Living Padma Lakshmi, TV Host and Food Expert, Shares Her 20 Daily Essentials This media personality's must-haves include her favorite books, beauty products, and more. By Catherine Hong Catherine Hong Catherine Hong has been writing for Martha Stewart Living since 2013, contributing stories about food, design and entertaining. She lives in Hastings-on-Hudson, NY. Editorial Guidelines Published on July 29, 2022 Photo: James Macari Beauty and fashion were Lakshmi's bread and butter when she was a model in the 1990s, a career she embarked on to pay off her college loans. But food—real food—was her first love. A native of Chennai, India, who moved to the U.S. at age 4, she started collecting cookbooks in her teens, and spent her free time in the kitchen during her modeling days. She's since served as producer and host of Bravo's Top Chef, now in its 19th season, written five books, and created Taste the Nation, her documentary series for Hulu that explores America's rich culinary culture (she's 14 episodes in, with a new season due out this fall). With all that, as well as raising her 12-year-old daughter, Krishna, who is also her trusty TikTok collaborator, Lakshmi doesn't have a lot of time for primping. "My style mantra these days is, 'Hurry up, it doesn't matter,'" she says. Fittingly, the accessory she's most known for is her aviator frames, which have brought comparisons to Gloria Steinem's style in the 1970s—a high compliment. "I remind myself that it doesn't matter what you wear, but what you do, say, and write," she says. "At this point in my life, I'm more concerned about being productive than achieving a look." Shop Padma Lakshmi's Everyday Essentials: Neal's Yard Remedies Neroli Essential Oil Rue32 Spicy Za'atar Oil Madewell Denim Tie-Waist Jumpsuit Saint Christopher Medal in 14k Gold Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks Tomatoes for Neela Ray-Ban Classic Aviators Humboldt Fog Cheese ″The Gastronomical Me″ by M.F.K. Fisher Casablanca Lilies OPI Nail Polish in Kyoto Pearl Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 Cuyana Leather Travel-Case Set Wagh Bakri Masala Chai Caress Daily Silk Beauty Bar Supreme Paw Supply Security Dog Hoodie Microplane 12-Inch Zester ″Brown Sugar″ by D'Angelo Christine Chin Hydrating Toner Christine Chin Cell Gold Face Brightening Serum 01 of 20 Neal's Yard Remedies Neroli Essential Oil Courtesy of Neal's Yard Remedies $37, us.nealsyardremedies.com "I mix it with myrrh oil to make my own scent." 02 of 20 Rue32 Spicy Za'atar Oil Courtesy of rue32 $16, rue32.com "It's so good drizzled on avocado toast." 03 of 20 Madewell Denim Tie-Waist Jumpsuit Courtesy of Madewell $158, madewell.com "I believe there's a jumpsuit for every occasion. I can dress this up or down, or spend an afternoon cooking in it." 04 of 20 Saint Christopher Medal in 14k Gold Courtesy of Macy's $600, macys.com "I never take it off." 05 of 20 Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks Courtesy of Bonnie Slotnick Cookbooks bonnieslotnickcookbooks.com "Her shop has such a diverse mix of vintage and first editions." 06 of 20 Tomatoes for Neela Courtesy of Indiebound $17.99, indiebound.org "My daughter inspired my first children's book. It has my recipe for tomato chutney." 07 of 20 Ray-Ban Classic Aviators Courtesy of Ray Ban from $163, ray-ban.com "I put my progressive lenses into these." 08 of 20 Humboldt Fog Cheese Courtesy of La Fromagerie Cheese Shop $14.99, lafromageriesf.com "A tasty snack with blackberries or spicy condiments." 09 of 20 "The Gastronomical Me" by M.F.K. Fisher Courtesy of Bookshop $16.74, bookshop.org "Her prose is lyrical without being flowery." 10 of 20 Casablanca Lilies from $14.99, brecks.com "I put them in simple glass vases throughout the house." 11 of 20 OPI Nail Polish in Kyoto Pearl Courtesy of OPI $11, riteaid.com "It's perfect with brown skin. I wear it on my toes." 12 of 20 Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 Courtesy of Jack Black $8, getjackblack.com "One of my staples. It smells great!" 13 of 20 Cuyana Leather Travel-Case Set Courtesy of Cuyana $128, cuyana.com "It is built to last." 14 of 20 Wagh Bakri Masala Chai Courtesy of Amazon $7.99, amazon.com "To unwind, I read the Sunday paper with a pot of this—my go-to, down-and-dirty chai." 15 of 20 Caress Daily Silk Beauty Bar Courtesy of Target $7.79, target.com "I've used it since I was four. The scent is comforting and clean." 16 of 20 Supreme Paw Supply Security Dog Hoodie Courtesy of Paw Supply from $25, supremepawsupply.com "Our chihuahua, Divina, has an extensive hoodie collection. This is my favorite." 17 of 20 Microplane 12-Inch Zester Courtesy of sur la table $15.95, surlatable.com "There's nothing like a light snow of lemon zest or dark chocolate over ice cream." 18 of 20 "Brown Sugar" by D'Angelo Courtesy of Barnes & Noble $17, barnesandnoble.com "I'll play this before guests arrive. It puts you in a vibe." 19 of 20 Christine Chin Hydrating Toner Courtesy of Christine Chin $32, christinechin.com "I started getting facials from Christine in my 30s." 20 of 20 Christine Chin Cell Gold Face Brightening Serum Courtesy of Christine Chin $89, christinechin.com "Christine's never steered me wrong." Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit