All posts by : AyFa Collections

At one point in my life, I found myself surrounded by eldest daughters. Each of us carried the same invisible burden: stress about managing expectations of family, friends, partners, larger ecosystems, and themselves. We were united by our soaring cortisol level, looming threat of diabetes and blood pressure, frequent fluctuations in weight, stress eating and the biggest of them all, a perpetual feeling of burnout due to hitting caregiving fatigue.

“Eldest daughters are almost wired to handle it all: from family responsibilities to emotional support, overachieving professional roles and looking after the siblings,” shares Dr Almas Fatma, a Mumbai-based family physician and a digital health AI expert. Fatigue starts to show up as headaches or body aches. We feel tired after resting, chronically drained. This leads to disruptions in the sleep cycle, impacting our hormones, gut health and our mental health.

“In my experience, the mental load of this role exacts a heavy toll: chronic stress, hypervigilance and self-sacrifice that result in both physical and mental health challenges. These women must model perfection for younger siblings, maintain the family’s reputation, fulfil domestic duties and carry the emotional labour of the entire family system,” adds Priya Rednam-Waldo, a US-based licensed clinical therapist, specialising in women’s and maternal mental health for South Asian women.

Eventually, the body forces rest through illness or impaired functioning, adds Rednam-Waldo, when women are unable to choose rest for themselves. Her words hit close. Eldest daughters are known for hyper-independence; the belief that asking for help is a weakness. I’ve been guilty of it too. The instinct to hold everything together can feel like a badge of honour, until it becomes a slow act of self-erasure.

A growing awareness of how birth order shapes well-being has prompted experts to look at the prevention of eldest daughter burnout, rather than recovery. “With my clients, healing for eldest daughter burnout starts with this recognition: being a ‘good daughter’ shouldn’t cost you your health, fulfilment or joy,” says Rednam-Waldo. “You can honour your family and care about others while still valuing your own identity and wellbeing.”

So what does healing eldest daughter burnout look like?

1. Reflect regularly. “Talk to yourself,” suggests Dr Fatma. “When you can name your emotions, you begin to understand what’s nourishing you and what’s pushing you towards burnout.”

2. Get your numbers checked. Dr Fatma recommends regular full-body check-ups, including thyroid, sugar parameters, vitamin D, B12, magnesium, B6, folic acid, liver profile and complete blood count. “It’s a way of keeping tabs on the internal stress your body might be carrying.”

3. Eat and move on time. “Running on small fuels will only push cortisol higher,” she explains. Prioritise balanced meals and daily movement—any form that sparks joy rather than guilt.

4. Ask for help. “Delegating is a survival skill,” says Rednam-Waldo. “Eldest daughters often wait until collapse to reach out. But seeking help before the breakdown is how you prevent it.”

Spoken-word artist Nayab Midha from Rajasthan and Delhi-based software development engineer Ayush Chandhok have written a love story that resists convention while embracing family, craft and care for the planet. After being crowned Mr and Miss Fresher 2014 at a college event, their story truly began in 2016, when they met again on a student exchange programme in Malaysia. Assigned to kitchen duty together while volunteering at an NGO for specially-abled children, they fell in love somewhere between the chop of a vegetable and the swipe of a dishcloth.

“We’re just two people who slowly built a life around love, friendship and respect,” says Midha. “I’ve always been driven, a bit of a dreamer who wants to change the world, and Ayush is the calm to that storm. He’s fun, grounded and sees life with so much lightness. I think that’s what made me fall for him.” Testament to that lightness was Chandhok’s surprise dance performance for her at the cocktail night. “This is a memory I will cherish for life,” she adds. “As a feminist, I often thought no man would be able to match my energy or understand my beliefs, but Ayush didn’t just understand me, he celebrated me.”

After eight years together, Midha decided to change the narrative and propose herself. “One day, when Ayush’s mom brought up marriage, I jokingly said that I’d only say yes if he proposed somewhere nice,” she recalls. “His immediate retort was, ‘Ab kahan gayi equality?’ That stuck with me, so after one of my shows in Delhi, in the presence of both our families, I got down on one knee.”

The couple knew they wanted to exchange vows surrounded by nature and chose Sayaji Resorts & Spa for their wedding in Udaipur, nestled between the Aravalli hills. With the help of Epoch Events, they planned a three-day celebration: an intimate dhol evening to welcome guests; a Phulkari-themed mehendi full of Punjabi colour and warmth; a classic Delhi-style cocktail night; a bright, joyful haldi; a pastel wedding under the open Udaipur sky; and a Sufi after-party to end the weekend on a melodic note honouring their shared love for the music.

