All posts by : AyFa Collections

“I’ve been a collector for many years,” said Natasha Poonawalla in Vogue India’s cover story from December 2021. When not working or parenting, Natasha Poonawalla still takes refuge in fashion. And, her recent look is proof. Last night in Los Angeles, the philanthropist and fashion enthusiast wore a look from Karl Lagerfeld‘s Haute Couture, Autumn-Winter 1983-84 collection for the annual Chanel and Charles Finch dinner.

This evening ensemble takes us back to Lagerfeld’s first collection in 1983. The outfit features work by Lesage, an off-the-shoulder black and gold sequined jacket embellished with gold metal thread and sable fur, and is complemented by a black silk faille full skirt. The jacket also boasts a three-dimensional sun-face design at the rear neck.

Everyone has a wind-down ritual: habits or routines that help them transition out of the chaos of the day. For me, Friday evenings were centred around a seven-step skincare routine to decompress after a demanding workweek. On one such day, I was especially eager for step two: exfoliation. Surely, that new Korean AHA-BHA toner would banish the stubborn breakout dotting my left cheek, an unwelcome precursor to my period. So I cleansed my face, soaked a cotton pad with the solution and pressed it firmly against the offending area for a full minute—in hindsight, a step I should have approached with more caution. The result? A chemical burn that left me with a hard brown scab the size of a fifty-paisa coin for an entire week.

Humbled, I turned to the bottom shelf of my dresser for help. It is the unassuming home of my no-nonsense skincare staples that have served me reliably for years. Out came the Cetaphil cleansing lotion and Soframycin, a dependable duo that promises healing and comfort. Neither of them has the sleek packaging of their trendier counterparts, but they offer exactly what my inflamed skin needed: gentleness and consistency. Incidents like these are reminders of the value of ‘tried and tested products, the original stalwarts of skincare that consistently deliver without drama. While the thrill of innovation is hard to resist, there’s an unquestionable reassurance in the reliability of the already proven and familiar.

If you look up the term evolution, one definition calls it the gradual development of something. The concept holds for almost everything—how we think, what we wear, what we eat or the things that capture our fancy. My interest has always been piqued by evolution in the world of beauty. A salicylic acid under-eye roller? Sign me up. A red-light mask that combats inflammation? Irresistible. An aromatherapy body scrub that guarantees baby-soft skin? Just take my money already. But if my experiences have taught me anything, it’s that experimenting too much can be a double-edged sword. Do too much, and you risk undoing the very results you hoped to achieve. The beauty industry is a playground of constant innovation, churning out skincare, makeup and hybrids that promise to solve every woe. And thanks to social media, many of these products go viral overnight—some for their eye-catching packaging, others for their promising formulas. But not everything is worth the hype.

If there is one tradition that is an inextricable part of the Indian wedding machinery, it’s the meticulous art of warding off nazar. This full-fledged operation has everyone from pandits and Pinky Maasi to your first-grade teacher moonlighting as security guards against the evil eye.

In this realm of DIY spiritual defence, even a stray compliment can be interpreted as an act of aggression. Just a week before my wedding, the designer who was creating my outfit innocently posted a sneak peek of my bridal ensemble on Instagram. The DMs came flooding in: “Make her take it down immediately!” Cue panic. By the time of my next fitting, the dress had to be let out. Whether the culprit was the evil eye or PMS bloat remains a mystery to this day. But I’ll tell you this: nothing humbles a bride faster than realising that the universe has teamed up with her waistline to make a point.

It would seem that envy fuels this cosmic mischief, and nothing attracts envy like things going well. Weddings, of course, are evil-eye magnets—grand spectacles of joy practically begging for the poisoned arrow of nazar to hit them. That’s why our ancestors (and their cousins and neighbours) devised strategies as elaborate as the weddings themselves to keep the thing at bay. After all, before any auspicious occasion, there is a lot of energy coming your way, positive or suspect. And if carrying out simple rituals can give you a little peace of mind, then why not? If you could devise a first line of defence against ill will, why wouldn’t you?

