Known as one of the most beautiful women in the world, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is 49 and thriving. The actress employs a holistic approach to her health and wellness routine, with focus on gentle exercise and traditional therapies over grueling workouts and punishing diets. Bachchan looks better every year—so how does she do it? Here’s how the Indian star is only improving with age.
1. She Loves Yoga
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Yoga is Bachchan’s main form of exercise, with lots of walking on the side. “Researchers found that people who practiced yoga for at least 30 minutes once a week for at least four years, gained less weight during middle adulthood,” say the experts at Harvard Health. “People who were overweight actually lost weight. Overall, those who practiced yoga had lower body mass indexes (BMIs) compared with those who did not practice yoga.”
2. Comfort First
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Bachchan stays true to her individual style when it comes to beauty. “Fashion and makeup is like art—I have fun with it,” she says. “There’s also a whole team of professionals involved, like the stylists, hairdressers, make-up artists and designers. But the bottom line for me is that I don’t lose my personality and I stay comfortable.”
3. Simplicity With Beauty Routine
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Bachchan has a “less is more” approach to beauty these days. "I believe in keeping it simple, keeping it real and even though one chooses to use makeup and I think that is wonderful, it enhances your features,” she says. “And feeling comfortable in your skin - and that's been the mantra and luckily the people who I've worked with have advised me the same in the professional capacity."
4. Lots of Water
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Bachchan makes sure to stay hydrated for her health and appearance. “The beauty advice I would pass on to my daughter is simple—always drink a lot of water, nourish your skin and hair with vitamin-rich food and keep it simple,” she says. “I think the biggest learning I can give her is to be at peace with herself and be happy—that will make her a naturally beautiful human being, inside and out.”
5. Using Hair Oil
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Bachchan regularly oils her hair to keep it strong, shiny, and moisturized. “I do feel it’s extremely important to nourish and oil your hair regularly, and essential oils are my biggest indulgence,” she says. “It’s also really important to eat healthy, as what you eat has a direct impact on your skin and hair.”
6. Go-To Makeup Look
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Bachchan’s favorite makeup style is red lipstick and a cat-eye eyeliner flick. “For the day, I am partial to lip colors in shades of nude, pink, peach, beige and earthy brown,” she says. At night she prefers “light shimmery shades for the lips and smokey eyes.”
7. Homemade Face Masks
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Bachchan loves raiding her kitchen for at-home beauty solutions. The actress has a go-to list when it comes to creating face masks. “A pack with besan, cream, and turmeric, a massage with honey and curd, a banana face mask, and milk and almond oil face packs,” she says.