Exclusive: Vidya Balan's beauty secrets revealed!

When it comes to her skin and hair care routine, Vidya Balan likes to keep it simple. The Tumhari Sulu star sticks to organic products as much as possible and never skips her weekly hair oiling session. She reveals some of her beauty tips and more in this tête-à-tête.

What are your make-up kit essentials?

I’m not someone who wears make-up on a daily basis unless I’m facing the camera. A moisturiser and a hand cream are something I keep applying. I also carry kajal and lip gloss. I don’t carry a comb because I don’t brush my hair often.

What’s your skin care routine like?

Skin care for me is just moisturising. I use natural soaps, I like the jasmine ones. That and moisturising, that’s it. Once a month, or once in two months, I get a clean up. But I think there’s nothing like sleep and water for good skin. I’ve realised when I sleep well my skin is lovely.

What do you do for your hair?

I oil my hair at least once or twice a week. I depend on all things natural so I do an Ayurvedic hair spa. Also, washing the hair as often as needed. In a city like Mumbai where there’s so much pollution you need to wash your hair often to keep it healthy. Our hair gets abused so much that I don’t use a hairdryer when I’m not shooting.

What is your solution for pimples?

I once tried toothpaste and it became worse. You’re supposed to put it for only 10 minutes but I put it overnight, the next day a small pimple had become much bigger and I had a shoot. I think having lots of water and coconut water to flush it out helps. And aloe vera gel, it’s cooling for the skin.

Any beauty idols growing up?

My mother — she has got beautiful skin. She doesn’t do anything, she only applies a little cream and doesn’t wear make-up. I always felt I wanted to look like her when I grow up. From the industry, Rekha is someone I feel looks like she’s walked down from the sky. She’s just gorgeous, I find her so stunning.

Do you have a  signature fragrance?

At the moment, I’m wearing Gabrielle by Chanel. I also love the smell of mogra. Sometimes I apply a little of the fragrance and then end up smelling like a garden.

Any home remedies for the hair?

I think oiling is important for our kind of hair. At least once a week, you don’t have to keep it for too long. Egg yolks and cool dahi on the scalp applied for just 10 minutes, makes your hair feel much better.

What do you include in your diet?

Lots of water and sleep. Coconut water is something I have including the malai; a lot of people have misconceptions about it being fattening. I drink Kokum sherbet if it’s hot.

Which is your favourite feature and how do you play it up?

I like the whole package! (Laughs) When I’m in a good mood, I like everything about myself, on a bad day I don’t think I like anything. Maybe my eyes — I like kajal all the time, I feel incomplete without it. I feel like it brightens my eyes.

One beauty product you can’t live without...

Lip gloss in peachy or light shades.

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve tried in the name of beauty?

Someone told me about a cow dung cake which is good for the skin. I didn’t find it anywhere but I was willing to try it. I think urine therapy is quite unusual.

What’s the best beauty advice you have received?

Wear a smile, there’s no better accessory.

RAPID FIRE

Red lips or nude lips — Nude lips

Smoky eyes or Winged liner — Winged liner

Matt lipstick or lip gloss — Lip gloss

Straight hair or curls — Curls

Braids or Buns — Braids