WOW talks to some of the most well-known faces of the Nepali glamour industry to learn their beauty secrets.
Aastha Pokharel
Model & Fashion Creative Consultant
Three products you can’t do without…
Vaseline lip balm, a good gel-based drugstore sunscreen, The Ordinary Vitamin C Serum
Your beauty routine…
- Mild cream cleanser in the morning followed by Vitamin C serum and CeraVe moisturiser and sunscreen in the AM
- Salicylic Acid Cleanser, Hylarounic Acid Serum and Moisturiser at night
- Retinol few times a month. Spot treatment when needed. Sometimes, I do an Aloe vera gel mask.
Go to brands
Dermatologist recommend and tried and tested drugstore brands for skincare. As I struggle with adult acne, I need potent yet hypoallergenic products. MUA recommended mix of mid to high end brands for makeup. MAC Studio, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Charlotte Tilbury, Bobby Brown and Benefit are some favourites.
Do you feel pressured to look a certain way?
No but I try to maintain skin healthy enough to feel comfortable without makeup.
Would you opt for cosmetic interventions?
If you mean surgical procedures, I haven’t till now except the occasional treatment for acne and sun spots. I’ll consider Botox in a few years if I feel up to it. As for fillers and other permanent and semi-permanent procedures, I don’t think it’s for me. Although I don’t think it’s bad at all if it helps your confidence and career.
How do you define beauty?
I think outer beauty is the acceptance and celebration of nature’s unique work on each of us, it’s also good health. While inner beauty is a self-assurance and grace that comes from wisdom within, and that which doesn’t seek validation or comparison.
How much do you spend on average on products and grooming every month?
Depends on the month. I have developed a simple skincare routine that I try to be consistent with. Once a beauty junkie, I keep my makeup arsenal quite minimal now to avoid breaking out plus wastage. Good products last long too as a little goes a long way. I rarely go out for nails and salon stuff except for hair which I keep black now. Maybe between 15-20k a month. That is including skincare, hair, makeup and grooming which I guess is reasonable.
Kunsang Bomjan Tamang
Model & Actor
Kunsang Bomjan Tamang is an aspiring 21-year-old model and actor. He has been in the industry for around five years
Three products you can’t do without
Moisturiser – Cetaphil
Sunscreen – Raystop 50 spf
Lipbalm – Nivea
Your beauty routine…
It’s quite the basics but being consistent is the major takeaway.
- Cleanse your face twice a day
- Morning: Use moisturiser and sunscreen. Make sure to cover up your neck area too. Reapply sunscreen 2-3 times a day.
- Night: I use toner before applying my moisturiser and since I have acne breakouts I use spot treatment and acne patches by Dr. Oracle
- Exfoliate with a scrub twice a week
- Use sheet masks to retain hydration
Go to brands
Nivea, Patanjali, Cetaphil and Dr. Oracle
Do you feel pressured to look a certain way?
It does get tedious at times to always look your best when going out as people expect you to look a certain way. Not every day you want to look good and just be like ‘never mind’.
Would you opt for cosmetic interventions?
I have never felt the need to do it. Your flaws are what make you unique. Embrace your flaws. Imperfections are beautiful.
How do you define beauty?
Beauty is a subjective and vast term. It’s not just good looks but how you are as a person.
How much do you spend on average on products and grooming every month?
It’s not that expensive maybe around 2-3k a month. That includes doing a deep cleansing in Ananeke Salon too.
Ashma DC
Actor, Presenter & Program Producer
Ashma DC started her career as a TV presenter and producer. Being on screen and under the spotlight, she has developed a growing interest in beauty and skin care. Currently, she is going to beauty school and is also planning to do a clinical esthetics course.
Three products you can’t do without
- Hyaluronic acid by The Ordinary
- Moisturiser (water based) by The Youth of People
- Sunscreen from Supergoop
Your beauty routine…
My routine is simple but I make sure to do it twice every day. I make sure to cleanse my face following with Salicylic Acid, Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C, a lightweight moisturiser and of course sunscreen.
My night time routine is again Hyaluronic Acid, Nicinamide (3-4 nights a week) or Retinol which I have just added to my regime using it three times a week and a moisturiser. Besides these I make sure to hydrate my skin, and opt for seasonal fruits.
Go to brands
The Ordinary, Glow Recipe, Paula’s Choice, and The Youth of People. Also, I like products that are non- comedogenic, may it be in skin care or make up.
Do you feel pressured to look a certain way?