Not ones to be boxed in by tradition, they found ways to make every detail their own. “The wedding rituals were conducted by women pandits and we exchanged custom vows. I walked in with a few lines that I’d written for Ayush playing in the background, so it felt completely ours,” says Midha. “I’ve always been uncomfortable with the term kanyadaan, as if I’m a thing to be given away to someone. The women pandits from Acharya Shruti’s team explained to me that there was no such thing as kanyadaan in our oldest rituals. It’s actually called Kanya Var Pani Grahan, where the boy and girl promise a lifetime of support to each other.”

Bhumi Pednekkar’s Diwali look offered a striking reinterpretation of Ritu Kumar’s design language. Styled by Manisha Melwani, her ensemble—complete with jewellery by Anu Merton and custom heels by Preet Kaur—bridged the designer’s archival craftsmanship with a contemporary silhouette.

The cropped jacket and flared skirt formed a dialogue of textures. The high-neck jacket, densely embroidered with zardozi, resham and metallic threadwork, featured diagonal motifs and floral butis across a burnished amber base. Its sleeves alternated between gold and navy embroidery, creating rhythm and contrast. Below, the skirt unfolded in rich panels of brocade and velvet, each carrying a distinct archival motif in shades of rust, ochre and sage. The surface shimmered softly with gota and zari detailing that caught the light without overpowering it. A gauzy dupatta quilted with gold thread and edged with tasselled corners tempered the structured silhouette.

Pednekkar’s accessories mirrored the outfit’s maximalist character. Around her neck sat a mix of layered pieces: a polki, ruby and pearl choker framing the collarbones, a sculpted torque-style necklace with interlinked plaques, and a longer polki strand glimpsed beneath the jacket. Tiered jhumkas and silver rings completed the look, while embroidered gold heels extended the craftsmanship narrative from head to toe.

Bhumi Pednekkar’s beauty look stayed close to earthy tones with softly contoured skin, a neutral peach lip and cat-eye wings, while hair was left open in loose waves, completing the craft-led look.

From Vogue’s fashion desk:

“This Ritu Kumar ensemble is sharp and opulent. Ditch the dupatta and heavy jewellery. Let the suit and skirt set be the focal point focusing on the textiles and richness of the colours and handwork. Pair with a structured mini bag and a ponytail to complete the look,” says Vogue India fashion associate Divya Balakrishnan.

In the pursuit of spiritual bliss, have you been ignoring your body, Cancer? Honestly, consider this for a moment—your body stores what you feel and think and it manifests in the form of aches, pains, health and even illness. When you move your body and exercise, you help it process stuck emotions and subconscious memories. And the simple act of stretching your spine or legs or even wiggling your toes that may be making you feel oh so relaxed is actually doing some hardcore work for you in the background. Unearth your broken parts, Aries. Uncover yourself and let your raw edges be seen, heard and understood. See the light in your own eyes if you cannot find it in someone else’s. Hold a mirror to yourself to light your way up with your inner light if all else seems dark. Be the voice of your soul, not in a completely flowery way but by actually asking yourself some tough questions and allowing some equally honest and detached answers to flow through. You may feel like your future feels challenging and uncertain, Libra. Perhaps you have been praying for change or independence or simply for things to get better. But here is your cosmic message—you don’t need to do anything more—you simply need to allow yourself to slow down a bit, be taken care of and perhaps even cry it out if you want to. There is no shame in seeking support and help because, c’mon, no one arrived here on the planet to become a martyr and die alone. The main theme in your life right now seems to be passion, but at the core is really—liberation—from the slavery to your habits, your goals, the need to be more, the constant scattered hustle and the relentless on-the-run mindset. Sag, while one of your pillars is passion, the other is intuition. The ironic secret recipe to stability is flexibility in your morals but in the way things appear in your life. Now this is a good thing, even though it may not seem like it at first, Scorps. You are resetting yourself. So keep up the work and keep going.

Read on for what the stars have in store for you, and make sure you check out your sun, moon and rising signs for the complete picture.

Unearth your broken parts, Aries. Uncover yourself and let your raw edges be seen, heard and understood. See the light in your own eyes if you cannot find it in someone else’s. Hold a mirror to yourself to light your way up with your inner light if all else seems dark. Be the voice of your soul not in a completely flowery way but by actually asking yourself some tough questions and allowing some equally honest and detached answers to flow through. You hold the right to choose the life you desire to live, even if someone else doesn’t understand it. Set yourself free.

For years I treated airports like treasure hunts. If there was a layover in Paris, someone in my circle was getting a WhatsApp from me that read like a hostage note: two tubes of Cicaplast Baume and one Anthelios SPF, please. You couldn’t really blame me. There’s something mythical about French pharmacy products, that mix of clinical science and unfussy chic that makes you feel like you’re in on a secret. La Roche-Posay, long a mainstay in that category, is finally back in India thanks to Nykaa, which means my friends can rest easy and I can stop hoarding travel-sized tubes like wartime rations.

It’s a brand I’ve trusted for years because it never tries too hard. The packaging is minimal, the textures are practical, and depending on your skin concerns, the results are slow but consistent. It doesn’t promise miracles; it gives calmness and balance, and that’s what gives La Roche-Posay cult status in the beauty world.

My reunion started with the Effaclar Gel Facial Wash, a product I’d have normally avoided because anything labelled “for oily skin” tends to leave me flaky and furious. My skin is a complicated map of contradictions: oily T-zone, dry cheeks, patches of rosacea and melasma that appear like uninvited guests. But this one cleaned my face without that tight post-cleanse feeling, like it knew where to stop. The zinc pidolate keeps shine in check, while the thermal spring water—the brand’s secret weapon—calms everything down. My skin felt clean, yes, but also calm, which is rarer than it should be.

Then came the Mela B3 Serum, powered by Melasyl paired with 10% niacinamide and it claims to target everything from sunspots to post-acne marks. Normally, I take brightening serums with a grain of salt and a prayer. They either sting, break me out or do absolutely nothing. This one didn’t. My skin felt smoother and slightly more even. Nothing transformative yet, but anti-pigmentation is a slow dance. What matters to me is that it didn’t irritate my rosacea, which feels like a small miracle in itself.

The Cicaplast Baume B5+ is the old faithful. It’s the product everyone with sensitive skin ends up finding eventually, usually after trying everything else. You can use it as a healing ointment, a slugging mask or a saviour for dry patches that refuse to quit. I use it like insurance—on cracked lips, angry skin or nights when my barrier feels like it’s holding on by a thread. Depending on your skin type, you can use a small dot of product and apply it as a thin, breathable layer that’s comforting without smothering, like skincare’s version of a weighted blanket. If you’re drier than the That desert then this will become your go-to favourite.

And then there’s Anthelios, their sunscreens that will make you fall in love with SPF. Whether you pick the mineral one or the ultra-light fluid, both melt in beautifully without that ghostly cast we’ve all endured in the name of protection. The finish is elegant, the protection serious. It’s one of those rare sunscreens that actually makes me happy to reapply.

Forget the debate between whether to wear flared or straight denim; this season, it’s all about the ‘double or nothing’ premise. A styling formula that comes as no surprise, considering that denim has dominated the runways and, along with the collective nostalgia for decades past, has revived its versatility as one of the most essential outfits to count on for everyday wear. After all, no closet is complete without a solid denim selection.

From looks that look straight out of an Old West movie, to those that pay homage to Britney Spears‘ signature look during the spookiest night of the year. Whether low-rise, hemmed, rescued from our mothers’ closets to embrace the vintage spirit, found in a thrift store or as a new acquisition, fashion trends for Fall-Winter 2025 continue to bet on keeping the legacy of the most prolific combination of all time alive, and no, this time we’re not talking about white T-shirts.

There are endless ways to combine on-trend denim pants for Fall-Winter 2025; however, this time the focus is less James Dean and more Julia Fox wearing head-to-toe Schiaparelli. Some will prefer the avant-garde route, opting for leather pointed boots and bold cuts, while other women will recreate the same look for a casual day at the office, combining flat ballerinas and a slim belt. For fresh and updated inspiration, this style guide will be your compass.

Denim pants with denim shirt and heeled boots

Las expertas llevan jeans con camisas denim en tendencia para otoño 2025.TheStewartofNY/GC Images

Undoubtedly, to wear a total denim outfit flawlessly, the secret lies in formulating a two-piece styling composed of matching pants and a shirt. The experts bet on the dark wash with contrasting hems and cuffs, a simple styling trick that adds dynamism to the look. For a more original effect and to deviate from the classic Canadian suit, opt for a collarless shirt and complete it with the icing on the cake: black heeled boots. Classic, elegant and simply foolproof.

Denim pants with a loose shirt and a boho skirt

Falda bohemia de los 70 con jeans en tendencia.Christian Vierig/Getty Images.

This week’s beauty looks had the calm assurance of people who know exactly what works for them. Skin stayed real, shimmer stayed strategic and highlighter hit all the right spots. Khushi Kapoor’s mauve lids, Rashmika Mandanna’s smoky gaze and Ananya Panday’s retro wing were some of the highlights.

Ananya Panday’s beauty look feels cinematic, like a still from a mid-century film. Her hair is parted deep and brushed into smooth, polished bends that frame her face. The makeup keeps that vintage touch with luminous skin, blush placed high to lift and liner drawn into a subtle wing that elongates rather than exaggerates. A rose tint on her lips adds warmth, echoing the romantic lace of her outfit.

