Prachi Desai's Beauty Secrets

When did makeup first catch your fancy?
Ever since I remember, I’ve been crazy about makeup! I don’t know if it was my aunt’s or my 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’m not acting, it’s just gloss and kajal. Usually when people step out they like to put on 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 hung up on?
I pick up every possible product in every possible brand. For my skin, I trust Neutrogena and for my hair Kerastase works great.

Any spa 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 beauty routine?
CTM is a 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 moisturizer and SPF. If I’m shooting, I slather on M.A.C Prep + Prime Skin 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 time time!