I don’t feel pressured to look a certain way but yes, I would prefer to look or dress according to any occasion or event I am attending.
Would you opt for cosmetic interventions?
If you would have asked me about cosmetic interventions a few years back my answer would have been no. Even today I don’t think I’ll go under any surgery however, since I am going to beauty school, I know about few procedures that don’t require you to undergo surgeries and are great. Such as microdermabrasion, yag acne, micro needling, hydrolux, dermaplaning. I would opt for these and have done a few of them as well. They give you the best results according to your need and preference.
How do you define beauty?
I strongly believe it is how you feel from within. For me, if you’re happy, beauty will radiate from within. And with a tad bit of confidence and how you treat others make you more beautiful.
How much do you spend on average on products and grooming every month?
Well, I haven’t really calculated and I don’t want to. I am guilty of spending the most on my skin care and then make up.
Pragya Bhandari
Fashion Model
Pragya Bhandari is a 20-year-old fashion model. She started modeling as a 14-year-old in her hometown, Dharan. She moved to Kathmandu a year ago to pursue her career. She also does shows in India.
Three products you can’t do without
- Sunplay Pink Sunscreen
- Duvitin Lotion Moisturizer
- DHC Cleansing Oil
Your beauty routine
- I cleanse with DHC cleansing oil, followed by Hada Labo Hyaluronic Acid Cleanser.
- I use BHA by The Derma Co. once every three days
- I also use The Ordinary Alpha Aurbutin Serum every day, Moisturiser by Duvitin, Sunscreen by Sunplay and lip oil is a must.
Go to brands
I am not really concerned about brands but in makeup I trust the MAC conceal palette a lot.
Do you feel pressured to look a certain way?
I do feel pressurised to look the best when I am meeting a client or going for auditions since I have acne and pigmentation. Else, I love my bare face.
How do you define beauty?
For me personality is beauty.
How much do you spend on average on products and grooming every month?
I don’t really calculate but maybe 5-8k is what I spend on average.
Anish Tamang
Body Painter & Makeup Artist
Anish Tamang is Nepal’s first body painter and self-taught makeup artist who has been working in field since 2018. He has also been using his socials to advocate for LGBTIQ+ rights. Anish has worked with a number of prominent Nepalese brands and celebrities. He has also been awarded by TikTok Nepal as the most artistic influencer in 2020.
Three products you can’t do without
- Foundation by Estee Lauder
- Powder by Technic
- Setting Spray by Urban Decay
Your beauty routine
My beauty routine is very simple and easy. I start with moisturiser followed by an oil-based primer for some shine, then my foundation and powder. Some bronzer to warm my face and end it with a setting spray to lock everything.
Go to brands
L.A girl, Technic, Estee Lauder, Maybelline, Urban Decay, Mehroon
Do you feel pressured to look a certain way?
If you would have asked this three years back then definitely I would have said yes because everyone idolises you in a certain look, but with time I have learnt one can never please everyone so these days I do what makes me feel comfortable.
Would you opt for cosmetic interventions?
I always felt insecure about my nose and lips and always wanted to fix that, but sadly I have seen procedures gone wrong and botched. So, I don’t think I will be doing anything cosmetically anytime soon.
How do you define beauty?
Beauty has no definition and no standards; everything that is created is beautiful and perfect in its own way. So, I don’t think beauty can ever be defined in words.
How much do you spend on average on products and grooming every month?
I spend more on skincare than beauty products. I believe a perfect canvas can make any beauty product give you the desired finishing. Normally, the amount spent is around 10- 20k with all the products and beauty treatments.
Simon Shrestha
Model
Simon Shrestha has been working as a model since he was 16 years old. He is studying fashion and currently lives in India. The model has a passion for opening his line of clothing and jewelry brand.
Three products you can’t do without
- Spice Sensation by The Body Shop
- Hemp Hand Cream by The Body Shop
- Niacinamide Toner by Mama Earth
Your beauty routine
My beauty routine is a bit complex. I have acne prone skin so I have to take special care of my skin.
Go to brands
Mama Earth, The Body Shop and Peachytonics
Do you feel pressured to look a certain way?
Yes, I do. I always feel the pressure to have good skin and be lean and muscular.
Would you opt for cosmetic intervention?
I don’t think I need any cosmetic procedures at the moment but I am open to the idea of having it when I grow old.
How do you define beauty?
As the clichéd quote “Beauty lies in the eyes of beholder”, I think the perception of beauty or whom to call beautiful is different with every person.
