All posts by : AyFa Collections

“The greatest obstacle to knowledge is not ignorance, but the illusion of knowledge,” wrote American historian Daniel J Boorstin. It’s a phrase I return to often, a reminder of the importance of questioning what we think we know, especially useful when your job revolves around health and beauty.

Because even after years of writing, I still make skincare mistakes. Sometimes I combine the wrong actives. Other times, I copy a viral routine that clearly wasn’t designed for my skin. All of which has taught me that cosmetics aren’t entertainment; they’re part of our health and that knowledge, not novelty, should guide them.

If you’re someone who loves beauty as much as I do, you’ve probably had moments when your skin just… stalls. The products promise results, yet nothing seems to change. According to Arkaitz Felices, cosmetologist and director of Care, representatives of Reviderm in Spain, this isn’t always the fault of your products. Sometimes, it’s your skin. “If you notice that a product that works on people with a skin type and needs similar to yours has no effect on you, it is a clear clue that there may be an imbalance in the dermal extracellular matrix (ECM),” that is, the structural framework that facilitates cellular communication and the effectiveness of cosmetic active ingredients.

Felices suggests learning to distinguish between routines that simply need time and those that have hit a dead end. Some effects, such as hydration, are visible in a few days: the skin recovers volume, fine wrinkles due to dehydration are attenuated and the tissue appears more elastic and fresh.” Others, such as collagen production, cell turnover, or fading hyperpigmentation, are slower and depend on internal metabolic processes. “Results in these areas can take several weeks and vary by person.”

When a routine is genuinely off, the clues are obvious. “Irritation, redness, itching or inflammation are unmistakable signs that the skin is stressed or assaulted.” In those cases, stop, focus on repairing the barrier and restore balance before reintroducing actives. “When it comes to caring for our body’s most extensive and sensitive organ, the shortest route is not to ask ChatGPT, but to rely on qualified professionals who understand the science behind each skin.”

Skincare mistakes you may be making

Skipping proper cleansing“Pretending that a cosmetic acts on uncleaned skin is like serving dinner on dirty breakfast dishes,” says Felices, who considers cleansing the foundation of any routine. He recommends a thorough evening cleanse that removes oil-based impurities such as makeup and sunscreen, then water-soluble residue. A gentle enzymatic exfoliation can follow to clarify, smooth texture and improve receptivity, without aggressive renewal.

Forgetting photoprotection

Skipping SPF—or applying it in the wrong order—undoes progress. UV exposure drives pigmentation and premature ageing. Felices points out that applying sunscreen before other treatments have absorbed reduces its effect. A broad-spectrum filter should sit at the end of the daytime routine.

Layering products out of order

Texture hierarchy matters. Lightweight toners, serums and water-based treatments should be applied before creams or richer textures. “This is because thicker products act as a barrier and impede the penetration of subsequent cosmetics.”

Lacking consistency

This is non-negotiable. “Continuous and disciplined use is needed for weeks or months for the skin’s biological processes to respond,” says Felices. Constantly switching or quitting early makes real improvement hard to see.

Ignoring usage directions

Leaving a mask on all night doesn’t maximise benefits. Lab directions aren’t arbitrary; they’re based on studies that determine optimal exposure. With cellulose or biocellulose masks, there’s a point at which most hydration and actives have already transferred. Beyond that, the flow can reverse and the mask may begin to reabsorb moisture, reducing the benefits.

Mixing actives without a plan

More isn’t better. Overloading can weaken the skin barrier. “The skin microbiome is altered and inflammatory outbreaks, redness or flaking may appear. The key is to simplify the routine, space out treatments and remember that, in advanced cosmetics, efficacy does not depend on quantity, but on balance and personalisation.”

How to combine actives safely

If you’re unsure how to pair products, Felices offers this guide:

Cosmic tip: When you replace the need for power with sheer love for whatever you are experiencing and building, our strength and charisma magnify.

Begrudgingly, but you have taken on something in your recent past or are about to soon—a decision, an opportunity, an idea or anything else. And tell us, Gem, how is it working out for you? Have you found your fire yet? Have you found that spark that excites you? In fact, truth be told, although you may have explored this from a purely mental plane, is it not now fuelling you with a spark that could grow into a thriving flame? This is the perfect example of what is meant to always find its way to you, even if it may feel forced at first. And the cosmos is reminding you to keep fanning this, as you are on track.

Cosmic tip: Merge your qualities of childlike enthusiasm, mental acuity and emotional balance to get your signature recipe right for this one.

Cancer, the sun may feel like it is shining on a part of your past that suddenly comes to light and perhaps takes you off guard; however, no matter how linear time may not exist in the realms beyond this planet, it does exist here, and truth be told, you cannot go back in time to change things. What can you transform, though? The way you approach your present and handle what you are served. This present life scenario calls for emotional maturity, sinking your feet and your heart firmly upon the solid ground you are standing upon and then finding a way to spice things up again—be it within your relationship, your career sector, your social life or even within yourself.

Cosmic tip: New opportunities are lined up for you. Look forward with hope and excitement instead of looking back with sadness and confusion, and a probable sense of betrayal.

What you may be feeling uncertain about is whether your hard work will reap rewards or not. Leo, and whether karmic justice will prevail or not. What your guides are trying to draw your attention to, though, is the fact that sometimes it may be more important to take a back step and then re-emerge with a plan rather than fight until the battle is lost on both ends. You know where you are headed, you know what has been up, and you also know what you need to do to get there. Now the missing ingredient is only for you not to care as much about the consequences of all your effort, as you must give weightage to your intuitive prompts. Take a deep breath and come back to yourself.

Neutral colours have long been essential for minimalists, and they remain the perfect formula for looking put-together with minimal effort. While an all-black outfit will never go out of style, in the second half of the year, brown pieces—like striped midi skirts and sleeveless blouses—become foolproof options, especially when worn together. Simply add black almond-toe loafers, long white socks and a blazer for a structured, versatile look.

Try statement shapes

To elevate your style, go for puffy skirts with loafers and socks.

305pics / Getty Images.

T-shirts aren’t just wardrobe basics; they’re surprisingly useful when paired with more dramatic items like midi balloon skirts. Jane Birkin used this trick in the 60s with flared pants, and today Kaia Gerber and Nicole Kidman apply it to dress pants and heels. It keeps the silhouette from feeling overloaded and lets you play with cropped, short-sleeved jackets and black loafers with socks.

Make the combo your own

Wearing loafers with socks is a combination that is suitable for every closet.

Christian Vierig / Getty Images.

Welcome to the season of the grape. Once prized for their flavour, grapes for the skin now take centre stage as they reach peak ripeness in autumn.

Filled with nutrients and fibre, grapes are well known for their health benefits which include lowering blood pressure, reducing cholesterol levels, supporting digestion, improving cognitive protection and much more. Lesser known, however, is that the nutrients in grapes are also great for the skin. In fact, ingredients derived from the fruit are used in everything from massage treatments to skin compresses to bath oils to cosmetics.

In the spirit of the fruit’s finest season, a time in which we all want to double down on ingredients that help us achieve a glowy, hydrated visage, here’s a look at exactly what makes grapes so beneficial for the skin.

The benefits of grapes for the skin

Thanks to their high content of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, grapes are considered an anti-ageing ally. The outer skins of red grapes, in particular, are high in the polyphenol resveratrol: the same polyphenol that gives red wine its potential heart health benefits.

When it comes to skin, resveratrol’s ability to protect against free radicals also comes into play, helping to reduce inflammation and improve skin elasticity. “Studies have shown protective effects of resveratrol against ultraviolet radiation mediated oxidative stress and cutaneous damage including skin cancer,” one scientific review notes. “Because many skin conditions stem from ultraviolet radiation and oxidative stress, this antioxidant appears to have promise and prospects against a wide range of cutaneous disorders including skin ageing. Skin is particularly well suited for the use of this promising agent because the antioxidant properties of resveratrol work well against the high oxidative stress that skin cells come under frequently.”

The antioxidant polyphenols in grapes are also accompanied by a host of other skin-boosting nutrients, especially vitamins C, A, K and B, all of which help combat cellular ageing by stimulating collagen production, stabilising elastin, encouraging cell regeneration and shielding the skin from free radical and UV damage.

Grapes also contain something called tartaric acid, a natural alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) which, when applied topically, provides an exfoliating and skin-brightening action. An interesting, semi-unrelated fact: tartaric acid is the reason grapes are toxic to dogs.

With all this in mind, it’s no wonder ingredients derived from grapes are central to so many skincare brands. Think Caudalie and Korres, which are known for making grape ingredients central to their products. Korres Santorini Grape line, for example, makes use of a trio of grape-derived ingredients including antioxidant-rich Santorini Grape extract, fatty acid-rich Santorini Grape seed oil and resveratrol. Caudalie’s entire product line, from the Vinopure to Resveratrol-Lift collections and more, centres around different skin-boosting facets of the fruit and its vine.

Also read:

Have we entered the era of ageless beauty?

Grapeseed oil might be the simplest way to boost your skin health

Are LED masks worth the investment? Here’s what the experts say

My parents lived in Bombay, while I stayed with my grandparents. Whenever my father visited, he brought me Western-style frocks with lace or frills. My grandmother, however, insisted I wear traditional Indian textiles. She would buy fabric and have it stitched into beautiful Langa Voni skirts—long skirts with a blouse—which we called Parkar Polka in Hubli. That blend of modern Western influence and deep-rooted tradition shaped my aesthetic sensibility. I am grateful that my family kept me grounded in tradition, because when we are connected to that part of ourselves, we are more authentic and confident in adapting to the world around us.

VI: You’ve studied economics, fashion and business. How did those paths intersect to bring you to where you are today?

AM: At heart, I use creativity as a way to define myself and to see the world. When I was younger, I considered studying at NIFT but I decided to study economics and French instead. Just before I went to Stanford, my mother gave me a pair of silver filigree earrings from Odisha—handmade by a craftsman who had given them to her as thanks for helping his son get a scholarship. She told me the craft had existed since the Mughal era, but the man’s son didn’t want to continue it because there was no money in it.

That story stopped me in my tracks. How were we letting go of something so beautiful and emblematic of our culture? I realised that my love for creativity needed to connect with sustainability and economics.

At Stanford, I developed a business plan around Indian craft, creating a women’s wear line that put the craftsman front and centre. That project merged my creative passion with business skills and it became the foundation of my label, Akshata Designs. Though the label didn’t last long, it taught me the importance of connecting creativity, heritage and sustainability. Since moving to the UK, I’ve shifted my focus to investing in early-stage, design-led brands, many of which are British, because I’ve always loved how design shapes the way we live and create.

VI: You’re also now working on The Richmond Project with your husband, which focuses on education and empowerment. Is there a craft connection there, too?

AM: The Richmond Project is about transforming how people relate to numbers—taking something often anxiety-inducing and helping people see it as empowering. We started by conducting the largest-ever survey in the UK on people’s attitudes toward numeracy and will continue to track improvements as new programs are implemented. At first glance, numeracy and craft may seem unrelated but creativity and numeracy coexist. Patterns in weaving, embroidery and design all rely on mathematical precision and geometry. Through initiatives like Richmond, I want young people to see that numbers and creativity enrich each other, showing that art and logic are part of the same continuum.

VI: You speak passionately about craft and technology. Do you see digitisation, such as in the V&A project, as a way forward for reviving traditional crafts and making them more accessible?

Set in the village of Aravangad, this Malayalam horror‑comedy follows sub‑inspector Vishnu (Shabareesh Varma), who is tasked with relocating his police station to an abandoned property nicknamed the ‘Inspection Bungalow.’ What begins as a standard assignment quickly spirals into eerie apparitions, unexplained deaths and hidden mysteries. Joined by paranormal researcher Mythili (Aadhiya Prasad), Vishnu must confront the dark history lurking behind the mansion’s walls. This is touted as Kerala’s first horror‑comedy web series.

Streaming on ZEE5

Jolly LLB 3 (November 14)

Cosmic tip: Walk away from a dilemma, even if it takes some time to sync into your new chapter.

When you ask for stability, the cosmos also gifts you joy through play and creative enrichment. Gem, this is your chance to pick your fire and let it burn; to really leave your battles outside the door and make peace with who you are, what you are and where you are at. New opportunities and ideas will flood your gates, and you will be able to find peace, but for that, first you must choose to leave the battlefield and step into your quiet inner sanctuary.

Cosmic tip: Get fired up about something amazing that is on its way to you.

