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How you show up within your relationships is how the Universe shows up for you, Taurus. If you want to put an end to challenging times, decide to put an end to the pitiless loop you think you are stuck in. Instead of waiting for the cosmos to initiate change, consider making changes in your way in your life. We get it, Capricorn, Earth school ain’t easy. You’ve got to pay the bills, you’ve got to grow, feel fulfilled, and rewarded all the same. However, here’s the cheat code for you—the more you clutch onto your ‘assets’, the harder they become to keep for you. So try this—replace “what if I lose this?” with “What amazing things are in store for me, if I only try something new?” You deserve this celebration and the abundance that surrounds you, Cancer. Your eyes have been set on the prize for a while, and you, my dear friend, have been busy getting your energetic frequency from being frazzled to being with it. The wheel of fortune turns in your favour, and Sag, how you deserve this! This is your time to fiercely defend all that you believe in and stand for. This is your time to trust your inner vision over what the world tries to make you believe. This is your time to make yourself believe in your magic again. Things are moving fast, and although you may have felt like you were stuck in a sea storm, suddenly the sun beams through the clouds, and rough waters feel like they are parting ways to reveal your hidden secret path, Pisces.

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.

Instead of getting sentimental about a whole host of things that you perhaps had made peace with in the past, Aries, it may be time for you to just regain your rationality and begin balancing the scales once again. Missed opportunities, however distant in the past, rarely feel good; however, they often lead you to places that you would have otherwise not encountered had you trodden on that path. Where are you now? And most importantly, are you not happy here? Move on, get a grip and begin afresh.

Once dismissed as an office uniform, the workwear kurta is stepping into a smarter, sharper space. With designers refining cuts, prints, and fabrics, it’s no longer a Monday-to-Friday default—it’s a year-round wardrobe anchor. Here’s how to choose the right one.

Solid colours

A solid silk or linen kurta is the most versatile base you can own. Look for clean, uninterrupted lines. Think concealed plackets and side slits cut for movement. In summer, it holds its own with tailored trousers and flat sandals. In cooler months, it layers easily under a blazer or sleeveless jacket. The restraint here is intentional; it is about letting the cut and fabric do the work.

Prints & Patterns

Small-scale geometrics, block prints, micro florals. In grounded tones can shift your look without overwhelming it. Keep the pairing minimal with neutral trousers, a single piece of jewellery, so the kurta remains the focal point. It’s the kind of print you can wear to a client pitch and also a long weekend getaway with the girls.

Knee lengths

A knee-length kurta is the easiest piece to reframe with layers. For over-airconditioned offices, throw on a sharp blazer or a longline jacket; it instantly changes the proportion and adds structure. When winter sets in, switch to fine-knit cardigans or a handloom wool stole. The key is to add warmth without bulk, keeping the lines clean and the movement easy.

Pockets, please

Function doesn’t have to kill form. Choose a workwear kurta with pockets deep enough for your phone or card case because nobody wants to carry a bag to the pantry. Go for lengths that balance well with flats or heels. These details mean you’ll reach for it as instinctively on Monday as you do on Friday.

Detailed sleeves

Sleeves are where you can signal personality without breaking dress codes. Cuffed with light embroidery or a voluminous sleeve for a little bit of movement. Just keep the volume in check; the goal is to suggest intention, not to sweep your sleeve through your 4 p.m. chai.

Also read:

20 labels that are making must-have kurtas fit for your monsoon wardrobe

15 offbeat blouse styles to go with your cocktail saris

Best work bags to invest in, according to your girl-boss style

“You either have to be flawless or you’re a failure,” Martinez says. “There’s no middle ground or grey area.” Not only is this all-or-nothing thinking inaccurate, it also leaves no room for nuance, self-compassion or growth. (And really, how could anyone be confident when their brain is feeding them such unforgiving thoughts after small slipups?)

