She’s a global citizen who isn’t afraid to be heard. As Alex Parrish in Quantico, this former Miss World (and proud Indian) has never settled for anything but the best, color and gender be damned. Beauty, she says, is so subjective. “In the US everyone’s trying to get a tan but in Asia we’re trying to get lighter.” And therein lies the problem. On her part, Chopra has done her bit to dispel the notion that beauty begins (and ends) with your skin tone and that color has nothing to do with merit and ability. “Skin tones are what make us beautiful, and it’s time to stop trying to fit some standard of beauty created by someone else. Who made these rules? Who said that's what's beautiful?” Priyanka Chopra deftly breaks down common beauty stereotypes.
So here we are, in a tete-a-tete with Priyanka as she urges girls everywhere to find their inner strength and take charge of their future because no one else really will.
A breakdown of your beauty routine…
My schedule is so hectic, so when I am off duty, I try to stick to the basics and keep it simple...give everything a chance to breathe. My hair is usually in a top knot, I use a really high-quality moisturizer with SPF, mascara on my lashes and brows, a dash of lipstick. I love to play with my lip color. It’s like my PSA of my mood in that moment.
BB: If you had to choose only three beauty products what would they be?
PC: It’s such a hard question...Mascara for sure, especially because it can do double duty (lashes and brows), Lipstick...because a little lipstick can instantly wake up your face and make it look like you put in a lot of time, and Moisturizer with SPF, ’cause skincare is so important, and I’m obsessed with having clean skin.
BB: What’s a current beauty trend you’re obsessed with right now?
PC: Honestly, I don’t really follow beauty trends. I just do what makes me feel beautiful. That said, I do love experimenting and I’ll adapt a certain trend and make it work for my face. Full brows are my thing (I know they’re cool now), but even when they weren’t cool I loved accentuating mine...I loved how they framed my face. I believe beauty comes from within, so if you must follow a trend, adapt it to fit your ‘own definition’ of beautiful and flaunt it. When it comes to skincare...it’s all about taking care of your skin, adding moisture, and drinking loads of water. I always pack a sheet mask in my carry on (they’re pretty trendy now) and put it on an hour before landing. Your skin will be so thankful and happy.
BB: According to you, what are the traits of an empowered woman?
PC: An empowered woman is confident. It’s as simple as that. If you feel confident, you will let nothing stand in the way of accomplishing what you’ve set out for yourself. And, I feel most confident when I’m happy, which is why I always focus on doing the things that make me most happy, all the time. As I mentioned earlier, beauty comes from within, and confidence is often a by-product of feeling beautiful.
BB: Have you broken any beauty stereotypes lately? If yes, what have they been?
PC: YOU TELL ME!
I think we women stereotype ourselves more than anyone around us. So, it’s time we accepted ourselves for who we are, whatever color, shape and size we are. The faster we understand we’re beautiful in our own skin, the further away from this question we’ll be. I believe in being true to me, that’s the mantra I live by.
I think we women stereotype ourselves more than anyone around us. So, it’s time we accepted ourselves for who we are, whatever color, shape and size we are. The faster we understand we’re beautiful in our own skin, the further away from this question we’ll be. I believe in being true to me, that’s the mantra I live by.
BB: What’s the secret to your glossy hair?
PC: Like every girl, I love my hair. I try to take care of it, but with most of my time spent on set, I have time for just two simple things – I ALWAYS use a conditioner after I shampoo. That’s a simple way to never have a bad hair day. And, second, I am currently loving the Pantene Oil Replacement. It’s so multi-purpose that I even keep it in my handbag. I use it as a serum just before stepping out of the house, even as a heat protectant before styling it. It’s non-sticky and makes my hair smells great all day long!
BB: Where do you see yourself one year from now?
PC: A year from now feels so far away! I have never been one to plan the future...don’t get me wrong, I have goals and a long list of things I would like to accomplish, but I don’t set deadlines for when those things need to happen. My entire life, I have always taken each day as it comes, and I know that with hard work and persistence I have the world at my fingertips.
BB: What’s your secret recipe for success?
PC: Such an easy but loaded question. First and foremost, PERSISTENCE! It’s one of the traits I value most about myself. Tell me no, and I’ll work twenty times harder to get it and prove you wrong. The only thing that can stand between you and your dreams is you...anything is achievable with hard work.
