All posts by : AyFa Collections

Once upon a sheet mask, beauty was skin-deep. Now, it lives somewhere between your vagus nerve and your inbox-induced heart palpitations. As the glow-up turns inward and Instagram’s wellness girlies chant about “regulation” like it’s the new retinol, a quiet shift is underway: beauty is no longer skin-deep—it’s system-deep.

In the golden age of cortisol, calm is currency. We’re not just masking—we’re plunging into ice baths, thumping our chests like gorillas, rubbing magnesium into our soles, and exhaling theatrically between meetings like our skin (or sanity) depends on it. Because in a world where your phone pings faster than your serum sinks in, rest isn’t indulgent—it’s intervention.

“The vagus nerve starts at the brain and runs through the face and thorax (which holds the heart, major blood vessels and lungs) to the abdomen,” osteopath Nadia Alibhai tells Vogue UK. “It’s a major part of our parasympathetic nervous system, which is associated with the ‘rest and digest’ response, plus it also helps counteract the sympathetic nervous system’s ‘fight or flight’—or stress—response.” It controls several muscles in the throat involved in speech and various aspects of digestion.

Here’s why that matters: your nervous system is your body’s command centre, silently orchestrating everything from inflammation and digestion to mood and breakouts. When it’s stuck in high-alert mode, your skin doesn’t care how many actives you’re layering—it’s too busy surviving.

The quiet power of your vagus nerve

Enter vagus nerve stimulation. Once confined to neurology clinics and implanted medical devices, it now wears a wellness cloak, surfacing in everything from icy immersions and low humming to somatic therapy and diaphragmatic breathwork. These aren’t just rituals; they’re exit strategies from the stress spiral.

This winding superhighway of calm touches nearly every part of your body, from voice and breath to digestion and heartbeat. It’s the crown jewel of the parasympathetic system, the part that helps you downshift and exhale. When responsive, it brings you back to baseline. When overworked, it leaves you in simmer mode: jaw tight, breath shallow, always bracing for the next ping.

And while your nervous system doesn’t come with a jade roller, it does respond—beautifully—to rhythm, breath, temperature, and touch.

The 4-7-8 breath

Developed by Dr Andrew Weil, this technique involves inhaling for four counts, holding for seven, and exhaling slowly over eight. That extended exhale activates your vagus nerve, helping pull the body out of high-alert mode and into parasympathetic territory. Studies show that slow, deliberate breathing improves heart rate variability (a measure of nervous system resilience) and reduces cortisol. Free, fast, and surprisingly effective.

Cold water exposure

No, it doesn’t have to be an ice bath at 6am. Even splashing cold water on your face can trigger the mammalian dive reflex—a built-in calming mechanism. Research links cold exposure to improved mood, stress recovery, and immune modulation. The effects are instant: heart rate slows, focus sharpens. Uncomfortable? Yes. Unscientific? Not at all.

Legs-up-the-wall

Viparita Karani is restorative yoga at its simplest: lie on your back, feet up against the wall, do nothing. But it quietly does a lot—enhances circulation, relieves pressure in the lower body, and gently nudges the nervous system into rest mode. Small studies show it can lower perceived stress and improve sleep. Plus, it’s a horizontal rebellion against hustle culture.

Humming

The vagus nerve runs through the vocal cords and inner ear. So humming, chanting “OM,” or even singing softly in the shower? All legit stimulation. Studies suggest vocal toning can help shift the body into a parasympathetic state. It’s not new-age fluff—it’s anatomy with a side of melody.

When it comes to tackling summer skin problems, there are a few that are particularly high on the priority list, the issue of excess sweating, for one, and benzoyl peroxide. Warmer temperatures and more time outside = warmer bodies, more sweat, and therefore more intense body odour. For some, the problem ends with a good deodorant and linen clothing. For others, excessive sweating poses a bigger challenge. Which seems to be why people on social media are slathering on benzoyl peroxide, an over-the-counter ingredient traditionally used for treating acne.

But does it work? We asked aesthetic doctor, and founder of Illuminate Skin Clinics, Dr Sophie Shotter, to set the record straight.

What is benzoyl peroxide?

“Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) is a well-established, over-the-counter and prescription-strength topical antimicrobial and keratolytic agent, primarily used in the treatment of acne,” Dr Shotter explains. Keratolytic is a substance that helps break down upper layers of the skin, slough away dead skin cells, unclog pores and reduce the formation of comedones (the technical name for blackheads).