3. You interpret even gentle feedback as proof you’re failing

No one enjoys receiving constructive criticism. But even the mildest, most well-meaning suggestions can hit like personal attacks for those struggling with an inferiority complex…and be enough to spark a shame spiral.

A casual comment from your boss about improving a task, for example, might be interpreted as confirmation that you suck at your job. (Ugh, why’d they even hire me? Everyone knows I don’t belong.) A gentle comment from your partner about how you could’ve handled last night’s disagreement differently may suddenly become proof that you’re an all-around inadequate person who deserves to get dumped.

“When we receive feedback, it’s normal to have a moment of self-doubt. We feel bad, but that usually passes,” Martinez explains. However, “some people might ruminate on it or obsess about it for days, since it reinforces all of this negative stuff that they already believe about themselves.”

4. You look at other people’s wins and automatically wonder what’s wrong with you

It’s pretty much impossible not to do this to some extent (thanks, social media highlight reels). However, with inferiority complexes, those comparisons don’t just feel like passing moments of envy. Instead, they become a lens through which you judge your worth…or rather, your perceived lack of it, according to Bryant.

Whether someone announces a new gig, shares an engagement update or posts about their impressive lifting PR, your mind might race with thoughts like, “No matter how hard I try, I’ll never be as good as this person,” or, “I’m clearly not talented enough, or else I’d be where they are now.” You’re not simply wishing you had what they had—you’re convinced there’s something flawed about you for not measuring up.

5. You try really, really hard to gain other people’s approval

If you’re convinced you’re somehow lacking as you are, it makes sense that you might feel the pressure to “earn” your worth. Because when you don’t believe you’re sufficient on your own, external praise and approval become your only lifeline to fill that void. That’s why, with inferiority complexes, “there’s often this real, Olympic-level people-pleasing with hardly any boundaries,” Martinez says.

There’s no pomp when Sudha Murty enters the room. In fact, no one really notices. The videographers are busy priming their cameras, her staff is whirring around the sidelines and I am admiring a painting depicting the Mahabharata—made by a Kolkata-based collective of the Bengal School, she tells me later. “Which magazine?” she asks, smiling, as I hurriedly turn, take notice and mutter an answer. “Ah yes, please sit.” So I do. In videos and pictures, Murty seems larger somehow, a powerhouse of a person, but here, in the upstairs atrium of her office in Bengaluru’s Jayanagar, she seems slighter, smaller, even simpler. She is dressed modestly, in a green cotton salwar kameez, and it’s her face that fills in the absent details when I show her a video of my daughter thanking her for writing one of her favourite children’s books, The Gopi Diaries, starring her real-life Golden Retriever, who now snoozes lazily by her feet.

As a staff member arrives bearing a tray full of spiced coriander-sprinkled buttermilk, the conversation turns to whether it is homemade. “It is,” she nods sagely—as are most other things she eats. “I don’t go to restaurants. Why drive, park and waste time in traffic when you can eat at home? It’s easier and faster.” When the cameras flick on, framing her face, we are on the topic of kitchens and cooking, and how she and her husband, N. R. Narayana Murthy, co-founder of Infosys, managed to build both a healthy company and healthy eating habits back in the day. “When he was building Infosys, he never had time to cook,” she says, adding that there was never a day when he finished a meal without washing his plate. “He was very helpful even then,” adds Murty, whose own plate, in those days, was overflowing. “I’ve always been working, so I never became an expert at cooking. I know the basics—rice, sambar, roti, sabzi—but not dishes like holige [a sweet flatbread from Karnataka]. Our meals are always simple.” That explains why she sought help from her mother in the kitchen. “My parents lived below us, so my mother cooked for the family for a long time. It was only when she became old that we sought outside help.”

