Gouri Tonnk: I’ve been doing my own makeup for years now

For actor Gouri Tonnk, makeup is not just part of the job; it is something she has chosen to take into her own hands. While many actors rely on professional artists on set, she has been doing her own makeup for years. “I’ve been doing my own makeup for years now,” she says, pointing out that this practice has continued across projects, including Teri Meri Doriyaann Shakti- Astitva Ke Ehsaas Ki and Deewaniyat. Her reason is simple: “I always feel that the way I know my face, no one else can know. Sometimes it happens that I do my makeup and it looks good, and then someone else does it, and it doesn’t feel the same. I like it also, it just feels like art.

And according to different characters, I do different things—that’s something I love. When I know I am caught up with my lines, I still quickly do my makeup and let professionals do my hair and meanwhile I work on my lines for the show.

Now I am used to multi-tasking it.” Gouri also acknowledges the shift in how television makeup has evolved with changing audience expectations and technical upgrades. “Earlier, there was a lot of loud makeup, now it’s more basic. Cameras are better, TVs are better, and audiences are more intelligent now. They don’t accept over-the-top things, whether in makeup or performance. Subtlety works better.”