“It is known to kill the cutibacterium acnes bacteria, a key driver of inflammatory acne,” says Dr Shotter. In addition to reducing redness and swelling. In some cases, it can be used to treat mild folliculitis, when the hair follicles become inflamed and small pus-filled bumps form.

Can benzoyl peroxide help reduce body odour caused by sweating?

The main draw of using a face wash with benzoyl peroxide is not to eliminate sweating, it’s a vital part of the body’s excretion system, but to nix the smell of sweat, something Shotter says, in certain cases, actually checks out.

“Using benzoyl peroxide on sweaty areas like the underarms, chest, or lower back can make sense in specific contexts, but not for excess sweating itself,” she clarifies. “It can be helpful for body odour and acne-prone areas, but it’s not an antiperspirant, and misuse can lead to irritation or barrier damage.” The reason it works, she tells British Vogue, is because body odour is caused by the bacterial breakdown of sweat. Benzoyl peroxide’s antibacterial properties can reduce the bacterial “load” (‘amount’ in layman’s terms), and therefore reduce odour.

How to pick the right benzoyl peroxide strength

While benzoyl peroxide is generally safe to use on the skin at concentrations ranging from 2.5% to 10%, lower strengths are just as effective, advises Dr Shotter. They’re also “significantly better tolerated, especially when used on the face or sensitive areas like the underarms”, she says. Higher strengths could cause irritation, inflammation and dryness, especially in those with sensitive or reactive skin.

That said, committing to 26.2 miles isn’t only about scoring bragging rights or curated finish-line photos. As cliché as it sounds, it really is about the journey. When I first started training, I could barely make it through half a mile. Now I’m clocking 35-plus miles a week, with two half-marathons under my belt. My average pace has gone from 12 minutes to eight. And perhaps most importantly, I actually look forward to lacing up my sneakers right after an exhausting day at work.

Regardless of your experience, impulsive marathon training, I’d argue, is one of the most rewarding, life-changing ways to shut down nagging doubts—let me convince you why.

An expensive, high-stakes marathon is the ultimate accountability hack

No soul-searching journey to answer “Who am I?” is without a string of abandoned passion projects. I’ve had my own fair share—starting a beauty blog (that lasted a month), deciding to become a reformer Pilates gal (that didn’t stick either), the list goes on.

Running, at first, was a part of that cycle too. The promise of its very legit health benefits was quickly overshadowed by classic excuses and my “Eh, I’ll do it tomorrow!” attitude. But nothing gets you to stick with a goal quite like registering for a coveted, once-a-year marathon that, for one, is notoriously difficult to even sign up for. (To get into the NYC one, for example, you either need a super speedy finishing time—which, shocker, I didn’t have—to raise thousands of dollars for a charity, run nine qualifying races the year before, or take your chances with a highly selective lottery that has a less-than-3% acceptance rate.)

That’s not all. Once you’re in, you still have to pay a hefty $300 registration fee months before. So the cost, effort and sheer difficulty of even earning a spot make the idea of backing out unthinkable, providing the kind of accountability I need to follow through far more effectively than an elusive goal like “getting in shape.”

Marathon training provides built-in structure when life is falling apart

For so long, my life seemed to follow a linear path: Graduate. Get a job. Maybe settle down. Then…what? Without straightforward benchmarks of “progress,” I was left to figure out the trajectory of my future by myself—which is equal parts liberating and disorienting.

Fashion thrives on contrasts, bringing together conflicting garments to form a perfect harmony. Consider baggy pants paired with snug tank tops, romantic silk skirts alongside oversized t-shirts, or open shirts styled with extremely short tops. Ultimately, no season, temperature, or weather can diminish the timeless appeal of the classic shirt in our wardrobes. Whether you pair it with tailored pants for a sophisticated look or denim jeans for a laid-back yet chic vibe, the shirt is a versatile staple that gives each outfit a unique twist. This spring-summer 2025, fashion enthusiasts have embraced an exciting trend: wearing shirts unbuttoned while having fun with the choice of what’s underneath—be it crop tops, t-shirts, bodysuits, bras, or even mini dresses. The possibilities are endless.

No matter your summer plans, whether enjoying a beach stroll or sipping drinks with friends in town, an open shirt will elevate your style. Pair it with poplin or denim shorts, linen, white or patterned pants, or mini dresses. Depending on your commitment level and personal style, you’ll discover the ideal outfit to flaunt this summer. Here are 8 outfit ideas for inspiration.

