How Namrata Soni Became Bollywood's Most Successful Beauty Guru

​Even until a few years ago, being a female make-up artist in Bollywood was tough. First, there was the sexism—an archaic law banned women from working in Bollywood (and was only lifted just last year). Then there's the favouritism—every A-lister has a 'chosen one', and breaking into the industry can mean years of trying. So to be B-wood's most successful beauty guru—which is what Namrata Soni is—means something!

Namrata has been wielding brushes and sponges for 13 years now, and was fined several times when she tried to fight against the discriminatory law. "I was 21, it was a male-dominated industry, and I had to work doubly hard. I did free magazine shoots for a year before I started getting assignments." Today, Namrata's list of clients includes Deepika Padukone, Sonakshi Sinha, and Shruti Haasan. She is on Sonam Kapoor's speed-dial and Insta-feed (and was the girl behind her amazing Cannes looks), and is the L'Oréal Paris Beauty Expert. Then there are the big-budget films: Namrata's movie work includes like Main Hoon Na, Om Shanti Om, Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna, and Aisha. For her 'creative fix', she turns to fashion. Her innumerable campaigns, editorials, and covers for leading fashion magazines are proof! ​