Make-up is synonymous with their profession. Yet, that hasn’t become their identity. Scroll through their Instagram feed and you will come across hundreds of images where they are sans make-up, which makes them perfect muses for our concept: a no-make-up shoot. Ishaa Saha, Sohini Sarkar and Swastika Dutta, three popular faces from the Tollygunge acting fraternity, whose acting chops have garnered them praise and thousands of fans. When we floated the idea to them, they were game from the word go. And the post-shoot conversations are a reassurance of being yourself. No matter what.

Ishaa Saha

So, this is your first proper shoot without make-up?

Proper shoot, yes. My Instagram profile has lots of pictures without make-up. I don’t have that inhibition. We are humans. We’ll have puffy eyes, dark circles. The skin can breathe. I was so happy that I didn’t have to remove the make-up. I wish I could do this every day. We do make-up to enhance certain features. Maybe it looks a little flat, but I loved the experience.

We have seen you hanging around without any make-up...

I use sunscreen and mascara because I love mascara. And lip balm.

You are in a profession which is so much about looks...

Aami orom dekhtei noi. I don’t have the typical traits of a heroine... extremely good-looking, great height. So, I understood I have to focus on my work. I dress up casually and have not paid too much attention to it, which is why people sometimes tell me I am badly dressed. This is me (points at herself). Maybe, I am mature beyond my years. I don’t want to take on added pressure between work. You have to strike a balance and that is what I am striving towards. I feel like dressing up in my denims for a premiere, but I know I won’t be able to do it. The norm is to deck up and go just because we are actors and apparently people will look at us. I don’t feel the same though. Films are meant to be enjoyed at the end of the day. Maybe, we can change the trend. I will keep trying.

What is your idea of beauty?

Dark circles are beautiful. So are puffy eyes. That’s natural and whatever is natural is beautiful. I have never had the insecurity that I’ll have to cover it all up with make-up. Confidence comes from within.

What kind of conditioning have you had to be this secure?

I never imagined I’d be a heroine. I got to know about sunscreen in college. Maybe, my skin would have been better today, but aami looks ta ke kono din seriously nei ni. All the South films have heroes who defy the standards and they are setting the box office on fire. Do you see Swastikadi (Mukherjee) with make-up otherwise? I really follow her... her career is on such a solid footing that it doesn’t matter.

What make-up can you do by yourself?

I have just learnt to do base. I can apply kajal, mascara and do nude eyes. I still can’t contour. I still can’t do my hair.

What do you do for your skin?

My skin had gone for a toss during Covid. I have consulted good dermatologists. I don’t apply too much and use my own make-up, which is non-comedogenic and buy my own make-up.

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Alia Bhatt. She was at a Gangubai Kathiawadi promotion and I have saved that picture. So natural. Ageing is normal. Her marriage make-up was so natural. Maybe aamio tai korbo. I like Vidya Balan too!

Dark circles are beautiful. So are puffy eyes. That’s natural and whatever is natural is beautiful. I have never had the insecurity that I’ll have to cover it all up with make-up. Confidence comes from within

Ishaa

Sohini looks wow in a Bohurupi Santiniketan jamdani kurta paired with jewellery from Abira; A baggy tee is very Sohini. And she looks straight out of campus in this frame.

Sohini Sarkar

You are so comfortable in your skin...

Firstly, I don’t really like doing make-up. I am a lover of all things minimal, but sometimes you have to do it for a shoot, but aamar nijeke dekhe jeno kemon ekta mone hoy. My skin isn’t that bad, despite all that it has gone through for so many years. I have also just recently started using sunscreen. I have always been casual nijeke niye. Even when people decked up in college or would secretly do so in school, I have never thought about it. I was a tomboy with short hair and started wearing salwar-kurtas much later. I have always liked wearing sneakers and shirts. I must have been in Class XI when I first wore a salwar-kurta. People who know me know that I haven’t changed much. Artiste hoyechho toh haati ghora ki hoyechho jiboney? I have to do make-up for work. Why should I otherwise slap make-up on my face? If need be, I would. I take five minutes to do my make-up. I apply sunscreen, dab it with Studio Fix, brush my eyebrows and apply mascara. I am not very fond of lipsticks, so lip gloss. I have often thought I’d take time and do my make-up, but I have never been able to do it. I like to wear kajal with a sari and matte pinkish lip gloss.

What kind of a relationship do you share with make-up?

It’s not essential. I am Sohini Sarkar on one hand and an actress on the other. Acting is my bread and butter and is something I love. I feel choritro er jonno make-up. If that entails darkening up, so be it. I like the tan look. It has to be believable. In Srikanto (web series), I played a high-profile escort. So, I had to look the part. I have no problem with that. I would keep checking if my lipstick was proper at all times. We shot in the heat. The infrastructure we shoot in is not conducive. I don’t like sticking on eyelashes because I feel they ruin the expression of my eyes. The make-up artists tell me: ‘Please ektu eyelash lagao didi. Tomai bhalo lagbe.” I don’t understand shobaike keno bhalo lagte hobe? Someone who is beautiful is beautiful and I always appreciate it. Aami jerom sadharon sherom thaki. Everyone doesn’t have to look like Aishwarya Rai.

A few of my friends love make-up and often chastise me for dressing up a certain way (laughs). I was not born a heroine. I loved acting and I was thrust into this. Sai Pallavi never does make-up. Is that hampering her craft? Films which are feted the world over, you’ll see, are so minimal. I become conscious of make-up. In fact, I can’t focus on films in a premiere if I am decked up. I usually catch the film later in tee and jeans, my leg up on the seat. That’s spontaneous. You must accept the real you for the world to accept you. People should notice you first rather than your clothes, make-up or earrings.

What do you do for your skin?

I have been careless about skincare earlier. Now, with increasing age, you will have to start taking care. Wrinkles are always welcome. I’ll choose my roles accordingly. I can’t be a heroine all my life. I apply a night cream and remove my make-up with olive oil and shampoo my hair. I use sheet masks and hair packs.

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Madhuri Dixit in Parinda. I felt she hardly wore make-up.

Alia Bhatt at her wedding. Fresh as a flower.

I don’t understand shobaike keno bhalo lagte hobe? Someone who is beautiful is beautiful and I always appreciate it. Aami jerom sadharon sherom thaki. Everyone doesn’t have to look like Aishwarya Rai

Sohini

Swastika cuts an adorable frame with Chunilal, the kitten, in her white shirt and denims. #freshandhow; Swastika is effortlessly charming in a block-printed blouse from Bohurupi Santiniketan and a cotton sari. The jewellery from Earthaments complements the look that is so her.

Swastika Dutta

This is your first no-make-up shoot, right?

I think this is the first time that such a concept has been planned with the Calcutta actresses. People always assume that we never step out without make-up. The Telegraph has turned this concept on its head. I am very happy because this is my comfort zone. I am on cloud nine.

What were the thoughts in your mind before the shoot?

I thought I could come in a little late! (Laughs) I am being honest. I have done a whole web series without any make-up, with just sunscreen and lip balm. The director got to know about it post the release! For this shoot, I just had moisturiser on my face. I am used to it.

You anyway don’t apply make-up off-screen...

I am from the glamour industry and won’t be able to go everywhere without make-up. In high-fashion shoots, you have to do make-up. I love buying make-up, but then I feel, when I am doing make-up, I turn into a different person. So, I don’t like to be that person. I have never seen my mother apply anything else except kajal. My Puja make-up is bold kohl eyes, subtle lipstick and a blush. Some people love doing a base or drawing eyebrows. They enjoy make-up and there is no harm, but then I would tell them not to cake themselves up unnecessarily. A lot of make-up artists themselves say take care of your skin. Use a light base. Remember to take off your make-up, no matter how late it is.

What does make-up mean to you though?

It’s not needed very much in my life but it is definitely a part of my profession. For a lot of people, make-up is a mode of confidence.

Is that a mindset?

I have seen people hide pimples with make-up. Why? It’s very common. I get pimples throughout the year. It doesn’t matter. There is no need to hide your scars. If you have freckles, so be it. Don’t make make-up a mode of confidence.

What gave you the confidence to do this shoot?

This is who I am. I don’t feel conscious if I am not wearing make-up. I don’t depend on make-up. I have always tried to maintain flawless skin. My skin gave me confidence.

How do you take care of your skin?

I try to drink a lot of water... minimum 2.5l and maximum 3.5l. I follow scrubbing, toning and moisturising. I have never seen my mother visit a parlour. Whatever fruit she ate, she applied a bit of that on the face. I follow it too. Allow your skin to breathe. Use one product at a time. Don’t go overboard with products or buy expensive ones. Even your coconut oil has numerous benefits.

What brands are your favourites?

I use Obagi. I still use Johnson’s baby cream and wipes. Before going to bed, I use a gel-based serum and an under-eye cream. And, apply sunscreen 24x7. My sunscreen has SPF 50 and I always look for products with SPF 50. I live on sunscreen.

What is your message for all the girls?

Don’t apply make-up to compete. Make-up is just make-up. You should enjoy it and the compliments that come with it. It should remain on the surface. The age of OTT make-up is gone. It’s all about natural make-up. Look after your skin. Take three-four ice cubes and cold water in a bowl and dip your face. It reduces puffiness. This is my go-to if I have an early call-time. Make sure your under-eye cream has caffeine. This also reduces puffiness.

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Kareena Kapoor Khan. She was born like that!

Alexandra Daddario (American actress)

This is who I am. I don’t feel conscious if I am not wearing make-up. I don’t depend on make-up. I have always tried to maintain flawless skin. My skin gave me confidence

Swastika

Pictures: Pabitra Das

Hair: Abhijith Chanda

Styling: Roy Abhisek

Location: Bohurupi Santiniketan (20/12B Graham’s Land, Tollygunge, NSC Bose Road)