Bollywood legend, screen icon, mane maven. She has been #hairgoals for generations of Indian women who would swear she has never had a bad hair day, ever. From Bobby to Tenet to Tandav, Dimple Kapadia traces her tress journey with us. What she’s looking forward to doing next, may just shock you!
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Down memory lane
“I remember my hair being laden with oil and tied into two tight braids with a side parting. This was a requisite style for school and my mother adhered to it religiously. The habit of oiling was prevalent throughout my childhood, and it helped as I have always had very dry, thick and coarse hair. Without the amount of professional styling I’ve had over the years, it would not look so glossy and shiny.”
Close crops
“I didn’t experience being a teenager and indulging in short hair fads. I started working when I was 13, so there was no time to experiment. I just always wore my hair long. I remember I rebelled and cut it short once but it looked awful – you can see it in Janbaaz. When I turned 40, I gave short hair another try, in New York at a very chic French salon, and ended up looking like a bakri! My hair clearly has a mind of its own and refuses to do anything I want it to!”
Screen secrets
“I got highlights for the first time in 1984. I was in London and the weather there is beautiful. Then I flew back to Mumbai to shoot for Sagar. Suddenly the heat and humidity caused my hair to frizz and I had a tough time figuring out how to take care of it! But beer is a great conditioner. I remember for ‘Tera Naam Liya’ with Jackie Shroff in Ram Lakhan, I’d used beer as a conditioner. The song was a hit, but it was my hair that ended up being talked about incessantly!”
Colour craze
“I was 18 when I coloured my hair red and wore a red gown to a red-carpet event! Thankfully, the colour shaded to auburn, but honestly, black and brown is so boring! I’m a gypsy at heart, I love unusual colours. Birds have vibrant colours in their plumage and they look fantastic. In 2016, I got blue streaks in my hair and in all honesty, it’s been my favourite hair look. I love blues, and aqua and teal shades and I’m definitely doing that again.”
Salt n pepper power
“Apart from in Tenet, I also grew my greys out during this lockdown. I’m 62 and it's so empowering to stop hiding your greys. After Tenet people have said it's a fashion statement. I think wearing your natural greys with artfully placed highlights, looks spectacular. I loved showing off my natural hair and I think every woman should be able to sport them with confidence. If you’re going grey, just add the right highlights to enhance them and wear them with pride.”
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Hair icons
“My mother had gorgeous hair – thick and soft and lustrous. I still try and play around with my hair to try and get her perfect updo with a perfect center part. She always looked so effortlessly elegant. I remember before she passed away, she was horrified that I’d let my greys grow out and told me to go and get them fixed!”
Home hair care
“Oiling goes a long, long way. I oil my hair overnight then get a head massage with a homemade hair pack which is a mixture of eggs (5 whites and a whole egg) and a banana. I leave it on for 10-30 minutes and then wash it through with lukewarm water. I use the Kérastase Résistance shampoo and conditioner, and I especially like the Sérum Thérapiste. It gives my hair beautiful texture and a lovely sheen.”
Tress secret
“My secret hair oil recipe (that Twinkle mentioned in an interview to Vogue in 2018) is a concoction of almond and sandalwood oil as a base, with geranium, rosemary and lavender essential oils. This is the legacy I’ll pass down to my grandchildren – oil your hair and do not colour it!”
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Mane meals
“I ate a lot of fish growing up. We lived in a coastal area and I feel it really helped my hair. Include lots of protein in your diet, eat balanced meals and include seeds and nuts.”
Tress tales
“A couple of years ago, I was travelling with my children and grandchildren. I’d doused my hair with onion juice – you could smell me miles away – it’s so strong. The scent stayed, even after I’d shampooed my hair 4 times. My hair was wet so I opened the car window to let it air dry only to find onion tears streaming down everyone’s faces and a barrage of complaints! Onion juice is excellent for the hair but I think, the safer option is to use the onion extract oils you get now.”
What’s next
“I’m thinking of shaving it off! Let’s see when this mad impulse hits me. But long or short, greys and all, just love your hair. Nourish it, take care of it and it will always look beautiful.”
Also read:
10 genius haircare secrets we’ve learned from celebrity hairstylists
Pictures: 10 celebrities who underwent dramatic hair transformations during the lockdown