Posts in category: Life Style

“I remember there were red flags where the swimmers could be, and I’d often drift into the surfers’ zone. Some of my earliest swimming memories are of being rescued by surfers — and just wanting to be one of the people who could ride the big waves,” Lisa Haydon shares in a recent Beautyscope episode with Vogue India.

That childhood curiosity has since evolved into something deeper. Today, Haydon, model, actor and avid surfer, spends her days in saltwater, with a swimwear wardrobe that reflects her beachy lifestyle.

For Haydon, swimsuits aren’t reserved for resort holidays or European summers, they’re a daily uniform, worn with the ease of someone who feels at home in the ocean. For the rest of us, bikinis might only see the light of day on vacation, but if you’re looking to embrace the coastal chic lifestyle, take cues from the actor’s sun-soaked wardrobe.

Below, 5 swimsuits from Haydon’s collection, and 5 different ways to style them.

1. With a midi skirt

Instagram.com/lisahaydon

Monsoon perfumes behave differently. What feels warm and enveloping in January turns sour or suffocating by June. A woody amber that once smelled like sophistication can suddenly feel like being trapped inside a cedar closet with no ventilation. Even citrus can go flat if it is too sharp and florals—especially powdery ones—tend to balloon in the humidity like a puffed-up sleeve.

But the right fragrance doesn’t wilt. It adapts. It softens into skin, plays well with moisture and leaves behind something clean, green or radiant. This season calls for notes that feel like fresh air: gentle citrus that slices through the fug, florals that bloom lightly in the rain, green accords that echo petrichor, aquatics that smell like sea mist and soft woods that warm up without weighing you down.

These are monsoon perfumes that work with the weather. Here are 11 options that perform beautifully in damp air, turning the season into a sensory asset instead of a challenge.

CHANEL PARIS-ÉDIMBOURG

A perfume that smells like a misty retreat: wet pine needles, cool air, the brush of tweed against skin. This is green done the CHANEL way: aromatic juniper, lemon and cypress open the scene, before drying down into dry cedar and smoky vetiver.

Kayali Fleur Majesty Rose Royale

A high-gloss floral wrapped in velvet fruit and rose centifolia. It opens with juicy pear and sweet peach, tempered by peony, violet wood and ambrox. The base of vetiver and musk keeps things plush, not powdery. Rose is the star, but the overall effect is a low, slow hum of sensuality—warm, feminine and monsoon-proof.

Parfums de Marly Palatine

This one smells like confidence under pressure. Mandarin, bergamot and pear open bright and clean, before violet petals and sandalwood take over with velvety assurance. The drydown is woody and light, not too sweet and never too sharp.

YSL Libre L’Eau Nue

An alcohol-free scent that feels like citrus-laced body oil after a swim. Green mandarin, bergamot zest and Moroccan orange blossom melt into a water-based formula that hydrates and blooms on contact. Breezy, luminous and perfect for sticky weather.

Issey Miyake A Drop D’Issey Essentielle

This vegetal-floral feels like following a water droplet through a sunlit garden—crisp leaves, magnolia in the air and soft musk at the end. It’s green without being grassy, floral without the fluff. A drop-shaped bottle for a perfume that wears like light.

Jo Malone Wood Sage & Sea Salt

Salt on your skin, sage in the air, waves breaking on distant cliffs. This isn’t aquatic in the obvious way. It’s wind-worn and mineral-rich, lifted by ambrette seed and grounded by woods. It’s a cult-favourite for a reason.

Maison Margiela Replica From The Garden

If you’ve ever crushed a tomato leaf between your fingers in the middle of a rainstorm, you’ll get this. Green mandarin and patchouli anchor the vegetal sharpness, while geranium adds depth. It’s raw, earthy and alive; the smell of soil under nails and something growing.

Versace Pour Femme Dylan Blue

This is fruit made structured; blackcurrant, apple and peach meet jasmine, icy rose and smooth woods. The base of patchouli and musk gives it body, but never bulk. It’s the kind of scent that smells like effort without showing it.

