Behind The Beauty with Carla Ruth Dennis
- Apr 29
- 4 min read
Originally from vibrant Cape Town and now, after over two decades, calling Bombay home, Carla Ruth Dennis has created a life that is as beautiful as it is meaningful. After walking the runways at fashion weeks around the world and fronting campaigns for some of the biggest names in the industry, she now spends her days balancing content creation with a very intentional mix of working out, cooking and spending time with her dogs and husband, Arjun Kanungo.
“My days are a mix of movement, grounding and cooking,” shares Carla. “There’s usually some form of workout — a heavy lifting workout, walking my dogs or spinning — followed by work that can range from shoots and meetings to content planning or travel. I love cooking for myself and my family and often experiment to make healthy meals and dessert.”
A beauty minimalist through and through (Carla swears by the power of fewer products that actually work instead of overwhelming her skin with too many), she is as open with me about her routine as she is about her journey living with bipolar disorder, a facet of her life that she has learnt to embrace with awareness and a deep sense of understanding — a way of living that Carla says has made her show up better for herself, her work and those that she loves.
Below, Carla’s beauty must-haves and the experts that she trusts for her skin, as well as her tips for balancing mental health in a profession that often blurs the line between image and identity.
What does your beauty routine look like? Are you a maximalist or minimalist?
I’m a minimalist and my daily routine is simple and consistent, I believe in fewer products that really work rather than overwhelming my skin. I love La Mer’s Le Concentrate and La Roche-Posay's Cicaplast Baume B5 — they work so well for barrier repair after treatments.
A product that you absolutely cannot live without.7
Both the Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Serum and Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Cream from Sulwhasoo are my baseline for glow and hydration. Everything else builds on that. The smell of ginseng is so therapeutic and calming, I’m absolutely obsessed!
You’ve openly spoken about living with bipolar disorder. How has that shaped your understanding of yourself?
It’s taught me awareness and responsibility. I understand my rhythms deeply now and that awareness has helped me build a happier life. Awareness has made me a better wife, friend, daughter and dog mom.
How does your inner state influence your idea of beauty? Are there moments when beauty rituals feel grounding or regulating?
I’ve learnt to be kinder to myself when I’m experiencing a bipolar episode. I prioritize sleep, hydration and self care. Simple rituals like skincare and breath work can bring me back into my body when things feel overwhelming.
How has your relationship with beauty changed since you started working? Earlier, beauty was external but over time it’s become more internal. I’ve learnt that how I treat my body and mind matters far more than how I look. Beauty now is a long-term relationship and not just about having a perfect sculpted body or jawline. Now I focus on collagen building treatments, building strength, a clean diet and having healthy habits.
Beauty tricks you’ve picked up from makeup artists?
Less makeup and more skin prep! One multi-use product for lip cheek and blush is all you need.
Modelling demands discipline. How do you balance that with mental health?
By choosing consistency over intensity. Discipline doesn’t mean pushing through at all costs but knowing when to rest and when to pause as well.
What would you want someone, especially a young model, to know about living fully while managing their mental health?
I’d want them to know that living fully doesn’t mean living at full speed all the time, it also means taking a breather when you need it. In an industry that rewards appearance, it’s important to know that being beautiful isn’t your entire existence. Inner work is a continuous long-term job, so never stop learning, build a healthy relationship with food and prioritize strengthening your body and mind.
Beauty brands you love.
For skincare, I love Sulwhasoo’s Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Serum and Concentrated Ginseng Rejuvenating Cream, Skinceuticals’ C E Ferulic and the AlphaRet Overnight Cream from Skinbetter Science. When it comes to makeup, the multi-use makeup sticks and balms from both Chanel and Dior, Charlotte Tilbury’s Airbrushed Flawless Finish Setting Powder and the Revealer Concealer from Kosas are my ultimate OGs. Amongst the Indian brands, I love the Cosmic Eyes Kajal Liner from Mokae Beauty and D’you’s Unkissed sunscreen.
Is there something you stopped doing for beauty that actually made you feel better?Letting my skin and body exist without constant correction and criticism. Acceptance is incredibly freeing.
Favourite beauty spots or experts you recommend.
In Mumbai, I go to Dr. Harshna Bijlani at Ageless for treatments, Dr. Jaishree Sharad at Skinfiniti for injectables, Priya at Ageless for facials, Leena Lepcha at Glory Grandeur for nails, Nida at Watercolour Salon for hair color and cut, recovery treatments and massages at Bluxone, manicures and pedicures at The White Door and Brows by Suman for microblading and eyelash perm and tints. I also love getting a massage at the Diora Onsen and Spa in Thailand and the Head Spa at Head Spa Kuu in Japan!
If you could create one beauty product that doesn’t exist yet, what would it be?
A dry shampoo that actually works.
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