Dilruba Pandey, proves that multi tasking is absolutely a woman’s cup of tea. Being a model, emcee, singer, fashion image consultant, your favourite anchor in Rosebowl she has excelled the limits of being the best.  She lives by the quote, “Don’t strive to be perfect. Strive for excellence.”

As a fashion image consultant she has certain tips for the Miss Kerala 2011 aspirants. Thus before you hit the stage, keep these expert suggestions in your mind.

Could you please tell our Miss Kerala 2011 aspiring contestants what are the key factors that they should take care with regard to make – up?

According to me the factors that a beauty pageant contestant has to take care when it comes to make – up are;

• First and foremost is the brand she uses. Make sure that you opt for a good brand. I personally use MAC but as it is quite expensive, you can choose Krylon, Maybelline etc. But it has to be water proof.

• Secondly the colour of foundation she uses is very important. Thus before choosing a foundation, ensure that you test it on you. Using a particular foundation can either make or break your look.

• Take care of your eye make – up. Opt for Smokey eye make – up as this will help your eyes stand out.

• Keep your look fresh, happy and glowing.

What are the best hair styles for a beauty pageant contestant?

Always go for an updo hair style. As this symbolizes the confidence that you are prepared to get the crown up your head. Even when it comes to Indian attire; for eg: Kerala sari, the hair can be tied neatly and then left open at the bottom. Updo hair can save you from having your hair flow all over your face and disturbing you and the judges.

Please share some quick skin – care tips to the pageant candidates.

Best skin care tip is to get real good sleep. Intake of vitamin E is must. Exercise in the form of walking is good for healthy skin. Later you can think of the facials or clean up. A solid advice I would give the pageant contestants is to not bleach their face a day before the D-day. Get your facial, bleach, waxing etc done a week before. I recommend this because incase if there is some reaction on your face, you have a week’s time to heal.

What are the things that a beauty pageant contest should remember while carrying an outfit?

First and foremost rule is to feel comfortable in what you wear. Important thing while you pick a particular garment – may be; your pageant gown, sari or cocktail dress is to go for colours that suit you. Also the fit should go well with your body structure. Keep these small things in your mind, when it comes to beauty pageant clothing:

• Stay away from too many frills.

• Sophistication, is what I aim for a pageant.

• Avoid faded colours, go for bright or deep shades.

• Don’t pick bold prints on stage.

• Keep wearing your dresses everyday to check its fit. Even on the pageant day wear it in the morning and check the fit, as some may lose or gain weight and you won’t look bad wearing either a loose fitted or tight fitted garment.

How can a pageant aspirant avoid bad hair day?

Trust me, every participant will have a bad hair day on the D-day. Keep your hair washed, clean and oil-free. Keep your hair – sprays, pins, gels ready to save you from your hair sorrows. These days you have hairstylist for pageants and they are well equipped.

What kind of jewelry should she pick for the contest?

I love the glitter on the jewelry. Wear bold earnings. I would advice to avoid a chunky necklace with an evening gown. A nice bracelet will add to the highlight of the outfit. Don’t spoil the look by adding hair accessories, if you want put small and delicate ones.

What is your message to Miss Kerala 2011 aspirants?

Don’t fake your persona. Never try to imitate a slang tone or too much of accent when you answer the questions on stage. Be prepared with a good introduction. Stay away from long and complicated introductions, trust me people start yawning listening to that. Thus keep it short and simple. Keep smiling on the stage, I know it is funny, but remember you are in a competition. So you are there to win. Get competitive and don’t try to prove that you are Mother Teresa.

Do you have any message for Kochivibe readers?

I miss living in Cochin. I wish Kochivibe readers all the very best and keep the positive vibes on and chill in life.

This is the chat conversation we had with Dilruba Pandey, Navy Queen 2009.

1.  How did the Navy Queen come about?

I was told by a lot of friends to take part in navy queen 3 years back. But then I had lot of work here, my VJing and Ads kept me very busy, and also I had a lot of work in Mumbai. This time I made it a point to take part, somehow I felt 2009 will be very lucky for me. I took part and the rest as they say is history.

2. The Highlight of this year is that, the winner is married. Where you the only married person taking part?

No not at all, there were quite a few married women. I think there were 6 to 7 married  women in the prelims and we had 4 in the finals. I believe the tag queen itself signifies the maturity of the person, it does not matter if you are married or unmarried, what actually matters is if you are portraying  your feminity on stage or if you are actually celebrating your womanhood on stage.

3. So was there a generation gap?

Oh! No, I’m still in my late twenties, and there was no generation gap at all. In-fact I was the one making all those jokes and getting trendy with them. There were a few young girls who were so mature and I kept telling them not to grow up and stay in their teen age. It was a fun grooming session we had, so there was a lot of bonding and it was fun.

4. So what is your connection with Kochi?

Well I used to travel a lot to Kochi while I was in Mumbai being an image stylist. My connection with Kochi started then. Then I moved here when my husband got posted here. In the beginning it was a little depressing, coz things were not happening here, but I think it picked up in a year’s time.

5. Which are the Ads you have done?

I have done a lot, I was the face of Apple properties, sunetra eye drops, hridyamruth, I have done about 10 ads. I was also the face of Parpiddam, a magazine. I’m also the face for an online shopping network. I have also done a Malayalam movie, in which I had a small role. The name of the movie was called Roudram.

6. Are you planning to get into movies?

I would love to get into movies, I have done a lot of theatre in Pune and also I’m a trained western classical singer. I have done a lot of musical theatre. I’m on the lookout for good roles, I will not do a small role again, I’m looking for something substantial and has some weightage. I also compere stage shows.

7. What do you think of the casting couch?

It definitely exists, but I have my priorities straight. That is one of the reason why I did Raoudram 2 years back and I have not done a movie till today. Roudram was great, the director was a thorough gentleman. I had a few more offers but I did not get the right vibes. Not all directors are like that some are good and some are bad, who are we to judge. I don’t know about the Malayalam industry that much, but the ad world and TV industry is very clean as far as I know. The industry is not bad, sometimes I feel as an actor, there are agents, who tell you that there is a role available but it comes with a few conditions. It purely depends on how ambitious the girl is, nobody is forcing anybody to do it. So we cannot really blame the industry.

8. How did the Rosebowl thing happen?

Rosebowl happened through a friend of mine. A few people told me that I need to be in front of the camera, and not behind styling people. I gave it a go, sent my pictures and did an audition and thus it happened. We had a blast shooting for Rosebowl, my director used to tease me and tell me the wrong malayalam pronuncitaion to be told on screen for my show song4u.

9. So are you missing Pune.

Yeah, Pune is my life. I have my parents there and all my friends. But Kochi is a very happening place now and i can never forget what Kochi have given to me.

10. Are you Fashion Crazy?

I’m completely into Fashion. I am always dressed upto my best. I love clothes, make up and I love making a statement.

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