Makeup Mantras: Sophie Choudry reveals her favourite skincare hack and one ritual she never misses

Sophie Choudry has survived over two decades in the Indian entertainment industry, transitioning from being a popular VJ to becoming a live singer-performer and event host. Her work as a ‘stage queen’ – as she likes calling herself – involves exhaustive makeup routines and intensive skincare. In an exclusive chat for HT Shop Now Makeup Mantra, Sophie shared unfiltered insights into her beauty practices, the makeup tricks she swears by, the skincare rituals that keep her glowing, and the lipstick brands she simply can’t live without.

Shweta Pandey is a Senior Content Writer at Hindustan Times, with over 12 years of experience in beauty and wellness journalism, specialising in makeup, skincare, and hair care.

She began her professional writing journey in 2011, entering the evolving world of digital lifestyle journalism as beauty and wellness content rapidly transformed in India. Over the years, she has worked with reputed digital media houses like India Today, the Times of India and Skymet Weather, steadily building credibility through well-researched features, product reviews, and trend analyses. Her career reflects consistent growth, moving from content contributor to senior writer. She now plays a key role in shaping editorial strategy, social media content, and ensuring high-quality, reader-focused content that aligns with evolving audience needs.

Shweta’s core expertise spans makeup, skincare, hair care, and holistic health and fitness. She specialises in in-depth beauty product reviews, ingredient analysis, skincare routines, and evidence-based wellness advice. Known for her analytical and data-driven approach, she relies on verified sources, dermatological insights, and expert consultations to ensure credibility. Her field experience includes interviewing Bollywood celebrities, beauty and makeup professionals, tracking consumer trends, and simplifying the top picks.

Shweta holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication, Advertising, and Journalism and has done Bachelor’s in Commerce from Delhi University. She believes in delivering reader-first insights that empower informed decisions while maintaining transparency, credibility, and trust.

Beyond her writing desk, Shweta enjoys exploring new destinations, experimenting in the kitchen with delightful recipes, and staying in tune with the latest beauty and wellness trends.

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Q: What’s your one red carpet makeup essential?

Sophie Choudry: Highlighter, definitely. You need that glow; you get it from confidence, but you definitely need a little help.

Q: Bold eyes or bold lips? Which products do you actually shop for more?

Sophie Choudry: I like bold eyes more when someone does it for me. I shop for bold lipsticks because it’s much easier for me to apply.

Q: What’s your secret to making makeup look glam, but not overdone? I think it’s the skin prep.

Sophie Choudry: Your skin needs to be prepped really well so that it’s hydrated, dewy, then you don’t need to put on too much foundation, and loose powder, just the right amount so that the skin shines through. And for me, blush is an essential.

Here are some blushes for you:

Q: A party-proof product you rely on for long nights and events?

Sophie Choudry: I love those makeup fixing or setting sprays. They work great for me, especially when it’s a red carpet event or when I’m on stage singing. I like these sprays from Charlotte Tilbury and Urban Decay. They just set the makeup beautifully.

Here are some makeup sprays for you:

Q: The one feature you learned to love because of makeup?

Sophie Choudry: I think we all would want our nose to always be a little bit more perfect, and I’m no different. But I think with a little bit of a contour, it gives it that lift that I like. That’s something I’ve learned to love.

Here are some contours

Q: Your go-to and trusted brands for lipsticks?

Sophie Choudry: That changes all the time! But right now I’m using Fenty Beauty, which I’m loving. Sephora has some really good stuff, even in the lip lacquers and even in those juicy and glossy balms. Rare Beauty is lovely. Shiseido is an all-time favourite with that creamy texture. Charlotte Tilbury is also great. There are many, but these are what I’m using right now.

Here are some lipsticks for you

Q: What would you tell your younger self about beauty, confidence, and not being too hard on yourself?

Sophie Choudry: I am guilty of always being hard on myself, but I think that changes with age because you just learn to embrace yourself more, accept all your imperfections as part of your beauty, and you also stop caring what people think too much. I think when you’re younger, you’re taking in a lot of advice from a lot of different people, and I would tell my younger self not to worry too much about it, to learn to love even the flaws because that’s what makes me unique, and to just be my biggest cheerleader. You have to be your own cheerleader and not listen to too much noise outside.

Q: Are you adopting clean beauty? Tell us in what ways.

Sophie Choudry: I’m definitely trying to, especially those paraben-free and sulphate-free products. I also ensure that the products are not tested on animals as well. Thankfully, a lot of brands are not using plastic that way anymore, and most of the things are recyclable, so I’m doing my best.

Q: Your night skincare routine after a day full of makeup?

Sophie Choudry: I think the night routine is the most important, and I’m someone who, no matter how exhausted I am, will never sleep with my makeup on. So in the evening, usually it’s a double cleanse. I like using Clinique or Sarah Chapman. So, first, cleanse my face, then I apply a foaming wash, which is usually La Prairie. The toner is the Apricot Elemis one. And then I use my skincare serums, which are from 111 Skin. And finally, a moisturiser, which you can easily get in India, which is Max Rich. I really like it. It’s paraben-free and is great on the skin. So I feel like the nighttime routine is even more important. And of course, my favourite lip balm, which is right now, Rode.

Here are some toners