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To kickstart her promotions for Kuberaa in Chennai, Rashmika Mandanna wore a monochrome hand-embroidered ensemble by designer Arpita Mehta. The beige kurta churidar set had a soft sheen owing to the gold tissue fabric it was fashioned from.

The kurta and dupatta showcased kasab and cutdana embroidery interspaced with mirrorwork along the hem and scattered motifs. Mandanna opted to pair the grounded yet graceful look with gold kohlapuri wedges.

The actor styled the silhouette with polki earrings decorated with pearl drop detailing and matching polki rings. Her hair was slicked back into a twisted bun and adorned with gajra, complementing the quiet regality of the outfit. The makeup featured brushed eyebrows, warm, shimmery eyeshadow with smudged kajal and pink glossy lips on an illuminating base.

From Vogue’s fashion desk:

“Rashmika leans towards a traditional look in her Arpita Mehta peach-ish nude salwar ensemble. Why not reimagine this silk number in an A-line shift dress that has detailing on the sleeve hem? Pair the dress with nude ballet flats or juttis with subtle detailing. Wear your hair in tousled waves, don a bindi and brown-kohled eyes. Finish the look with large silver earrings to complete the look and a slight nod to Indian fashion in the ’70s,” says Vogue India’s Associate Fashion Editor, Divya Balakrishnan.

Dr Kohli adds that some people even experience mild withdrawal-like symptoms, such as peeling, redness or dryness, as the skin recalibrates. But here’s the surprise: “Many patients find that after a tretinoin break, their skin actually performs better with gentler alternatives. The barrier has time to repair, sensitivity decreases, and they can often achieve similar results with less aggressive approaches.”

What you can use instead of retinoids

No single product can replace tretinoin cream, so I broke it down by function—collagen production, skin clarity, texture smoothing, anti-inflammation—and rebuilt my routine from the ground up. Dr Kohli and Dr Agarwal both outlined a list of powerful ingredient options:

Bakuchiol

Nature’s retinol, derived from the babchi plant. Dr Kohli calls it “a clinically proven retinol alternative that stimulates collagen production and improves skin texture without the typical irritation.” It can even be used day and night.

Azelaic acid

A godsend for rosacea. “Azelaic acid reduces inflammation, minimises pores, and addresses both acne and pigmentation concerns,” says Dr Kohli. It’s gentle, well-researched, and safe for long-term use.

Niacinamide

“Niacinamide strengthens the skin barrier and reduces inflammation,” says Dr Agarwal. It also helps regulate oil, shrink pores, and works beautifully with other actives. Consider this your barrier’s best friend.

Peptides

“They offer anti-aging benefits without exfoliation or irritation,” says Dr Kohli. Peptides tell your skin to produce more collagen and elastin, supporting firmness and elasticity gently.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C never really suited my skin, even before retinol or retinoids entered my skincare routine. For those it does work for, consistent use of vitamin C can “promote collagen synthesis and addresses pigmentation concerns while being suitable for pregnancy and breastfeeding,” according to Dr Kohli.

It’s not just physical, there’s a psychological shift too

Many dermatologists talk about something akin to skincare separation anxiety. “Some patients develop what I call ‘tretinoin dependency syndrome’—a psychological reliance on the idea that only this powerful ingredient can maintain their skin,” says Dr Kohli. “Breaking that mental connection is often harder than managing the physical transition.”

That rang true for me. Letting go of tretinoin cream meant confronting the deeper fear that my skin would go back to its “before” state—blotchy, uneven, inflamed. But it didn’t. In fact, with a new, gentler but still effective routine, it got calmer and more stable. Dr Kohli puts it best:

“We’re moving away from the ‘no pain, no gain’ mentality. The most beautiful skin is healthy skin—skin that feels comfortable, functions optimally and ages without being forced into submission.”

For some, retinoids like tretinoin cream are a skincare godsend. For others, it’s too much of a good thing. “The one-size-fits-all approach to anti-ageing is giving way to nuanced strategies that consider individual skin types, lifestyles, and tolerance levels,” says Dr Kohli.

The most radical act in skincare might not be using the strongest ingredient on the shelf—it might be choosing the one your skin actually wants. And right now, mine wants peace, not punishment.

Also read:

Retinol vs retinoid–what to start and when, according to experts

From hydration to glow: the benefits of rose water you need to know

10 peptide lip balms that do more than just hydrate

Forget the açai bowl or avocado on toast, the breakfast classic your body might really need is probably already in your fridge. Eggs are among the most complete foods, says naturopath Juliette Andreau. “They’re rich in high-quality protein, healthy fats—especially in the yolk—plus essential vitamins like A, D, E and B12, choline for brain and liver function, and minerals such as selenium and zinc.” That’s why she recommends starting the day with them. “If you digest eggs well and don’t have any known allergies or intolerances, there’s no reason not to eat them daily,” she explains.

For a long time, eggs were demonised because of their cholesterol content, but we know now that dietary cholesterol is not the big bad wolf we thought it was, especially when part of a balanced overall diet.

