Then and now: Deepika Padukone’s complete beauty evolution

Deepika Padukone is often epitomised as a classic Indian beauty. Her long slender frame, courtesy her athletic genes, and that smooth dusky glow have inspired fans ever since she made her big on-screen debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Om Shanti Om (2007). It wasn’t long before it was established that she’s here to stay, and reign.

After her big-ticket debut, Padukone steadily earned her stripes with a diverse repertoire of roles, including a female cab driver in Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008), a visually challenged skater in Lafangey Parindey (2010) and a restoration architect in Love Aaj Kal (2009). However, the needle of her career graph truly went into hyperdrive after the release of Cocktail (2012), with her portrayal of a headstrong party girl fetching her multiple Best Actress nominations. On the opposite end of the spectrum, she gave audiences a geeky girl to love in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013), before hitting box office gold with now-husband Ranveer Singh in Goliyon ki Rasleela Ram-Leela (2013). The duo teamed up again for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's epic period drama, Bajirao Mastani (2015), which went on to outdo their previous records. Hollywood came calling soon, and she made her debut opposite Vin Diesel in xXx: Return of Xander Cage (2017). In 2018, she was part of the historic drama, Padmaavat, alongside Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor. As she films for her upcoming project, 83 (2020) and promotes Chhapaak (2020), it’s evident that her meteoric rise in the industry has been coupled with a comprehensive understanding of what works for her, which has in turn, has produced a slew of classic beauty looks.

Deepika Padukone’s makeup looks through the years

Flip through Padukone’s beauty book over the years and you’ll notice her gradual move to minimalist makeup. When she was promoting her debut film in 2006, Padukone had shaped, high arches that would later become thicker, statement brows. In 2008, frosty pink lips and matching eyeshadow won her favour, and kohl-rimmed eyes were a mainstay. Her heavily bronzed base, shimmery lids and high-shine glossy lips from 2006 until 2010 were eventually edged out in favour of a soft, smooth matte base, a classic cat-eye and a nude pucker. “For the night, because I’m in a profession where I’m always dressing up, I keep my makeup clean and subtle. I would wear a coloured lipstick, blush and some mascara. I’m not fond of gloss, matte works best for me,” she told Vogue India in 2010.

It was really in 2014 that the star started took to bold bright lipsticks in shades of scarlet, tangerine and pop pink. 2015, meanwhile, saw Padukone pairing her vibrant pout with elegant updos, soft waves and a clean natural face. Her red pout at the Filmfare Awards and Giant Awards that year suggested her propensity for the power hue on a red carpet, which she mostly wore with sleek hair.

2017 was a year of experimentation for the star. She attended the Cannes Film Festival in a green dress, which she paired with emerald eyeshadow all across the eyelid upto the brow bone. When she was promoting xXx: Return of Xander Cage in the US and working with makeup artist Hung Vanngo, Padukone came back to her favourites—a clean, glossy base and a sharp winged liner.

The next year, Padukone married Ranveer Singh got married in a multi-event wedding across India and Italy. Her matte skin, luminous base and kohl-rimmed eyes were a major source of bridal makeup inspiration for brides-to-be all over the country. At the Met Gala in 2018, Padukone wore a red lip and glitter eyeshadow to match her red gown, and she repeated a similar makeup look for the Zee Cine Awards in 2019 too.

Deepika Padukone’s favourite hairstyles through the years

In her early years in Bollywood, Padukone wore her hair blown-out and straight most of the time. For red carpet appearances, low buns and ponytails were her go-to. In 2012, when she was promoting Cocktail (2012), curls became her new signature hairstyle. The actor also coloured her strands in a warmer, caramel hue with highlights all the way through, as compared to the lighter highlights she wore at her ends the year before.

As her career kicked up pace, Padukone matched the tempo with textured ponytails, razor sharp winged liners and a mean contouring job that provided the perfect pink flush. 2016 was the year that she gave her hairstylist Daniel Bauer free reign. The star showed up on the IIFA red carpet sporting everything from yesteryear updos to blow-outs featuring her newly-acquired blonde highlights and bronzed cheekbones. The year also marked her big international debut, and she walked the MTV EMAs 2016 red carpet wearing smoky eyes and a sleek ponytail. In 2017, Padukone attended all her USA promotions with her lighter strands usually sculpted into defined curls and tousled volume. That same year, she walked the Cannes red carpet with easy beach waves, which was a surprising choice considering her high-profile comeback to the show since 2010.

In 2018, Padukone’s hairstyles spanned across extremes. She wore a daring wet hair look to the MET Gala, but for her wedding and post-wedding appearances, she relied on the simple, sleek bun she loves. In 2019, Padukone cut her hair to the shortest it has ever been—chopping it into a chin-grazing lob with light streaks all through the front.

When not in front of the camera, the 33-year-old religiously sticks to her winning combination of severely pulled back hair and her staple red lipstick. Put her in front of the lens though, and her inner chameleon emerges, spotlighting everything from teal smoky eyes on the Cannes red carpet to mirror-shine sleek buns and a dewy glow for events and promotions. Scroll ahead to take a closer look at Deepika Padukone’s entire beauty evolution through the years.

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