The Makeup Artist and Beauty Mogul Chandrakala Shares the Secret of Her Success

A south Indian bride is very distinctive when it comes to traditional bridal beauty looks with her beautiful, large eyes, bold ‘bindi’ and accentuated lips. Our curated of the best beauty artist in south India throws the spotlight on the people who have transformed brides on their big day.

Close your eyes and picture the World’s Most Powerful Makeup Artist. She does reign supreme in her field: we interviewed Chandrakala in the middle of a marriage season that had her doing 24 brides in a month especially impressive when you consider that bridal makeups are just one of her several jobs, creates images for pre-wedding and marriage. But she’s built her game-changing career without losing her sense of fun, and that’s something I think we all aspire to.

With an impressive portfolio of nationally acclaimed qualifications, Chandrakala is known for her expert techniques and versatile styles. Combining her affinity for south Indian bridal makeup and her global exposure, she creates dewy fresh makeup looks that bring out the natural beauty and unique glow of every bride. Her flawless work ensures you look like the best version of yourself all day on your big day without having to worry about any touch-ups.

It turned into a couple of gap decades! When did you think, OK—this is the path I want?

For me, it’s not about 100 per cent knowing. But to work, because you love something is the best place to come from because then you’d do anything—sweep the floors, help the stylists, help the photographer. You have the absence of agenda.

There’s so much attention now on what makeup artists do. And whole generations of people want to become makeup artists.

They’re very lucky nowadays to know so much, to see what goes on backstage. I had no idea! I remember the first bridal makeup I was shaking the whole time because it was something I’d never seen before.

What’s your best advice for all those people who want to follow in your footsteps?

I knew I wasn’t going to make money in the beginning, so I found another way to support myself—I was an advisor. It’s quite smart to work that way. Otherwise, you get vicious and desperate, and no one wants to work with you. Build your career slowly; then people start to trust you and pay you well.

So your decision about what product to do first just came from, What do I love? Such an interesting lesson about the gut.

Yes, it was something that I’m completely passionate about. So that when I open my mouth, I’m not lying!

I’m getting the vague feeling you love your job.

Really and truly—you arrive at work every day, could be five in the morning, and genius things are happening. You are crying with laughter, or crying because you can’t think of an idea. Sometimes I look around the room, and say, “We are supposed to be adults.” Someone’s thrown an almond at you. The music is loud. So, need I say more about my day? We have the best, best time. I don’t want to let everyone know how good it is. I’ve told you too much. I should have just said it’s miserable. We never sleep.

“Don’t do what I do.”

Yes. I feel bad for anyone who wants to do this job. [Laughs.] But I have a lot of fun.