, with the old and new that defines beauty for me, encapsulating its ephemeral yet profound nature.

A day of self-care: Ample sleep, staying hydrated, and keeping myself nicely fed with fruits and home-cooked meals. Essential oils and a trusty moisturizer are my go-to skincare essentials.

Biggest beauty mishap: In my teenage years, struggling with acne, I fell victim to a common misconception— applying raw lemon juice to the skin to combat breakouts.

Self-love in daily beauty routine: Filling my living room with seasonal blooms and soothing scents. Surrounding myself with fragrant candles and flowers creates a serene environment that nurtures my well-being.

Childhood beauty ritual that I still swear by: Sandalwood paste! It is to date one of my favourite scents in the whole world. Its calming aroma and cooling sensation on the skin evoke memories of home, making it a nostalgic and effective beauty treatment even today.

A cherished memory with beauty: One of my earliest encounters with beauty was seeing a Durga idol, captivated by its awe-inspiring yet delicate presence. Aural associations of beauty came from listening to Tagore’s songs that shaped my understanding of beauty’s impact on the senses.

What makes me beautiful: My continuous engagement with various art forms nourishes my creativity, inspiring me to create beauty in my work

Kavya Trehan, Singer & Songwriter

Beauty as a music artist: It resonates in originality and self-expression, reflected in honest tunes and rebellious stage performances.

A day of self-care: Sipping tea, journalling, dancing, and meditating. 

Biggest beauty mishap:Purchasing numerous serums that didn’t align with my skin type.

Self-love in daily beauty routine: Setting affirmations for the next day during my bedtime rituals.

Childhood beauty ritual I still swear by: Being playful and dressing according to my mood.

A cherished memory associated with beauty: Being constantly told that I resemble my mother—makes me feel like I’m one hell of a beauty!

Advice to younger self: Prioritise gut health for overall well-being.

What makes me beautiful: My left eyebrow scar, coupled with my relentless drive to excel in life.

Kubbra Sait, Actor

Beauty as an actor: True beauty lies in the ability of one’s eyes to convey vulnerability and depth of emotion.

A day of self-care: I prioritise hydration, exercise, and meditation to nurture myself. On days off, I indulge in intensive hair conditioning and pampering rituals like hair masks and gel pads.

Biggest beauty mishap: Constantly straightening and rebounding my hair. It took me years to embrace and cherish my natural hair texture, learning to love and care for it properly.

Childhood beauty ritual I still swear by: I discovered the importance of hydration, believing that drinking water would enhance my complexion. Additionally, wearing my mother’s red lipstick, a timeless classic, remains a cherished beauty ritual from my youth.

A cherished memory associated with beauty: Every time I capture a photograph in perfect lighting, particularly when sunlight accentuates the colour of my eyes, I feel a deep connection to my external beauty. Witnessing the subtle changes in my eye colour, from green to brown and back, evokes emotional resonance and serves as a poignant
reminder of my unique beauty.

Beauty advice to younger self: Embrace natural beauty, and resist societal pressures to conform to unrealistic standards. Recognising and appreciating one’s inherent beauty from childhood is far more valuable than succumbing to external pressures to alter one’s appearance.

What makes me beautiful: True beauty, to me, emanates from within, especially when happiness radiates through my eyes, reflecting genuine inner contentment and joy. It’s this inner happiness that truly enhances external beauty, making every smile a reflection of inner beauty. 

Image credits:Ridhika Mehra,Andrew Kimber,Tushar Tara,Bhaskar Dhyani,Pritiza Barua,Shivaji Storm Sen

This article originally appeared in Harper's Bazaar India, April-May 2024 print issue.

Also read:Five prominent women entrepreneurs speak about how they navigate challenges to build successful beauty brands

Also read: 5 celebrity-owned beauty brands on our radar