Of course, everyone’s talismans take different shapes. The Greeks have blue beads. In the Middle East, it’s the hamsa. Italy has the cornicello. Egypt flashes the eye of Horus to ill-wishers. Indians sport the black dot or nazar battu. Turkey and the tiny tattoo on my right arm both have the ever- ever-so-ubiquitous evil eye. And let me tell you, the haters don’t stand a chance.

From fiery nimboo-mirchi garlands to the occasional smudge of soot on your cheek, nazar rituals are a mix of ancient wisdom and everyday absurdity. But just how absurd are we talking? “My grandmother made me carry a lemon for 15 days, starting from the day I got engaged, all the way until the final day. That poor lemon went with me everywhere—inside my purse, my laptop bag, my tote when I went to the mall, even tucked into my pocket during my evening walks,” Nikita Desai, 34, a Gujarati bride from Mumbai, recounts. Manisha Rai, 29, a Bengali bride, reminisces: “I remember a ritual from my haldi where I was given a small yellow coin pouch filled with mustard seeds and salt and told to keep it with me until the wedding day. I was also prohibited from going out or being in public.”The condition was put on her by her grandmother and designed to keep unwanted gazes away.

The last two months have given us an Oscar season like no other—so, it’s only right that the Oscars 2025 match that (frankly extreme) level of drama. Going into Hollywood’s biggest night of the year, tensions and anxieties seemed to be at an all-time high: what would become of the acting and Best Picture races which still felt too close to call? How would producers balance the need for a fast-paced, entertaining ceremony with honouring those who were on the frontlines of the devastating LA wildfires and striking an appropriately sombre note, too? And how on earth would the show deal with the presence of Emilia Pérez’s Karla Sofía Gascón, whose Best Actress campaign imploded in the midst of a shocking scandal, but who will now be returning to the spotlight after a strategic pause?

From the viral red-carpet outings and showstopping musical performances to the most emotional speeches and jaw-dropping twists, these are all the moments you might have missed from the Oscars 2025.

Sequins reigned supreme

JC Olivera/Getty Images

Frazer Harrison

Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Savion Washington/Getty Images

From the more subtle embellishments on Ariana Grande’s Glinda-inspired tulle (not to mention her body glitter) and Zoe Saldaña’s strapless Saint Laurent, to Rachel Sennott’s all-out, Barbie-pink ball gown, Lupita Nyong’o in pearl-encrusted white, Selena Gomez and Emma Stone dripping with crystals, Joe Locke’s embellished waistcoat, Cynthia Erivo’s incredible nails, Coralie Fargeat’s shimmering black frock, Mindy Kaling’s silver floor-skimmer, Halle Berry in a mirrored work of art and Wicked star Marissa Bode’s red-hot number, A-listers dazzled on the step and repeat.

Women over 50 didn’t hold back

Christina House/Getty Images

Christina House/Getty Images

Frazer Harrison

Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Fernanda Torres shimmied in her feathered showstopper, Whoopi Goldberg showed up in retina-searing electric blue, 79-year-old Goldie Hawn wore gold and Demi Moore shut down the red carpet in a silver, sculpted stunner. While many younger starlets (Elle Fanning, Blackpink’s Lisa, Margaret Qualley et al) underplayed it with more classic looks, their more experienced colleagues, thankfully, did the opposite.

Where do we find love? On dating apps, where most conversations fizzle out, and even ChatGPT seems clearer about its intentions than some humans? Or on matrimonial websites, where caste and purity dictate the rules, leaving little room for nuance or stepping beyond society’s sanctioned limits?

Chitralekha Pasupuleti and Holm-Ingolf Hamann, born worlds apart, met in Seattle through a dating app—at an Indian restaurant called Moksha, now replaced by another.

“She had a puffy jacket on because it was November,” says Ingolf Hamann. “I hugged her and she was this fluffy cloud of puffiness. I didn’t even know the human was in here. It was so darling. She is a petite person and the puffy jacket made her look much bigger.”

When he hugged Pasupuleti, walking towards her all blue-eyed, in a straight woolen jacket, hair almost tousled, for her, the “hug felt as if he knew me, didn’t feel uncomfortable at all but very caring and loving.”

In the first meeting, both of them weren’t there to impress the other. They had been in enough relationships to know that the whole impression business only lasts so long and that it takes more than just grand illusions to see a relationship through.

