What Navkirat Sodhi puts on her face

Navkirat Sodhi is just as likely to be reciting poetry at a Gaurav Gupta show as she is mixing her own face oils at home. The poet and performer—who goes by The Poetresse on Instagram—is a longtime collaborator and partner-in-life of the couturier, frequently reading her work during his presentations and occasionally stepping onto the runway herself, including at Haute Couture Week in Paris this January.

Away from the runway, Sodhi’s schedule moves between creative projects—she recently lent her words to artworks at a textile exhibition curated by Lavina Baldota in Kolkata—and quieter rituals. She blends her own oils, knows her Ayurvedic ingredients, and is as much about what goes into the body as what goes onto the skin.

Below, Sodhi shares what’s on her shelf—from saffron-infused water to the few makeup products she keeps in rotation for when the night calls for a little sparkle.

I like to take care of myself from the inside out. Eating clean, regular meditation, and not taking any situation too seriously go a long way. I consider wellness at a cellular level as beauty and of that I’m an enthusiast. To me, happy, flourishing cells that feel secure in the space we hold for them create the most beautiful people.

My skin tends to get oily, depending on the weather, owing to my predominantly kapha constitution. Most of my skincare is what I put inside rather than apply externally. But in the mornings, I cleanse my face with homemade coconut milk followed by rose water. My PM skincare is the same cleanse followed by a mix of castor, jojoba, and frankincense oils that I make myself.

I regularly pamper my skin with a face pack made with Multani mitti (fuller’s earth), rose water, vitamin E oil, moringa and mulethi (licorice) powder. I find steaming my face and scalp with neem-infused water to be a great way of staying nourished from within.

In terms of treatments, I love getting a RevLite laser facial once in eight to 10 weeks. I find that it brightens, tightens, and evens out the skin.

I start my mornings with infused waters—saffron, lemon, turmeric, cumin, carom, and nigella seeds. I also supplement my vegetarian diet with moringa powder and spirulina, which I feel support my skin and hair health greatly. Another champion concoction for skin health is hibiscus and rose tea, steeped with petals and spices like clove and cardamom.

I can’t live without coconut milk. We make it at home. And castor oil—any cold-pressed organic brand I can find.

After the accident, my skin tends to get itchy if exposed to heat. I’ve found the best way to manage it is by consistent hydration with another oil I make myself. It’s a mix of castor, jojoba, and bakuchiol oils and the resins of frankincense and myrrh. I learned this from wellness expert Melly Sanford, whose tips I love to try and follow. And yes, regular full-body massages.

My hair is only just beginning to grow back now after I shaved my head. My haircare shelf is Moroccanoil through and through. Their hydrating shampoo and oil are my staples.

I only wear makeup when going out to social events and it’s always very minimal. I love the Forest Essentials Som Rasa sandalwood-based skin tint and their beetroot-infused cheek tint—I’ve been using it for a few years now. For the eyes, I love the glitter palette from Dior or Anastasia Beverly Hills. My mascara is usually Chanel or Guerlain. I’m also loving the new lip palettes from Simply Nam by Namrata Soni.

The makeup product I use most is the Forest Essentials skin tint. I discovered it in their store and love it for its wholesome, mild coverage and the gentle feel of sandalwood.

The best beauty advice I’ve received is from one of the country’s leading makeup artists, Deepa Verma. She told me years ago, “Always invest in skin rather than makeup. When you glow from within, external layers hardly matter.” More recently, my friend Seema Diwan introduced me to the vibration plate, which is great for lymphatic drainage and adds foundational support for overall health and beauty. I use it every day for at least 10 minutes.