Janhvi Kapoor’s base is sheer and light-catching, allowing her skin to look alive rather than perfected. Her eyes carry soft definition through a hazelnut shadow and feathery lashes. The brows are brushed clean, lips finished with a muted coral tint that mirrors the warmth in her blush. The hair, pulled neatly away from her face, keeps the focus on those delicate shifts of tone and texture.

Khushi Kapoor’s beauty look sits entirely in the pink family but never feels flat. The lids carry a soft mauve-brown haze, deepened just enough at the crease. A thin layer of shimmer at the centre catches light rather than sparkles, adding dimension. Her lashes are lifted and fanned, her brows kept full and brushed up. Skin stays true to texture with a hydrated finish and pinpoint highlights on the high points. A pink-nude gloss completes the look, tying her beauty look into the tones of her ensemble.

Sonali Bendre’s even base is balanced by defined brows and a nude-brown lip. Her lids carry a smoky twist diffused upwards, giving the eyes a cool, sculpted depth that reflects her metallic drape. Lashes are strong and lifted, framed by a touch of smoked kohl along the lower lash line that lends some edge.

Rashmika Mandanna’s eyes are sculpted with a diffused graphite wing that lifts outward, layered over silver shimmer that catches light. The lashes are lengthened but clean, keeping focus on the shape. Skin is even and radiant, with a muted rose blush giving structure to the face. A soft pink creamy lip completes the palette, reflecting the icy tones of her statement Swarovski jewellery while keeping the overall effect fluid and modern.

Below, a roundup of the best beauty looks from this week:

Magnesium is the mineral du jour. Not only does it help reduce inflammation, improve sleep, and even repair DNA, but it also “participates in many other physiological processes within the body,” confirms nutritionist Itziar Digon.

While you can take magnesium supplements, it’s even better to consume a magnesium-rich diet filled with fruits and vegetables. One food that’s an especially good source? Spinach. Not only is it filled with magnesium, but it can be cooked in a number of ways that don’t impact the nutritional benefits of the mineral. Nutritionist Paula Martin Clares notes that spinach is great for the “health of the skin, hair and bones because — in addition to magnesium — it contains calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, B vitamins, and vitamins A ,C, E and K.”

Why is everyone so obsessed with magnesium?

Much like vitamin D, many of us are deficient in magnesium. However, we need it because it‘s involved in hundreds of bodily processes. “It keeps the muscles and immune system in good condition,” Digón explains to us, noting that it can also reduce tiredness and fatigue.

Isabel Viña Bas, resident doctor of endocrinology and nutrition at the supplement brand IVB Wellness Lab explains: “Magnesium is the second most abundant mineral within each of our cells. It is needed for more than 300 metabolic reactions, two of the most important being correct muscle contraction and relaxation (including in the blood vessels and heart) as well as optimal nerve function.” However, studies confirm that many of us are magnesium deficient, with common symptoms including muscle heaviness, insomnia and fatigue.

Magnesium in spinach

Spinach is a tried-and-true superfood for a reason: it’s low in calories (just seven per cup) yet rich in antioxidants that protect the liver, colon and eyes. As the doctor Olivier Courtin-Clarins notes in his book Beauty In My Recipes, spinach also promotes digestive wellbeing thanks to its high fibre content. It also helps stimulate bowel function and can aid in the body’s natural detox processes. With 24 mg of magnesium per cup of raw spinach, eating the green is a win-win for keeping everything running smoothly.

Is it better to eat spinach raw or cooked?

Leafy green vegetables like spinach can be eaten raw or cooked since heating them does not destroy magnesium; in fact, when spinach is cooked, the magnesium content actually rises. (Cooked spinach contains 157 mg of magnesium.) “While cooked vegetables lose a certain amount of water-soluble vitamins, the capacity of the body to absorb minerals such as magnesium, iron, and calcium is actually increased after cooking, since the molecular structure becomes more bioavailable,” explains Digón. To that end, she recommends eating cooked spinach at night to aid digestion and absorption and promote a good night’s sleep.

Easy ways to include spinach in your diet

With that in mind, there are a variety of ways that spinach can be added to the diet. Try spinach as a salad base as it works well with lots of other ingredients. For example, Courtin-Clarins advises combining spinach with cherry tomatoes, olive oil and white wine vinegar to create a simple salad. For extra nutrients, include a serving of protein such as chicken, turkey or tuna, and a small amount of healthy fats, like walnuts or avocado.

You can also add spinach to a smoothie. Nutritionist Beatriz Larrea recommends blending the leafy green with banana, blueberries, raspberries, hemp seeds and nut milk. Or, toss a handful of spinach into pasta dishes, soups, omelettes and stir fries for an extra boost of vitamins, fibre, antioxidants and minerals.

This article first appeared on Vogue.es

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