It’s actually quite ironic that being a make-up artist, she did not have any make up on. As she sat patiently in the lounge, waiting for us to start, we noticed neatly manicured nails, thick lustrous hair and beautiful glowing skin. Somehow in that moment, the irony faded away.
Starting off at an early age, Priya has seen the industry change and grow over the years. She explains that the millennium has been a turning point for the makeup industry in India, after the disastrous makeup of the 90’s , establishment of foreign brands like MAC and Kyrolan, and more recently Bobbi Brown and Sephora(Delhi) has changed the industry in a way she could have never imagined a decade ago. She vividly divulges that a summer workshop in makeup ended up becoming her line of work, despite her having her own salon at that point. It intrigued her more than hair, which was her first choice as a profession.
At this moment her phone rings, while we feel slightly embarrassed thinking it’s one of our phones, she briskly admits it’s hers and puts it on silent. Her professionalism is something which has been in discussion for a while now, her book “The Bridal Diaries” a unique bridal style manual, has got her accolades from the likes of Karuna Lugani (Junior Fashion Editor, Elle India) and Sugatha Menon (JADE)
“The Bridal Diaries is like my child” says Kapur, “we started working on that in 2011.We did research , we went crazy hunting for jewelry, sourced out stuff, handmade accessories from scratch.” She believes the bride today is knowledgeable about everything but they don’t have a structured guide. The book covers lifestyle, what to eat, what one is supposed to do, meditation, yoga, skin care, health care, make up and bridal bloopers. It even covers DIY makeup. By chance if your makeup artist doesn't turn up, you don’t want to sit there doing nothing. You can’t cry, might as well do your own makeup and walk. It is available at the Taj Khazana, priced reasonably at 1050/- for a coffee table book."I think I had worked with too many brides!” she reasons while laughing demurely when we asked her how did she get the idea of a bride manual.
And what does the future have in store for her? Expansion into education for upcoming artists as well as increase self awareness with regards to grooming among as many people as possible. She also wants to launch her own range of makeup products. And is there a book in line, we ask her. Yes! She says with a twinkle in her eyes and signs off leaving us hanging for more.