Getty Images

Open shirt + poplin shorts

The first, summery choice is to wear an open shirt over a bikini top, whether it’s a classic triangle style or a balconette cut. To maintain the beachy feel, you can pair it with poplin shorts that match the shirt or offer a contrast. Accessories such as a handbag, a hat, sunglasses, and jewellery will finish off the look.

Open shirt + long linen pants

A more stylish option, embodying full Dolce Vita flair, is to pair an open shirt with long linen trousers, available in classic white or vibrant stripes. To finalise the ensemble, add a mini sports bra, bandeau, or triangle bra. Voila, your outfit is set, ideal for a sunset aperitif or a romantic stroll through the charming streets of Portofino.

Instagram.com/@martaoldrini

Open shirt + denim shorts

A timeless casual combination is jeans and a shirt. The summer variation, seen on Vittoria Ceretti during her beach getaway, includes denim shorts paired with an open white or striped shirt. To achieve a bolder look, consider adding a leopard bikini top and a Prada fisherman hat.

Instagram.com/@cristina_marino

Open shirt + bodysuit

One of the favourite combinations among fashionistas is the pairing of an open shirt and a ribbed bodysuit. This ensemble, when paired with linen pants or patterned shorts, is perfect for a business meeting in the city or a summer getaway. Both fresh and elegant, it’s set to be the “evergreen” look for the upcoming months.

Open shirt + mini dress

The open shirt complements not just crop tops and bras, but also mini dresses. It serves as a lightweight jacket, perfect for adding a stylish touch to your summer outfits. Whether for a beach dinner or a stroll on a less sunny day, it makes for a chic combination. Pair it with minimalist ankle-strap sandals and a small clutch bag to complete the ensemble.

You may have been feeling dejected at your core, like no matter how hard you try, it simply doesn’t seem to work out. But Sag, have you tried bringing back that passion into your life, saying no to what does not align instead of clinging onto a belief that this is all you’ve got and what if it doesn’t work out? Your manifestation powers lie not in trying harder, but in your wild, carefree nature that makes you want to explore a million things a second. Now before you go ahead and do that, your angels ask you to bring back that zest for life, while still being extremely focussed on what is it that you wish to create.

Cosmic tip: Take charge, assert yourself but stay open to magic.

Also read:

Aries May 13, 2025

Taurus May 13, 2025

Gemini May 13, 2025

Cancer May 13, 2025

Leo May 13, 2025

Virgo May 13, 2025

Libra May 13, 2025

Scorpio May 13, 2025

Capricorn May 13, 2025

Aquarius May 13, 2025

Pisces May 13, 2025

Exploring ways to get to a better space? Aquarius, we get it you may not be sad or unhappy in life, however, you are willing to grow through this already contented mind space where you have a bunch of ideas flourishing and you, my dear, are willing to give them a chance. You are ready to get to greener pastures however you are no longer willing to mindlessly grind it out. Fusing past experience with wisdom, and choosing to leave baggage behind you are about to make waves. You will know when it’s time to move, so continue to hold that space.

Cosmic tip: You are not stuck, you are simply exploring your options.

Also read:

Aries May 13, 2025

Taurus May 13, 2025

Gemini May 13, 2025

Cancer May 13, 2025

Leo May 13, 2025

Virgo May 13, 2025

Libra May 13, 2025

Scorpio May 13, 2025

Sagittarius May 13, 2025

Capricorn May 13, 2025

Pisces May 13, 2025

In 2009, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan gave her vote to ivory, wearing a form-fitting Roberto Cavalli gown with a dramatic ruffled train. The following year marked her return to Indian designers with an embellished Sabyasachi sari. It was also the start of her long-standing association with Elie Saab in a muted lavender gown. In 2012, for her first post-baby Cannes appearance, she turned to the Lebanese couturier once again. Her next outing at the festival, she sported a sleek Gucci look that stood out on the red carpet.

In 2014, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan wore Cavalli. The gilded number was worn with siren red lips and superstar waves. Following on the heels of the red carpet success, she embraced drama the following year with a Ralph & Russo number in 2015 and another emerald Elie Saab lace gown paired with a deep marsala lip colour. While her 2016 appearance is best remembered for the internet-breaking lilac lipstick and floral Rami Kadi gown, she also stayed true to her signature romanticism in a delicate Elie Saab look, complete with old-Hollywood waves.