That said, as with everything, it’s the quality that makes the difference. Organic, free-range eggs, including those from small producers, are a completely different story from industrial eggs. As for how many to eat each day, Andreau recommends two, or even three if it is the meal’s only source of protein. This can be adjusted depending on physical activity levels, a vegetarian diet and other individual factors. The key, she says, is “better tone, fewer morning cravings, greater satiety and a positive effect on mood.”

According to Andreau, the benefits appear quickly, especially when eggs replace a sweet breakfast. That said, naturopaths prefer to observe “cycles” of 14 to 21 days to assess whether a new habit is making an impact.

What are the health benefits of eating eggs every day?

Sharper mental clarity

Thanks to choline, a nutrient known to support brain function and memory.

Improved hormonal balance

Eggs contain cholesterol, which plays a vital role in the production of sex hormones including progesterone, oestrogen and testosterone.

Better vision

They provide two powerful antioxidants—lutein and zeaxanthin—that help filter blue light and protect the eyes from screen exposure.

Stronger, shinier hair

Eggs are rich in sulphur, a mineral found in keratin. They also contain biotin, a B vitamin essential for healthy hair, nails and skin. Sulphur-based amino acids like methionine support liver detoxification and keratin production, both of which contribute to hair health.

Preferred cooking methods

“Gentle cooking is the key. Ideally, eggs should be soft-boiled or poached, so the yolk stays runny and preserves vitamins A and D, along with choline, which are all sensitive to heat,” says Juliette Andreau. “When cooked at high temperatures, as in hard-boiled eggs or omelettes, some of these nutrients are lost and the fats may oxidise.”

Deepika Padukone, global brand ambassador for Cartier, often opts for a wristwatch, either stacked with other pieces or by itself. Once a functional staple, the watch has persisted in all our wardrobes alongside smartwatches and new-age inventions. The old analogue accessory may no longer be a necessity, but its aesthetic appeal is, well, timeless. “It’s a creative statement,” Marie-Laure Cérède, Cartier’s creative director of watchmaking, tells Vogue in a 2021 interview. “I don’t want my Cartier watch to tell me the time. My time is busy, and this is an object of grace and beauty.”

Padukone’s style spans from Tissot’s vintage leather-strapped timepiece to Chopard‘s iconic dials with dancing diamonds. Here are seven pieces you’ll want to borrow from the actor’s wristwatch collection.

1. Cartier: Panthère de Cartier

The Padmaavat actor’s go-to watch is a Panthère de Cartier, one of Cartier’s most distinctive designs. It was created in the ’80s, and is set with a synthetic blue spinel, a sharp contrast to the silvered dial. The straps are stainless steel and yellow gold. Here, she has stacked it with a gold Cartier Love bracelet and a gold and diamond Cartier Juste Un Clou bracelet.

2. Cartier: Tank Américaine watch

Capri pants have haters, but they also have fans. The trend takes us back to the 2000s, when they were worn by Latina fashionistas like Thalia, but also by celebrities like Carrie Bradshaw. And how can we forget the time when they appeared on the Chanel Spring-Summer 2006 runway?

What makes the piece interesting is undoubtedly the silhouette, shorter than traditional pants, longer than traditional shorts, which leads to one of the biggest style questions: What shoes do you wear with capris?

Capri designs are the perfect hybrid between Bermuda shorts and slim pants; they have an intimidating length, as they tend to shorten the silhouette if not styled the right way. However, it’s not blouses or blazers that adapt to create a flattering visual result, but the shoes. It’s true, they’re in charge.

If we had to choose a piece that determines the success of the look, it would be the shoes. These can give a different connotation to any combination, they can elevate it or, on the contrary, sentence it to oblivion. Since they’re the answer to all stylistic dilemmas, we decided to select the shoes street style experts are wearing with capri pants and prove that they are and will be a promising, avant-garde choice.

How to wear capri pants with on-trend shoes of summer 2025

Capri pants with strappy mules

Getty Images

Cosmic tip: Are you productive or are you simply busy?

Look how far you’ve come, not how far you are yet to go! Sag, we get it, you can tend to channel your inner Virgo sometimes (read: perfectionism), but really, what is perfect? You may like a size zero, but a size zero may love a size 12. This is the end of an era – something that marks the end of a cycle. This is your opportune time to rewrite your story, weave a new tapestry and upgrade the colour palette to your current liking. You are not here to judge, nor are you here to be judged. Just stay in your lane and keep your eyes on your track. Let others do them as you do you.

Cosmic tip: What epiphanies strike you? They are messages from the cosmos.

If you knew you were protected, how would you feel, what would you do, and what would you choose? Capricorn, cut away all that is flooding your life, creating more chaos than peace. You are at the brink of a breakthrough, and when you are in a rush, you can seldom hear the voice of your soul. Your health, happiness and contentment need a more easy-going approach. Your life, your thoughts and your dreams need you to calm down instead of darting around like a headless chicken. Take one moment at a time to create what you wish to – one step at a time, one task at a time and one breath at a time.

