“I love sandwiches.
They have, like, 100 different mustards.
I love mustard.”
Rosaline Shahnavaz
Chanel jacket and top.
Chandran is a first-generation British South Indian and we’re here to talk about her London.
But first things first: “I’m feeling Coronation Chicken today,” she says.
Chanel jacket and top. To create a similar makeup look: Matte Signature Liquid Dip Eyeliner in Blue, True Match Mineral Blush in Bare Honey, and Rouge Signature Lightweight Matte Lip Stain in I Create by L’Oréal Paris.
It tastes much nicer than it sounds.
Then Chandran politely addresses the dilemma of so many first meetings these days: “Are we hugging?”
(We are.)
WIGGING OUT.“Credit where credit is due, Black women have been wearingwigsand creating these beautiful hairstyles for years,” says Chandran. “My love for wigs is very new and it was mainly brought on by [wearing them in] Bridgerton. I need to keep my hair pretty standard for my career, and wigs [like the ones at Pak’s Wig World, below] are such a fun way to experience different looks and have fun with your identity. [Growing up,] I wasn’t allowed todye my hairor to haveextreme haircuts, so now I fear committing to anything. But I desperately want a wig [that looks] like Tokyo’s hair from Money Heist [a dark brown bob]."
After studying philosophy, politics, and economics at Oxford, she was set for a corporate career.
Instead, she pursued acting, which had been a hobby, studying at London’s National Youth Theatre.
“It’s been such an honor [playing Edwina].”
Rosaline Shahnavaz
And, more than half a century later, it’s something Chandran has personally experienced.
“All my life I grew up with people telling me that I would be pretty if I waslighter-skinned.
I remember [someone] said to my grandma, who is quite lightskinned, ‘Your granddaughter’s cute.
FOLLOW THE THREAD.“I’m going to be dictatorial about this: I don’t trust any other way to do myeyebrows,” says Chandran, referring to threading (above, at London’s Iris Avenue salon). “Threadingis just so clean and your eyebrows look so neat. I used to go with my mum to her eyebrow place. I was 11 or 12 my first time and was so scared that I said, ‘Mummy, please hold my hand,’ and I would just grip her. But it’s not that painful. If you’re going to thread, always do it at least 24 hours before an event because it will be swollen. Wait at least one sleep."
Shame she didn’t take after you.’
She meant my skin color.”
I’m beautiful too.
SPICE OF LIFE.“Food is the center of society, right? It’s how you connect with other people and learn about parts of the world, which is why I visit small businesses [like the Spice Shop, left],” says Chandran. “[They sell] rose water, which my mum has always used. It’s better than any kind of micellar water totake makeup offand just so cleansing.Turmerichas spiritual meaning too and is supposed to ward off evil spirits to protect you. Literally, every day of my life growing up, I had turmeric on my skin. I still make my ownmasksandscrubswith [traditional Indian ingredients like] turmeric, yogurt, and chickpea flour. Why spend so much money [on beauty products] when you have these natural, amazing ingredients in your pantry?“Chandran’s own top, skirt, and boots.
And I don’t need to change anything about myself.”
“Threadingis just so clean and your eyebrows look so neat.
I used to go with my mum to her eyebrow place.
But it’s not that painful.
Wait at least one sleep.”
“Food is the center of society, right?
“[They sell] rose water, which my mum has always used.
Literally, every day of my life growing up, I had turmeric on my skin.
I still make my ownmasksandscrubswith [traditional Indian ingredients like] turmeric, yogurt, and chickpea flour.
Chandran’s own top, skirt, and boots.
“I still use coconut oil in my hair once a week, usually Sundays.”
It’s herbody moisturizertoo.
And instead of perfume, Chandran’s ultimate scent is sandalwood soap.
“I still use coconut oil in my hair once a week, usually on Sundays.
“But it’s also a multicultural success story.
I think part of being British is actually learning to accept the skin I’m in.”
More global beauty:
Now, watch Anitta’s 10-minute beauty routine:
