Posts in category: Life Style

If there’s one bag that made it through heatwaves, monsoon spells and the first signs of winter, it’s the slouchy suede bag. I realised it earlier this year when I swapped my usual mini for one, assuming it would be a brief experiment. Instead, it became the thing I carried almost every day. For someone who has treated mini bags as a personality trait, that shift says enough. The texture pulled me out of a long-standing habit and unexpectedly worked with everything.

The change didn’t arrive with much noise. For seasons, glossy leathers and heavy hardware dominated, but the mood has moved toward pieces that feel lived-in and human. Think Jane Birkin’s scribbled-on, overstuffed Birkin or a vintage Chloé Paddington dug out of a dusty shelf. There’s an appetite for materials you can feel, ones with ease, and suede sits right in that sweet spot.

The suede takeover

Mohit Jain, founder and CEO of homegrown label Miraggio, sees the shift from the inside. He explains, “Suede just has a way of feeling familiar the moment you touch it. It’s soft without being fragile, and it brings character to a bag. People are gravitating toward textiles that feel comforting yet premium as wardrobes transition into cooler months. With a little care, that finish ages in a way that makes the bag feel even more personal.”

You can see the pivot playing out in the broader palette, too. Fashion has moved towards quieter, earthier territory–softer lines, muted colours and a calmer visual palette. Even Pantone’s Colour of the Year 2025, Mocha Mousse, nods to this shift.

Celebrities have backed the rise. Bella Hadid with a Valentino Garavani Nellcôte bag. Dakota Johnson and Daisy Edgar-Jones with oversized Gucci. Alexa Chung with a studded Valentino. Jennifer Lawrence with Aesther Ekme’s Cabas. Enough sightings to tip suede from trend to default.

Runways cemented it. Balenciaga, The Row, Chloé, Alaïa and Dior all reintroduced suede in new colours and finishes and revived silhouettes, proof that the fabric isn’t seasonal background noise but a central plot in accessories again.

Prada Bonnie Medium Shoulder Bag

Clarifying is not something you need to do often. Save it for when your hair really needs a reset. A moisturising shampoo will be your regular go-to. Make sure you rinse thoroughly before moving to step two.

Olaplex N^o. 4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo

Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo

Step 2: Condition

Conditioner rehydrates the hair after shampooing, bringing back moisture and softness. It also provides slip, which is why I always recommend detangling at this stage as it reduces frizz, improves clumping and boosts definition.

For fine or low-density hair, choose a lightweight conditioner so the hair stays fluffy and voluminous.

For thicker or higher-density hair, go for something more moisturising with humectants, emollients and oils to help define curls and add shine.

If your hair is weak or damaged, look for conditioners with protein to strengthen the strands.

Rinse thoroughly, but leave your hair soaking wet before you go into styling. That hydration from the water is essential for curl definition and moisture retention.

fHair Volume Up Conditioner

OUAI Thick Hair Conditioner

pH Plex Conditioner

Step 3: Leave-In Conditioner (Optional)

If your hair feels well-nourished after conditioning, you may not need this step. A leave-in is great if you need extra moisture or if you will be using heat tools as many leave-ins offer added heat protection.

Kérastase Curl Manifesto Crème De Jour Fondamentale Leave-In Cream

Biotop Professional 101 Create Anti Frizz Leave-In Cream

Step 4: Styling

While your hair is still drenched, layer in your styling products. I always recommend a curling gel, a foam or both.

For finer hair, a foam or mousse may be enough with gel on the ends (only if needed.)

For thicker hair, start with a curl-defining gel and layer a foam on top.

Look for products with good slip as this helps the curls clump tightly and bring out your natural definition. Apply product from the roots, then through the mid-lengths and ends using your fingers or a brush.

How your curls look when they are wet is how they will look when they are dry. Work in small sections from the back upward and once your product is in and curls are defined, do not touch your hair until it’s almost dry.

Sebastian Professional Mousse Forte

Aveda Nutriplenish Hydrating Gel

Step 5: Drying

Philips Hydrating Hair Dryer

A diffuser gives you the most control. Start by drying the surface to set the shape. If your hair is longer, gently place your ends into the diffuser and push upward for bounce and lift.

Once your hair is 40–50% dry, flip your head over. Gravity helps create natural root volume. Move from side to side for an even distribution of definition and lift. Finish by switching to cool air to set the curls and soften the cast.

Step 6: Finishing Touches

Once you are confident your hair is fully dry, you can touch it, not before. This prevents frizz and preserves definition. Add a light oil to your palms, rub together and gently scrunch or glide over the surface. This softens the finish and adds sheen.