“I also liked her independence,” he says. “I was raised with the idea that men and women should be independent, self-sufficient, and no one has to rely on the other. But it is comforting to know that you can do that when tough times come. So, there was no red flag. I was wondering, what am I missing? Is the shoe dropping somewhere? Where is the skeleton in the closet? I didn’t know. And it turned out there wasn’t any.”

They fell in love quickly—between grocery lines and Crate & Barrel aisles in Washington before heading to an Indian restaurant. Things became clear when Ingolf Hamann, newly a US citizen, planned to celebrate in Paris during winter. They had never been professionally photographed together, and Paris in winter felt perfect. Braving subzero temperatures, they woke early for a photographer’s only available slot.

“He was very nervous and I was like, why is he this, you know, stressed out about a photo shoot? It’s just a photo shoot,” she says. “I wondered if maybe we should not have done this. Then the photographer said why don’t you two just talk to each other. So we both did and (Ingolf Hamann) would just not stop talking. And I was thinking, oh my God, the photos are going to come out really terrible because he is talking. Suddenly, I started hearing words like marriage, love and life and I realized, oh, this is a proposal speech. He went down on one knee and people around were clapping and I was just very emotional, he said how having me in his life was like Diwali, tears were streaming down my face.”

Disclaimer: These apps are not substitutes for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are in crisis or need urgent help, please reach out to a mental health professional or a helpline in your area.

Mental health conversations have come a long way, but seeking support can still feel overwhelming. Stigma, accessibility, and affordability often act as roadblocks, leaving many to navigate their struggles alone. While professional help is invaluable, not everyone has immediate access to a therapist or a support system. This is where mental health platforms step in, offering a bridge between awareness and action, whether through guided therapy, meditation, or community support. Technology can’t replace human connection, but it can make help more approachable. With that in mind, here are four mental health apps that might make a difference in your journey, whether you’re looking for professional guidance, emotional check-ins, or just a moment of calm in your day.

Mindhouse

Mindhouse is transforming mental wellness by blending accessibility with a refined, science-backed approach to self-care. In an age where stress, anxiety, and burnout are all too common, this platform offers a thoughtfully curated mix of guided therapy, meditation, and expert-led programs designed for those who seek more than just surface-level solutions. Users can also access one-on-one sessions with experienced therapists for personalized support. A standout feature is its exclusive ‘Mental Health Circles’, which are intimate, expert-guided gatherings where trusted individuals connect, share, and grow together. Intimate and deeply personal, these private gatherings offer a safe space to individuals who come together to share, be heard, and uplift one another. Mindhouse is fast becoming the go-to destination for mental well-being, making self-care feel less like a luxury and more like a necessity.

YourDost

Relationships, of all kinds, are multifaceted—informed by shared experiences, personal histories and the way each has shaped a person’s outlook and personality. So, it seems reductive to think an online quiz of relationship questions could ever accurately know how healthy our connections (romantic, specifically) are, right? Well, sort of.

Last month, researchers at Stockholm University published a quiz created to place romantic couples on “The Valentine Scale”. The answers you give correlate to a certain number of points. At the end, the points are added together to give you a total score out of 21. Depending on how high or low your score is, the quiz will give you suggestions on how to improve, or affirmations on a healthy relationship.

These relationship questions are short with multiple-choice answers, ranging from how often you think about ending the relationship (a seemingly sure sign of doom) to how much you feel able to confide in your partner. The seven questions are:

1. “I can collaborate well and solve practical problems with my partner.”
2. “I feel that I can confide in my partner.”
3. “When my partner and I disagree or have a conflict, I quickly get over it.”
4. “How often in the recent past have you thought that your relationship is not good?”
5. “How often have you recently considered separating from your partner?”
6. “How emotionally close do you feel to your partner?”
7. “Overall, how satisfied are you with your relationship?”

If it seems too good to be true, I agree. Seven questions and you’ll have a well-rounded insight into your incredibly nuanced relationship? Surely, not. However, the science does back it up. Of the 1,300 participants included in the two studies, the results were found to correlate strongly with other provable, reputable measures of relationship satisfaction. Of course, it can’t accurately quantify how many snipes it takes to move the needle down, or how many cups of tea in bed it takes to move it back up, but it can tell you interesting things about how you deal with conflict resolution, emotional closeness and trust. Intrigued? Question one, please!

