Meet the girl who replaced Deepika Padukone
Supermodel Diana Penty, who has replaced Deepika Padukone as the brand ambassador of Maybelline, talks to Screen about her endorsements, films, likes and dislikes!
Your favourite piece of clothing?
I could live in a great pair of jeans and a basic white tunic!
Where do you shop for clothes?
I normally shop for clothes whenever I'm travelling. My favourite shops are Mango, Zara, Bershka, Miss Sixty, Forever 21 & Bebe. I'm quite picky when it comes to shoes. I like pretty flat sandals for the day and high heels for the night! I usually find a good variety at Aldo and Charles & Keith.
Your recent best buy?
A black evening dress from Bebe that I picked up in L.A. It fits really well and that's what makes it such a good buy!
What do the term fashion/ style mean to you?
Fashion to mean is about individuality and personality. I think its important to keep in mind what suits you best in terms of your body and personality as opposed to just blindly following the current trend. If you can adapt these current trends to your personal style in a way that is effortless, I'd say you're fashionable!
Your five secrets for a great complexion?
Drink lots of water, get enough sleep, eat right (lots of fruit and vegetables), exercise regularly, use a cleanse-tone- moisturize routine and use sun-block before stepping out.
And your five secrets for a prefect physique?
To be in great shape, there are unfortunately no short-cuts! One has to eat correct and work out. And these days there are so many interesting activities that one can do to achieve a desired physique. From belly-dancing to spinning workouts, there are plenty of options. But it is important to be disciplined in your workout.
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The new face of Maybelline and a known face on international ramps, Diana Penty is definitely the one to watch out for this year.
USP: "I think my strength is my height," she says, "and my narrow structure. I think it fits the look most designers have in mind." Fitness regime: "The truth is I have always been on the smaller side," says Penty. "When I was younger, I went through a phase when I desperately tried putting on weight. Today, I can use this to my advantage. I eat everything under the sun and more than any of my friends! I workout and used to do yoga. I must confess that I don't need hard workouts to stay in shape though."
Why you love being a model: It's a good feeling to be recognised.
The dark side of modelling: You're always under scrutiny. You have to be ready to be judged at all times.
The WLIFW experience: It was amazing, working with the best professionals in the industry. It was hectic, but great. There was phenomenal exposure. Of course, there is pressure to perform, but that is part of the game.
Shows she did: Cue, Deepika Govind, Krishna Mehta, Rocky S, Suneet Verma.
Favourite designers: Wendell Rodricks, Ranna Gill and Monisha Jaisingh.
My killer party look is: simple, elegant and classy in a dress and high heel.
On a day out with the gals, I would wear: jeans, top and flip-flops or flats.
I shop till I drop in: Paris and London
I splurge on: shoes and clothes
Best bargain buy: when I was in Sri Lanka, I bought tunics off the street which look like designer stuff.
Fashion disaster is: what happens when you dress to get noticed!
I wouldn't be caught dead in: animal prints.
My bad hair day rescue operation: I have never had a bad hair day, so I guess it's mostly prevention.
Hottest actors: George Clooney and Farhan Akhtar.
Most beautiful actor: Angelina Jolie
One thing I want to buy: a Mac notebook
I can't live without: Chocolates
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
Shruthi Agarwal
Shruthi Agarwal: “I craved for roti and milk”
When she was offered the chance to pose for the Kingfisher Calendar in 2006, model Shruti Agarwal wasn’t too thrilled with the idea. She wanted her parents’ permission to begin with, and she also wanted to know how aesthetic – as opposed to crass – the swimsuit shoot would actually be.
“On the day of the test shoot all the calendar girls were told about their weak areas – parts from where we had to lose weight and also tone up. We only had three months,” recalls Shruti. “I drastically needed to tone up my waist and thighs.” She didn’t need to lose weight, but with only three months to get in perfect shape, Shruti exercised twice a day, for 45 minutes in the morning and an hour every evening. And as for routines, she did everything, from yoga to the gym.
Since weight training doesn’t suit Shruti at all, she avoided it as far as possible though her trainer insisted on 15 minutes of basic weights every day to bulk out her too-thin arms. After that, she did 15 minutes of sit-ups, followed by a mix of yoga and pilates. And Shruti swears by the surya namaskar. “Two hundred and fifty repetitions of the surya namaskar were enough cardio for me,” she says. “I used to get all sweaty after it. Contrarily, I also felt refreshed.”
For the 2008 calendar shoot however, Shruti felt she’d done better. And that was because she was on a very, very strict diet. Following a diet chart created for her body type, Shruti was put on a protein-rich, carb-free routine for three months, during which she had one protein bar a day, grilled fish or chicken, salads and sprouts. No rice or roti, no dairy. Not even milk, which she loves.
“For breakfast, I had fruit, egg white and fruit juices. Sometimes I cheated and had the whole egg, but when I did that, I’d have to work out harder to compensate,” she says. Dinner was always a light meal, and always eaten before 9 pm. But though the diet was well planned and balanced, keeping Shruti feeling good and energetic, she missed the food she loves. “I craved roti, milk and chocolate,” the pretty model says.
It wasn’t enough to get in shape for the shoot. Shruti had to make sure she was picture perfect on the day of the shoot itself. “I avoided water,” she says, “Because it tends to bloat the stomach and that would show in the pictures. I also had a very light breakfast very early in the morning.”
When she was offered the chance to pose for the Kingfisher Calendar in 2006, model Shruti Agarwal wasn’t too thrilled with the idea. She wanted her parents’ permission to begin with, and she also wanted to know how aesthetic – as opposed to crass – the swimsuit shoot would actually be.
“On the day of the test shoot all the calendar girls were told about their weak areas – parts from where we had to lose weight and also tone up. We only had three months,” recalls Shruti. “I drastically needed to tone up my waist and thighs.” She didn’t need to lose weight, but with only three months to get in perfect shape, Shruti exercised twice a day, for 45 minutes in the morning and an hour every evening. And as for routines, she did everything, from yoga to the gym.
Since weight training doesn’t suit Shruti at all, she avoided it as far as possible though her trainer insisted on 15 minutes of basic weights every day to bulk out her too-thin arms. After that, she did 15 minutes of sit-ups, followed by a mix of yoga and pilates. And Shruti swears by the surya namaskar. “Two hundred and fifty repetitions of the surya namaskar were enough cardio for me,” she says. “I used to get all sweaty after it. Contrarily, I also felt refreshed.”
For the 2008 calendar shoot however, Shruti felt she’d done better. And that was because she was on a very, very strict diet. Following a diet chart created for her body type, Shruti was put on a protein-rich, carb-free routine for three months, during which she had one protein bar a day, grilled fish or chicken, salads and sprouts. No rice or roti, no dairy. Not even milk, which she loves.
“For breakfast, I had fruit, egg white and fruit juices. Sometimes I cheated and had the whole egg, but when I did that, I’d have to work out harder to compensate,” she says. Dinner was always a light meal, and always eaten before 9 pm. But though the diet was well planned and balanced, keeping Shruti feeling good and energetic, she missed the food she loves. “I craved roti, milk and chocolate,” the pretty model says.
It wasn’t enough to get in shape for the shoot. Shruti had to make sure she was picture perfect on the day of the shoot itself. “I avoided water,” she says, “Because it tends to bloat the stomach and that would show in the pictures. I also had a very light breakfast very early in the morning.”
Pia Trivedi
Pia Trivedi: “I lived on protein shakes”
The transition from model to bikini model goes like this. “The first time (for the Kingfisher calendar) I only got three months to prepare. So I worked out twice a day,” says Pia. “Since I needed to lose weight, I focused on cardio and restricted my diet, which was very tough on me. Giving up food was mental torture, because food is a very important part of my life. I had to live only on boiled vegetables, fruits and salads.”
In spite of that, Pia wasn’t satisfied with her body. “I thought I looked fat in the calendar. My stomach and thighs sucked! Also, since I was very new in modeling, I had no clue about camera angles, so I Atul Kasbekar, the photographer, fired me many times.”
The next time round therefore, for the Kingfisher Calendar 2005, Pia made her fitness regimen tougher. “I stopped eating for three months before the shoot, which is the worst thing to do,” she says. “I almost lived on protein shakes. And as a result, my ribs showed. I went to the extreme and I don’t recommend it to anyone.”
The first thing she did after the shoot was demand butter chicken and rumali rotis. But since then, she hasn’t been so extreme.
“I don’t follow any diet and it’s been really long since I last worked out,” she confesses. “I tend to let go and then, before an important shoot, go in for drastic measures to get fit. Otherwise, I gorge on anything that is Mughlai and Punjabi, tubs full of ice-cream and glasses of cold coffee.”
Sounds like sacrilege…
The transition from model to bikini model goes like this. “The first time (for the Kingfisher calendar) I only got three months to prepare. So I worked out twice a day,” says Pia. “Since I needed to lose weight, I focused on cardio and restricted my diet, which was very tough on me. Giving up food was mental torture, because food is a very important part of my life. I had to live only on boiled vegetables, fruits and salads.”
In spite of that, Pia wasn’t satisfied with her body. “I thought I looked fat in the calendar. My stomach and thighs sucked! Also, since I was very new in modeling, I had no clue about camera angles, so I Atul Kasbekar, the photographer, fired me many times.”