As a Padma Shri awardee, Rajya Sabha member, founder of the Infosys Foundation and a prolific author, philanthropist and educator, Murty is no stranger to breaking stereotypes. She earned her bachelor’s degree in engineering from BVB College of Engineering and Technology as the only girl in her class. “There were no toilets, so I wouldn’t drink water from 7am to noon. Then I’d walk home, use the restroom, have lunch and be back in the lab at 2pm,” recalls the multihyphenate, who went on to complete her master’s degree in computer science from the Indian Institute of Science. Her grandmother discouraged her from studying engineering, insisting it was meant for boys and warning that it would hurt her prospects in the marriage market. She persevered, repeating history upon becoming the first female engineer at Tata Engineering and Locomotive Company (now Tata Motors) in 1974. When she married Narayana Murthy in 1978, she did so with one condition—she would spell her surname as Murty, not Murthy, as it aligned with the Sanskrit alphabet.

Cosmic tip: Overcome obstacles by maintaining your focus.

What do you wish to focus on? Sag, ask yourself what truly matters? What will add value, and what do you really want to sustain in your life in the long run? And then work your way back to your present moment. Now, in this moment, what fears are holding you back from walking towards your big goals? Fear of loss of connection, fear of walking alone, fear of everything feeling too much, fear of venturing out so far that you may not be able to return? Your angels remind you that whatever you may be fearing at this point in time can be worked around. Ask for help and support, share how you feel, and simply rise up to the occasion that requires you to be quietly brave. You will be pleasantly surprised at how you check everything off one thing at a time.

Cosmic tip: Things are looking up. Challenging times will be behind you.

Brilliant new inspirations need brilliant new action steps, and Capricorn, tell me you didn’t know this already? Something quick-footed enters your life and takes it by storm, pushing you to take rapid, decisive, and creative action. But darling, here is the thing, you are already living part of your wildest dreams, and you must continue to keep walking on this path. Embrace the changes that are unfolding for you with an open heart and mind. This may look like your rock bottom, but could it be that you are simply hitting refresh?

Cosmic tip: New opportunities will come knocking at your door, and they will need you to fuel your life with ingenuity and originality.

Take your time, Aquarius. Take your time to heal, take your time to assess, take your time to rebuild, simply take your time! Your life is more blessed than you think, Aquarius. If you really look at it, you are sitting on a gold mine, revelling in abundance and prosperity, perhaps even the knowledge that you are on your way to something big. And this magnitude of things will only feel more settled and expansive if you learn to strike that balance, in giving and receiving, in opening up to new avenues, in making long-term plans and backing them up with short, actionable steps. All you need and desire is within your realm of reach. You simply need to explore this new way opening up in front of you.

Cosmic tip: Make long-term optimistic plans.

Something moves, your perspective, a situation, an opportunity, or even people. And Pisces, this thing needs you to act quickly, but creatively. Take a moment to place your hands on your heart and take a couple of deep breaths. Then ask yourself, what is it that I really feel called to do right now? How do I feel called to move and be? You may receive an intuitive answer in a flash that not only leads you to a quick resolution but also fair means and a road that feels lighter, brighter, and more content. The solution might take you by surprise, but if it feels good in your bones, it probably is the best option for you.

Cosmic tip: Stand up for your beliefs and do what you know is right for you.

The most stubborn zodiac signs may seem easygoing at first, but don’t be fooled. Once they’ve made up their minds, not even a cosmic storm could change them. You might make the mistake of assuming that everyone has a chink in their armour for you to exploit, but make no mistake; the most stubborn zodiac signs will dig in their heels and watch the world bend around them instead. Forget what you’ve heard about compromise—they practically consider it an expletive. Read on to know if you fall among the most stubborn zodiac signs, and if yes, where you rank.

Capricorn

Steadfastness: check. Valour: check. Resilience: check in bold. This is one zodiac that will fight for you to the extent of perishing themselves. Capricorns exemplify supreme resilience, even if it spells doomsday. You simply do not know when to give up; not even when the universe is slapping you with signs. Learning when to walk away can save you from crying a million buckets in hindsight.

