All posts by : AyFa Collections

Every night before bed, Ambika Agnihotri a practice in technique or a side hustle for money. It isn’t even a portrait of someone real. The form, expression and aura that the woman will take is unknown to Magotra. “I just throw it out of myself onto paper,” the 54-year-old states.

This nightly ritual began 28 years ago when the design academician was confined to bed rest for the entirety of her first pregnancy. At the time, she would sketch the imagined features of her unborn child. A few years later, navigating family, work and her sense of self, she started doodling the face of a woman. It was both an expression of her angst and a manifestation of all that she wanted to embody. “With exaggerated lips, bold eyes and impossible hair, my women are unruly, unconventional, ahead of their time. In a world that still tucks women into corners, they come out strong and, through them, I do too,” she explains.

Magotra’s aimless creative routine—something she has practised every day for over 20 years—is the reminder we need that there is ‘self ’ in self-care. Irreducibly complex and context-bound, the self cannot be expected to conform to a factory-line model of healing with bath bombs, snail masks, sensory deprivation tanks and catch-all products that flood every wellness list online. There is a version of care, like Magotra’s, that isn’t algorithm-approved or trend-driven. It’s handmade and fiercely personal.

For many brides, their wedding day is a unique opportunity to honour their heritage, often through fashion. Such was the case for Indian-American bride Dr Jasmine Singh, a psychiatrist based in California.

“Even as a child, I knew – without a doubt – that no matter who I married, or when I married, I would have a Sikh wedding ceremony, and I would wear a traditional red Indian lehenga with gold embroidery,” she explains. “My mother has countless photos of me as a little girl dressed in a tiny red lehenga, adorned with a gold mathapatti and haathphool, and proudly wearing a bold red lip.”

Dr Jasmine Singh in her bridal lehenga.

Mili Ghosh

When the time came for Jasmine to curate her own wedding day looks for her marriage to Dr Sandeep Mann, she knew immediately that she wanted to work with Indian designers, especially on a red lehenga – that instantly recognisable Indian bridal outfit. “It mattered to me that my wedding outfit was made by hands and minds that understood the symbolism embedded in every motif and stitch,” she explains. “I wanted to wear something that wasn’t just beautiful, but meaningful; something that connected me to my culture and heritage.”

Having become familiar with his work decades earlier, Jasmine immediately thought of turning to the celebrated Indian designer Sabyasachi (who memorably dressed Priyanka Chopra for her wedding celebrations) for her lehenga and jewellery. “I first heard about him when I was a student at UC San Diego,” she explains. “I remember being captivated by the news that an Indian designer had shown at Milan Fashion Week. Since then I’ve followed his career, watching him dress countless brides – including many of India’s most celebrated actresses.”

We know it as a pantry staple and a champi essential. But coconut oil, it turns out, is more than just a kitchen or beauty cabinet mainstay. But long before it was swirled into coffee or scooped into keto yoghurts, it held pride of place in Ayurveda not just for its nutrition, but for its temperament. Sweet in taste (rasa), cooling in potency (virya) and soothing in its after-effects (vipaka), coconut oil was used to pacify heat, calm the gut and nourish the body from within. Today, that ancient understanding meets modern wellness.

Packed with antimicrobial properties and medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), advocates claim that taking a teaspoon on an empty stomach can boost energy, curb cravings and do wonders for digestion. Curious if there was truth behind the trend, I decided to try it myself. Here’s what I found.

The properties of coconut oil

Coconut oil is a good source of saturated fatty acids, specifically capric and caprylic acid, of which it contains 65%.

These medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) have a ton of interesting properties. Not only are they metabolised by the liver and converted into energy instead of being stored as body fat, they are also absorbed intact from the small intestine into the blood and therefore immediately available as energy—kind of like carbs. Furthermore, MCTs have been shown to increase feelings of fullness; a 2023 study found that when used during a low-calorie ketogenic diet, MCT supplementation significantly decreased body weight, BMI, and waist circumference.

Coconut oil has antimicrobial, antibacterial and antiviral properties, which is why it is used in oral hygiene practices such as oil pulling. Thanks to these properties, it may also support gut health.

