Dhruv's Top 10 beauty products

Fashion designer Dhruv Kapur is single-handedly responsible for my La Mer obsession. And for making me relook at Estée Lauder Perfectionist. And he's made me lust after Serumtologie. You could say that if I'm confused about what to buy, I will consult him first. And today I've got him to reveal his top 10 beauty products...of all time. Read and make notes.

Mon préfère: 10 beauty buys that I always go back to...
…and you’ll see I couldn’t limit myself to just 10

Hand Cream: Estée Lauder ReNutriv Intensive Smoothing Hand Creme
This is nourishing, softening, doesn’t wash off completely the moment your hands get wet AND it’s not greasy at all (trust me there isn’t another hand cream like it)!

Exfoliation: Philosophy Microdelivery Resurfacing Peel
Works as a physical exfoliant before activating step 2 to make it a chemical one. The list of ingredients (peptides, vit-C, salicylic, lactic) makes you want to try it, and boy does it deliver. Smooth, radiant, pore-less. And to think I was skeptical before I first bought it.

Serum: Estée Lauder Perfectionist
Lately I’ve been mixing it with Elemis Super Serum Elixir (it’s like sleeping with the most intense mask on - the next morning will prove it) but even on it’s own, this serum will improve your skin texture the moment you apply it and over time. It’s also a great primer. I used to layer it with Advanced Night Repair, and that was amazing for dryness and even now it’s the best post-shave soothing and repairing balm.

Hair: Aveda Damage Remedy Intensive Restructuring Treatment
Once a week, come what may. It’s a weekly detox - It just reverses all the chemical and heat abuse you’ve done in the week. Yes, even the chemicals from other great hair conditioners. And I find the fragrance very comforting - takes me back to the treatment rooms at the Aveda Institute in High Holborn. Speaking of, next time you’re in London, try their naturally derived hair colours - I got the best red-brown of my life done there.

SK-II Facial Treatment Essence
Inspite of the infamous spit-like stink you get hooked to this. A few drops of this light watery fluid reveal the sort of internal glow that’s fabled and revered. I intensify the effects with their Whitening Source Derm Revival Sheet Mask and Cellumination Day Surge UV. The brightening effects are nothing short of legendary.

Speaking of legendary, the original Crème de La Mer
Travel induced dullness? Stressed Skin? Winter damage? You name it, this cream will make it vanish. Even as I type this, I’ve gotten up and used it to assure myself I’m not deluded. And like, at least in this regard, I’m not.

Another original, the 1970 Biologique Recherche Lotion P50
Stinks, stings, and then magic happens. It’s a toner, astringent, balancer, exfoliator, radiance revealer. Where ten other products fail, this one alone succeeds. It’ll even stop the most stubborn breakouts in a couple of weeks. Ever since I got this, I ditched the Clinique Clarifying Lotions, which I would still recommend if you can’t find this one.

Eye care:
I use one in the day and the other at night, in addition to whatever new eye thing I might be trying at the time. La Prairie Cellular Revitalising Eye Gel & Estee Lauder ReNutriv Ultimate Lift Age Correcting Eye Cream. One de-puffs and wakes up; the other tightens and brightens. Sorry I just couldn’t pick one!

Sunscreen: Shiseido Perfect UV Protector SPF 50+/ PA+++ with WetForce
I was already a fan till a couple years ago and then they added the wet force. It’s almost weightless, glides on without any white residue, and is water and sweat resistant. I haven’t found a more perfect formula for India’s extreme heat and humidity. Continued after this photo...

I also love YSL Touche Eclat, Clinique BIY Pigment drops, Dior Lip Glow, EL ReNutriv Ultimate Lift Creme, Moroccanoil Treatment, errr, Serumtologie C 22 Serum...ummmm okay fine I’ll stop now.