Xerjoff Dama Bianca

A powdery dream of vanilla, kumquat, orris and white florals that clings like soft fabric to damp skin. It’s romantic and sweet without getting syrupy. Malt, violet, lily of the valley and ambrette turn this into something otherworldly.

Amouage Reflection Woman

Green leaves, water violet and freesia tumbling into magnolia and ylang-ylang. The base is a polished swirl of amber, sandalwood and cedar. Rain or no rain, this one lives long on skin.

Louis Vuitton Afternoon Swim

Pure citrus joy. A sunburst of orange, bergamot and mandarin, softened by ginger and ambregris. It’s juicy without being juvenile. Wears like a cold drink when the air feels heavy and settles into a trail that’s addictive.

Lisa Haydon remembers her first lipstick. A maroon Revlon bullet, borrowed from her mother’s makeup drawer and swiped on with the optimism of someone still learning what womanhood might feel like. It’s a memory she mentions offhand, but it stays with you, because it says everything about the kind of beauty she returns to now. Easy and unconcerned with perfection.

“I think my relationship with beauty has changed with age,” she says. “When I started out in my teens and twenties, I was probably harsher on my body or just my expectations of myself.” Now, she says, there’s a shift. The sense of urgency has been shed as she started following the rhythms of her body.

On set for her July-August cover shoot, Haydon is all long limbs, slicked hair, skin that reads more like beach holiday than highlighter. Off-camera, her rituals are similarly minimal. “To be honest with you, my beauty rituals are so basic,” she says. “I love things that multitask.” It’s not a rejection of beauty. She no longer sees it as something to be constantly managed.

Much of that shift came with motherhood. “Now that my youngest is four and in school for the full day, I can actually go grocery shopping in peace,” she says. “Or do an hour-long workout. Just little moments in the day where I’m not being pulled in many different directions.” The logistics aren’t dramatic, but the impact is real. Having time to move through a task without interruption. Finishing a thought. Choosing your own pace.

Those “little moments” are threaded with purpose. She walks almost daily—“just a long moment to breathe”—and does Lagree Pilates regularly. “It’s all about slow, agonising movements… and it feels meditative because I make the effort to really focus.” Haydon doesn’t describe her routine with a tone of reverence that often accompanies wellness. It’s more matter-of-fact, like brushing your teeth.

There’s a discipline to it all: early to bed, early to rise and appreciation for that one hour in the morning when the world hasn’t started yet. “It just gives you the space to feel as though your life is your own,” she says. “No stress, it’s silent.” She pauses, then adds: “I feel like for me, that sets my whole day.”

Within the first few minutes of our lunch, Lisa Haydon tears up. Twice. Three things become immediately clear. First, she’s extremely likeable, a real girl’s girl with the kind of disarming sincerity that makes you want to root for her and hope you can be friends. Second, in the almost-decade that she’s largely stayed away from the public eye, she’s been through significant turmoil and transformation that have changed her foundationally. And third, this is going to be a challenging interview.

I’m waiting for Haydon in the maximalist parlour of Scarlett House, Malaika Arora’s buzzy Indo-Portuguese restaurant in Mumbai’s Pali village. “Hey,” she says upon arriving, upbeat but apprehensive. “I’m Lisa.” I’m expecting a glittering, jet-setting former It girl to show up and, instead, a goofy mom of three sporting printed tights and a body-morphing tee plops down on the chair opposite me, her eyes brimming with tears.

“I’m so sorry,” she purrs in an accent I can’t quite discern. “My agent sent me your questions on the way here. They’re deep, and the answers run deeper. I don’t know if you’re ready for that.” She wipes away the moisture from her eyes as she observes my surprise. “I thought you would just ask me about my skincare,” she laughs, lightening the tenor. “No one in the public has ever wanted to know me in this way.”