You’re not alone if you’ve ever typed “How to grow hair fast?” into a search bar. At some point, nearly everyone I know—including myself—has dreamt of having longer hair. Unfortunately, there isn’t a single, simple trick that can deliver the lustrous mane of your fantasies. If there were, I would definitely share it with you.

That said, plenty of effective remedies can help stimulate hair growth. Combined with techniques that prevent breakage and promote strong strands, they can help you achieve the hair of your dreams, or other’s dreams. Here are nine tips to apply to your hair routine if you want to grow longer.

Get a trim

It may seem counterintuitive, but getting regular haircuts can actually help your hair grow longer. The general recommendation is to trim the ends every two to three months to maintain healthy hair and remove dry, split ends. If split ends are not removed, they can continue to break further up the strand. Communicate with your hairdresser about your goal of growing out your hair so they can take that into account when cutting.

Choose the right shampoo

Not all shampoos are equal. Choosing the right one for your hair type is essential because it will allow you to wash your hair properly and maintain optimum health. Too aggressive a shampoo can strip hair of its moisture and lead to long-term damage.

Using the wrong shampoo for your hair type can also cause buildup or irritation to the scalp, clogging the hair follicles and slowing growth. If you’re unsure which shampoo is right for you, opt for a moisturising and gentle formula. If you want to be very sure about it, look for a pH-balanced, sulfate-free formula with nourishing ingredients like amino acids, ceramides, or botanical extracts.

Scalp care

We often focus a lot on skincare but we tend to overlook the importance of caring for our scalp. If the scalp is healthy, clean and hydrated, it will have better blood circulation and bring more nutrients to the hair follicles. This leads to stronger hair that grows more quickly.

This is where a scalp scrub and a scalp massager come in handy. Use them once to twice a week to cleanse, exfoliate, and stimulate blood circulation to the scalp. Use a scalp scrub before shampooing to exfoliate dead skin cells and unclog hair follicles, and a scalp massager while shampooing to enhance blood circulation and distribute the product more effectively. Of course, as is the case with any product, avoid overuse.

Stimulate the roots

Speaking of stimulation, scrubs and massage brushes are not the only way to get it done; scalp serums are excellent for promoting circulation and growth while also strengthening the hair. In addition to stimulating the roots, hair serums nourish the strands for long, healthy hair. Look for ingredients like minoxidil, rosemary oil, and biotin as each offers varying degrees of effectiveness in promoting hair growth.

Towel dry carefully

Rubbing your hair too vigorously with a towel can harm its beauty. This aggressive drying technique weakens the fragile wet strands, leading to breakage. It can also pull hair out from the roots and open the cuticles, making strands more porous and, as a result, frizzier. Instead of rubbing hair, gently use a soft 100% cotton or microfiber towel to remove excess water.

Brush correctly

The saying that you should brush your hair 100 strokes before bedtime is outdated. In fact, brushing your hair excessively from root to tip can be harmful and lead to increased hair loss. So, how to grow hair fast if you’ve been attacking it with aggressive bristles? Develop a routine that includes using a special brush to massage your scalp and stimulate the hair roots. Additionally, be sure to choose the right brush that suits your hair type for brushing the lengths of your hair.

Avoid heat

Heat from blow dryers and straighteners is known to damage hair, so it’s best to avoid using hot styling tools if you want to grow your hair out. If you must use heat styling, be sure to apply a heat protectant to help preserve the health of your hair.

Sleep with silk

A silk pillowcase can be a saviour for those looking to pamper their hair and promote growth. Resting your head on a light, soft fabric not only allows your hair to look shinier (because it is not subjected to rubbing), but it also promotes scalp health by improving air flow around your head.

Eat well and supplement often

Supporting hair growth largely depends on maintaining proper nutrition. Aim to follow a “hair diet” that includes plenty of protein, healthy fats, vitamins and antioxidants. Then, you can fill in the dietary gaps with supplements. When selecting hair supplements, be sure to read the labels carefully. Look for the following key nutrients that aid in promoting hair growth: