Fresh from the success of Animal, which has thrust her well and truly in the spotlight, ‘national crush’ Triptii Dimri chatted with t2 on being beautiful, inside out, her skincare musts and more.

What is your winter skincare routine? Is there something, being born and brought up in the hills, that you follow even now as your beauty regimen during winter?

My winter skincare routine centres around thorough moisturisation. When reminiscing about my childhood in the hills, I recall my mother’s skincare rituals, during which she would generously apply a specific cream to our faces and bodies. The fragrance of that particular cream, or something akin to it, holds a nostalgic sway, instantly transporting me back to my days in the hills — a memory I deeply treasure. Unfortunately, the name of that childhood favourite has slipped from my mind, but in its absence, my mother often turned to almond oil, not just for our faces but for our entire bodies. Even today, I uphold this tradition in my body care routine, opting for almond oil.

What is that one thing that you do for your skin the whole year round that is foolproof and always works for you?

Throughout the year, I make sure that I never skip my skincare routine, even on the most exhausting days. It only takes about 10 minutes of my day — five minutes in the morning and five at night. I used to face issues like acne, dryness and pigmentation when I was not diligent about my skincare routine. Ever since I committed to proper skincare, those problems have disappeared.

I prioritise cleansing my face thoroughly both in the morning and at night, even if I haven’t worn any make-up. I make sure to wash my face, moisturise, and apply sunblock during the day, and use a rich moisturiser at night. The Clinique Moisture Surge, particularly the 100-hour variant, has been a staple for years, even before I became associated with Clinique. Despite having an oily T-zone and dry skin elsewhere, it suits me perfectly, providing the necessary hydration without making my skin oily. These are essential steps in my routine that I never skip.

What do you think makes you and Clinique a perfect brand fit?

I have always wanted to be associated with a brand that resonates with my personality and ideology and I believe Clinique is a perfect fit. It is a brand that values enhancing natural beauty and promotes self-acceptance, encouraging everyone to embrace their flaws. It’s all about skincare and even the make-up is skincare-infused, and what is better than that? Clinique inspires individuals to choose, accept, and love themselves, conveying a message that is not only beautiful but much-needed in the world.

What are your favourites to use from Clinique during winter?

Clinique has been a complete game-changer for me and my favourites are based on the season and my skin’s specific needs at the time. But one product that stands out for me, regardless of the season, is the Moisture Surge, particularly the 100-hour variant. In colder months, my skin tends to get excessively dry, especially around my mouth, leading to flakiness. The Moisture Surge has been a saviour — I apply a thin layer all over my face, massage it for a few minutes, and that’s pretty much my entire skincare routine. In the morning, my skin is not only hydrated but also glowing, fresh, and free from dryness.

Another product that I find effective during winter is the Take the Day Off Balm. It effectively removes make-up without stripping away natural oils, leaving my skin smooth and free from dryness. It gives a soft and nourished look that I absolutely love. It has become a crucial step before my skincare routine.

Now that you live in Mumbai, what do you miss the most about winter in the hills?

I miss everything about winter in the hills — the weather, the food, the air, the people, the places... I miss it all. I have a lot of fond memories of the hills, not just in winter but in every season. I am a mountain girl, and everyone knows how much I love being in the mountains. Whenever I am there, I am just an extra-happy person. I can’t remember ever being in a bad mood in the hills... it’s almost magical for me.

I think it’s the simplicity of the hills that I love, surrounded by greenery and humble, warm, welcoming people. Having such people around gives me a different perspective on life. It is crucial to have a reality check, especially when living in a fast-paced city like Bombay, where you can easily get lost. Being in the hills helps me stay grounded. It feels like a meditative state and it’s a special feeling for me. But what I miss the most is homemade pahadi food.

It is said that you are what you eat. What do you include in your diet for the kind of porcelain-perfect skin that you have?

Honestly, I believe in being happy in life and that happiness reflects on your skin. I have never been one to follow a strict diet. While I try to eat healthy, I can’t let someone dictate what I should or shouldn’t eat... that just puts off my mood. I prefer maintaining a good balance. If two of my meals are healthy, there is no harm in indulging in something I love at night. After working long hours, if you can’t enjoy what you like, what’s the point of working so hard?

I value happiness and believe in finding balance. Your mental state significantly influences your skin, so I focus on keeping myself happy and in a state of bliss as much as possible. That’s my approach to a healthy lifestyle.

Growing up, who have been your style and beauty icons?

Priyanka Chopra (Jonas) has been a major source of inspiration for me. I love everything about her — her style, acting, confidence and more. I have closely followed her work and she remains someone I admire as both a person and a public figure. Another icon I greatly adore is Meryl Streep. I am in love with her and the brilliance she brings to her craft.

How would you define your style currently?

My style is quite casual. My go-to outfit almost every day — around 28 out of 30 days a month — is a shirt with loose jeans and a crop top. I prefer being comfortable over anything else. Even for events, if it’s just a matter of a few hours, I will wear what is suggested by my stylist. However, when it comes to my style, comfort is key. I want to sit comfortably and focus on what I am doing.

Did you ever have a wild fashion phase that you thought was cool then but find cringe now?

I have had some wild fashion phases. One notable phase was inspired by the film Chandni Chowk to China. I was quite young then and decided to replicate the lead actress’s (Deepika Padukone) hairstyle. The funny part is that I used to cut my hair during that time and it never turned out well. As a kid, I had curly hair and my fringes would never cooperate... it would always curl up, making me look funny. I wanted my fringes to be straight, so I started ironing them with straighteners. I would go to school with poker-straight hair, and, unsurprisingly, everyone found it hilarious.

There was also a time when I thought it was cool to tie a black thread around my neck. Looking back at pictures from my childhood, I wonder why I made some of those fashion choices. It is funny how our tastes and styles change over time.

Congratulations on the huge success of Animal. You are being billed as the new “national crush”. What is the mind space like at the moment? Is it a little overwhelming?

It is a bit overwhelming, and honestly, I wasn’t expecting it to do so well for me. While I expected the film would be a big hit, I didn’t expect that people would love my performance and my role in the film this much. Receiving this level of love is overwhelming and it took some time to sink in. But now I wake up every day with a grateful heart, appreciating that this has happened. It is a wonderful feeling.

As an actor, it is motivating when your work is appreciated and you receive a lot of love. It gives you the drive to do better and provides the validation you seek as an actor for your skill and hard work. With this film, I feel that validation, and now I am genuinely motivated to excel in acting and life as well.