The next time round therefore, for the Kingfisher Calendar 2005, Pia made her fitness regimen tougher. “I stopped eating for three months before the shoot, which is the worst thing to do,” she says. “I almost lived on protein shakes. And as a result, my ribs showed. I went to the extreme and I don’t recommend it to anyone.”
The first thing she did after the shoot was demand butter chicken and rumali rotis. But since then, she hasn’t been so extreme.
“I don’t follow any diet and it’s been really long since I last worked out,” she confesses. “I tend to let go and then, before an important shoot, go in for drastic measures to get fit. Otherwise, I gorge on anything that is Mughlai and Punjabi, tubs full of ice-cream and glasses of cold coffee.”
Sounds like sacrilege…
Mugdha Godse
Mugdha Godse: “I carry soya sticks”
This figure is the result of not a few months’ or a year’s worth of preparation, but a regimented, disciplined routine through much of her adult life. “I didn’t get the figure for a bikini overnight,” says Mugdha. “I have been looking after my body since I was 17.”
A summer job at a gym while Mugdha was in college gave her all the knowledge she needed to instill the tenets of fitness in her life. Also, her habit of swimming regularly – a habit instilled by her father – helped her maintain her body.
Since gymming gets dull after a time, Mugdha jazzes up her workouts with different types of workouts – 45 minutes of yoga or Kathak or gymming or jogging on the beach every day.
Power yoga she dismisses as a new age fad, so she prefers the standard yoga asanas and surya namaskar. In the gym, Mugdha divides her work-outs according to the three areas of her body – legs, back and biceps, chest and triceps, with intervals of cardio, including Kathak.
She has also been on a high-protein, regimented diet since she was 17. Mugdha doesn’t binge on unnecessary carbohydrates – rotis and bread are okay, croissants and chips are sins. Breakfast consists of poha, or egg white, upma or toast, and coffee with sugar is her only indulgence.
“I eat every two to three hours to keep my metabolism going,” says the actress. “I carry soya sticks in my car and the moment I feel as though I’m starving, I binge on them. I never let my body starve.”
Lunch comprises grilled chicken or fish or sabzi and one roti. And dinner consists of idli-sambhar or salad and grilled fish again. When she’s hungry, she pops a protein bar. And she never touches rice. If this sounds too grim for daily consumption, Mugdha doesn’t find it so. She’s been following this diet for so long that she’s used to the discipline, she says. “I don’t crave carbs anymore,” says she.
But you shouldn’t give up carbs altogether, she adds. “An intelligent addition of proteins in the diet constructively utilise carbs and doesn’t let them turn into fat,” says Mugdha.
This figure is the result of not a few months’ or a year’s worth of preparation, but a regimented, disciplined routine through much of her adult life. “I didn’t get the figure for a bikini overnight,” says Mugdha. “I have been looking after my body since I was 17.”
A summer job at a gym while Mugdha was in college gave her all the knowledge she needed to instill the tenets of fitness in her life. Also, her habit of swimming regularly – a habit instilled by her father – helped her maintain her body.
Since gymming gets dull after a time, Mugdha jazzes up her workouts with different types of workouts – 45 minutes of yoga or Kathak or gymming or jogging on the beach every day.
Power yoga she dismisses as a new age fad, so she prefers the standard yoga asanas and surya namaskar. In the gym, Mugdha divides her work-outs according to the three areas of her body – legs, back and biceps, chest and triceps, with intervals of cardio, including Kathak.
She has also been on a high-protein, regimented diet since she was 17. Mugdha doesn’t binge on unnecessary carbohydrates – rotis and bread are okay, croissants and chips are sins. Breakfast consists of poha, or egg white, upma or toast, and coffee with sugar is her only indulgence.
“I eat every two to three hours to keep my metabolism going,” says the actress. “I carry soya sticks in my car and the moment I feel as though I’m starving, I binge on them. I never let my body starve.”
Lunch comprises grilled chicken or fish or sabzi and one roti. And dinner consists of idli-sambhar or salad and grilled fish again. When she’s hungry, she pops a protein bar. And she never touches rice. If this sounds too grim for daily consumption, Mugdha doesn’t find it so. She’s been following this diet for so long that she’s used to the discipline, she says. “I don’t crave carbs anymore,” says she.
But you shouldn’t give up carbs altogether, she adds. “An intelligent addition of proteins in the diet constructively utilise carbs and doesn’t let them turn into fat,” says Mugdha.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Night out with Deepika Mehta
Night out with Deepika Mehta
by: Parizaad Khan
- expressindia.com
She makes Ash and Bips sweat and considers Yana her soul sister. But there’s more to Deepika Mehta than some of Bollywood’s hottest bodies.
If you lived in south Mumbai two years ago and were shopping for an exercise regime that would sculpt your body and feed your soul, chances are you’d have discovered Deepika Mehta’s power yoga class at Gold’s Gym. She’d light the incense, put on soothing chants and then jump-start your day with a thumping, hard core workout that’d leave you praying to the yoga gods for mercy—and more. But to the dismay of all of Napean Sea Road, Mehta’s left us common folk to make national treasures like Aishwarya Rai and Bipasha Basu sweat.
These days, the 28-year-old trains clients at the gym at Bandra’s Taj Land’s End, so we meet for lunch at Vista, the hotel’s coffee shop.
She walks in sporting exercise gear—a racerback tee and tracks, with her waist-long hair loose. ‘‘For a few months, I spent most of my salary eating four meals a day here,’’ she laughs. This is also where she and ‘‘soul sister’’ Yana Gupta spent hours chatting after workouts.
Mehta takes on only two to three clients at a time (no, there’s no vacancy, Ash and Bips are hogging her time). ‘‘Every time I exercise with someone, I feel like I’ve given my energy, a part of myself to them. When I was training too many people, I was drained at the end of the day,’’ she says.
Mehta spent a couple of days at the end of last year hosting yoga workshops in Bhutan for members of the elite Young Presidents Organisation; members include heads of exclusive international fashion labels and CEOs of record companies. ‘‘They fell in love with me, and so I loved it. I know I’m being bratty, but it was great for my ego,’’ she says. ‘‘They wanted to take me back to New York and make me a brand.’’
Training the models for the Kingfisher calendar was another project she couldn’t say no to. Looking over a plate piled high with salad greens and smoked salmon, she says, ‘‘I bullied them; they hated me at the start. I heard that the day the shooting wrapped up, they pigged out saying, ‘Yay, Deepika’s not here’,” she laughs. She exerts even more dietary control over her regular clients. ‘‘The first thing I do is have a chat with their cooks; I tell them they can eat this and nothing else,’’ she says.
Mehta was asked in June last year to train Aishwarya for her role in Dhoom 2 by the makers of the film. Since then she’s accompanied the actor to London and Jaipur for shoots as well. ‘‘Ash has a dancer’s body and lots of flexibility and grace. She’s spiritual and enjoys meditation,’’ Mehta says.
If you’ve got your muscles in a twitch wondering what a trademark Deepika Mehta workout is like, here’s a sample: Start with some yoga, move on to weights-cardio-resistance training, then relax with some meditation. And there’s some dance thrown in as well. ‘‘But there’s never a standard formula, I go with my gut,’’ she says.
When she’s not training, Mehta spends her time researching—her current topic is how excess exercise leads to premature ageing. She’s also doing a correspondence course in naturopathy from an Australian university. ‘‘I also want to set up a retreat in Mumbai. A small and exclusive Goa-esque place where people can do yoga,’’ she says.
by: Parizaad Khan
- expressindia.com
She makes Ash and Bips sweat and considers Yana her soul sister. But there’s more to Deepika Mehta than some of Bollywood’s hottest bodies.
If you lived in south Mumbai two years ago and were shopping for an exercise regime that would sculpt your body and feed your soul, chances are you’d have discovered Deepika Mehta’s power yoga class at Gold’s Gym. She’d light the incense, put on soothing chants and then jump-start your day with a thumping, hard core workout that’d leave you praying to the yoga gods for mercy—and more. But to the dismay of all of Napean Sea Road, Mehta’s left us common folk to make national treasures like Aishwarya Rai and Bipasha Basu sweat.
These days, the 28-year-old trains clients at the gym at Bandra’s Taj Land’s End, so we meet for lunch at Vista, the hotel’s coffee shop.
She walks in sporting exercise gear—a racerback tee and tracks, with her waist-long hair loose. ‘‘For a few months, I spent most of my salary eating four meals a day here,’’ she laughs. This is also where she and ‘‘soul sister’’ Yana Gupta spent hours chatting after workouts.
Mehta takes on only two to three clients at a time (no, there’s no vacancy, Ash and Bips are hogging her time). ‘‘Every time I exercise with someone, I feel like I’ve given my energy, a part of myself to them. When I was training too many people, I was drained at the end of the day,’’ she says.
Mehta spent a couple of days at the end of last year hosting yoga workshops in Bhutan for members of the elite Young Presidents Organisation; members include heads of exclusive international fashion labels and CEOs of record companies. ‘‘They fell in love with me, and so I loved it. I know I’m being bratty, but it was great for my ego,’’ she says. ‘‘They wanted to take me back to New York and make me a brand.’’
Training the models for the Kingfisher calendar was another project she couldn’t say no to. Looking over a plate piled high with salad greens and smoked salmon, she says, ‘‘I bullied them; they hated me at the start. I heard that the day the shooting wrapped up, they pigged out saying, ‘Yay, Deepika’s not here’,” she laughs. She exerts even more dietary control over her regular clients. ‘‘The first thing I do is have a chat with their cooks; I tell them they can eat this and nothing else,’’ she says.
Mehta was asked in June last year to train Aishwarya for her role in Dhoom 2 by the makers of the film. Since then she’s accompanied the actor to London and Jaipur for shoots as well. ‘‘Ash has a dancer’s body and lots of flexibility and grace. She’s spiritual and enjoys meditation,’’ Mehta says.
If you’ve got your muscles in a twitch wondering what a trademark Deepika Mehta workout is like, here’s a sample: Start with some yoga, move on to weights-cardio-resistance training, then relax with some meditation. And there’s some dance thrown in as well. ‘‘But there’s never a standard formula, I go with my gut,’’ she says.
When she’s not training, Mehta spends her time researching—her current topic is how excess exercise leads to premature ageing. She’s also doing a correspondence course in naturopathy from an Australian university. ‘‘I also want to set up a retreat in Mumbai. A small and exclusive Goa-esque place where people can do yoga,’’ she says.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Anushka Sharma
Beauty tips from Anushka Sharma
Rediff.com's Rajesh Karkera caught up with model Anushka Sharma on the sidelines of LFW. Here she shares some beauty tips and her views about applying make up and the media:
Beauty secret for great skin:
AS: I am blessed with very good skin. But because of the damage from all the make up we apply and pollution I wash my face regularly. I drink lots of water and try to be happy.
How does she take care of her skin:
AS: Once in a while I apply some refreshing Neem packs which detoixifies the skin.
Hair tips:
AS: My hair is quite healthy. Since I have a contract with Sunsilk they do all the protein treatments for me. The hair pack that they apply makes my hair healthy.
What do you do when you are not modelling?:
AS: I meet up with my friends; catch up on sleep. I love reading. I'm doing my majors in economics through correspondence because of the lack of time.
Memories of her first walk on the ramp:
AS: That was long time back when I was only 15. I was told that I should walk just like I walk on the streets and that's exactly what I did. Trust me it was really bad.
But it was a great learning experience for me. I was very very very nervous; I started watching fashion shows and reading on fashion. Then I got really involved in it. And with the help of the models who taught me here I am. Now I think I can walk well on the ramp.
The not-so-good things about being a model:
AS: The hours. You have to wake up early and go to sleep at an unearthly hour. And the make up that they splash on us really makes us feel not normal. Then again there's no specific time for meals and it doesn't matter if we have a bad back or a stomach pain. If we're here, we have to walk.
What I think of the media?:
AS: The media can make or break a person. At times they go a bit further then they should. Just in the name of TRP's and sensational news. So I think that's wrong. But at the same time they are quite responsible also and because of them people come forward and voice their opinions.
Rediff.com's Rajesh Karkera caught up with model Anushka Sharma on the sidelines of LFW. Here she shares some beauty tips and her views about applying make up and the media:
Beauty secret for great skin:
AS: I am blessed with very good skin. But because of the damage from all the make up we apply and pollution I wash my face regularly. I drink lots of water and try to be happy.
How does she take care of her skin:
AS: Once in a while I apply some refreshing Neem packs which detoixifies the skin.
Hair tips:
AS: My hair is quite healthy. Since I have a contract with Sunsilk they do all the protein treatments for me. The hair pack that they apply makes my hair healthy.
What do you do when you are not modelling?:
AS: I meet up with my friends; catch up on sleep. I love reading. I'm doing my majors in economics through correspondence because of the lack of time.
Memories of her first walk on the ramp:
AS: That was long time back when I was only 15. I was told that I should walk just like I walk on the streets and that's exactly what I did. Trust me it was really bad.
But it was a great learning experience for me. I was very very very nervous; I started watching fashion shows and reading on fashion. Then I got really involved in it. And with the help of the models who taught me here I am. Now I think I can walk well on the ramp.
The not-so-good things about being a model:
AS: The hours. You have to wake up early and go to sleep at an unearthly hour. And the make up that they splash on us really makes us feel not normal. Then again there's no specific time for meals and it doesn't matter if we have a bad back or a stomach pain. If we're here, we have to walk.
What I think of the media?:
AS: The media can make or break a person. At times they go a bit further then they should. Just in the name of TRP's and sensational news. So I think that's wrong. But at the same time they are quite responsible also and because of them people come forward and voice their opinions.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Sonam Kapoor
Filmfare July 09: Fitness with Sonam
SONAM Kapoor
On How To Keep That Flab At Bay
> Exercise regularly. It helps you stay fit, flexible and improves blood circulation. Do a combination of stretch exercises, along with cardiovascular and some strength training.
> Do a lot of deep breathing exercises. Most of us don't breathe right and that causes a lot of health problems.
> Don't starve yourself but try and eat as healthy as possible. Avoid red meat and trans fats which are found in cakes and biscuits. Everyone has a tendency to munch on biscuits when they are hungry. Switch to a healthier snack like soya chaklis or peanuts.
> Avoid white processed foods like sugar, salt, white bread and white rice.
> Supplement your diet with a good amount of proteins like soya, chicken, eggs, fish, paneer and tofu.
> Stay well hydrated by consuming lots of water, green tea and a variety of vegetable juices. I read somewhere that green tea washes out the oil in the body.
> Never sleep on a full stomach. Have your dinner at least two to three hours prior to your bedtime. Oily and heavy dishes are taboo at night.
> Get the necessary right hours of sleep. That helps your body regenerate cells. If your body is rested, it will work better towards staying healthy.
> Go for massages when you can. They help relax your stressed muscles. A deep tissue massage can do wonders to refresh and uplift you.
> Above all, always feel good about yourself no matter what size you are!
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What Sonam Kapoor always carries in her purse!
Sonam: I always carry a SPF. My cell phone, I cannot do without it. My IPod, I love music. A hairbrush. I have a perfume; I’ve got the biggest collection of perfumes ever! Right now I’m carrying Silver Rain by La Prairie. I have my Blackberry, because I’m always online. Some blank paper and a pen because I’m always jotting down things. And I have to carry a camera too. I like taking pictures.
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Sonam Kapoor once was over 80 kilograms (about 180 pounds) when offered Saawariya. After she returned from Singapore, she got into weight training with Shervir and Monisha as well as artistic yoga with Bharat Thakur. She sticked to a very healthy diet, took good care of her skin and eyebrows, took dance lessons, as well as acting and diction classes
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Sonam Kapoor lost weight for Saawariya by eating five small meals a day, took to gymming and yoga, and stuck to a fixed calorie intake. She didn't really sacrifice much, she ate everything but in absolute moderation.
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Being Sonam Kapoor
Sonam Kapoor makes most women I know want to be like her. Naturally beautiful, super-fit and radiating health and happiness! She burst into the scene after a major weight-loss programme and has not looked back since. She's the quintessential Prevention woman who took charge of her weight, health and came out looking fabulous! We caught up with Sonam during the shoot of her forthcoming film Aisha based on Jane Aausten's Emma.
Peshawaris love rich food, how do you deal with your genes?
We are from Peshawar-a city where rich food and eating with abandon are a way of life. I am very proud of my roots. But I realise it is neither healthy nor practical to live that way. Being an actor, I cannot afford to be sloppy. I need to be healthy all year round. Of course, having a health-conscious mother has been a blessing. She's always made sure we ate wholesome meals, and as a family, we avoid overeating.
So how did you end up putting on weight?
I was in a boarding school in Singapore for two years and somehow put on a lot of weight while I was there. Since I never planned on a film career, I neglected my diet and put on so much weight.
When did you decide to lose weight?
I would have continued being obese and unhealthy but for director Sanjay Leela Bhansali. I started assisting him on Black, and one day out of the blue he asked me to take up acting. Acting in films means having a fit body. So I started working on my weight. Eventually he offered me Saawariya. But to set the record straight, I had actually started losing weight before I was offered any film.
Tell us about your battle plan
In all fairness, it was my mother who helped me get rid of my excess weight. The first thing she did was to keep me off the stuff I was so fond of chocolates, ice creams, fried foods and sweets. My goal was to lose 35 kilos. I started weight training with trainers Shervir and Monisha; artistic yoga and Power Yoga with Bharat Thakur; Pilates with Yasmin Karachiwala and general fitness with trainer Zarine Watson. My training in Kathak helped me too. It's a vigorous form of classical dance and helps you get a toned body. In addition, Zarine put me on six small meals a day that are low on carbs and high on protein. My breakfast consisted of oatmeal and fruits. Post-workout, I had brown bread with egg whites. Afterwards, it was a protein shake with juice. Lunch comprised dal, sabzi, one ragi roti, salad and a piece of chicken or fish. The evening snack was high-fibre crackers with chicken cold cuts or egg whites. At dinner, it was soup, salad and a piece of chicken or fish. I followed this routine for a year and lost 35 kilos in all!
How do you keep healthy?
I never binge and eat everything in moderation. Also, I never ignore my cravings. I eat whenever a craving strikes, but in small portions. When I felt like chocolates three weeks ago, I didn't hold back, I took a small piece. When I'm travelling I carry an apple or sandwich or health bars to satisfy myself without piling on excess calories. My grandmother taught me to sip on warm water first thing in the morning. It flushes out toxins from the system. I follow it up with honey and lime water. Another must for me is a no smoking atmosphere, at home, work or in public places.
A lot of people still think starving can help you stay slim
Yeah, looking at my figure people often assume that I don't eat much. On the contrary, I eat every two hours. Since my day is packed with strenuous physical activity, shooting, swimming or dancing. I never allow myself to go hungry for too long. If I feel peckish I snack on nuts and dry fruits. Drinking plenty of fluids through the day is also a must for me. I drink coconut water every hour or two; it not only quenches my thirst but also helps me feel full. Other natural drinks such as cucumber juice and buttermilk also help me stay hydrated and keep my energy levels up. I am quite particular about avoiding fried foods and sweets. Salt and sugar are silent killers so I consume both in moderation by switching to natural sugars and seasoning in my food.
What is your fitness routine?
I was very sporty in school and played rugby, basketball and other games regularly. This has helped me develop flexibility to step in and out of different exercise routines with ease. I feel cardiovascular exercises work best for me in combination with weight training. Each day of the week I focus on a particular body part, such as the abdomen, arms, shoulders or waist. I do 30 minutes of cardio every day. Two days a week I follow it up with dance exercises learnt from Ashley Lobo. On other days I practise Bharat Thakur's Power Yoga. It is very strenuous but has immense health benefits. In summer, I like to swim as much as I can. Whenever I get the time, I play squash too, which requires a lot of strength. I try to do different workouts and balance them out in order to keep my motivation high; plus mixing exercises helps burn more calories.
What are your learnings from your weight-loss journey?
Erratic work schedules often make maintaining your weight difficult. But it's possible as long as you eat healthy every day and work out a bit daily. Also, it's important to undergo a medical check up to ensure that you haven't put on weight due to a medical condition.
What's next on your agenda?
I thought I had slimmed down enough but my father got me a fat-free, sugar-free cake on my birthday this year, just to remind me that I am in an industry full of female actors who are slimmer than me! I know I need to be on top of my weight. Not because I'm vain, because I have reached a stage when I cannot be anything but healthy!.
Sonam's food diary
Breakfast: An egg white omelette, a toast, a seasonal fruit, a glass of warm water. When bored with this, I try an idli, or poha.
Lunch: Chicken, rotis, a seasonal vegetable, curd and fruits. I try to avoid red meat. Once in a blue moon, I do have white rice too. My rotis are made of bajra, bran, or jowar, or any low grade protein-rich wheat. I also have a few cups of tea without sugar through the day.
Dinner: What time I eat dinner is more important than what I eat. I usually have it by 6:30 pm. On most days it is a veg/chicken sandwich, salad, and may be some crispy French fries (but not too many!). I also enjoy fish-grilled, or cooked in a spartan gravy. If I still feel hungry then I end my day with a glass of soya milk or a protein shake before going to bed. In addition, I take multi-vitamins.
- Prevention Magazine - October 2009
**********************
Her debut flick Saawariya might have bombed at the Box Office but Sonam Kapoor surely got noticed and was in contention to be called as the latest bombshell to hit B-town circuit. The sultry actress who has proved that she could carry off any role with panache, be it that of the girl next door or of a more glamorized look, is now awing everybody with her inspiring fashion ommph poses on the cover pages the desi issues of some of the leading international fashion magazines such as Grazia, Verve, Lofficiel.
Quite unlike other leading actresses who are going all out to fit into size zero and then fit into the cover page frame, Sonam is banking upon her toned body, something that caught the eye of the fashionistas ever since her debut.
Speaking to a news daily as to what fashion means to her, Sonam said: "I understand fashion and all these young girls working in these magazines are my age and I like to work with them as they are kicked about doing new things just like me! I have no particular agendas when I do a cover shoot for a magazine. I am open to different things and experimenting with my look. I am fine with a buffoon look, sober Indian look, boho, grunge... etc as I love to play around with my look."
Be it the somber Indian bridal dress-up or the classic cosmopolitan chick look, Sonam surely rocks them all. Good going for this Kapoor kid!
Sonam’s top 14 style must-haves:
My Bag: Make that ‘bags’. I love big bags. I have Prada’s skin bag and fringe bag, a few Chanels, three Marc Jacobs including the quilted Stam bag, a fabulous silver Gucci my mom gifted me and several Swarovski evening clutches.
In my bag: Two phones - one iPhone and one Nokia, a Conair hairbrush, a Valentino wallet, credit cards, cash, a club membership card, a Jill Thompson make-up case, Neutrogena sunscreen with SPF 45, a couple of perfumes - Daisy by Marc Jacobs, Silver Rain by La Prairie and Michael by Michael Kors, MAC lip balm, Creme de la Mer cream, moisturiser by Lancome, Chanel and MAC cheek tints, vitamins...
Flats or heels? Both. I love Christian Louboutin and Chanel shoes. Right now i’m loving my Jimmy Choo silver flats too. Sneakers by Stella McCartney for Adidas, and Nike. Embroidered mojris from Lucknow.
Best places to shop: The best place for fashion is New York. I pick up stuff from department stores, the Village, 5th Avenue and vintage stores. In fact, i picked up a vintage Chanel couture dress and some great pieces by Missoni, YSL and Diane von Furstenburg in vintage stores. It helps that I’m a size 4.
Favourtie designers: Chanel, YSL, John Galliano for Dior, Chloe, Balenciaga, John Paul Gaultier for his embroidered coats, Diane von Furstenburg, Prada for everything, Anamika Khanna, Anurada Vakil for her creative use of Indian textiles, Rajesh Pratap Singh for his sheath dresses, Manish Arora (who i can’t wear but still admire) and Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla.
At airports I splurge on: Perfumes, creams and dvds.
Secret of my long healthy hair: I oil massage it regularly and plait it every night. I use Kerastase products.
Fashion icons i admire: Sienna Miller for her style, Charlize Theron and Nicole Kidman who look great on the red carpet, Keira Knightley sometimes, Dita von Teese for being so much fun, Beyonce who’s managed to make an unconventional body type seem hot, Shobhaa De for her saris, my sister Rhea Kapoor and my mom. Also Rita Dhody and Karisma Kapoor for looking great in jeans and no make-up.
What I’m wearing alot: Skinny jeans that make my legs look good, high-waisted and flared jeans by J&Company, and Wolford tights under everything when its cold.
Favourite jeans: J&Company, Diesel and True Religion, by Victoria Beckham.
What I’d buy next: For my mom, a diamond-encrusted Hermes Birkin; for my sister, a black Kelly and for my dad, an Armani suit and a diamond-encrusted Breguet watch.
Watches i own: Cartier, Breguet and Bvlgari. My dad spoils me rotten.
Fashion horror: I hate wedge heels. I think they look hideous.
Craziest fashion thing I’ve done: I was 14 and visiting my mom’s best friend in London. I bought black nail polish and lipstick. My parents were horrorified.
*************************************
Sonam Kapoor's seven hair care tips:
1-Eat healthy, have multivitamin and cod liver oil capsules and use L’Oreal. It is the best hair treatment.
2-Almond hair oil is the best to use. Use Elvive shampoo and conditioner by L’Oreal according to your hair type. Comb only after drying.
3-Protect hair with sun block and if one has dry hair, then apply leave-in conditioner to the ends.
4-Keep in mind your face cut, thickness of hair, height and build, and of course, your style quotient while going for a haircut/hairstyle change.
5-Colouring/ straightening/ perming hair permanently is completely possible with the right products and hair care.
6-Accessorise your hair with hair bands, jewels, combs, braids or beads.
7-My secret: I always plait my hair before sleeping. That's the best way to avoid breaking the hair.
- Filmfare
SONAM Kapoor
On How To Keep That Flab At Bay
> Exercise regularly. It helps you stay fit, flexible and improves blood circulation. Do a combination of stretch exercises, along with cardiovascular and some strength training.
> Do a lot of deep breathing exercises. Most of us don't breathe right and that causes a lot of health problems.
> Don't starve yourself but try and eat as healthy as possible. Avoid red meat and trans fats which are found in cakes and biscuits. Everyone has a tendency to munch on biscuits when they are hungry. Switch to a healthier snack like soya chaklis or peanuts.
> Avoid white processed foods like sugar, salt, white bread and white rice.
> Supplement your diet with a good amount of proteins like soya, chicken, eggs, fish, paneer and tofu.
> Stay well hydrated by consuming lots of water, green tea and a variety of vegetable juices. I read somewhere that green tea washes out the oil in the body.
> Never sleep on a full stomach. Have your dinner at least two to three hours prior to your bedtime. Oily and heavy dishes are taboo at night.
> Get the necessary right hours of sleep. That helps your body regenerate cells. If your body is rested, it will work better towards staying healthy.
> Go for massages when you can. They help relax your stressed muscles. A deep tissue massage can do wonders to refresh and uplift you.
> Above all, always feel good about yourself no matter what size you are!
-----------------------------------------------
What Sonam Kapoor always carries in her purse!
Sonam: I always carry a SPF. My cell phone, I cannot do without it. My IPod, I love music. A hairbrush. I have a perfume; I’ve got the biggest collection of perfumes ever! Right now I’m carrying Silver Rain by La Prairie. I have my Blackberry, because I’m always online. Some blank paper and a pen because I’m always jotting down things. And I have to carry a camera too. I like taking pictures.
****************************************************************
Sonam Kapoor once was over 80 kilograms (about 180 pounds) when offered Saawariya. After she returned from Singapore, she got into weight training with Shervir and Monisha as well as artistic yoga with Bharat Thakur. She sticked to a very healthy diet, took good care of her skin and eyebrows, took dance lessons, as well as acting and diction classes
****************************************************************
Sonam Kapoor lost weight for Saawariya by eating five small meals a day, took to gymming and yoga, and stuck to a fixed calorie intake. She didn't really sacrifice much, she ate everything but in absolute moderation.
**************************************************************
Being Sonam Kapoor
Sonam Kapoor makes most women I know want to be like her. Naturally beautiful, super-fit and radiating health and happiness! She burst into the scene after a major weight-loss programme and has not looked back since. She's the quintessential Prevention woman who took charge of her weight, health and came out looking fabulous! We caught up with Sonam during the shoot of her forthcoming film Aisha based on Jane Aausten's Emma.
Peshawaris love rich food, how do you deal with your genes?
We are from Peshawar-a city where rich food and eating with abandon are a way of life. I am very proud of my roots. But I realise it is neither healthy nor practical to live that way. Being an actor, I cannot afford to be sloppy. I need to be healthy all year round. Of course, having a health-conscious mother has been a blessing. She's always made sure we ate wholesome meals, and as a family, we avoid overeating.
So how did you end up putting on weight?
I was in a boarding school in Singapore for two years and somehow put on a lot of weight while I was there. Since I never planned on a film career, I neglected my diet and put on so much weight.
When did you decide to lose weight?
I would have continued being obese and unhealthy but for director Sanjay Leela Bhansali. I started assisting him on Black, and one day out of the blue he asked me to take up acting. Acting in films means having a fit body. So I started working on my weight. Eventually he offered me Saawariya. But to set the record straight, I had actually started losing weight before I was offered any film.
Tell us about your battle plan
In all fairness, it was my mother who helped me get rid of my excess weight. The first thing she did was to keep me off the stuff I was so fond of chocolates, ice creams, fried foods and sweets. My goal was to lose 35 kilos. I started weight training with trainers Shervir and Monisha; artistic yoga and Power Yoga with Bharat Thakur; Pilates with Yasmin Karachiwala and general fitness with trainer Zarine Watson. My training in Kathak helped me too. It's a vigorous form of classical dance and helps you get a toned body. In addition, Zarine put me on six small meals a day that are low on carbs and high on protein. My breakfast consisted of oatmeal and fruits. Post-workout, I had brown bread with egg whites. Afterwards, it was a protein shake with juice. Lunch comprised dal, sabzi, one ragi roti, salad and a piece of chicken or fish. The evening snack was high-fibre crackers with chicken cold cuts or egg whites. At dinner, it was soup, salad and a piece of chicken or fish. I followed this routine for a year and lost 35 kilos in all!
How do you keep healthy?
I never binge and eat everything in moderation. Also, I never ignore my cravings. I eat whenever a craving strikes, but in small portions. When I felt like chocolates three weeks ago, I didn't hold back, I took a small piece. When I'm travelling I carry an apple or sandwich or health bars to satisfy myself without piling on excess calories. My grandmother taught me to sip on warm water first thing in the morning. It flushes out toxins from the system. I follow it up with honey and lime water. Another must for me is a no smoking atmosphere, at home, work or in public places.
A lot of people still think starving can help you stay slim
Yeah, looking at my figure people often assume that I don't eat much. On the contrary, I eat every two hours. Since my day is packed with strenuous physical activity, shooting, swimming or dancing. I never allow myself to go hungry for too long. If I feel peckish I snack on nuts and dry fruits. Drinking plenty of fluids through the day is also a must for me. I drink coconut water every hour or two; it not only quenches my thirst but also helps me feel full. Other natural drinks such as cucumber juice and buttermilk also help me stay hydrated and keep my energy levels up. I am quite particular about avoiding fried foods and sweets. Salt and sugar are silent killers so I consume both in moderation by switching to natural sugars and seasoning in my food.
What is your fitness routine?
I was very sporty in school and played rugby, basketball and other games regularly. This has helped me develop flexibility to step in and out of different exercise routines with ease. I feel cardiovascular exercises work best for me in combination with weight training. Each day of the week I focus on a particular body part, such as the abdomen, arms, shoulders or waist. I do 30 minutes of cardio every day. Two days a week I follow it up with dance exercises learnt from Ashley Lobo. On other days I practise Bharat Thakur's Power Yoga. It is very strenuous but has immense health benefits. In summer, I like to swim as much as I can. Whenever I get the time, I play squash too, which requires a lot of strength. I try to do different workouts and balance them out in order to keep my motivation high; plus mixing exercises helps burn more calories.
What are your learnings from your weight-loss journey?
Erratic work schedules often make maintaining your weight difficult. But it's possible as long as you eat healthy every day and work out a bit daily. Also, it's important to undergo a medical check up to ensure that you haven't put on weight due to a medical condition.
What's next on your agenda?
I thought I had slimmed down enough but my father got me a fat-free, sugar-free cake on my birthday this year, just to remind me that I am in an industry full of female actors who are slimmer than me! I know I need to be on top of my weight. Not because I'm vain, because I have reached a stage when I cannot be anything but healthy!.
Sonam's food diary
Breakfast: An egg white omelette, a toast, a seasonal fruit, a glass of warm water. When bored with this, I try an idli, or poha.
Lunch: Chicken, rotis, a seasonal vegetable, curd and fruits. I try to avoid red meat. Once in a blue moon, I do have white rice too. My rotis are made of bajra, bran, or jowar, or any low grade protein-rich wheat. I also have a few cups of tea without sugar through the day.
Dinner: What time I eat dinner is more important than what I eat. I usually have it by 6:30 pm. On most days it is a veg/chicken sandwich, salad, and may be some crispy French fries (but not too many!). I also enjoy fish-grilled, or cooked in a spartan gravy. If I still feel hungry then I end my day with a glass of soya milk or a protein shake before going to bed. In addition, I take multi-vitamins.
- Prevention Magazine - October 2009
**********************
Her debut flick Saawariya might have bombed at the Box Office but Sonam Kapoor surely got noticed and was in contention to be called as the latest bombshell to hit B-town circuit. The sultry actress who has proved that she could carry off any role with panache, be it that of the girl next door or of a more glamorized look, is now awing everybody with her inspiring fashion ommph poses on the cover pages the desi issues of some of the leading international fashion magazines such as Grazia, Verve, Lofficiel.
Quite unlike other leading actresses who are going all out to fit into size zero and then fit into the cover page frame, Sonam is banking upon her toned body, something that caught the eye of the fashionistas ever since her debut.
Speaking to a news daily as to what fashion means to her, Sonam said: "I understand fashion and all these young girls working in these magazines are my age and I like to work with them as they are kicked about doing new things just like me! I have no particular agendas when I do a cover shoot for a magazine. I am open to different things and experimenting with my look. I am fine with a buffoon look, sober Indian look, boho, grunge... etc as I love to play around with my look."
Be it the somber Indian bridal dress-up or the classic cosmopolitan chick look, Sonam surely rocks them all. Good going for this Kapoor kid!
Sonam’s top 14 style must-haves:
My Bag: Make that ‘bags’. I love big bags. I have Prada’s skin bag and fringe bag, a few Chanels, three Marc Jacobs including the quilted Stam bag, a fabulous silver Gucci my mom gifted me and several Swarovski evening clutches.
In my bag: Two phones - one iPhone and one Nokia, a Conair hairbrush, a Valentino wallet, credit cards, cash, a club membership card, a Jill Thompson make-up case, Neutrogena sunscreen with SPF 45, a couple of perfumes - Daisy by Marc Jacobs, Silver Rain by La Prairie and Michael by Michael Kors, MAC lip balm, Creme de la Mer cream, moisturiser by Lancome, Chanel and MAC cheek tints, vitamins...
Flats or heels? Both. I love Christian Louboutin and Chanel shoes. Right now i’m loving my Jimmy Choo silver flats too. Sneakers by Stella McCartney for Adidas, and Nike. Embroidered mojris from Lucknow.
Best places to shop: The best place for fashion is New York. I pick up stuff from department stores, the Village, 5th Avenue and vintage stores. In fact, i picked up a vintage Chanel couture dress and some great pieces by Missoni, YSL and Diane von Furstenburg in vintage stores. It helps that I’m a size 4.
Favourtie designers: Chanel, YSL, John Galliano for Dior, Chloe, Balenciaga, John Paul Gaultier for his embroidered coats, Diane von Furstenburg, Prada for everything, Anamika Khanna, Anurada Vakil for her creative use of Indian textiles, Rajesh Pratap Singh for his sheath dresses, Manish Arora (who i can’t wear but still admire) and Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla.
At airports I splurge on: Perfumes, creams and dvds.
Secret of my long healthy hair: I oil massage it regularly and plait it every night. I use Kerastase products.
Fashion icons i admire: Sienna Miller for her style, Charlize Theron and Nicole Kidman who look great on the red carpet, Keira Knightley sometimes, Dita von Teese for being so much fun, Beyonce who’s managed to make an unconventional body type seem hot, Shobhaa De for her saris, my sister Rhea Kapoor and my mom. Also Rita Dhody and Karisma Kapoor for looking great in jeans and no make-up.
What I’m wearing alot: Skinny jeans that make my legs look good, high-waisted and flared jeans by J&Company, and Wolford tights under everything when its cold.
Favourite jeans: J&Company, Diesel and True Religion, by Victoria Beckham.
What I’d buy next: For my mom, a diamond-encrusted Hermes Birkin; for my sister, a black Kelly and for my dad, an Armani suit and a diamond-encrusted Breguet watch.
Watches i own: Cartier, Breguet and Bvlgari. My dad spoils me rotten.
Fashion horror: I hate wedge heels. I think they look hideous.
Craziest fashion thing I’ve done: I was 14 and visiting my mom’s best friend in London. I bought black nail polish and lipstick. My parents were horrorified.
*************************************
Sonam Kapoor's seven hair care tips:
1-Eat healthy, have multivitamin and cod liver oil capsules and use L’Oreal. It is the best hair treatment.
2-Almond hair oil is the best to use. Use Elvive shampoo and conditioner by L’Oreal according to your hair type. Comb only after drying.
3-Protect hair with sun block and if one has dry hair, then apply leave-in conditioner to the ends.
4-Keep in mind your face cut, thickness of hair, height and build, and of course, your style quotient while going for a haircut/hairstyle change.
5-Colouring/ straightening/ perming hair permanently is completely possible with the right products and hair care.
6-Accessorise your hair with hair bands, jewels, combs, braids or beads.
7-My secret: I always plait my hair before sleeping. That's the best way to avoid breaking the hair.
- Filmfare
Friday, May 9, 2008
Beauty secrets of Bollywood divas
Team IndiWo Feb 27, 2008
Smooth, luscious, lustrous, radiant - a complexion you could kill for. That's an asset not many celebrities can boast of. The inherent beauty of gorgeous skin can never match up with the made-up look, agrees celebrity skin specialist Dr Aparna Santhanam.
Dr Santanam lets us in on to the secrets of gorgeous skin, that some of the most flawless complexioned Bollywood divas swear by. Just stick to these little routine things and be the envy of your neughbourhood for your whipped-cream-smooth complexion.
PS - glorious skin compliments anything and everything you wear, so bid good-bye to the 'what-to-wear' frenzy everyday!
Aishwarya Rai
Rated as one of the most beautiful women in the world by HELLO magazine, this blue eyed stunner is naturally beautiful in the every sense of the term. No matter how gruelling the shooting schedule, Ash makes sure her skin regimen is never affected. Hers is a face that can launch a thousand brands, and she seems to be completely aware of it.
Here are some of Ash's secrets - people close to her reveal that Ash is a water freak - she drinks at least 8 glasses each day, if not more. A self-confessed naturalist, Ash also relies on natural products from the kitchen - cucumber to soothe her skin, gram flour to exfoliate and milk and yoghurt to moisturize.
Dr Santhanam's Secret
Sleep your way to a gorgeous glowing skin. Lack of sleep is the reason behind most of the skin problems - dark circles, dull skin, pimples, you name it. Your skin thrives on oxygen, which it gets during the sleep. So hit the bed at the first opportunity you get and catch up on some zzz.
Kareena Kapoor
The current heartthrob of Bollywood (oh yes, actor Saif Ali Khan's too), Kareena is one of the luckiest stars - she has inherited generations of peaches-and-cream complexion, a trademark of Kapoor dynasty of Bollywood.
Recently, Kareena has lost oodles of weight and has acquired a natural blush only a regular exercise routine (and perhaps love) can give. Kareena has often talked about her love for chocolate wraps, which is a known anti-oxident to stop the skin from ageing.
Dr Santhanam's Secret
A tiring session of any sort of exercise is the best facial you can get. Exercise increases the blood circulation in your body, and the blood gushes up to your face, to give you a happy glow. Exercise also rids your body of all the toxins, reducing the incidence of pimples and acne.
Contrary to popular belief, exercise can also work wonders in a short time - just give it three days and you'll see your skin tone improving!
Katrina Kaif
The moment she appeared on the silver screen in the hit Bollywood flick Maine Pyar Kyon Kiya, her lovely looks and silky Indo-Canedian complexion won our hearts! Katrina's skin has the unique mixture of the essentially Punjabi texture and an Anglo-saxon skin tone.
Katrina is often asked about the secret of her skin - she says it's her addiction to the purifying apricot oil by Anne Semoin.
Dr Santhanam's Secret
You need proteins to keep your skin looking young - whether your proteins come from fish and egg or almonds, sprouts and soy and pulses to compensate for the lack of protein.
Make sure you have enough proteins in your diet - just to lose weight, don't give up on your nutrition.
Sushma Reddy
It seems like model and actress Sushma Reddy has been around in Bollywood forever, and yet she looks as fresh and young as she looked in her first ad film.
What's her secret? "I begin my day with a huge jar of Watermelon juice. It's body cleansing. I also love to meditate - it helps me find inner peace. I think that's the secret of my glow," she says.
Dr Santhanam's Secret
Yoga is one of the most common ways to achieve glorious skin. Follow this 5-minute routine everyday and see the difference - relax your facial muscles through simple pranayam. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, hold it in for ten seconds and exhale.
Deep breathing, for even half an hour everyday can delay the arrival of wrinkles and other signs of ageing on your face.
Yana Gupta
Actress and dancer Yana Gupta justifies the term 'porcelain beauty'. Her skin always sports the freshly scrubbed, delicate look. Yana has a face, which looks even more beautiful without make-up on it than with make-up.
Yana's secret? Coconut water. "I drinks coconut water more religiously than even normal water," says the beauty. Yana also uses no soaps, but just coconut paste to cleanse her skin.
Dr Santhanam's Secret
Harsh soaps are a no-no. Exfoliate your skin at least once a week with oats , gram flour or any other scrub that suits your skin. Don't forget to cleanse thoroughly at least twice a day. Remember, sun-screen is your best friend, since weather in India is mostly sunny.
Aditi Govitrikar
When model Aditi Govitrikar walks down the ramp, it's impossible to believe that she is a mother of two!
"I think my skin is a product of my rainbow diet - I am a vegetarian and I make sure I add at least three colours in my diet every day. Greens, reds and oranges are my favourite, since they are anti-oxident-rich. And of course, I never forget to moisturise," she says.
Dr Santhanam's Secret
Follow this like a religion - cleanse, tone, moisturise.
Get your skin analyzed at least once from a dermatologist to know what kind of products suit you. If you look at the ill effects of wrong products, a visit to the dermat is totally worth it.
Moisturising is necessary even for oily skin. Never leave home without your moisturiser and sun-screen. It's a healthy habit and not an indulgence!
Team IndiWo Feb 27, 2008
Smooth, luscious, lustrous, radiant - a complexion you could kill for. That's an asset not many celebrities can boast of. The inherent beauty of gorgeous skin can never match up with the made-up look, agrees celebrity skin specialist Dr Aparna Santhanam.
Dr Santanam lets us in on to the secrets of gorgeous skin, that some of the most flawless complexioned Bollywood divas swear by. Just stick to these little routine things and be the envy of your neughbourhood for your whipped-cream-smooth complexion.
PS - glorious skin compliments anything and everything you wear, so bid good-bye to the 'what-to-wear' frenzy everyday!
Aishwarya Rai
Rated as one of the most beautiful women in the world by HELLO magazine, this blue eyed stunner is naturally beautiful in the every sense of the term. No matter how gruelling the shooting schedule, Ash makes sure her skin regimen is never affected. Hers is a face that can launch a thousand brands, and she seems to be completely aware of it.
Here are some of Ash's secrets - people close to her reveal that Ash is a water freak - she drinks at least 8 glasses each day, if not more. A self-confessed naturalist, Ash also relies on natural products from the kitchen - cucumber to soothe her skin, gram flour to exfoliate and milk and yoghurt to moisturize.
Dr Santhanam's Secret
Sleep your way to a gorgeous glowing skin. Lack of sleep is the reason behind most of the skin problems - dark circles, dull skin, pimples, you name it. Your skin thrives on oxygen, which it gets during the sleep. So hit the bed at the first opportunity you get and catch up on some zzz.
Kareena Kapoor
The current heartthrob of Bollywood (oh yes, actor Saif Ali Khan's too), Kareena is one of the luckiest stars - she has inherited generations of peaches-and-cream complexion, a trademark of Kapoor dynasty of Bollywood.
Recently, Kareena has lost oodles of weight and has acquired a natural blush only a regular exercise routine (and perhaps love) can give. Kareena has often talked about her love for chocolate wraps, which is a known anti-oxident to stop the skin from ageing.
Dr Santhanam's Secret
A tiring session of any sort of exercise is the best facial you can get. Exercise increases the blood circulation in your body, and the blood gushes up to your face, to give you a happy glow. Exercise also rids your body of all the toxins, reducing the incidence of pimples and acne.
Contrary to popular belief, exercise can also work wonders in a short time - just give it three days and you'll see your skin tone improving!
Katrina Kaif
The moment she appeared on the silver screen in the hit Bollywood flick Maine Pyar Kyon Kiya, her lovely looks and silky Indo-Canedian complexion won our hearts! Katrina's skin has the unique mixture of the essentially Punjabi texture and an Anglo-saxon skin tone.
Katrina is often asked about the secret of her skin - she says it's her addiction to the purifying apricot oil by Anne Semoin.
Dr Santhanam's Secret
You need proteins to keep your skin looking young - whether your proteins come from fish and egg or almonds, sprouts and soy and pulses to compensate for the lack of protein.
Make sure you have enough proteins in your diet - just to lose weight, don't give up on your nutrition.
Sushma Reddy
It seems like model and actress Sushma Reddy has been around in Bollywood forever, and yet she looks as fresh and young as she looked in her first ad film.
What's her secret? "I begin my day with a huge jar of Watermelon juice. It's body cleansing. I also love to meditate - it helps me find inner peace. I think that's the secret of my glow," she says.
Dr Santhanam's Secret
Yoga is one of the most common ways to achieve glorious skin. Follow this 5-minute routine everyday and see the difference - relax your facial muscles through simple pranayam. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, hold it in for ten seconds and exhale.
Deep breathing, for even half an hour everyday can delay the arrival of wrinkles and other signs of ageing on your face.
Yana Gupta
Actress and dancer Yana Gupta justifies the term 'porcelain beauty'. Her skin always sports the freshly scrubbed, delicate look. Yana has a face, which looks even more beautiful without make-up on it than with make-up.
Yana's secret? Coconut water. "I drinks coconut water more religiously than even normal water," says the beauty. Yana also uses no soaps, but just coconut paste to cleanse her skin.
Dr Santhanam's Secret
Harsh soaps are a no-no. Exfoliate your skin at least once a week with oats , gram flour or any other scrub that suits your skin. Don't forget to cleanse thoroughly at least twice a day. Remember, sun-screen is your best friend, since weather in India is mostly sunny.
Aditi Govitrikar
When model Aditi Govitrikar walks down the ramp, it's impossible to believe that she is a mother of two!
"I think my skin is a product of my rainbow diet - I am a vegetarian and I make sure I add at least three colours in my diet every day. Greens, reds and oranges are my favourite, since they are anti-oxident-rich. And of course, I never forget to moisturise," she says.
Dr Santhanam's Secret
Follow this like a religion - cleanse, tone, moisturise.
Get your skin analyzed at least once from a dermatologist to know what kind of products suit you. If you look at the ill effects of wrong products, a visit to the dermat is totally worth it.
Moisturising is necessary even for oily skin. Never leave home without your moisturiser and sun-screen. It's a healthy habit and not an indulgence!
Prachi Desai
PRACHI DESAI
DIET DICTATES:
I don’t avoid anything food wise, as following a diet regime is impossible for me.
FITNESS MODE:
I don’t have much time for exercise but I don’t miss an opportunity to dance!”
BEAUTY BEACON:
My skin is allergic to makeup, so I use an oxygen cream. I am not very fussy about what I use on my skin, but I make sure that I use aloe vera and turmeric regularly.”
******
She is one of the most successful actress to have broken the mould that television actors cannot make it big in Bollywood. She was a sensation when she hit the small screen with Kasam Se and people couldn't help but fall in love with Prachi Desai. Here we list you her beauty secrets and her fashion tips...
When did makeup first catch your fancy?
Ever since I remember I have been crazy about makeup! I don't know if it was my aunt's or mum's lipstick I first tried - all I know is I was so young, I couldn't even put it on right.
Any beauty idols?
Not one person, no. but I have always wanted to be an actor (since I was 10) so I guess everyone was an idol for me! I would actually tie my mom's dupatta on my head and pretend that my hair was long!
Makeup for you means?
When I am not acting, it's just gloss and kajal. Usually when people step out they like to put on some makeup, but we operate in reverse because we spend so many hours in pancake on shoots that when we step out, we like to keep it basic. But yeah, I carry a just-in-case concealer on me at all times.
Brands you're hang on?
I pick up every possible product in every possible brand. For my skin, I trust Neutrogena and Kerastase works great on my hair.
Any salon treatments you love?
A hot stone massage, it rids me of stress like nothing else! And I'm religious about my hair rituals at B-Blunt.
Your day-to-day routine?
CTM is no-brainer. I always remove my makeup and then do a thorough deep cleanse and follow it up with a night cream. In the day, post cleansing I use a moisturiser and SPF. If I am shooting I slather on M.A.C primer after moisturizing.
Any troublesome parts that need extra TLC?
My nails because we have to maintain our nails for continuity. So we use gel or acrylic coats - I go for a gel French manicure. So, sometimes for months, my original nails are covered. But there's no choice as if I were to break a nail, it would mean hiding the nail from the camera all the time!
Where do you normally shop your clothes from?
A.I normally buy my clothes from "Limars" in Mumbai, where you can get all types of brands. Besides that I go with my friends to Bandra where a lot of designer's collection is to be found.
Which brands do you prefer to buy?
I am really not a brand person. I try something every time. Like when we went to Dubai for shooting, there we went to a mall. And whatever looked nice on me, I bought them. And Dubai is mostly famous for all brands.
Do you often visit fashion shows?
No, I never attend any fashion shows.
Who is your favorite fashion designer?
As I am not so much connected with fashion so I have not much idea about it. But now in my film, I am working with Manish Malhotra and I found his collections to be good.
Which is the costliest outfit you have bought till date?
My costliest outfits would be the dresses I bought from Marccian, which are of German brand, costing in between 11 to 30 thousand.
Which is your favorite party wear?
It totally depends on the occasion.
What do you generally dress up while relaxing at your home?
Generally I wear pajama, t-shirt and shorts.
Any particular colors you opt for while buying your clothes?
I used to buy too much of pink but after sometime I got fed up of buying pink color dresses. And now-a-days am into buying red dresses.
Any fashion tip you would like to give to our readers?
I just want to say that it is important to keep in touch with new trends. And wear those clothes which suits you and in which you feel comfortable.
DIET DICTATES:
I don’t avoid anything food wise, as following a diet regime is impossible for me.
FITNESS MODE:
I don’t have much time for exercise but I don’t miss an opportunity to dance!”
BEAUTY BEACON:
My skin is allergic to makeup, so I use an oxygen cream. I am not very fussy about what I use on my skin, but I make sure that I use aloe vera and turmeric regularly.”
******
She is one of the most successful actress to have broken the mould that television actors cannot make it big in Bollywood. She was a sensation when she hit the small screen with Kasam Se and people couldn't help but fall in love with Prachi Desai. Here we list you her beauty secrets and her fashion tips...
When did makeup first catch your fancy?
Ever since I remember I have been crazy about makeup! I don't know if it was my aunt's or mum's lipstick I first tried - all I know is I was so young, I couldn't even put it on right.
Any beauty idols?
Not one person, no. but I have always wanted to be an actor (since I was 10) so I guess everyone was an idol for me! I would actually tie my mom's dupatta on my head and pretend that my hair was long!
Makeup for you means?
When I am not acting, it's just gloss and kajal. Usually when people step out they like to put on some makeup, but we operate in reverse because we spend so many hours in pancake on shoots that when we step out, we like to keep it basic. But yeah, I carry a just-in-case concealer on me at all times.
Brands you're hang on?
I pick up every possible product in every possible brand. For my skin, I trust Neutrogena and Kerastase works great on my hair.
Any salon treatments you love?
A hot stone massage, it rids me of stress like nothing else! And I'm religious about my hair rituals at B-Blunt.
Your day-to-day routine?
CTM is no-brainer. I always remove my makeup and then do a thorough deep cleanse and follow it up with a night cream. In the day, post cleansing I use a moisturiser and SPF. If I am shooting I slather on M.A.C primer after moisturizing.
Any troublesome parts that need extra TLC?
My nails because we have to maintain our nails for continuity. So we use gel or acrylic coats - I go for a gel French manicure. So, sometimes for months, my original nails are covered. But there's no choice as if I were to break a nail, it would mean hiding the nail from the camera all the time!
Where do you normally shop your clothes from?
A.I normally buy my clothes from "Limars" in Mumbai, where you can get all types of brands. Besides that I go with my friends to Bandra where a lot of designer's collection is to be found.
Which brands do you prefer to buy?
I am really not a brand person. I try something every time. Like when we went to Dubai for shooting, there we went to a mall. And whatever looked nice on me, I bought them. And Dubai is mostly famous for all brands.
Do you often visit fashion shows?
No, I never attend any fashion shows.
Who is your favorite fashion designer?
As I am not so much connected with fashion so I have not much idea about it. But now in my film, I am working with Manish Malhotra and I found his collections to be good.
Which is the costliest outfit you have bought till date?
My costliest outfits would be the dresses I bought from Marccian, which are of German brand, costing in between 11 to 30 thousand.
Which is your favorite party wear?
It totally depends on the occasion.
What do you generally dress up while relaxing at your home?
Generally I wear pajama, t-shirt and shorts.
Any particular colors you opt for while buying your clothes?
I used to buy too much of pink but after sometime I got fed up of buying pink color dresses. And now-a-days am into buying red dresses.
Any fashion tip you would like to give to our readers?
I just want to say that it is important to keep in touch with new trends. And wear those clothes which suits you and in which you feel comfortable.
Juhi Parmar
JUHI PARMAR
DIET DICTATES:
I am quite hassle-free when it comes to my diet. I don’t believe in dieting or following any regime.
FITNESS MODE:
I hate working out. My long working hours are my only exercise, which I anyway consider the best workout for me.
BEAUTY BEACON:
When it comes to my skin, I am very brand conscious. I use only branded cosmetics. Other than makeup, I use no cream or moisturizer. But to rejuvenate my skin, I use aloe vera face packs.
DIET DICTATES:
I am quite hassle-free when it comes to my diet. I don’t believe in dieting or following any regime.
FITNESS MODE:
I hate working out. My long working hours are my only exercise, which I anyway consider the best workout for me.
BEAUTY BEACON:
When it comes to my skin, I am very brand conscious. I use only branded cosmetics. Other than makeup, I use no cream or moisturizer. But to rejuvenate my skin, I use aloe vera face packs.
Bhairavi Goswami
BHAIRAVI GOSWAMI
DIET DICTATES:
I drink loads of water. But I eat everything without any restrictions. All I do is avoid deep fried food.
FITNESS MODE:
I jog regularly at Mumbai’s Worli sea face. I also go horse riding quite often. The concept of working out, meditation and stuff is, however, very alien to me.
BEAUTY BEACON:
I do not spend money on beauty salons. But I make sure that I remove my makeup properly.
DIET DICTATES:
I drink loads of water. But I eat everything without any restrictions. All I do is avoid deep fried food.
FITNESS MODE:
I jog regularly at Mumbai’s Worli sea face. I also go horse riding quite often. The concept of working out, meditation and stuff is, however, very alien to me.
BEAUTY BEACON:
I do not spend money on beauty salons. But I make sure that I remove my makeup properly.
Amrita Saluja
AMRITA SALUJA
DIET DICTATES:
I follow a strict diet and avoid junk food and spices. Now that I have a baby, my diet includes more milk too.”
FITNESS MODE:
I work out twice or thrice a week. I also go for a long walk everyday and do yoga thrice a week.
BEAUTY BEACON:
I apply vegetable extracts which help my skin breathe. Other than that, I use a cleanser and a sun block.
DIET DICTATES:
I follow a strict diet and avoid junk food and spices. Now that I have a baby, my diet includes more milk too.”
FITNESS MODE:
I work out twice or thrice a week. I also go for a long walk everyday and do yoga thrice a week.
BEAUTY BEACON:
I apply vegetable extracts which help my skin breathe. Other than that, I use a cleanser and a sun block.
I just love summer: Neetu Chandra
Q. How would you define beauty?
A. For me, beauty in internal and not external.
Q. Do you like summer season?
A. Oh, I just love summer.
Q. How do you take care of your complexion in summer?
A. I drink lot of water. Cucumber and water melon also helps me to keep my skin afresh.
Q. What kind of liquids do you prefer to keep away from dehydration?
A. Water, water and water. For me, water is the best drink one can have to be away from dehydration.
Q. What measures do you take to prevent your skin from sun burn?
A. I apply sun screen. I also never forget to carry an umbrella on a hot summer day.
Q. Do you avoid any kind of food habits in summer?
A. I don't avoid any particular food, but I make sure that the food isn't oily.
Q. Is there any change in your fitness regime too?
A. In summers you sweat a lot during your work out. Accordingly I manage my fitness routine.
Q. Which place do you prefer to chill out in Mumbai?
A. I like to chill out in a swimming pool or a spa.
Q. Where do you prefer to plan your summer holidays?
A. There's no place like New York. New York looks beautiful in every season of the year.
- Alok Hisaria
Thursday, May 8, 2008
I prefer to stay back at my house: Gurdeep Kohl
Q. How would you define beauty?
A. For me beauty is defined as inner beauty. Inner beauty like knowledge is the one that reflects on your face.Q. Do you like summer?
A. No, I like winters.
Q. How do you take care of your complexion in summer?
A. I drink a lot of water which is very important and except this I have cucumbers and watermelons which have a lot of water within it and lot of fruits which is also important.
Q. What kind of liquids do you prefer to keep away from dehydration?
A. Mostly I go for water and coconut water.
Q. What measures you take to prevent your skin from sun burn?
A. I use sun blocks.
Q. Do you avoid any kind of food habits in summer?
A. I avoid eating oily foods and non-veg stuff as it increases your body temperature.
Q. Is there any change in your fitness regime too?
A. No, not really. My fitness regime remains same throughout the year.
Q. Which place do you prefer to chill out in Mumbai?
A. In Mumbai, I prefer to stay back at my house.
Q. Which places do you prefer to chill out outside Mumbai?
A. I like to go to Goa.
- Swati Dey
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Nandita Das
Nandita Das
"I drink a lot of water, starting with about three glasses after I wake up. I wear kaajal on a regular basis. I use a lip pencil whenever I go out and that's all. I go to the beauty parlour once in a while to get a nice hair massage or for dipping my feet into water for pedicure, when I'm tired. But mostly, I have a very ordinary lifestyle."
"I drink a lot of water, starting with about three glasses after I wake up. I wear kaajal on a regular basis. I use a lip pencil whenever I go out and that's all. I go to the beauty parlour once in a while to get a nice hair massage or for dipping my feet into water for pedicure, when I'm tired. But mostly, I have a very ordinary lifestyle."
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Gul Panag
Gul Panag manages to keep her skin so charming by exercising regularly so that her skin glows from within and not by cosmetics. Also being happy, smiling, & always think and speak positive helps her looking beautiful because she says you never know which thought or action of yours maybe granted by God.
**********************************
Gul Panag shares her fitness secrets
Former Miss India Gul Panag is among the fittest and shapely actresses of Bollywood. She shares a few tips about being fit.
She’s perhaps the only actress who has run the full length of 21-km marathon more than once. Deemed among the fittest babes of B-Town, Gul says the secret behind her good health – and, not to forget, shape – is a disciplined lifestyle and regular workout.
Catching up on full sleep and waking fresh in the morning is the first step, according to Gul.
“I do go out occasionally in the evenings but avoid late nights so that I can be fresh in the morning. Moreover, I have a set time for waking up in the morning and then ensuring that I keep some time aside for my walks,” Gul is quoted by IANS.
While Gul meets all her professional commitments, she also makes sure to take out time for her workouts everyday in the morning.
“Come what may, but on shoot days I have to have to work out in the morning. No matter what is the call time, whether it is 9 a.m. or later, I completely avoid reporting on sets without having followed my regimen. But of course, I ensure that my reporting timelines are met,” Gul is quoted as saying.
Gul thinks fitness of one of the significant, but underrated, things in showbiz where actors have to look good and shapely.
“It is crucial to have the energy to give your best all day long,” Gul is quoted.
The actress is presently working in Ram Gopal Varma’s film Rann and has about half dozen other small-budget films in her kitty.
**********************************
Gul Panag shares her fitness secrets
Former Miss India Gul Panag is among the fittest and shapely actresses of Bollywood. She shares a few tips about being fit.
She’s perhaps the only actress who has run the full length of 21-km marathon more than once. Deemed among the fittest babes of B-Town, Gul says the secret behind her good health – and, not to forget, shape – is a disciplined lifestyle and regular workout.
Catching up on full sleep and waking fresh in the morning is the first step, according to Gul.
“I do go out occasionally in the evenings but avoid late nights so that I can be fresh in the morning. Moreover, I have a set time for waking up in the morning and then ensuring that I keep some time aside for my walks,” Gul is quoted by IANS.
While Gul meets all her professional commitments, she also makes sure to take out time for her workouts everyday in the morning.
“Come what may, but on shoot days I have to have to work out in the morning. No matter what is the call time, whether it is 9 a.m. or later, I completely avoid reporting on sets without having followed my regimen. But of course, I ensure that my reporting timelines are met,” Gul is quoted as saying.
Gul thinks fitness of one of the significant, but underrated, things in showbiz where actors have to look good and shapely.
“It is crucial to have the energy to give your best all day long,” Gul is quoted.
The actress is presently working in Ram Gopal Varma’s film Rann and has about half dozen other small-budget films in her kitty.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Tara Sharma
The secret of Tara Sharma's glowing skin
17 Feb, 2008 12:25 am ISTlINDIATIMES MOVIES
We always knew that actor Tara Sharma has incredible skin and a great bod to go with it. But now we know why. The lass is as regular as clockwork when it comes to her exercise and fitness regime. And she may miss a story session or an important appointment even during the evenings, but all hell is likely to break loose dare anyone holds her up during her evening workout time.
And to stay focused, she chooses to go to a Breach Candy gym, and heads straight to the separate rooms with the personal trainers, and then she does a heavy workout, hits the steam, showers and then is out - as fresh as a daisy - ready to rock. That's what we call a right gal working with dumbelles with much success, wotsay?
17 Feb, 2008 12:25 am ISTlINDIATIMES MOVIES
We always knew that actor Tara Sharma has incredible skin and a great bod to go with it. But now we know why. The lass is as regular as clockwork when it comes to her exercise and fitness regime. And she may miss a story session or an important appointment even during the evenings, but all hell is likely to break loose dare anyone holds her up during her evening workout time.
And to stay focused, she chooses to go to a Breach Candy gym, and heads straight to the separate rooms with the personal trainers, and then she does a heavy workout, hits the steam, showers and then is out - as fresh as a daisy - ready to rock. That's what we call a right gal working with dumbelles with much success, wotsay?
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