Cosmic tip: You cannot be everything to everyone, so choose to be what you can be to who you wish to be there for.

When faced with adversity, you have two choices: stress out or pull your socks up. Aquarius, you lofty cosmic warrior, why are you hiding away? When you know you deserve better, don’t you think it is time for you to begin asking for it? Don’t you think your voice matters? Your angels and guides support you, activating your deepest hidden truths and cosmic voice. Your life is multifaceted, so are your circumstances. Embrace the technicolour kaleidoscope that your life is and enjoy the layers as they peel themselves off.

Cosmic tip: You are an iridescent diamond, so stop chasing only one colour of light.

You are at the precipice of something amazing, Pisces. The stars are aligning just right, there is magic in the air, and you, my dear dreamy dragon, are about to realise the power you hold in your life. If you find yourself more chatty and buzzy than usual, make hay while this sun is shining – catch up with old friends, meet up with people, attend that networking do and do something to build your tribe. This may not be your zodiac season, but it is your season to shine still.

Cosmic tip: Remember your true self and stay aligned.

Stolen takes us to an unnamed place in rural Rajasthan where two urbane brothers accidentally get pulled into a child kidnapping case, and their world spirals soon after. The bystanders come and go, and the brothers are sucked into the cycle of WhatsApp rumours and the ensuing violence. At home, their mother, who plans to remarry, anxiously expects them. Abhishek Banerjee, who plays the elder brother, tells me that when they were shooting the mob lynching scene in the film, an elderly gentleman ended up intervening, not knowing it was a shoot.

“When I rewatched the film recently, I noticed that we’d retained him in the film,” Banerjee says, joined by Tejpal and producer Gaurav Dhingra on Zoom. “But it’s interesting that he only intervenes after the cops and their jeeps come to save the character who’s getting lynched. He couldn’t muster the courage earlier, but he was the only one who did step forward.”

Is there an inherent evil that stays the hand of the innocent bystander? Where do people like the elderly gentleman disappear when a mob overruns our common sense and humanity? The way Banerjee sees it, Stolen is not against the idea of a mob. The film, he notes, shows us three kinds of mobs: the first that is confused and wants to help the poor woman whose daughter was lifted from a railway station in the middle of the night; the second with bloodlust and a warped sense of justice; and the third that ultimately secures justice for the stolen child.

I know how I sound: cynical, hateful and curmudgeonly. And that’s probably because I am. But there’s something that feels distinctly Westernised and overly earnest about many of these wellness-style sober raves (it’s no surprise that the aforementioned sauna raves were a big thing in New York first). When I look deep into my soul and ask what it is about these sober raves that irks me so, it’s probably because they combine my two least favourite things: organised fun and extraversion, with an indefinable lack of irony smattered over proceedings. Also, what happened to good old-fashioned “hanging with friends” or “going for a coffee” or even, dare I say it, “enjoying a picnic”? Why not just go to a regular party and drink soda water instead? Does being sober mean you have to wear yoga pants?

Despite my arguably quite unfair aversions (I know, I know, nobody is putting a gun to my head and forcing me to a coffee rave), I do actually think there are a few cool-looking sober parties that don’t involve whoop-whooping in bakeries. Last month, Jaipur-based Alchemist Coffee Company joined hands with award-winning non-alcoholic spirit Sober to throw a rave, which basically looked like a regular club night but for sober people. I could also appreciate that it was from 7-10pm instead of going on until an ungodly 4am. I think it’s commendable that plenty of venues have, in recent years, improved their drinks options, so that sober people aren’t forced to chug Coke all night like a six-year-old at a birthday party.

Even so, you probably won’t catch me at a sober rave anytime soon—especially not one which aligns itself with wellness. I’d rather just go to the spa, without the strobe lights, or enjoy a nice relaxing gong bath without being forced to dance “ecstatically” (why are all these dance events so “ecstatic”?). Or reap the benefits of a sauna without being squished between hundreds of glistening bodies booty-shaking in my face on a Sunday afternoon.

It’s, of course, a positive thing that the sober and sober-curious movement appears to be growing, and I think we’ve still got a long way to go towards ensuring that sober people feel included within nightlife spaces. But, please, let’s not do aerobics while mainlining cacao balls before work and call it a rave.

If your wallet is still recovering from Guns N’ Roses and you thought your bank account could rest easy for the year after Travis Scott’s Delhi concert on October 18 and 19, there’s good news for your ears, bad news for your savings account. Make space in your phone gallery, because after six months of committing performances by Coldplay, Bryan Adams, Shawn Mendes, Glass Animals and Green Day to virtual memory, it is most likely bursting to the brim with photos and videos. Suffice to say, you’re going to need that extra GB of space because after a month of will-he-won’t-he, Vogue India finally has confirmation that Spanish singer-songwriter and certified heartthrob (I mean, have you seen him with Anna Kournikova in ‘Escape’?) Enrique Iglesias is set to perform in Mumbai this October.