In these 'OOPTalks' Journal entries we chat with our small community of conscious fashion enthusiasts, who continue to inspire us. In this episode, we talk to Ria Bhatia, a Beauty Editor from Mumbai, with a penchant for all things skincare, make-up and wellness, as she shares her go-to beauty rituals and how she embraces a slow-lifestyle.
OOP: Hey Ria, How are you ? Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Ria: Hey! I’m a beauty editor from Mumbai. Through my work, I endeavour to challenge conventional norms and beliefs, ask the right questions, splinter taboos and present the lesser-highlighted face of beauty and wellness - from toxic standards to mental health and everything in between. Besides my editorial day job, I love curating beauty-forward experiences for brands and using my Instagram to share product recommendations, lip combos, tips and more!
OOP: We would love to hear about your go-to beauty rituals.
Ria: Cleansing, moisturising and applying sunscreen are non-negotiable, even when I’m home. I oil my hair thrice a week and use a face mask twice a week. The weekly routine features body scrubs, face polishes and body oil massages. Once a month, I opt for a facial and hair spa of some sort. If I’m heading out, some concealer, loads of blush and mascara, brow gel and a blotted lip does the trick for me.
OOP: Any comments on homegrown fashion brands, how do you support them, and why do you think people should support them?
Ria: The homegrown fashion space has always existed, but it’s beginning to thrive now, in ways we never imagined. While a lot of my friends attribute the high(er) prices as a roadblock to making a complete switch, I feel like there are homegrown brands spanning all kinds of price ranges now. Supporting homegrown fashion means supporting an up-and-coming industry that features an endless variety of *original* craftsmanship and an understanding of Indian bodies vis-a-vis a fast fashion brand whose size ‘XL’ feels like an ‘S’. The skirts I own from Our Own Pace, for example, are of great quality and have good attention to detail. It’s high time we look beyond fast fashion brands like Zara or H&M.
OOP: What are the 3 things you do to slow down?
Ria: COFFEE - instantly uplifts my mood and calms my nerves, no matter what situation I’m in. Watch a movie - I call my best friend home and binge-watch our comfort movies (Jab We Met, YJHD, ZNMD, Tamasha, Dil Dhadakne Do, Break Ke Baad, Dear Zindagi and the likes) Going on a spontaneous drive - shut down your laptop for a bit, play your favourite playlist and grab your favourite person (and, perhaps, a cookie) … nothing can beat that!
OOP: Why do you think it is important for people to embrace slow living?
Ria: This one’s tricky. In the current times, slow living seems paradoxical, like a far-fetched reality. I’m not saying it’s unachievable, but in many ways, it’s a privilege not everyone can afford. However, if we move away from romanticizing slow living’s fancy, glorified versions, adopting the simpler means of slow living can actually do our mental health good, therefore, equipping us to deal with the hustle culture more efficiently. Put in that extra work before and after your daily grind (because whatever happens during those hours is pretty much out of your control); spare an hour in the morning to start peacefully and ditch that on-the-go coffee and breakfast. Or, dedicate an hour of no screen time to your family or yourself to do things you perpetually procrastinate. Brewing myself a cup of coffee and decluttering my closet does wonders for me when I feel overwhelmed.
OOP: How do you integrate sustainable practices into your fashion and beauty routines?
Ria: If I’m being honest, I haven’t reached that point where I’m super conscious about being sustainable all the time. In terms of fashion, I am moving towards homegrown brands - many of them not only are sustainable but offer timeless pieces that have a personality of their own (I’m not going to spot them on every third person as in the case of fast-fashion); some brands can be expensive but they’re totally worth it, in my opinion. In terms of beauty, I recycle all my paper boxes and other packaging that comes my way through PR kits, I try and use up products before their expiry date to minimize wastage. I always use cleansing balms and oils over micellar water that requires cotton pads. I avoid sheet masks (they barely have any merit anyway) and gravitate towards multipurpose products - think a lip and cheek pot or glow-boosting balm that can be used on the eyelids and high-points of the skin - so I don’t need to own each individually. I know being fully sustainable is a difficult and costly affair, sometimes impractical too, but we can all take baby steps in our small ways.
OOP: What’s the one thing you want to begin your self-love journey within the coming year?
Ria: Not overwhelming myself with stresses and worries about things that haven’t even manifested or are out of my control.
OOP: Finally, what does being at your own pace mean?
Ria: For me, it means being consistent, waking up and putting in the work everyday, even if the previous day was bad. But, it also means slowing down if I must, because the only thing influencing my pace is me.
Ria is wearing our Ruffle Skirt in 'Royal Blue'