Mantri Square Mall’s exclusive “Mantri Beauty Affair” recently featured renowned celebrity makeup artist Namrata Soni.
The exclusive event brought together beauty enthusiasts for an evening with Namrata Soni, featuring an inspiring fireside chat with Kamakshi Mantri, a live celebrity makeup masterclass, an interactive Q&A session, an exclusive meet-and-greet, along with premium gift hampers and certificates for all participants.
You’ve worked with some of India’s biggest stars. How has the definition of “red carpet beauty” changed over the last five years?
Red carpet beauty has become much more personal. Five or ten years ago, the focus was on looking glamorous. Today, it’s about looking authentic while still making an impact. People want to see skin that looks like skin, makeup that enhances rather than hides, and looks that reflect the person’s personality instead of following every trend. The best red carpet moments are the ones where you remember the woman first and the makeup second. That’s always been my philosophy.
Skin-first beauty has become the industry’s biggest trend. What techniques or products do you rely on to create makeup that looks flawless both on camera and in person?
For me, beautiful makeup has always started with beautiful skin. Skin prep isn’t optional, it’s the most important step. I spend as much time preparing the skin as I do applying makeup. Hydration, massage, understanding the skin type and then using thin layers of product instead of heavy coverage makes all the difference. I also believe in strategic concealing rather than covering the entire face with foundation. When the skin still looks alive, makeup photographs beautifully and looks even better in person.
Celebrities today are expected to look authentic rather than heavily made up. How do you strike the balance between enhancement and realism?
The biggest compliment I can receive is when someone says, “She looks like herself, just more beautiful.” I never want my makeup to overpower a person’s features. My role is to enhance what already exists. Every face has its own character, and I think makeup should celebrate that instead of changing it. Real beauty comes from confidence, and makeup should simply help bring that confidence forward.
Read the full story that first appeared in Style Speak Magazine’s August 2026 issue here:
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