Leo

You might be willing to lose love to keep your pride but that might not be the smartest thing to do. Leos are too proud to ask for help, too proud to bend, too proud to admit that they need to learn to see beyond themselves. While your exuberance and confidence may take you to exciting new places, when it comes to matters of the heart and humility, reigning in your obstinacy might just be the most life-saving skill you master.

Cancer

Your need to nurture often overrides the intuitive abilities that help you perceive another’s needs and views as equally important. Cancer, you can see what others cannot, but you cannot always walk the toughest mile for those you love. Such is life, and this is also a form of love—opening your palm and setting your loved ones free, knowing fully well that they will come back home in one piece. Life is beautiful, even without you having to micromanage it.

Libra

You love getting sucked into conflict like it is your permanent address. Libra, you thrive on excelling at detangling complicated situations and relationships. But this drama too can feel addictive, and sometimes, you may find yourself craving this dopamine hit so much that you park yourselves in situations that you don’t really belong in. Sometimes, you must remember that you have to let go to let live and that peace can come at the cost of agreeing to disagree.

Gemini

When the universe asked, ‘Who wants to be in charge?’, every Gemini’s hand shot up like Hermione Granger. There’s no doubt that you are quick-witted, but this sometimes leads you to jump into situations that you may not really be interested in. Your logic and intellect are unmatched because your twin personality lets you split your brain into two ‘rationalising’ and ‘acting fast’ parts. However, you must remember that not everything deserves your attention and energy.

Aries

Things may seem exciting when they are fresh, but Aries, you know consistency can feel like boredom. The mundaneness of life is not for you and neither is anything that sounds even slightly critical of your viewpoint. Yes, you light up a room with your fire, but you can also be the fire that burns it all to the ground. Your inner conflict between taking off on a holiday and crafting an elaborate business plan all by yourself might be worth reviewing. Take off the blindfold—what’s yours is yours, but allowing others to help only refines your perspective.

Nimrat Kaur’s sari billowed, layered chiffon and organza catching the air in soft ruffles as she crossed the room. Ridhi Mehra’s chintz-inspired print lent the ivory base a centuries-old story, while a beadwork-trimmed blouse and sheer sleeves brought it firmly into the present.

The hand-embroidered raw-silk bodice was edged with ornate gold lace, its metallic thread kept minimal to let the florals lead. Full sheer georgette sleeves softened the structure, while the pre-draped folds of the sari traced ruffled edges along the hem. The pallu fell into a loose cascade at the back, and the lower half followed a mermaid-style drape that skimmed the hips before flaring past the knees. The interplay of sheer and opaque, structured and flowing, reflected the dichotomy of the look itself: a traditional outfit with a contemporary silhouette.

The ivory base carried delicate printed florals in the style of chintz, a printed cotton textile that emerged in India centuries ago, celebrated for its intricate botanical motifs on pale grounds. Handwoven and block-printed by artisans, chintz once travelled across continents, coveted in Europe for its vivid dyes and fine weave. Even trade bans and foreign imitations couldn’t blunt its allure; a testament not just to its beauty but to the lasting cultural pull of florals in Indian textile design.

Nimrat Kaur wore jewellery, from Shri Paramani Jewels, including emerald drop earrings set with graduating stones encircled by diamonds, and bold multi-stone rings worn across both hands. Hair was parted to the side in loose waves, with warm, tonal makeup—peach lids, cheeks and lips–for a soft, cohesive finish.

From Vogue’s fashion desk:

“Belt it. A slender metallic cinch will pull those ruffles into line and give the waist its moment. Trade the emerald chandeliers for pearl studs and let the print set the pace,” says Vogue India fashion associate Manglien Gangte.