Milkshake Argan Oil

GK Hair Taming Serum

Wild dreams last night, Leo? Your third eye chakra is opening up more today. And no, you need not be psychic to make the most of it. Your intuition, creativity, ideas and instincts may all be on fire. You may sense things before they conspire and you may feel prompted to either wait it out or leap forward. Your pains can become your blessings, Gemini. Your heart may have been ripped apart several times, but the cosmos has noticed it. Now that you stand here, do you realise you can choose to stand anywhere in the future? Sag, you can either have short term pleasure or you can set long term goals. While you do need consistent dopamine hits to keep you going, ensure you do not get addicted to instant validation. Your success depends on how well and how far out you can see and act. Too many things vying for your attention, but Cancer, your guides remind you that you only need to shine at what you do best. That spark you have, that idea you are playing around with, that gut feeling—it’s valid. You may have to fight to make time for it, but it is totally possible for you.

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.

You’re turning the page to a new chapter, and Aries, it can feel exhausting to repeat old loops. This is where your skills need a little upgrade. This is where you need to look far out into the distance and create a path to your destination. The cosmos is granting your wishes, but you are responsible for balancing them and making things work, not just now, but in the long run.

Cosmic tip: Find that balance in giving and receiving.

You’ve been praying for a miracle, Taurus. Now that it’s here, you’re gripping it so tight that it is beginning to cut through your skin. Safeguard your desires and wishes, do not get so fixated on the costs of maintaining them that you forget to enjoy them. It’s time to shed your baggage and travel light. Who you were and who you are —is not the same person. So give yourself a chance to rediscover yourself.

Cosmic tip: Instead of getting too attached to the outcome, try giving yourself some breathing room.

Your pains can become your blessings, Gemini. Your heart may have been ripped apart several times, but the cosmos has noticed it. Now that you stand here, do you realise you can choose to stand anywhere in the future? The cosmos will grant your wishes so listen to your heart more carefully. What will make you look back at your life and make you feel like you’ve lived it well? Get to work on that.

Steam inhalation in winter is a collective childhood experience we’ve all shared. Long before anyone mentioned sweaters, my body would send the memo first: a scratchy throat, that familiar battle to breathe through my nose and skin that suddenly felt too taught.

While most of my classmates marked winter by school vacations and new jackets, I counted it in colds. Add dry patches and chapped lips and the season felt less cosy and more like something to get through. In our home, that meant extra blankets, moisturisers on every surface and one recurring ritual: steam. A bowl of hot water, a towel over my head and ten minutes where breathing got easier.

Lately, I’ve noticed that everywhere again. Friends FaceTiming under towels, parents dragging out steamers, social media full of “must-steam” advice because everyone seems to be falling sick at once. So this winter, instead of just defaulting to what I grew up with, I wanted to ask a simple question: beyond nostalgia and temporary comfort, does steam inhalation actually do what we think it does?

What is steam therapy really doing?

At its simplest, steam therapy is warm, moist air directed towards your face. It feels soothing, but there’s a lot more to it.

When the air turns cold and dry, mucus thickens and clings, making every inhale feel heavier. “In winter, the combination of low humidity and pollution tends to aggravate congestion,” says Dr Rohan Goyal, MBBS, founder and regenerative medicine specialist at Nuvana. “Warm steam can help thin mucus, ease nasal pressure and make breathing feel easier for a while.” It doesn’t cure the cold, but it can take the edge off that stuffed-up, heavy-headed feeling.

Most of us discovered steam through our sinuses, and only later realised it seemed to do something to the skin. Dr Gagan Raina, cosmetologist and aesthetic medicine specialist at Arisia Skin Clinic, breaks down what’s happening at the surface. “When warm steam hits the skin, the outermost layer (stratum corneum) subtly swells. That brief swelling increases permeability, so hydrating serums, ceramides, peptides and richer creams sink in more effectively,” she explains. Winter skin often feels rough because dead cells cling on; steam softens that layer and lifts some of the dullness. “The glow people notice comes from increased microcirculation and better oxygen delivery at the surface.” But there’s a caveat, she adds, “If you don’t follow with moisturiser, the skin can end up feeling drier once the effect wears off.”

Drawing the line

“It helps, but within a clear window,” says Dr Raina. It can make breathing a little freer, but it doesn’t replace humidifiers or prescribed treatment.

On the skin, too much heat comes with a cost. “Over-steaming weakens the barrier and can push the skin towards inflammation,” says Dr Madhuri Agarwal, founder and medical director, Yavana Skin & Hair Clinic. Especially if you’re prone to rosacea, eczema or active breakouts, frequent or very hot steam can leave you red, tight or sensitised.

Everything is darker in the winter. As far as denim is concerned, dark washes tend to dominate this time of year, replacing summer-leaning white jeans and acid finishes for fabrications in charcoal and black.

But it’s not all doom and gloom: dark palettes can look striking against the backdrop of the low sun on a bright winter’s day, plus they’re more practical for the unpredictable weather. Wearing dark-wash jeans hides any dirt or sogginess that might inevitably gather at the hemlines. Should you be faced with an impromptu downpour, you don’t have to worry about grey jeans as much as lighter shades.