The benefits of taking coconut oil

Some studies have shown that drinking coconut oil supports mental faculties because the production of ketone bodies provides an alternative source of energy for the brain. Coconut oil also has a satiating effect, slowing digestion and preventing hunger pangs. And, with all those MCTs, coconut oil offers an immediate source of energy and stimulates the production of ketones, which help burn fat—especially when consumed in conjunction with low-carb and keto diets.

What happened when I took coconut oil daily

Speaking of certain diets, I started taking coconut oil as part of the ketogenic diet I’ve been following for a while now. I take my coconut oil in three different ways, depending on the day and how much time I have: I either drink a teaspoon on an empty stomach first thing in the morning, mix a teaspoon into my coffee, or drizzle it over Greek yoghurt. I find the flavour relatively mild and I like the texture—in fact, I barely notice it when I take it with my coffee or yoghurt.

In contrast to Indian outfits, sarees are preserved using important methods that maintain the garments’ quality and patterns for an extended period of time. 

If you’re interested in learning important saree preservation practices, this site is the answer to all of your questions on how to keep sarees fresh for a long time. 

We adore wearing sarees. Do we not? However, we frequently neglect to follow preservation procedures when it comes to properly organizing our expensive sarees, leading us to blame the brand for their poor quality.

Why is it so important to store sarees the right way? Because sarees are more than simply clothes. They keep emotions, money, and from time to time even their family heirlooms. If you keep them the proper way, the color will live vividly and the cloth will stay together. Have you ever seen a lovely silk saree lose its shine or a zari border flip black? It happens when you store things badly. 

No one wants to take out their best saree and find that it’s broken. That`s terrible and can be prevented at any cost. If you recognize a way to save sarees properly, they’ll look as lovely as the day you brought them home.

Think about such things as rain, bugs, or even the sun. These are the sneaky individuals who need to scouse-borrow your costly drapes. Mildew grows while there may be moisture, the colors fade, and bugs can tear your clothes. 

The very least you could do is take a couple of minutes to save your sarees in an orderly way. It’s about appreciating the skill, tough work, and custom that went into making it. People say that if you deal with your sarees with love, they’ll last for years.

1. Clean the Saree before Putting it in the Storage

If your saree is dirty, an accident is just going to happen. In the end, the stains will bring in bugs that will ruin the cloth. It is obvious that things should be cleaned before they are stored. The fabric will tell you whether to gently wash or dry clean it. Remember that a clean saree is always a happy saree.

2. Make Your Storage Materials Breatheable 

Plastic is the enemy. It keeps the water inside, which damages the cloth. Cotton or cloth should be used instead. These keep your sarees safe and let them breathe. It’s like a saree spa robe.

3. Refold on a Regular Basis

Creases aren’t really cute. Fold it after a while to keep it from getting wrinkled forever. Yes, your saree does need so much love. This will keep the fabric from getting stressed.

4. Keep Out the Sunlight and Humidity

Sunlight fades colors, and wet places are good for mold to grow. Both of them are saree horrors. Keep them somewhere cool, dark, and dry. Think of it as a pleasant location to hide.

5. Pest Control

Moths and bugs are bad for sarees. Leaves of neem or rosemary can keep them away. Quick tip: it`s less complicated to avoid troubles than to restore them.

6. Extra Care for Zari and Embroidered Sarees 

Zari and sarees with lots of decorations are not your average clothes. They are very fragile. It would be easy to damage the thread work and the shiny, glittering decorations if they were not treated properly. Never fold zari shawls; always roll them up. 

How to Store Sarees without Making these Common Mistakes?

Plastic bags are a big error for storing sarees. Plastic traps water, causing mold and mildew and smothering fabric breath. It can also additionally save money at first; however, it damages the saree. For the most reliable saree storage, pick breathable textiles like cotton or muslin.

Not folding sarees regularly is another mistake. Folding them for too long stresses the cloth and causes permanent wrinkles. This is particularly authentic of silk and satin. Sarees need to be refolded every few months to save them from creases and maintain their integrity.

Finally, never shop for sarees in damp or sunny areas. Humidity can result in mold growth and damage fabric, at the same time as strong sunshine fades colorations and weakens them. For appropriate saree storage, keep them cool, dry, and dark. Follow the satin care recommendations or basic storage advice on their tag.

