One of my favourite archives of Bollywood history and hungama is the 2004 interview of Bollywood’s most iconic IT Girl, Rekha with the one and only, foxy Simi Garewal. An interview where Rekha publicly spoke about her relationship with Amitabh Bachan, both on and off-screen.
While the interview was scandalous for its time, I would like to think it set the precedent for the gravitas a modern woman of the 21st century can possess.
Despite the seemingly innocuous tone, each question in the interview was carefully crafted to chip away at the exterior that was Rekha. But the femme fatale held her own, with the grace of a woman who has learnt she is iconic. On the occasion of her birthday, let’s revisit a few of her most poignant looks to understand the role of makeup in Rekha’s prowess and how her influence was beyond that of the modern “IT Girls” who populate our social feeds.
Big, Voluminoius Hair
In an era of the Sophia Richie bun and Hailey Bieber’s glazed look, I’m a big fan of the purposefully messy hair-do. A pioneer who set the stage for what it meant to be effortlessly put together, Rekha’s hair was often the biggest part of her ensemble. From loose curls framing her face to embracing the natural texture of her Indian curls, she really transformed my own relationship with my slightly curly, kind of random wavy hair.
Sharp Eyebrows Can Change Your Face
In the interview, Rekha talks about how she changed her looks over the span of two long years. But a quick way to really lift up your features and change the way your face looks is to change and/or focus on your eyebrows. You can make them thin, or keep them thick. The key is to sharpen the arch and the end, so your brows curve around the shape of your eyes. Just stop bleaching them, please.
Take Care Of Your Eyelashes
The way your eyelashes fan out can make or break a look. That’s all. So oil them regularly, try to hold back on the layers of waterproof mascara, and don’t pick at them.
Get A Signature Lipstick Shade
Pretty self-explanatory. Stop buying the Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk and try out a few maximalist shades like red, mauve or purple.
See What You Can Add To Your Look
Rekha often added a mole to the top of her lips, on her chin, or to her cheeks to really bring the focus where she wanted it to be. Similarly, you can always play around with freckles, or bindis to elevate your personal makeup look. Try a small, reflective bindi on the corners of your eyes the next time you dress up, or maybe the mehendi freckle look if you’re feeling extra experimental!
While modern-day IT Girls may dominate the digital realm, Rekha’s influence on the film industry and culture stemmed from her unapologetic authenticity. Bold lips, big hair, and sharp eyebrows were minor enhancements made to elevate her natural beauty in the long run.
Whenever I dive into my own makeup kit or stand before the mirror, this principle is what guides my looks.
Featured Images: Instagram
