Sonam Kapoor on Beauty, Bridal Memories, and Becoming Herself Again

For Sonam Kapoor, beauty has never been static. It has moved with her, from the experimental and expressive to something far more grounded in discipline, care, and self-awareness. Today, as she steps into a new chapter, both professionally as the first Indian ambassador for Lancôme and personally with the arrival of her second baby boy, her perspective feels quieter, more intentional, and deeply assured.

There is a sense of return in the way she speaks now. Not to trends or expectations, but to herself. Her approach to beauty leans into consistency over excess, skin health over quick fixes, and emotion over performance. It is the same philosophy that shaped her wedding day, where she chose honesty over spectacle, and one that continues to guide her through motherhood and beyond.

In this conversation with Manifest, Kapoor reflects on the evolution of beauty, the rituals that have stayed with her, and the moments from her wedding that continue to hold meaning, long after the day itself has passed.

Meghna Sharma: Sonam, how has your definition of beauty evolved over the years?

Sonam Kapoor: It has evolved naturally over time and with experience. Earlier, beauty was more expressive; it was visual, experimental, and outward-facing. Today, it feels far more grounded. It’s rooted in care, consistency, and understanding myself better.

MS: Do you believe beauty is more about discipline, instinct, or emotion—and which one guides you the most today?

SK: I think it’s a combination of all three, but discipline is what anchors everything for me today. Consistency, whether it’s skincare, wellness, or rest, creates a strong foundation. Once that’s in place, instinct and emotion naturally shape how I express myself. Discipline gives beauty longevity; instinct gives it individuality.

Beauty, for me, now is less about how things look in the moment and more about how I feel over time, how I live, how I take care of myself, and how happy I feel in my own skin.

MS: Your wedding beauty moments are still referenced as timeless. What did you want your bridal look to express about you as a woman, beyond the bride?

SK: I wanted my bridal look to feel honest and true to who I am. It was never about being overdone or transformed into someone else. I wanted it to reflect my personality, modern, effortless, and rooted in my identity. Beyond being a bride, it was about feeling confident, comfortable, and completely myself.

MS: Was there a beauty ritual or product from your wedding that continues to hold emotional value for you?

SK: Skincare played a very important role during that time. Preparing my skin consistently in the months leading up to the wedding made me feel confident and calm. Using products that focused on strengthening and restoring my skin rather than masking it created a sense of trust. That approach, of investing in skin health early and intentionally, has stayed with me long even after the wedding.

MS: Congratulations on being Lancôme’s first-ever Indian ambassador. What’s your earliest memory of the brand?

SK: Thank you, this association feels incredibly special to me. My earliest memory of Lancôme is of it being synonymous with modern French beauty: effortless, elegant, and confident. It always stood for a certain kind of sophistication that felt aspirational yet timeless. To now be associated with the brand feels personal, meaningful, and very full circle.

MS: We need to know your favourite products. Is there a particular Lancôme product that mirrors your everyday beauty mood?

SK: The Lancôme Génifique Ultimate Skin Repair Serum is truly my constant. It reflects exactly how I approach skincare: simple, effective, and focused on strengthening and repairing the skin. Backed by years of research, it supports skin resilience and recovery, which makes it the one product I never skip, regardless of where I am or what phase of life I’m in. I also love this perfume called Idôle by Lancôme—it’s fresh, it’s pretty, and it has actually stood the test of time.

MS: What does the term luxury mean to you today?

SK: Luxury today, especially in beauty, means efficacy, quality, and intention. It’s about formulations that are backed by science, created with care, and designed to deliver real results over time. True luxury in skincare is about how a product makes your skin feel day after day, healthy, supported, and resilient, not just how it looks in the moment.

MS: Are there any inherited beauty practices—something passed down from your mother or grandmother—that you still hold close?

SK: What stayed with me most was the importance of consistency and respect for your skin. My mother always believed in caring for the skin gently and regularly rather than overdoing it. That philosophy, keeping routines simple, disciplined, and thoughtful, has influenced how I approach beauty even today.

MS: How has motherhood reshaped the way you approach self-care and beauty?

SK: Motherhood has made me far more intentional with my time and choices. I value simplicity, efficacy, and products that truly work. Self-care no longer feels indulgent; it feels essential. Beauty routines now serve a purpose: to support my energy, wellbeing, and sense of balance so I can show up fully every day.

MS: In moments when you strip everything back—no cameras, no make-up—what makes you feel most beautiful?

SK: Hydration and rest make the biggest difference for me. When my skin feels healthy, plump, and balanced, I feel confident even without make-up. That’s why a serum like the Génifique has become an essential, it supports skin strength and recovery, especially during busy or demanding phases. When your skin feels taken care of, everything else feels effortless.

MS: Do you feel women today are more confident in defining beauty on their own terms, rather than following trends?

SK: Absolutely. There’s a noticeable shift towards self-awareness and individuality. Women today are far more informed and confident in making choices that work for them personally. While trends will always exist, there’s a greater emphasis on understanding your own skin, lifestyle, and needs. That confidence in personal choice is incredibly empowering.

MS: If you could give one piece of beauty advice to a bride preparing for her wedding day, what would it be?

SK: Start early and stay consistent. Focus on skincare rather than last-minute fixes, and avoid experimenting too close to the wedding day. Most importantly, stay true to yourself, comfort and confidence always translate into beauty far more than perfection ever will.

Also, enjoy your wedding, don’t be a bridezilla. I honestly didn’t know what was going on during my wedding. I left the organising to my family, and I was only involved in what I was going to wear. I didn’t let my sister style me, I styled myself and it was great. I just wanted to have a good time, I didn’t want to get into the details as I didn’t want to be stressed. So, think of it as a party.

MS: Is there a moment from your wedding that still makes you smile?

SK: I remember holding my husband’s (Anand Ahuja) hand the whole time. And the fact that my dadi [paternal grandmother] was there because she passed away recently. So, you know, I had one grandparent there, and it was great.

MS: Sonam, what’s the best compliment you’ve ever received?

SK: That I make people feel good about themselves. And I love that! I love the fact that people want to be around me, because they feel happy.

MS: Lastly, when you look in the mirror today, what do you hope to see—beyond the make-up?

SK: I hope to see someone who feels comfortable, confident, and at ease in her own skin. When you feel aligned with yourself and your choices, it shows naturally. That sense of clarity and assurance is what beauty means to me today.