Read more – Drape In Minutes: The Rise Of The Readymade Saree

If you’re capable of recognizing the way to properly hold sarees, they’ll retain their appearance fantastically for decades to come. Satin, silk, and other types of sarees all ask just a little bit of additional attention. Both sunshine and plastic bags have the potential to ruin your sarees. Maintain a cold, dry, and ventilated environment for them while you store them. It is true that a little bit of attention goes a long way, and before you realize it, you will be able to wear your saree with the same level of elegance as the day you brought it home.

Cosmic tip: The end of tough times often lies in the approach you take towards what life throws at you.

You’ve worked hard to get here, you have walked against the grain, you have held your ground when no one else could see what you were up to, and you also trusted your instincts more than what you saw unfolding around you. Now that you have found your way out, you must remember that rest is also an equal part of being productive. You must remember that not every eye that looks at you is concerned or judgmental, whatever the case may be, but also not every eye that looks away means bad. In order for you not to take things personally, you need to space out just for a bit, Leo. Take that time off and do something solely because you want to do it, not because it will get you somewhere.

Cosmic tip: Your constant grind approach does not directly translate into your ability to remain focused.

Your logic and intuition may be merging, leading you to an abundant time and space. Virgo, your guides want you to remember that not everything you do needs to yield fruit or immediate results. Some things nourish your life in indirect ways as well. For example, accepting that party invite may simply lead you to meeting someone who may become a vital part of your life, personally or professionally. Show up in the world a little more openly and with your heart on your sleeve, and allow yourself to be pleasantly surprised.

Cosmic tip: New partnerships and contracts await you.

If you keep looking back, you will keep finding things that you have either been trying to run away from or that you have outgrown. Libra, things you didn’t have access to earlier, like money, emotional stability, family, love or anything else, you create now. You are the cheat code in your own life experiences, and the sooner you realise this, the sooner you will get down to business and learn new ways to expand, evolve and grow.

Cosmic tip: Admitting the existence of a stalemate is the first step towards figuring out a way to deal with it.

Jayanti Reddy’s latest collection at India Couture Week, was a romantic showcase at its heart. Janhvi Kapoor turned muse for the designer in a blush pink look with a modern drape. The collection itself “celebrates antique textiles with dori work, ornate blooms, birds, paisley, Baroque art and Deco grids,” said the designer.

Designed with her signature attention to texture and surface work, the outfit featured a heavily embellished net lehenga embroidered with thread, zari, sequin and beads, creating a layered floral pattern with baroque undertones. The lehenga’s fishtail silhouette had enough flare to move fluidly while maintaining sculptural weight.

Cut in a sculpted, sweetheart neckline with cap mesh sleeves, the blouse featured shoulder-baring drapes of beaded tassels that doubled as jewellery. Its close fit and cropped length gave a contemporary edge to an otherwise traditionally rooted silhouette. The dupatta, draped casually across one arm, left a sheer trail as Kapoor glided on the ramp.

A diamond and emerald choker with a central pendant and matching earrings provided punctuation to the neckline, while soft, centre-parted waves, defined brows and neutral-toned makeup kept the overall effect cohesive.

As you’re growing up, you get pretty used to your parents peppering you with questions: “how was school today?” “who will be there?” “when will you be home?” But how often do you ask your parents questions, especially ones about who they are as a person?

Because we live with them every day for so long, and because they pretty much know everything about us, it’s easy to forget that our parents are, well, actual people who had lives before we came along. That’s why it’s important to come up with some questions to ask your parents so you have insight about their lives and can better understand them on both a personal and a parental level. Knowing about your parents’ history can help inform your own, help you work through issues, and help you bond with your parents as you enter adulthood. And, it can just be plain interesting.

So, if you’ve ever wondered what are good questions to ask your parents, we’ve got you covered. There are obviously the basic questions to ask your parents, like what their childhood was like, but there are also deep questions for parents that can really help you get to know them. And, parents like to have fun, too (even if you can’t always tell), so we’ve rounded up some funny questions to ask your parents. This list is just a starting point; feel free to ask follow-up questions or dig deeper into your parents’ answers. You might even find yourself answering these questions in return, building a whole new kind of relationship with your folks.

In this article, you’ll find:

• Questions to ask your parents about their childhood
• General questions to ask your parents
• Deep questions for parents
• Funny questions to ask your parents

Questions to ask your parents about their childhood

1. In what town or city were you born?
2. Where was your childhood home?
3. Did you ever move?
4. What’s your favourite memory with your parents?
5. What kind of relationship did you have with your parents when you were young?
6. Did you have any nicknames as a kid?
7. Who was your best friend?
8. Did you have any pets?
9. What did you want to be when you grew up?
10. Did you like school?
11. What was your favourite subject in school?
12. Did you have a lot of friends as a kid or did you spend time alone?
13. Were you ever bullied?
14. Who was your idol?
15. Who was your childhood crush?
16. What did you do during the summers as a kid? As a teen?
17. Is there anything about your childhood that you wish were different?
18. Were you ever rebellious?
19. What’s your strongest memory from childhood?
20. What was your happiest time?

General questions to ask your parents

1. What was your first job?
2. Did you go to college? What was your major?
3. What was your college experience like?
4. What was your first car?
5. Who was your first kiss?
6. What’s the best place you’ve travelled?
7. Have you ever travelled alone? Would you?
8. Is there a place you’ve never lived in that you’ve always wanted to?
9. What was your first roommate like?
10. What was your first date like?
11. What was your most memorable date?
12. How did you meet your closest friend?
13. If we could go on a trip together right now, where would we go?
14. Have you ever bombed a job interview?
15. How did you and my other parent meet?
16. What was your relationship like with my other parent in the early days?
17. What was your worst job?
18. What is your favourite memory from my childhood?
19. What is your favourite food?
20. What is your favourite color?

Deep questions for parents

1. What is your life goal right now?
2. If you could go back in time and redo anything, would you?
3. Did you always know you wanted to be a parent?
4. Have you ever had an out-of-body experience?
5. Is there anything about me that you’ve always wanted to know?
6. Do you remember a time when you changed your mind about something big?
7. Do you have any big regrets?
8. Who is someone from your past who you wish you were still in touch with?
9. What do you hope your life is like in 10 years?
10. Do you have any big fears?
11. What was a time in the past when you felt the happiest?
12. Who or what do you miss the most?
13. What was it like when I was born?
14. Do you believe in love at first sight?
15. Have you experienced love at first sight?

Funny questions to ask your parents

1. If you were a bug, what kind would you be?
2. Would you rather: only speak in movie quotes for a week or never watch a movie again?
3. What’s your favourite ice cream flavour?
4. What was your favourite family vacation?
5. What did you like to do for fun before you had kids?
6. What was your favourite age you’ve been?
7. This or that: pizza or pasta?
8. How many times have you eaten dessert for dinner (or breakfast)?
9. What’s your favourite hobby?
10. What’s the stupidest thing you’ve ever done?
11. What’s your funniest story?
12. Have you ever peed your pants?
13. What’s your most embarrassing story?
14. If you could only watch one TV show for the rest of your life, what would it be?
15. Will you ride a roller coaster with me?
16. Truth or dare?
17. If you could dress me for a day, what would I wear?
18. How many marshmallows can you fit in your mouth and still say “chubby bunny?”
19. What’s a silly inside joke you have with someone in the family?
20. What’s a song that you can’t resist singing at the top of your lungs? Let’s play it!

Jayanti Reddy’s collection celebrated paisley, blooms and ornate grids layered into structured silhouettes and statement dupattas. The muse of the collection, Janhvi Kapoor, floated down the runway in a blush pink fish-cut lehenga with sari-style pleats, a dainty sweetheart neckline blouse with gems cascading down the sleeves. An over all romantic and whimsy fit.

The men of Shantnu & Nikhil

With a star-studded front row, Shantnu & Nikhil’s ‘Metropolis’ paid tribute to the evolved Indian man. Arjun Rampal, Jim Sarbh, Randeep Hooda, Rahul Khanna, Rajkummar Rao, Vihaan Samat, and Zahan Kapoor embodied the collection’s codes of military influences and power in their structured jackets and bandhgalas.

Bhumi Pednekar for Ritu Kumar

Pared-down, powerful and endlessly adaptable—the bob cut is having a main character moment in 2025. From Italian and mermaid variations to cowgirl and butterfly riffs, there’s a version for every vibe. And every celebrity has had a go: Tara Sutaria, Zendaya, Shraddha Kapoor, Kendall Jenner. But with so many interpretations, how do you choose a bob that actually works for your face?

To cut through the noise, we turned to one of Paris’s most trusted hairstylists, Delphine Courteille, for expert advice. Here’s her take.

Should you get a bob cut?

The bob has dominated the beauty scene for over a year. It’s been worn by celebrities, splashed across major shoots, reinterpreted by hairstylists, and widely embraced by the public. It’s clean-lined, charismatic and offers the kind of radical transformation that makes it feel almost cinematic.

But does it suit everyone? Courteille believes the bob is “universal,” but with one caveat: it needs to be adapted to the individual’s features. That includes face shape, jawline, neck length, hairline, nose and even eye shape. These elements influence the length and movement of the cut, whether that’s a mini bob like Angèle’s, a longer version or something more tousled.

She compares it to architecture: the bob can be tailored to the hair’s natural form, helping to balance or even offset certain features. When done well, it can bring definition and personality to the face, especially when paired with details like a fringe.

Gigi Hadid

Courtesy of Instagram (@dimitrishair)

Tara Sutaria

Instagram.com/tarasutaria

The right bob cut for your face shape, according to Delphine Courteille

Courteille offers her tips for customising the cut to suit every face type—from round to oval, square to heart-shaped.

Round face

“In my opinion, the most important thing is to add volume below the jawline, never at the cheeks. A centre part—or a slightly blurred one—can help break up facial symmetry. Avoid blunt bangs; a long curtain fringe is more flattering as it softens the cheekbones. I usually recommend a long, slightly angled bob that falls below the jawline to visually slim the face.”

Selena Gomez

Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Emma Stone

Francois Berthier/Getty Images

Square face

“To soften the features, I like a wavy, slightly tousled bob. It adds movement and a bit of edge. I avoid sharp lines to keep the look supple and rounded. A subtle asymmetry helps soften a strong jaw, so a gently angled bob cut that rests along the lower face works well. I find the ideal length falls between the jawline and collarbones. A tapered fringe can also work beautifully—think Jeanne Damas, whose bob I cut. That slightly fluted texture suits square faces perfectly.”

Anushka Sharma

Instagram.com/anushkasharma

Kirsten Dunst

Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

Oval face

“Anything goes! With more hollowness through the cheeks, you can pull off a micro bob, a centre part, a fringe—really, it all works. Oval faces are incredibly versatile. A graphic cut, a retro Parisian vibe, even a 90s-style blurred finish suits this shape. The bob is also easier to execute here because there’s less fullness in the cheeks. Just one thing to keep in mind: if the neck is very long, it’s best not to go too short.”

Shraddha Kapoor

Instagram.com/shraddhakapoor

Taylor Russel

Gilbert Flores / Getty Images

Heart-shaped face

“Since this face shape tends to be longer through the top, it’s important to break up that verticality. A shorter bob with volume at the sides helps balance the proportions. A curtain fringe can also work well to visually shorten the face. A long, centre-parted bob would only elongate it further. Instead, go for a mid-length, wavy cut with a curtain or even straight fringe—something that adds width and texture rather than smoothness.”

Jenna Ortega

@mrenriquemelendez

HoYeon Jung

Momodu Mansaray/Getty Images

Even as vintage blow-dries and longer lengths grow popular in salons, Delphine Courteille doesn’t see the bob losing steam anytime soon. She notes that it’s still very much part of the trend cycle and not just for women. “It’s even catching on with men,” she says, pointing to Pharrell Williams’ Louis Vuitton Men’s Spring-Summer 2026 show as proof. “There’s no risk of the bob going out of style this winter.”

This article first appeared on Vogue.fr

Also read:

5 dry shampoos that work, plus the hacks that make them better

Humidity-proof hair is a myth—here’s what to do instead

What I wish I had known before cutting bangs

For a note that once lived in gelato tubs and shaadi sweets, pistachio has found a second life in the olfactory elite. Pistachio perfumes aren’t new to fragrance, but they’ve never been this dominant. Once a note tucked into gourmand blends for a hint of sweetness, it’s now front and centre—salted, roasted, creamy, even green. The note adds a softness without tipping into syrupy and brings a rich, skin-like warmth that makes everything else smell more dimensional.

Across scent shelves, perfumers are using the note to add personality, complexity and just a hint of appetite. Prada’s new Paradoxe Radical Essence is the latest to fall under the spell, grounding its floral heart with a salted pistachio accord that smells like a midnight craving dressed in couture.

Maybe it’s post-vanilla fatigue. Maybe it’s the rise of nostalgic gourmand scents dressed up for grown-ups. These pistachio perfumes make a compelling argument for going a little nuts.

Sol de Janeiro Cheirosa 62

This cult-favourite body mist was many people’s first brush with pistachio in fragrance, and it still holds up. The pistachio here is warm and nutty, softened by almond and drenched in salted caramel. But what makes it addictive is how it smells like skin that’s been in the sun all day—golden, slightly sticky, impossible to forget. It’s casual, wearable and designed for layering. If you want to smell good in a way that doesn’t feel try-hard, this is the one to reach for.

Elie Saab Girl of Now

Here, pistachio gives the fragrance a soft, creamy opening before orange blossom and almond kick in, creating a floral-gourmand blend that feels grown-up. It doesn’t lean too green or too edible, which makes it ideal for someone who likes the idea of pistachio perfumes without wanting to smell like dessert. Add to that Elie Saab’s signature patchouli dry-down and you’ve got a fragrance that transitions from day to night effortlessly.

Hermès Un Jardin à Cythère

The most un-gourmand pistachio on this list, and maybe the most interesting. Inspired by the dry, wind-swept landscapes of the Greek island Kythira, this scent pairs pistachio with olive wood and grassy, hay-like notes. The result is sunlit and earthy with just enough pistachio to round the edges. It smells like walking through golden fields in high summer; dry, textured, slightly mineral. A refreshing reminder that pistachio perfumes don’t have to be creamy or sweet to be compelling.

Kayali Yum Pistachio Gelato

This one goes all in. It’s loud, sugary, and drenched in whipped cream but the pistachio keeps it from tipping into teen fragrance territory. Instead, it lands somewhere between decadent and playful, with a slightly boozy rum note and a hint of roasted hazelnut. There’s nothing minimalist about it, but that’s the point. It smells like cake at 2am. Like gelato on a first date. Like you’re not pretending to like ‘clean’ skin scents anymore. And that’s what makes it fun.

DS & Durga Pistachio

A love letter to pistachio in three acts: opening, middle and drydown. This scent leans into the note hard, building from a fresh opening to a toasted centre and finally finishing with creamy vanilla and patchouli. It’s a niche take that doesn’t apologise for its obsession. Slightly nostalgic, a little absurd, but ultimately very fun to wear. If you like your fragrances quirky and unapologetically linear, this one’s worth hunting down. Just be warned, it’s a limited drop and tends to sell out fast.

Bvlgari Omnia Green Jade

For those who like their fragrances light and not too sweet, this is the gateway pistachio scent. It blends the nutty warmth into a soft floral-green blend, with mandarin and white peony in the mix. The pistachio isn’t dominant—it shows up in the drydown like a second skin. The effect is fresh, polished and very easy to wear. Ideal if you’re looking for something subtle that still feels interesting.

Tom Ford Soleil Blanc Eau De Parfum

This is pistachio in vacation mode: sun-soaked, citrus-flecked, and wrapped in the kind of warm florals that feel expensive on contact. This Tom Ford favourite opens with a zesty blend of bergamot and bitter orange, but it’s the pistachio that gives it weight. The nutty, slightly savoury note cuts through the brightness and settles into skin with a creamy edge, balanced by tuberose, ylang-ylang and a hint of coconut. If most pistachio perfumes lean edible, this one leans luminous. It smells like a tan in progress. Like SPF applied with a silk glove. Like golden hour that starts before noon.