For Indian model, actress and activist Nidhi Sunil, trailblazing is second nature. Just consider her pivot from environmental lawyer to being named Vogue India’s Model of the Year and a L’Oréal Paris global ambassador in 2021. Here, Nidhi shares with us her beauty bag must-haves, favourite glow-giving ingredients, and the self-care regimens she swears by on the go.
Holy grail products Currently, it’s L’Oréal Paris’ Revitalift 1.5% Hyaluronic Acid Plumping Serum, $37.40, to deeply hydrate and smooth my skin; Drunk Elephant’s Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil, $102 for 30ml; and Fekkai Shea Butter Shampoo, $99, for my curly hair.
Favourite make-up L’Oréal Paris’ Voluminous Lash Paradise Mascara, $16.18. This gives my lashes intense, clump-free volume while conditioning them all day without smudging.
Hair care secret Regular head massages with coconut oil have saved my hair through all the colouring and bleaching it has dealt with! I keep it on for hours and it’s all absorbed by the time I wash it off. Also, the Tokio Inkarami treatment at the L’atelier Blanc salon in Paris was a game changer.
Must-have skincare As time has changed my skin, I’ve used a rotating list of products. Currently on top is L’oreal Paris’ Revitalift 2.5% Hyaluronic Acid + Caffeine Hydrating Eye Serum, $38.52; a Circumference face mask, US $65; and The Ordinary Retinol in Squalane, from $15.
Body care essential I like to use whipped shea butter, as it’s extremely moisturising without being oily. Some great ones are L’Occitane’s 100% Shea Butter, $18, and Alaffia Pure Unrefined Shea Butter, $38.97.
Favourite K-beauty products Dr. Jart+ face masks, from $8; Laneige Water Bank moisturiser, $60; and Laneige lip balms, $35.
Best beauty look I loved my red carpet beauty look at the Cannes Film Festival this year. I wore my hair tightly pulled with a braid going down my back by hair stylist Stephane Lancien. My current hair colour, which my colourist Mauricio Bermudez calls Cognac Brunette, was also listed as a top colour trend of summer 2022 by Vogue. My hair colour has never started a trend before—I like the feeling!
Health hack I’ve been doing yoga for a very long time. As a practice, it has really helped me re-attune myself to my body’s needs. It has also minimised cravings and helped me with PMS. When I travel, I try to drink a large amount of water and work out as soon as I have the physical energy to do so. The exercise helps me sleep better and get past jet lag quicker.
Top de-stressers I love a park picnic on a sunny day. Something about running around on grass with bare feet and warm sunlight on my face for hours really chills me out. I also love going to a jjimjilbang, which is a Korean bath house. I can spend a whole day in one!
Mental health mantra My current astrology says to be as curious as a league of kittens. So currently that’s it; that’s my mantra. But curiosity is impossible without presence, so I think that’s what it really means: to stay present in the now for as long as possible and to centre myself when I wander into an abyss of negative projections.
Beauty icons My beauty icons have always been the supermodels of the ‘90s and yesteryear Bollywood heroines, like Naomi Campbell and Zeenat Aman. Monica Bellucci gets a special mention too.
On rotation Rosalia’s Motomami.
