A few minutes into my conversation with the affable Amyra Dastur is when it hit me - she's a girl after my own heart. She's involved in her movie looks behind the scenes, is cued into who's hot on the style scene and is a makeup lover at heart. As Amyra speaks exclusively to Swirlster, here's what she has to say about her upcoming movie Rajma Chawal, summer beauty and her thoughts on current trends.
Swirlster: Your unconventional bold look in Rajma Chawal has been making rounds recently. Tell us a little more about how it came about.
Amyra Dastur: All credit for it goes to Rajma Chawal's director, Leena Yadav. She had a vision of the character's distinctive look long before I joined and was open to my suggestions. At first, only the bottom was to be shaved but eventually, it ended up being the sides as well with the lifeline—that's what I call it—at the back. The final look is a balance of being feminine and a badass, like Rooney Mara in The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.
Swirlster: Were you ever scared to sport such a different look with shaved hair?
Amyra Dastur: I've always wanted to try a bold look so I found it exciting overall but waited for my hair to grow out.
Swirlster: When it comes to high maintenance or low maintenance makeup, where does your personal style stand?
Amyra Dastur: It all depends on the occasion for me. If it's an event or a magazine shoot, then heavier makeup is okay. But on a regular basis, I like a natural look. I'm not fond of wearing too much makeup and looking older than I am; I like being comfortable in my own skin.
Swirlster: Who are your celebrity beauty icons?
Amyra Dastur: From Hollywood, it's Bella Hadid because she has that balance between bold and natural looks. From Bollywood, it is Deepika Padukone. She's a beautiful woman and I always love her hair and makeup.
Swirlster: Which of your movies has been the most difficult to get into the character's look?
Amyra Dastur: Definitely my first South Indian movie, Anegan. I was playing four characters in the movie which meant four looks that were completely different from each other and took hours to create when shooting.
Swirlster: As someone who has worked in the Indian film industries and Hollywood, has there been a difference in the way a character's look is created?
Amyra Dastur: I think in both industries, one needs to be very giving as an actor and have faith in the director. Their direction on weight, hair and looks creates the character the way they envision so it all comes down to trusting and understanding them.
Swirlster: We'd love to know a skin care secret from you!
Amyra Dastur: So it's simple but something I swear by - a juice made of aloe vera, cucumber and ice. Add honey if necessary. It's perfect for summer, keeps my skin cool and body temperature down.
Swirlster: With a schedule as busy as yours, how do you keep yourself refreshed?
Amyra Dastur: Sleep! I can nap anytime and anywhere, which is a bonus when it comes to feeling and looking fresh.
Swirlster: What's one makeup trend you'd never find yourself trying?
Amyra Dastur: I'd never try baking my makeup, even though my friends do it. All it does it make the under eyes look white and caked.
Swirlster: 3 makeup products that you can't live without?
Amyra Dastur: Mascara, brow gel and lip and cheek tint - that's it.
Swirlster: Which has been one of the boldest makeup looks you've ever tried?
Comments
Amyra Dastur: At the Filmfare awards, I wore a jet black smokey eye which was very different from anything I've tried before.