Also read:

Janhvi Kapoor’s half sari comes with a pearl-laden back detail worth a closer look

Khushi Kapoor chose a striped beaded gown by Gaurav Gupta with a subtle fishtail flare

Sonali Bendre’s blouse with elaborate appliqué work took over 500 hours to create

As intense as erotic transference may sound, the reason it’s pretty common is simple: In sessions, “the client often feels heard, cared for and accepted,” Larkin explains. “So it’s easy to confuse those professional, relational feelings for romantic love.” But that doesn’t mean your connection is actually romantic—or even real in the way it may feel in the moment.

That’s because “you can’t truly be in love with someone you don’t know,” says Erin Runt, LMFT, a Chicago-based licensed therapist. “A patient might think they know their therapist or psychiatrist, but in any professional setting with the right boundaries, they don’t.” So often, what seems like infatuation is actually about what the therapist symbolises—things like comfort, approval and validation.

What therapists do when their patient catches feelings

Transference is so common that it’s something most therapists are trained to prepare for and handle. Rather than ignoring what can seem like an uncomfortable or inappropriate crush, Dr. Gold says the standard protocol is to address the tension directly. Otherwise, important boundaries can become even more blurred, making your mental health treatment less effective (or even more harmful) in the long run.

To navigate this dynamic, Runt says she’d typically start by explaining to the patient what transference is, reassuring that it’s natural and exploring what might be behind those feelings. (Are you craving attention from a parent? Feeling unheard in your love life?) From there, it might also require reinforcing firmer boundaries, Larkin adds—like prohibiting contact outside of sessions (unless in the case of emergencies) or rejecting physical gestures like hugs.

In taking these precautions, it’s possible the therapeutic relationship may rupture as a result, meaning some clients might decide to walk away. And in certain situations, psychiatrists could find it more appropriate to refer them to a new provider, especially in more ethically complex situations (such as when the patient is continuously pushing boundaries and trying to pursue a romantic relationship).

Given the intimacy and vulnerability involved in therapy, falling in love with your psychiatrist is not unnatural (with or without an 18-part TikTok exposé). Still, that doesn’t mean the connection is truly romantic—and any ethical, well-trained professional is equipped to keep those lines crystal clear.

This article first appeared on self.com

Bisabolol might not roll off the tongue, but it’s one of the few skincare ingredients worth learning to pronounce. A chamomile-derived ingredient popping up in make-up, skincare and scalp care, bisabolol has quietly climbed the trend charts. According to Google, global searches for its benefits are up 100 per cent over the last 12 months, with more and more of us looking into the clever ingredient.

What is bisabolol?

“It’s a soothing, anti-inflammatory ingredient derived from chamomile,” board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dr Idriss Skincare, Dr Shereene Idriss explains. While bisabolol is not the same as chamomile, it is extracted from the chamomile plant as well as Candeia trees. In its raw state, bisabolol is colourless with an oily viscosity.

Is bisabolol anti-inflammatory?

Yes, but that’s not all. “Bisabolol has anti-inflammatory, soothing and antioxidant properties,” says Dr Anjali Mahto, consultant dermatologist and founder of Self London. “When applied topically, it can calm irritation, reduce redness and enhance skin repair by supporting the healing process of minor wounds or inflamed areas.” Dr Mahto notes that this is what makes it such a star ingredient when formulating products suitable for sensitive and reactive skin types. “Chronic conditions characterised by inflammation and irritation, like rosacea and eczema, may find it particularly helpful as it can help soothe persistent redness and alleviate discomfort, all while promoting skin barrier repair.”

Is bisabolol good for acne-prone skin?

Because bisabolol is also an anti-microbial (meaning it curbs the proliferation of bacteria on the skin), it can be hugely beneficial for people with acne-prone skin. “It discourages bacterial overgrowth but reduces redness and calms inflamed skin,” says Dr Mahto.

One of the reasons that you rarely see it as a standalone ingredient (unlike hyaluronic or ascorbic acids) is that bisabolol works brilliantly in tandem with other actives. “In anti-acne products, combining bisabolol with things like salicylic acid (pore unclogging) or benzoyl peroxide (bacteria busting) can help to reduce the irritation often associated with these treatments,” she explains.

Are there any drawbacks to using bisabolol on the skin?

As with everything in skincare (and life), what works for some might not work for others. Bisabolol is no different, although the chances of an adverse reaction are admittedly rare. “Some individuals may experience sensitivity to bisabolol, particularly if derived from chamomile, which can cause reactions in those with ragweed allergies,” cautions Dr Mahto.

Is bisabolol good for the scalp?

One of the skincare world’s favourite adages is that the scalp is an extension of the face, in the same way that the neck and décolleté are, and bisabolol can be a powerful soothing ingredient to be used up top, too. “On the scalp, bisabolol can help alleviate itchiness, tightness and discomfort, making it good for sensitive but also dry scalps,” Anabel Kingsley, consultant trichologist and Philip Kingsley brand president, details. “Because it’s an emollient (meaning it has soothing, moisturising properties), it helps to soften, smooth and hydrate the skin.”

This article first appeared on Vogue.co.uk

I always thought I’d won the sleep lottery. I slumber peacefully through the night and wake up with sunlight spilling through the lace curtains. That is, until a tea leaf reader peered into my cup and asked if I had trouble sleeping. Did I? Not exactly, but my nights were stretching far past the threshold of Cinderella’s witching hour, and the minutes before sleep were a restless churn of heavy dinners, pygmy hippo reels, meme exchanges and, of course, overthinking (did I lock the front door?).

Ariana Huffington once wrote in The Sleep Revolution that “sleep deprivation is glamorised and celebrated: ‘You snooze, you lose.’” She’s right. A recent survey found 59% of Indians get six hours or less of uninterrupted sleep, with only half catching up on some shut-eye weekends.

According to the National Institutes of Health, sleep deficiency is linked to many chronic health problems, including heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, obesity and depression. Sitting in my faded T-shirt and mismatched PJs, I decided I did not want raccoon eyes, and that, too, due to my own bad choices. I plunged into the world of good sleep juju, building a night routine for better sleep. This is what helped me find the sleep switch.

Setting the mood

Sleep hygiene began with the basics: no more holey T-shirts and mismatched pyjamas. If I were spending eight hours in them, they should feel good—soft cotton, minimal dye, easy on the skin. My bedside table went minimalist too, cleared of hairpins, skincare clutter, electronics and stray books, leaving only water and the occasional rose quartz to lull me to sleep. After a warm shower, I’d smooth a calming balm over my temples, massage in a sleep body milk, and rub magnesium oil into my feet an hour before bed, letting it sink in like a slow exhale.

Working the lymph nodes

My favourite ritual in my night routine for better sleep is a post-dinner lymphatic drainage sequence I picked up from drainage and detox specialist Dr Caitlin Czezowski. Her seven-step sequence starts and ends at the area behind the clavicle called the terminus, encouraging the lymphatic system to clear waste and prevent fluid build-up. I take ten minutes in front of the TV, adding a drop of oil to prevent chafing and finish with pechoti—a slosh of oil to the navel, followed by a nice belly rub while at it. It’s part self-care, part signal to my body that the day is done.

A phone curfew that stuck

Doomscrolling was my biggest thief of sleep. I set ‘downtime’ on my phone from midnight to 7am. The first few days were tough, as I sidled onto my tablet to scroll on Instagram, before switching that off too and instead turning to a book or just snuggling into bed. The payoff: lower stress, easier sleep and the reminder that rest doesn’t have to come with a screen.

Bridging the awkward in-between

Sometimes, sleep is still elusive while my body is bone-crushingly tired. I keep gentle reads within arm’s length—a Ruskin Bond memoir or an Emily Henry romance. If words don’t work, I switch to white noise or a sleep hypnosis track: birdsong, streams, wind in the trees. And once sleep comes, I fumble and turn it off, drifting straight into lala land.