By 2017, the actor had clocked 15 years of appearances at the annual film festival but proved she hadn’t run out of steam just yet, wearing a voluminous Cinderella-esque gown by Dubai-based couturier Michael Cinco. Before anyone had a chance to catch their breath, she returned to the red carpet in a full-skirted Ralph & Russo creation, complete with Boomerang-approved tiered ruffles.

Rai Bachchan turned to Michael Cinco again in 2018 for another showstopper moment, boldly stepping out of her comfort zone in a butterfly-patterned gown with an embellished train that carved a path through the swarm of stars, paparazzi, and film folk. Ivory may not have been a novel choice in her Cannes repertoire, but she made her second look distinct by pairing the structured Rami Kadi gown with a Samurai-inspired topknot.

In 2019, the actor returned to the Croisette with her signature flair for drama and high-octane glamour, turning to Lebanese designer Jean-Louis Sabaji for a molten gold creation. However, it was her hand-in-hand appearance with daughter Aaradhya—dressed in a butter yellow tulle dress complete with a rosette shoulder—that added an unexpected touch of family warmth to a high-fashion moment. Rai Bachchan followed this with an all-white Ashi Studio gown. The feathered bolero and layered tulle exuded old Hollywood, especially with her smoky eye glam and delicate pearl drop earrings.

Marking two decades since her Cannes debut, Rai Bachchan embraced bold theatricality in 2022. Her first look was a blush pink Gaurav Gupta creation, crafted over 3,500 hours, featuring his signature wave pleats and a sculptural halo. Later, she turned to classic glamour in a black Dolce & Gabbana gown adorned with oversized floral appliqués.

Few do high drama at Cannes quite like Rai Bachchan, and in 2023, she reminded everyone why with a head-turning Sophie Couture gown. The silver-hooded number was covered in sequins and was cinched with a large black bow, leaning into a futuristic aesthetic.

There’s something apocalyptic about lying in the dark at 3  AM, eyes wide open, body heavy but brain electric, scrolling through Reddit threads titled “how to fix your sleep schedule when nothing works”. You’re not even tired anymore; you feel haunted. That’s where I was a few months ago, melatonin bottle by my bedside like a crutch I both relied on and resented.

It started innocently enough. One gummy to unwind. Two gummies when my brain wouldn’t quiet down. But it soon became a ritual. Melatonin was the bouncer at the velvet rope of my REM cycle. Without it, sleep wouldn’t let me in. And even with it, I rarely felt rested. I’d wake up groggy, sometimes tangled in dreams that felt too real, too strange.

The science is there. Melatonin is a hormone that signals the body to rest when it gets dark. While it’s generally safe for short-term use, constant reliance may create a sense of dependency. “If you take melatonin regularly, you might get the feeling that you can no longer fall asleep without it,” neurologist and sleep doctor Anna Heidbreder of the University Clinic for Neurology at the Kepler University Hospital Linz, Austria, tells Vogue. “Recurring rituals promote falling asleep. Humans are creatures of habit—that’s why bedtime stories work so well with children.”

So, when I found myself between jobs with time to kill and hobbies to romanticise—crocheting, reading, obsessively reorganising my closet—I decided to ‘fix your sleep schedule’ to my task list. Sleep had become my white whale. I channelled my restlessness into routine. The internet called it “sleepmaxxing”—a wellness rabbit hole where pillows become investments, blackout blinds are gospel and your nightstand looks like a supplement aisle. I call it throwing every calming potion and pillowcase at my insomnia and see what sticks.

Over four months, I tried it all: silk pillowcases, sleepy girl mocktails, magnesium glycinate, CBD drops, blackout at 10, brown noise, yoga, bedtime teas, and a guided meditation app narrated by a man who sounded like he had a forest growing in his chest.

Below, every method I tried, the science (or pseudoscience) behind it, and how it went down when I closed my eyes.

Magnesium glycinate: A hug in supplement form

Magnesium has been touted as the mineral of the moment—relaxing muscles, easing anxiety, and allegedly helping you slip into sleep like it’s a silk sheet. Glycinate, the gentler cousin, is said to be the most effective for sleep without the digestive drama. Did it knock me out? No. But it dimmed the hum of my brain just enough for the meditation app to take over. A soft win and daily staple.

