Team HELLO!

Actor-model Elnaaz Norouzi shares the trusty staples she always carries with her and the skincare hacks she swears by.

Beauty to you is: “All about being yourself. The ability to express and embrace your flaws, marks and scars is, indeed, beautiful. It’s also being able to be your weird self and still feel beautiful!”

Your current beauty obsession: “I’m obsessed with using concealer! I love the concealers from Kryolan, but at the moment, I’m also using NARS. I always have it in my bag because it can really elevate your look with minimal effort. For any beauty emergency, it’s the best thing to use. A minimalist or hoarder — what kind of a shopper are you? I’d say I’m a minimalist. It’s not always about plastering your face with thousands of products. It takes away your natural shine.”

Five staples you don’t leave home without: “A concealer is a must. I also never leave home without my hand cream from Balea because my skin tends to get really dry. I’m never without a perfume either. Right now, I use a small perfume I picked up at Fragonard in France, besides a lip balm from Dr Rimpler, Sulwhasoo’s First Care Activating Serum and a small brush. Even M.A.C’s Stack Mascara is brilliant!”

What’s the weirdest compliment you’ve ever received?: “It was about my teeth! It wasn’t really that weird, but it surely felt strange when someone once said, “I really like your teeth; they are so straight and perfect. Those aren’t yours right?” I didn’t know how to respond!”

A few DIY skincare hacks that you swear by: “There are three that I follow. I use potatoes to treat a sunburn. They calm your skin and give it a natural glow. For exfoliation, mix olive oil and sea salt; it gives you smooth, soft skin. And if you’re looking for a solution to blackheads, apply tomato juice with a few drops of lemon and then rinse with warm water. These are real magical concoctions!”

A piece of advice you practice and preach: “To not fixate on flawless beauty. A person is beautiful with all their flaws and scars — embrace them. It’s high time we drop unrealistic beauty standards.”

Your last impulse purchase: “When I was in Greece last year, I discovered the best skincare product by Apivita. Since I didn’t know whether I could buy it online, or whether I’d visit Greece anytime soon, I bought a large stock of the same products. I’m currently using Apivita’s Bee Radiant range.”

Someone you look up to: “I’d say Rihanna. She’s always so natural, and what she’s built with Fenty is so commendable.”

What’s a non-negotiable in your daytime and nighttime skincare routine?: “I follow the same cleansing-toning-moisturising routine both in the day and at night. It’s a non-negotiable for me. I make sure to take time out in the morning and before I sleep to follow this regime diligently.”

One product you never fail to refill: “My hand cream! I make sure to have it all the time with me. It’s a must-have in my beauty arsenal.”

This story has been adapted for the website from a story that was originally published in HELLO! India’s January 2023 issue. Get your hands on the latest issue right here!