THE BEST KEPT SECRETS

Three mom-daughter duo share beauty tips passed down through generations.

- PRIYANKA KATHURIA

While we often think of family heirlooms as tangible items like jewellery and clothes, beauty secrets cannot be left out of this equation. These traditions are keepsakes, not only for their utilitarian purposes but also for fostering bonds and preserving cultural practices. In Indian culture, the simple act of a mother oiling and combing her child’s hair, strengthens the relationship. Often accompanied by heartfelt conversations, the mundane activity forms fond memories that are carried

APARNA SEN & KONKONA SENSHARMA Konkona and her mother Aparna found common ground in their shared fascination with straight hair. “We have quite the ‘Bengali hair’, which is frizzy and curly. “As a kid also, I remember pulling my hair, trying to wet and straighten it,” reminisces Konkona. Aparna recalls that she once woke up nine-year-old Konkona early in the morning to fix her hair. “I would get the hairdresser and make-up artist to straighten her hair with a dryer. I really felt sorry for her afterwards. I think I passed that on to Konkona, and we have many jokes about this—two women who share this common affliction.” In her younger days, Konkona rebelled against the pressure to dress up frequently, but now she finds joy in it occasionally. “When I was younger, I was not as comfortable in my skin as I am today. This was a time when I joined films where there was a lot of focus on the way one looked,” she shares. For Aparna, beauty is about aesthetics. “I like my house, films, and surroundings to look good.” The mother-daughter duo have always put a lot of importance on inner beauty. “Looks will disappear, and one will have to keep adjusting according to age, so that is what I have imbibed and truly appreciate,” Konkona tells