LEADING WOMAN
Actress, social activist and brand founder Priyanka Chopra Jonas talks to HELLO! about privilege, new opportunities and how confidence is the key to beauty
When hello! caught up with Hollywood star Priyanka Chopra Jonas to find out about her make-up routine and favourite beauty products, she was keen to point out that the life of an actress is not all glamour: “It’s a grind; it sounds like it’s just about red carpets and designer clothes, but it’s a grind. Today, for example, I have been in water all day, being hit by waves for the entire day, even though it’ll only last for two minutes in the movie I’m in.”
The 39-year-old Unicef goodwill ambassador, who married singer Nick Jonas in 2018, has had over 20 years in the spotlight. She launched her own sustainable haircare line, Anomaly, in the US earlier this year and has just been announced as a global ambassador and creative collaborator for Max Factor. “I am excited about being a part of the evolution of the brand and the next chapter,” she says.
Here, she talks about self-confidence, social responsibility and learning to chill out.
Priyanka, why is it important for you to use your platform to champion women’s rights and environmental issues?
“Everybody needs to have social responsibility. I was raised in India where you see poverty and affluence living side by side, as you do everywhere in the world, and I learnt at a very young age that social responsibility is something that anyone with privilege needs to have – and privilege is if you have a home, can feed yourself, etc. It doesn’t necessarily mean to empty your wallet or change your life around to be a philanthropist. It’s about caring and what matters to you – what would you like to change? [As the saying goes] ‘Be the change you want to see in the world.’ I think it really starts with that.”
When do you feel your most beautiful?
“When I’m feeling confident. I think if I am
confident about where I am, what
I’m wearing, what I’m doing and how I’m feeling. If I feel confident, I feel beautiful.”
What makes you feel confident?
“I always go back to my strength, in my job, in everyday life, and I focus on that. I know what I bring to the table, what I’m good at.
“Confidence can be someone’s most powerful asset. Whenever I’m having a bad day, I remind myself: ‘This is what you do well, this is why you’re here; just show up and do what you know how to do.’ I remind myself of that and that makes me feel confident.”
Congratulations on your new role as a Max Factor ambassador. Where do you take your beauty inspiration from?
“The trends that I learn, or who I get inspiration from, are the make-up artists I work with. I am so lucky that I get to work with the best in the business; my face is their canvas. There’s nowhere else I need to turn to learn the newest, most exciting tricks and tips or secrets of the trade because it starts with them – they are creating the trends.”
What has been your favourite red carpet look to date?
“Over 20 years, I’ve had a few that I really love, but one that was really special was my first Emmys [in 2016]. It was a custom Jason Wu red number that matched the carpet perfectly. It was so magical.”
Away from the red carpet, how do you apply your foundation?
“Blend, blend, blend. In my opinion, the most important thing about foundation is you should not be able to see it. I like to use enough for coverage and contouring, but it has to be blended well. It shouldn’t feel like a mask on the face. I like to use my fingers for initial application, and then I like to use a sponge to be able to blend it all out before powder. A little bit goes a long way, especially Max Factor’s Facefinity All Day Flawless Foundation because it’s a primer, foundation and concealer all in one.”
Describe your make-up routine. What’s your favourite daytime look?
“I’m an on-the-go kind of girl, I don’t have time for a big make-up bag with multiple products. I prefer an [eye] palette which can give me a day-to-night look. Max
Factor’s Masterpiece Nude Palette is amazing. I am someone who likes to keep eyes light most of the time, it helps me achieve a beautiful contour.
“For a daytime look, I am a big fan of mascara, and slight colour on the eyes. I do not like mascaras that give you spider eyes after the first application; that’s not the look I like to go for. Divine Lashes Mascara puts a quick curl into my lashes, which I love. The brush doesn’t get clumpy, and at the same time it gives you amazing volume as you layer it.”
How do you amp up your eye make-up for a night out?
“Going into night, I use the darker shades and build on what I used during the day. I’m all about efficiency. I end up usually creating a smoky eyeliner and a contour on the eye; sometimes I’ll even do a full smoky eye.”
You’ve achieved so many things in your career; what would you say is your proudest moment to date?
“That’s a very hard question! There are different milestones that have meant various things in my life, but the proudest moment to me is when I look at my family, my mum, my husband, my brother and my friends – when I see pride on their face, that gets me excited
‘I know what I bring to the table, what I’m good at. Confidence can be someone’s most powerful asset’
about my achievements. I always look at the next step forward – I don’t rest on my laurels much. I feel proud when I see them proud of me.”
What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?
“I would say: ‘This too shall pass.’ In my 20s I used to feel like one mistake and the sky was going to crash. Now, in my 30s, I’m like: ‘No, it doesn’t work that way.’ Everything passes and time heals. I would tell my 20-yearold self to chill out a little bit.”