Picture i'mperfect

Teen queen

FROM ISSUE # 117 (September 2005) | IN THIS ISSUE
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Participating in a beauty contest never featured in our cover girl Priyanka Karki's to-do list but now she is Miss Teen Nepal and she says she would do it again. "It still feels strange and surreal," she laughs, weeks after the contest. "I've been on cloud nine ever since but I'm just another regular girl."

Priyanka not only walked off with the Miss Teen Nepal crown but bagged Miss Intelligent and Miss Talent titles to boot! "They were totally unexpected," says she, "the whole experience changed my life and the way I perceive things, especially beauty queens. They have to be beautiful, smart and sharp."

Eighteen years old, pretty, and intelligent, what is most attractive about Priyanka is her energy and zest for life. "I'm naturally optimistic, I always see the brighter side of things," she says, "Taking part in the Miss Teen contest was an impulsive decision. I was home watching TV when I saw the announcement so I picked up the phone, found out the details and told my parents at dinner." Seeing that she had a 15-day break from school, which coincided with the training period, her parents agreed readily. And now, she tells us, her father is busy making a scrapbook for her and her mom thinks she should go a step further and participate in Miss Nepal.

"Only my brother treats me like I'm nobody," she adds with a smile, "like I used to be, like I am
still me."

THE LOOK: The lacy chemise Rs 298, white embroidered shirt Rs 478, blue jeans Rs 800.

QUICK TIP: A single coat of mascara will only take about one moment per eye, giving just enough definition to lashes. A soft dusting of eye shadow in a complementary shade to one's choice of apparel will further enhance the eyes. Putting on eye colour should take no more than a few seconds though mascara alone is a good substitute.

Life, to Priyanka, is beautiful. "But teenage years are the best," she says, "It's not like I don't want to grow up, it's more like—these are the most carefree days of our lives."

With only a year more to go before she is not a teenager anymore, Priyanka plans to throw a really big birthday bash on 27 February next year. As she adds, "I want to enjoy the last teen year of my life to the fullest. Why not start it with a bang?"

As much as she loves colours, black is Priyanka's favourite. "When you wear black, you stand out," she says, "and it makes you look thinner too." She likes clothes that fit well and flatter her figure. "Being a girl is special," she adds, "and knowing how to wear and carry off your clothes celebrates it."

Black is also the colour of her favourite dress and shoes. And though she likes music by hip-hop artistes such as Usher, Nelly and Ashanti, she's not a big fan of the hip-hop image. Reading does figure as a hobby but she judges a book by the story on its back cover. Collecting coins, which she has been doing since the age of nine, is more her style.

THE LOOK: Black top Rs 448, blue jeans Rs 800, black embroidered shoes Rs 700.

QUICK TIP: Skin tone is a big factor when choosing hues for foundation, eye makeup and lipstick. Lighter shades will create a washed out look, while intense hues will add dramatic effect and bring to life the eyes and cheekbones. Use foundation and powder with a yellow undertone. They produce a natural, flawless look that is modern and beautiful.

Put the music on and Priyanka is ready to boogie, with or without her dancing shoes. And believe it or not, she can strut on high heels. "I find them very comfortable," she says, "I like to wear them with girly clothes that aren't revealing and accessorise the look with rings and earrings."

If there's one passion she has in life, "It's dancing," she says. And it was dancing to Darpan Chhaya that won her the Miss Talent title. Even at home, her mom is often trying to shoo away her only daughter from the TV because as president of the dance club at her school, Rato Bangala, Priyanka tries to pick up every new step she can. She's already picked up salsa, the latest rage in town. The fact that dancing keeps you in shape gives her all the more reason to follow not only her heart but the music too.

"I want to go to Hawaii and see the hula," she says, "I've always wanted to go to Hawaii anyway. In fact I've been there so many times in my dreams I want to see if it really looks like the picture in my mind." There are many pictures in her mind but the future to her is a photo album waiting to be filled. A long thoughtful pause later, she says, "I have no particular idea of what I'd like to be when I grow up, I like to take things as they come and just hope to be happy in the end."

THE LOOK: Crushed shawl Rs 348, knitted top Rs 448, white skirt Rs 598, boots Rs 1,498.

QUICK TIP: When applying nail polish, it's much better to apply lots of thin coats of colour rather that one thick one, it will dry quicker and last longer. Try not to remove and reapply polish more than once or twice a week, as it will dry out your nails. Choosing a remover with built-in moisturisers helps limit the damage.

With a 5ft 6" frame, Priyanka is into basketball, swimming and biking. She likes to shoot some baskets whenever possible, swim a few laps and has recently learnt to ride a CBZ.

"I am into sports but not as much as dancing," says Priyanka. However, our newly crowned Miss Teen believes in being at peace with oneself. She is into yoga and understands that the mind influences not just an individual's outlook on life but appearance also.

She has modelled in the music video for Bharat Sitaula's Maya Launata and speaking from experience, says, "To be able to carry oneself off as a model and to look good at the same time requires more than just good physical features, it has to come from within you.

THE LOOK: Track suit Rs 1,198, top Rs 396, sneakers Rs 1,898.

QUICK TIP: Feel good, feel pretty and that's just what the world will see. Real beauty celebrates individuality. Instead of running around looking for beauty in pricey external products, discover it within yourself. Make the most of what you have. You'll learn to like yourself and that will spark a light within.

MAKE-UP: Sneh Rana, Kupondole. 5548831
HAIR STYLIST: Rapunzel Hair and Beauty Salon, Jawalakhel. 5527791
CLOTHES: Gossip, Bishal Bajar
PHOTOGRAPHER: Anup Prakash
MODEL: Priyanka Karki