CBD oil: Calm, not comatose

A few drops under the tongue, and I waited for the blissful oblivion. What I got was… neutrality. I wasn’t anxious, sure. But I wasn’t sleepy either. CBD may help some with stress-related insomnia, but for me, it was more vibe than utility—like mood lighting for the nervous system.

Silk pillowcase and pillow mist: Ritual over result

Did it help me sleep? No. Did it make me feel like a woman with her life together? Absolutely. The silk felt cool against my skin; the lavender mist (borderline aggressive, but calming) became a Pavlovian nudge to wind down. These were less about impact, more about intention and a ritual I still follow today.

Eye mask: Darkness is a luxury

Blocking every sliver of light did improve things. Our circadian rhythms are sensitive creatures, and a dark room signals melatonin production naturally (the hormone, not the pill). The eye mask was hit and miss; I’d wake up with it askew and a slight feeling of suffocation.

Yoga and stretching: Good for my spine, not my sleep

I’d read enough to know that gentle evening movement could help the nervous system wind down. So I dutifully stretched, breathed and twisted. While it didn’t lull me to sleep, it softened my jaw, released the day from my shoulders, and made me feel less like a crusty human croissant. Worth it, even if sleep remained elusive.

Sleepytime tea: Herbal placebo, but pleasant

Chamomile, valerian root, lemon balm—all marketed as nature’s lullaby. The taste was comforting; the ritual, grounding. But did it help me sleep? Not really. If anything, the repeated trips to the loo negated whatever drowsiness it may have sparked.

Brown noise: The underrated sibling of white noise

Where white noise grates, brown noise soothes. It’s lower, softer, and sounds like someone lovingly blowing static into your ears. I found it surprisingly effective at drowning out the mind’s 11pm monologue. But my cat was not a fan and vocally vetoed this from my night routine.

Guided meditations: The brain’s bedtime story

Some nights, I needed someone to tell me to breathe. Preferably in a soft, vague accent. Guided meditations on apps like Insight Timer or Headspace helped me ride the waves of overthinking. No magic switch, but they taught me to treat sleep like a visitor, not something to chase, just something to make space for. But my anxious brain started treating the meditation as a challenge to achieve and follow to the end. The meditation would end, my body feeling heavy but my brain wide awake.

Cognitive shuffling: The thing that finally worked

Cognitive shuffling sounds like something your mind does after a third espresso. But it’s actually a methodical little sleep hack cooked up by Canadian cognitive scientist Dr Luc Beaudoin. The idea is to give your brain a harmless puzzle to chew on, one so mundane, it lulls you to sleep before anxiety can grab the mic.

These days, a recession indicator can be found everywhere you look.

Messy buns? Recession indicator. That frozen juice from a can your grandma used to make? Recession indicator. Knee-high Converse sneakers? Recession indicator.

It’s true that Donald Trump’s tariffs have some economists and much of the general public worried that a recession is incoming. But while the smart people on CNBC debate whether we’re really headed in that direction and what we can do about it, the fine people of the internet have turned the entire thing into an increasingly ludicrous meme.

Here’s why everyone’s talking about recession indicators right now, in the latest edition of TL;DR.

Give me the TL;DR

As Americans fret about the possibility of an incoming recession, people on social media are laughing and memeing through the pain by pointing out possible “indicators” that a financial crisis is coming.

I need more. What’s the background here?

There’s a lot of upheaval in the financial markets right now. Ever since Donald Trump introduced sweeping tariffs on dozens of countries, the stock market has been volatile and the impact to consumers is looming. Basically, everything is about to get more expensive, and no one is quite sure yet what that will look like.

In April, a survey done by the National Association of Business Economics found that 37% of their forecasters believe there is a 50% or greater chance that an economic downturn will occur, with 50% of the participants rating the probability at between 25% and 49%. This is a huge jump from surveys conducted prior to the tariff announcement, the survey said.

With the threat of a recession, prices already being high due to inflation and the possibility of everything from baby items to clothing skyrocketing in price due to the tariffs, a lot of people are feeling a palpable sense of doom when it comes to both our personal finances and the economy at large.

There’s nothing your average person can really do about it. So what’s the solution to quell this anxiety? Memeing through it.

What is a recession indicator, exactly?

According to social media, there are a few basic types. One is changes in culture or lifestyle that show how people are reducing their monthly or daily costs. These include cutting down on manicures, women going back to their natural hair colour and cooking inexpensive meals like rice and beans at home.