At 39, Haydon looks refreshingly like herself with ebony hair, face wash-commercial skin and no apparent makeup. Unlike many of her contemporaries, not to mention much younger actors, she doesn’t seem to have plumped her fine lines into the atmosphere. Her face, youthful in its planes and shadows, the near-perfect symmetry accentuated by the ambient light of the restaurant, is made for the screen. “I don’t feel famous in my day-to-day,” she remarks, interrupting my assiduous assessment of her. “Eleven months a year, I forget that I’m anything other than a mom.” The actor, who lives in Phuket with her businessman husband Dino Lalvani and their children, worked as a model until she was spotted by Anil Kapoor in a cafe and cast in Aisha (2010). The camera was instantly smitten, but Haydon has always had a push-and-pull relationship with fame. You’d think she would capitalise on the popularity that characters like Vijayalakshmi (Queen) and Lisa (Ae Dil Hai Mushkil) earned her. Yet, she doesn’t seem to crave recognition at all. That’s not to say she doesn’t put in the work because she approaches every gig with dogged determination, like she’s still got a lot to prove. “I’ve always preferred to stay on the outskirts so I could retreat, work on myself and come back more interesting,” she admits. She brings her hair to one side and twists it into a lopsided braid, distractedly. “I admire the people who are in the heat of things, entrenched in fame and success permanently. It’s very hard. Takes a lot of inner strength.”

Cosmic tip: This crossroads is here to help you decide your course of action for the future.

At the epicentre, you want to feel like you are abundant, prosperous and killing it in life! Sag, however, your mind tells you that this is a futile attempt to get anything going in life. But you know the real deal? Your confidence and ability to trust in your heart are what keep your spark alive and help the Universe spot where you are. It is not so much the hustle that is needed from you as mindful attempts at breaking bad, stale or repetitive habits and patterns that keep you doing the same thing, yielding the same results. Prosperity is not so much an outward shift as it is an inner shift first. And you have got this.

Cosmic tip: Instead of making a shift when you feel drained, make one when you feel motivated and enthused.

Capricorn, Monday blues are a thing! What if I told you that energetically, Mondays are not meant to be days where you rush yourself? Monday = Moon day, which means that these are days that are carved out for your intuition instead of action. These are days to ease into the week. These are days to intuitively plan your week ahead or do what feels fitting for you that day, instead of a huge task list that is not even urgent. Yes, you know it is time to take action, to persevere, but the only thing I’m telling you is, do it smartly so that you are not cymbusting but optimising your energy.

Cosmic tip: Keep going despite the odds, in a deliberate, meticulous manner.

This is closure time. Yes, we know it is the beginning of the week, but it is also the end of the month and the beginning of an entire retrograde period that is sort of going to be fueled by the calm we have just gathered in our lives. This is not the time to hide behind closed doors waiting for the storm to pass; instead, it is the time to show the world who you really are, not by force, but in your grounded strength. Call in your angels and ask the cosmos to surround you with serendipity and good luck. You will be pleasantly surprised at how fast you move along the queue you’ve been waiting in.

Cosmic tip: You get to create your own luck at this point in time.

You are not sceptical because you think the things you dream of are impossible. You are sceptical because of two things, a) you are sitting in your past, in what you were made to believe was possible for you or not, what was achievable or not; b) you are focused on point ‘a’ instead of trying to figure a plan or rough draft to get working on your dreams. Take a moment, release your fears by simply asking them to sit on the side for just a moment and ask the cosmos, your Higher self or Source (or whatever your belief system) what it is that I need to know and how is it that I need to move. You see, when you ask a question, your subconscious mind begins looking for answers instead of taking your problems as absolute facts. Okay?

Cosmic tip: Be open to receiving insights and then trust in the answers you receive in your mind.

To protect itself, the body also mobilises various hormones to raise blood glucose levels. Some of these hormones, like adrenaline and noradrenaline, influence mental health. When secreted in excess, they can lead to emotional instability, including aggression, irritability and anger.

Five things I noticed after I quit sugar

1. No more drowsiness after eatingThe “irresistible sleepiness” I used to feel after eating noticeably decreased as my blood sugar levels were no longer fluctuating wildly. The fact that I rarely need an afternoon nap at work is a vast improvement.

2. Less irritability and fewer mood swings

The mechanism of a sudden drop in blood sugar and the excessive adrenaline secretion has ceased, and now I am less likely to get angry or have emotional swings over trivial matters. I finally feel mentally stable.

3. Better sleep

When white sugar causes blood glucose levels to fluctuate wildly, the extra adrenaline also impacts sleep. To wit: I used to wake up several times during the night. Now, I am now able to have a deep sleep. Best of all, I wake up in the morning feeling energised and light.

4. Clearer skin

White sugar promotes sebum secretion and aggravates inflammation. I used to have chronic acne on my cheeks and hairline, but it has cleared since I changed my diet.

5. Gentler PMS

Blood sugar instability impacts hormonal balance. I’ve noticed my PMS cravings are less intense: I no longer want junk food and chocolate before my period like I used to.

Rethinking the way you interact with your body

Giving up sugar can be stressful. It’s biological:
Sugar stimulates the release of dopamine and beta-endorphins, the “reward system” of the body. It’s mildly addictive. Therefore, it is best to cut back gradually rather than forcibly abstaining. If you slip occasionally, don’t shame yourself. It is much healthier to start where you can and to go at a pace that is sustainable and comfortable for you.

It is also important to choose the right foods instead of believing that all sweet foods are “bad.” Be creative by using small amounts of less refined natural sweeteners like honey. Substitute your usual baked good treats with fresh fruit; load up on a range of veggies. Sweet potatoes, butternut squash, tomatoes, and carrots are all naturally sweet but contain essential minerals, vitamins, and fibre. Think of your new way of life as an adventure and the results will lead to a mind and body that’s stable, healthy, and—most importantly—happy.

Every time I hear the dreaded “So, tell me about yourself”, I feel stumped. I know I am more than the job title and educational degree that my brain is instinctively rushing to, but it also feels extremely awkward and abrupt to suddenly launch into my fear of death or my all-time favourite book (Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom, if you care).

It saddens me that we can spend hours—even years—sitting alongside colleagues or peers, knowing every detail about their career trajectory but nothing about who they are when the day ends and they leave their desks. That said, there’s no reason to suddenly force a deep, soul-searching bond with that co-worker who has been perfectly comfortable with maintaining a shared silence for years. But often, there are deeper details that we don’t know even about the people closest to us. Think about it: how much do you know about your own parents’ favourite childhood memories or the dreams they silently let go of?

To avoid reducing people to their jobs, we’ve put together a list of questions to ask that demand more than a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Whether you’re sitting across from someone you just met or somebody you have known for years, here are 36 open-ended questions to ask that allow you to really see the person in front of you.

1. If you could relive any moment in your life, which would it be?
2. Who is someone who has had a deep influence on you, and in what way?
3. If you had complete free will for a day, how would you spend it?
4. If the world were ending, who would you want to spend your last day with?
5. How do you prefer to cope when you have a bad day?
6. What’s a book, TV show or movie that you think everybody must read or watch, and why?
7. If you could donate significant money towards any cause, which would it be?
8. When do you feel most like yourself?
9. What do you secretly wish people would ask you about more often?
10. What role do you usually play in a group? Are you satisfied with that role?
11. Could you describe yourself while you’re under pressure?
12. What’s something you believe you are good at?
13. Who is a fictional character you most identify with, and in what way?
14. When have you felt the most proud of yourself?
15. What might people not guess about you just by looking at you?
16. Can you describe the conditions in which you thrive the best?
17. Do you believe you were born in the correct generation? If not, which generation do you most identify with, and why?
18. What kind of energy do you hope people feel from you after you leave a room?
19. If fear didn’t factor into your decisions, what would you aspire for first?
20. What’s your view on love?
21. Do routines feel more reassuring or restricting to you? Why?
22. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose to live?
23. What’s the best advice you’ve come across?
24. If you could dedicate a significant amount of time towards learning something new, what would it be?
25. To what extent do you think people’s perceptions of you are accurate?
26. What’s something that you wish people would pay attention to more?
27. When do you like yourself the most?
28. What’s your greatest fear?
29. If you could hold a debate on any topic, what would it be and which side would you represent?
30. When you’re in a group setting, do you find yourself speaking up naturally or holding space for others to take the lead?
31. Who is someone you look up to, and why?
32. What’s a compliment you receive often?
33. How would you describe your emotional reflex during difficult times?
34. Is there something you would like to change about yourself, and why?
35. What song lyrics do you most identify with?
36. Can you describe the dream version of yourself? How similar do you believe you are to them currently?

Janhvi Kapoor decked up in a custom ivory anarkali for the screening of the re-release of Umrao Jaan recently. Her custom look, from House of Kotwara, was a tribute to Rekha’s unforgettable portrayal of the graceful, poetic courtesan that remains one of Indian cinema’s most iconic performances.

Her classic anarkali featured several kalis bearing a unique blend of crafts with a sensual sweetheart neckline and a corset-esque bodice. “The idea was to capture her unique blend of sensuality, grace and vulnerability…much like the character Umrao. We have incorporated a plethora of crafts on this piece, from chikankari and kaamdani, to zardozi and of course, the signature pearls that were added into the look. Those who have watched the movie will know that Umrao and her pearls go hand-in-hand,” reveals Sama Ali behind House of Kotwara.

The New Delhi-based label was founded by Muzaffar Ali in 1999, who is also the director of the 1981 musical drama movie.

The pale gold archival dupatta that rounded off her anarkali has a story of its own. “This archival dupatta is a fun callback to enthusiasts of vintage style. It was part of the showstopper look for our show at Lakmē Fashion Week 2018. Sushmita Sen made the perfect muse for this dupatta, which also features kaamdani work with a zardozi border and fareesha aari embroidery,” adds Ali.

As for jewellery, she went with a pair of bespoke gold and crimson meenakari jhumkas with kaan phool. “The pair is intricately handcrafted with antique polki, Basra pearls and the lingering romance of the Mughal zenana. A tribute to Rekha ji’s legacy,” shares Susham Singla, director, Jagdish Jewellers, Chandigarh. She wore her hair in soft waves and added au naturel makeup in romantic rose tones that mirrored the understated elegance of her anarkali.

Also read:

Janhvi Kapoor paired her Korvai Kanjeevaram sari with gold temple jewellery

Kareena Kapoor Khan and Janhvi Kapoor opted for crystals and diamonds in the best looks of the week

First Look: Janhvi Kapoor wore a backless YSL dress from the Rive Gauche 1975 collection

Cosmic tip: Accept yourself for who you are.

Get creative, draw, paint, make music, dance, do anything that makes the juices in your mind flow. Leo, the answers to your stuck situations do not lie in rushing forward with seeking them; they lie in allowing yourself and your mind to flow in ways that are not solely bound by receiving answers or solutions. Adopt a hobby, read a good book, listen to some music, lose yourself to dance, do anything that is done for the sheer joy of doing things, not because they will bring something in turn for you.

Cosmic tip: Love being yourself, every bit of it.

You are here on a quest to make the most of the life you have, Virgo. You love seeing the best in people, you love bringing out the best in people, and now, my dear, it is time for you to continue onward with what you have already begun. If something feels off, if something feels like a challenge, if someone feels like they bring about your resistance in life, they are all here to help you mellow down, to remind you of your power to release resistance and embrace change.

Cosmic tip: To be the torchbearer, you first need to keep reminding yourself that you hold the light in your hands.

Take a step at a time. Look for ways in which you can collaborate as a team to get things going, Libra. Yes, teamwork makes dreams work, and whatever you are currently focusing on is likely to happen soon. But really, instead of focusing on the differences, could you try and focus on the similarities or the support that you are receiving? Nothing needs to be perfectly done. Reminding yourself that others try and do the best they can for you is the only way you can learn to trust and let go.

Cosmic tip: Sometimes, done is better than perfect.

Scorps, you wish you had received love a little differently growing up. And yes, I get it. You wish you felt a little more seen, heard and understood; however, fast forward to today, you still have a chance to make a change. The cards that were dealt may or may not have been fair, however, if you look at the ones you hold in your hand, you will realise that you have a choice, either to keep wishing you were dealt with different cards, or ask yourself how you can make the most of the cards you have now. This is your friendly cosmic reminder that the cards you hold are not your fault entirely. Some trump cards are still yours, and the ones who dealt you these simply loved you in the best way they knew how to love. Phew! Breathe!