Life is never about easy choices, but Cancer, you are now remembering that while you were chasing goals, what you really wanted to do was experience wonderful sunsets with your select few. And you know what? Both these goals are possible for you as long as you plan and take charge of your personal strategy. The path ahead may feel challenging and rough to weave your way through, especially since there is so much that is drawing your attention; however, this is your path to glory and victory that comes through consistent effort, planning, organisation and effective leadership.

Cosmic tip: What are you scared to lose? That is the very thing you want to keep. The rest? Noise.

Relationships and matters of the heart on your mind, Leo? Something smells like good news, and hey, be it work, personal or your romantic life—collaborations, partnerships and passion and fire are the crux of the message for you. Your fears may be creeping up, sure. Your emotions may feel haywire, yes. However, ask yourself, is this not worth fighting for and showing up for? Then do so, and with strength and pride in your efforts.

Cosmic tip: Take bold, decisive action. You were born to lead.

It takes one magical touch to change the quality of the output you are seeing, Virgo. It takes a little bit of belief in yourself and the cosmos to give possibilities a chance. It takes an optimistic outlook to notice the tiny things that are different and working out for you. It takes a little bit of presence to notice how you are in a much better place than you were or than you think you are. You are not trapped, Virgo, you are free, and it is your very perception that is liberating you.

Some weddings unfold like events, and then some feel like films, complete with mood, monsoon and music that stick with you long after. For Khushboo Mittal and Anish Dalal’s wedding in Spain, Marbella became the backdrop to a love story that had already spanned years and cities: from Chicago to Los Angeles, from college acquaintances to confidants.

Mittal and Dalal both grew up in the Chicago area, just half an hour apart, but never crossed paths until college at the University of Illinois. Mittal, a private equity investor who sits on the boards of companies such as Tory Burch and Rent the Runway, and Anish Dalal, founder of Sapphire Studios and a Forbes 30 Under 30 entrepreneur, had no idea their paths would cross again six years after graduation.

Both had moved to Los Angeles for work when a dinner plan with friends unexpectedly turned into their first date. “Everyone else cancelled at the last minute, leaving just the two of us,” says Mittal. “What was meant to be an hour-long catch-up turned into a six-hour conversation. We didn’t even realise we were the last people left at the restaurant.”

Dalal admits he had a crush on her back in college. “She always had such clarity about what she wanted and how she wanted to make an impact,” he says. “I’m a curious, playful person and she was thoughtful and composed. It felt like the perfect balance.” Mittal was drawn to what she calls his calm, childlike energy. “He has this charisma that makes life feel easy,” she says. “They really don’t make humans like him anymore.”

When he decided to propose, Dalal planned a trip to Amangiri for their second anniversary. His mother, however, immediately pointed out that the date was inauspicious. “Shradh was starting the next day, which she said was the worst possible time,” he recalls. But with the resort booked months in advance, he decided to improvise. At 11.45pm, still in their pyjamas, he took Mittal out to the balcony of their suite and asked her to marry him. “We danced right there under the moonlight,” she says.

When it came to the wedding, they wanted a destination that felt both ancient and alive. They found it in Marbella at the Anantara Villa Padierna Palace, a palatial resort. “We wanted somewhere that was off-the-beaten path, culturally rich and had something for everyone, from beaches and mountains to great food and nightlife,” says Mittal. “When we saw the Roman Amphitheatre, we knew it was the one.”

Few garments command presence like a Banarasi sari. On Tara Sutaria, Jayanti Reddy’s version is a continuation of a centuries-old conversation.

Handwoven in lustrous silk, the sari is an ode to India’s centuries-old weaving legacy. The rich crimson drape is adorned with intricate floral and paisley motifs, hallmarks of the Banarasi craft and meticulously woven with zari threads. The border, delicately embroidered in fine gold, frames the canvas with an understated embellishment that elevates it without overwhelming.

Each one is a labour of love. It is handwoven on traditional looms, often taking weeks or even months to complete. A single sari can involve over 5,000 threads and is the result of seamless collaboration between designers, weavers and pattern-makers. Historically commissioned for royalty, the Banarasi’s signature zari work was once woven with real gold and silver threads. Even today, authentic Banarasis from Varanasi, like Sutaria’s, are distinguished by their soft yet weighty drape, intricate butis, jaal detailing and the distinctive sound the silk makes when you run your fingers over it; a gentle rustle known as the ‘kath’.