The talented actor, Mrunal Thakur, shares her grooming tips, tricks and inspirations to always step out looking like a million bucks!
HELLO!: Beauty to you is...
MT: Feeling good in your shoes, which comes from looking after your mind and body. Follow your passion, surround yourself with positive people and have a clear conscience. You’ll automatically look and feel beautiful!
HELLO!: A minimalist or a complete hoarder — what kind of a shopper are you?
MT: I’m an explorer. I love to try new products, and if I feel something works for me, then I go all out and get a good stock of it. But yes, I do love hoarding beauty necessities that work for me, like my favourite perfumes and moisturisers.
HELLO!: What’s your current beauty obsession?
MT: I absolutely love deep-nourishing face and hair masks that give you an instant healthy appearance. But I recently discovered Nair’s leg masks that double up as depilatory creams. It’s like knocking two birds with one stone. I’m currently tripping over how smooth my legs feel after using these!
HELLO!: Five staples without which you never leave home.
MT: Being an actor, I have to travel a lot and don’t always have the time to pack my essentials over and over again. So I have a small beauty kit I carry with me wherever I go, with the things I always need: my long-lasting, smudge-proof mascara, a red lipstick that instantly glams me up, my eyeliner, a blush, moisturiser, sunscreen and a hair removal spray.
HELLO!: What’s the weirdest beauty compliment you’ve ever received?
MT: When I’m travelling abroad, people assume I’m Spanish or Puerto Rican. I have to keep correcting them that I’m Indian and proud to be so!
HELLO!: A beauty advice that’s truly helped.
MT: That you must groom yourself, no matter how you feel! I truly believe that if you invest time in looking your best, you feel extremely confident and positive and put the best version of yourself forward. So don’t slack on your beauty and grooming routine, even if it means scheduling time for it. Use that lipstick, groom those eyebrows. Step out daily looking your best, and the world is your oyster!
HELLO!: Your most expensive beauty purchase to date.
MT: I don’t believe in skincare products that cost a small fortune! I realised that homemade face packs with ingredients like aloe vera work just as well. I follow this with a simple moisturiser. As a rule, I choose products with good ingredients like shea butter and argan oil, which go a long way in nourishing my skin.
HELLO!: What was your last impulse buy?
MT: I’m honestly impulsive only about basic essentials that I know I’ll be needing while travelling for shoots. So I buy a lot of sunscreen and lotions.
HELLO!: Whom do you look up to for beauty inspiration?
MT: Indian women are naturally gifted with gorgeous skin and hair. I deeply admire Madhubala, Rekha and Madhuri Dixit for being timeless, classic beauties. But it’s my mother and her beauty, both inner and outer, that inspire me the most.
HELLO!: Three handbags you absolutely need in your closet.
MT: A tote to dump all that stuff in, a clutch for party nights, and a cross-body sling to get up and about with.
HELLO!: Is there a non-negotiable daytime and nighttime skincare ritual you follow?
MT: I make sure to hydrate my skin with moisturiser after a shower, apply sunscreen and then step out. At night, I have to take my makeup off and moisturise with a water-based lotion that doesn’t clog my pores.
This has been adapted for the web from a story originally published in the November 2022 issue of HELLO! India. Get our copy of the latest issue right here!
