Triptii Dimri: Beauty, Skincare, and Life Lessons from a Rising Star

Triptii Dimri, the "national crush," spoke with t2 on being beautiful from the inside out, her skincare must-haves, and more, following the success of Animal, which has catapulted her into the public eye.

Describe your skincare regimen for the winter. Do you still maintain a certain beauty routine in the winter months because you were born and raised in the hills?

Intensive moisturization is the mainstay of my winter skincare regimen. My mother used to lavishly apply a particular cream on our faces and bodies as part of her skincare routines, which I remember from my youth in the hills. The smell of that specific cream, or something similar, has a sentimental pull that takes me right back to my hillside days, which are memories I cherish dearly. My mother used to frequently use almond oil—not just for our faces but for our entire body—in place of that childhood favorite, whose name I regretfully cannot recall. I continue this tradition in my daily body care regimen, using almond oil instead.

What's the one skincare routine you follow year-round that never fails to improve the texture and appearance of your skin?

Even on my most demanding days, I make sure to always follow my skincare routine throughout the year. It simply takes five minutes in the morning and five minutes at night, totaling roughly ten minutes of my day. I used to have problems with pigmentation, dryness, and acne when I neglected my skincare regimen. Those issues have vanished when I made the decision to practice good skincare.

Even when I haven't worn makeup, I make it a priority to wash my face completely in the morning and at night. I make sure to use a heavy moisturizer at night and to bathe, moisturize, and apply sunscreen throughout the day. Long before I was connected to Clinique, the Clinique Moisture Surge—in particular, the 100-hour version—was a mainstay. It fits me nicely, delivering the essential hydration without making my skin greasy, even though I have dry skin elsewhere and an oily T-zone. I always follow these crucial steps in my regimen.

What qualities do you believe make Clinique and you the ideal brand match?

Clinique seems to be the ideal fit for my ideals and personality. I have always wanted to be affiliated with a brand that speaks to me. This brand encourages people to accept who they are and to embrace their imperfections. It values boosting natural beauty. What could be better than skincare that permeates even makeup? It's all about skincare. Clinique encourages people to choose, accept, and embrace who they are; this is a message that is both beautiful and desperately needed in the world.

Which Clinique products do you most enjoy using in the winter?

For me, Clinique has completely changed the game, and my favorite products vary depending on the season and the demands my skin is in at the moment. But no matter the season, one product—the Moisture Surge, especially the 100-hour version—remains a favorite of mine. During the winter months, I usually have really dry skin, especially around my mouth, which makes me seem flaky. I use the Moisture Surge as my lifesaver; I just apply a tiny amount to my entire face, massage it for a few minutes, and call it a day. My skin is not only devoid of dryness in the morning, but it also looks radiant and youthful.

Take the Day Off Balm is another product that works well for me in the winter. My skin is left feeling smooth and devoid of dryness after it successfully removes makeup without removing my skin's natural oils. I adore the look it creates—it's nourished and velvety. Before beginning my skincare routine, it has become essential.

What is your biggest wintertime miss from the highlands now that you reside in Mumbai?

I miss the food, the people, the sites, the weather, the air, and everything about winter in the hills. I miss everything about it. Not only in the winter, but in every season of the year, I have many happy memories of the hills. Everyone is aware of my passion for the mountains because I am a mountain girl. I just feel so joyful whenever I'm there. The hills are almost magical to me; I can't recall ever being in a bad mood there.

I believe my fondness for the highlands stems from their simplicity, encircled by verdant surroundings and hospitable, modest individuals. I view life differently when I'm surrounded by folks like that. Maintaining a realistic perspective is essential, particularly in a city as fast-paced and disorienting as Bombay. I feel more rooted here in the hills. It's a unique feeling that I associate with a meditative state. The homemade pahadi food, though, is what I miss the most.

You are what you eat, so the saying goes. What foods do you eat to maintain your flawless, porcelain-like skin?

Sincerity be damned, I think that enjoyment in life shows on your skin. I've never been good at sticking to a rigorous diet. Despite my best efforts to eat healthily, I can't allow others tell me what I should or shouldn't eat since that only makes me unhappy. I would rather keep everything in balance. It doesn't hurt to indulge in something I love at night if two of my meals are nutritious. What good is it to put in long hours of work if you can't appreciate the things you enjoy doing?

I think it's important to establish balance and cherish happiness. I try to keep myself as joyful and blissful as I can because your emotional state has a big impact on your complexion. I approach living a healthy lifestyle that way.

Who were your beauty and fashion icons as a child?

For me, Priyanka Chopra (Jonas) has been a big inspiration. She has so much flair, confidence, and acting, and I adore all of it. She is still a public figure and a person I adore, having watched her career with great interest. Meryl Streep is another icon that I find very inspiring. Her talent and intelligence are so amazing that I can't get enough of them.

What would you say your style is right now?

I have a really laid-back aesthetic. I usually wear a crop top and loose jeans with my go-to outfit on 28 out of 30 days of the month. More than everything, I love to be comfortable. I will wear what my stylist suggests, even if it's only for a few hours at an event. But comfort is important to me when it comes to style. I want to be able to relax while working on my task.

Have you ever gone through a wild phase in your wardrobe that you now regret but thought was cool at the time?

My style has gone through some crazy periods. One significant stage was motivated by the movie Chandni Chowk to China. At the time, I was pretty young, therefore I chose to imitate Deepika Padukone's haircut as the lead actress. It's interesting because I used to cut my hair around that time, but it never worked out. My curly hair never cooperated when I was a child; it would always curl up and make me appear strange. I started ironing my fringes using straighteners because I wanted them to be straight. Needless to say, everyone thought it was amusing when I wore my hair poker straight to school.

I also used to think it was so amazing to wrap a black thread around my neck. I wonder why I dressed in such ways when I look back at those old photos of myself. It's funny how our inclinations and fashion sense evolve with time.

Thank you for Animal's enormous success. They are referring to you as the newest "national crush." How does the mental space look right now? Is it a bit too much at times?

To be honest, I wasn't expecting it to work so well for me, and it is a little overwhelming. I knew the movie would be a huge blockbuster, but I had no idea how much the public would adore my performance and my part in it. It took some time for the enormity of the affection I had received to sink in. But these days, I wake up every day appreciative that this has happened and with a glad heart. It's a beautiful feeling.

Being praised for your work and showered with affection is inspiring for an actor. It provides you with the motivation to do better and the recognition you desire as an actor for your talent and diligence. I feel validated by this film, and I am now truly inspired to succeed in both acting and life.

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Press Time staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.