Baggy silhouettes look especially good when rendered in a grungy hue, like textured pewter, as do straight-leg and wide-leg cuts. The steady slim-fit jean revival has made way for several grey-toned styles, with seams that fit close to the leg and hit right on the ankle. Scroll on for some of the best dark-wash denim available now.

₹2,990

Uniqlo – Baggy curve jeans

₹50,000

Toteme – High-rise straight-leg jeans

₹2,499

H&M – Men mid rise baggy fit jeans

₹4,350

Zara – TRF Wide-leg high-waist jeans with crossover waist

₹10,000

Cos – Tide wide-leg jeans

₹11,000

Balmain – Denim loose-fit cargo jeans

₹43,000

Our legacy – High-rise wide-leg jeans

₹30,000

Mother – High-rise wide-leg jeans

₹5,190

Mango – Flared rinse-wash jeans

₹37,000

Agolde – 90s pinch waist jeans

₹71,000

Maria Mcmanus – Barrel-leg jeans

₹32,000

Rohe frames – Straight-leg denim jeans

This article first appeared on Vogue.co.uk

Also read:

How to style straight-leg jeans with heeled loafers

6 ways to style ’90s straight jeans and flats

7 ways to style flared jeans like an off-duty model

While nails are key to most people’s beauty routines, knowing which type of manicure to go for when you visit the salon isn’t always straightforward. Whether you opt for something simple, like a glossy polish manicure done using traditional nail lacquer or something more adventurous, like an acrylic or nail art manicure, the choices are vast. Below, a rundown of seven of the chicest manicure types to help make your decision that little bit easier.

The classic manicure

Credits: Instagram.com/ @raelondonnails

• What’s involved: Think of a classic manicure as your foundational step for everything else, a bit like a facial for your hands. A classic manicure will help keep your cuticles in check as well as your overall nail health.
• When to choose it: If you don’t want to or can’t wear polish or if your nails are in poor health.
• Maintenance tips: Just as you would carry on the good work of a facial in your at-home skincare routine, nails need a little maintenance too. Keeping a cuticle oil or serum by your bed to apply every night is a great habit to get into.
• Pros: Low maintenance, low commitment, undetectable.
• Cons: You might start craving the chance to have a little more fun with your nails.
• Trend tip: If don’t want bare nails and you want to play around with texture, a strengthening base coat that lends nails a healthy sheen is a nice addition, while also encouraging better growth.

The polish manicure

Credits: Instagram.com/ @matejanova

• What’s involved: Regular polish manicures involve traditional lacquers that are air-dried. While you can, of course, opt for nail art within your polish manicure, they tend to cover the basics of nail care with nail prep and cuticle care, plus the added bonus of a colour sandwiched between a base coat and a topcoat.
• When to choose it: If you like switching up your nail colours or designs frequently or you need to be able to remove it quickly.
• Maintenance tips: Always ensure you finish your manicure with a top coat to lock the colour and shine in and promote optimum durability.
• Lasts: 5-10 days.
• Pros: Quick to apply, easy to remove, plenty of choice.
• Cons: Not usually as durable as other manicure options.
• Trend tip: Anything goes!

The gel manicure

Credits: Instagram.com/ @paintedbyjools

• What’s involved: According to Bio Sculpture nail technician Julia Diogo, a gel manicure involves a system of base, optional builder, colour and topcoat, all cured under a UV lamp. “It’s perfect for the high-maintenance-to-be-low-maintenance types, who love fresh nails without constant upkeep and it only takes around one hour to complete. To remove, gently file away the topcoat, wrap the nails in remover-soaked cotton pads for 15 minutes, then softly lift away the melted gel,” she adds.
• When to choose it: If you like your nails to always look neat and chic.
• Maintenance tips: Application of regular cuticle oil or serum will ensure your manicure stays looking fresh, while proper removal (no picking) is essential for good nail health.
• Lasts: 2-3 weeks.
• Pros: Doesn’t take long, cured quickly with UV, can help strengthen nails by providing a protective layer.
• Cons: Prolonged acetone removal soaks can cause damage over time.
• Trend tip: Take advantage of the quick cure time to play around with designs and colour.

The BIAB manicure

Credits: Instgram.com/ @imarninails

• What’s involved: “BIAB or Builder in a Bottle gel is applied to strengthen or rebuild the nail and it can be worn nude or with colour on top” says Daisy Kalnina, founder of The Gel Bottle. While this mani option is great for durability, lasting shine and strength, the self-levelling formula also ensures a smooth, professional finish with less filing, which is better for nail health long-term.
• When to choose it: “If you have weak, brittle, or damaged nails or just want that extra strength, protection, growth potential and longevity,” says Kalnina.
• Maintenance tips: Always keep your nails hydrated with cuticle oil and wear gloves if doing work that involves water and chemical exposure.
• Lasts: 3-4 weeks.
• Pros: Strength, durability, shine.
• Cons: Proper removal has to be factored in, which will add time onto your appointment.

The French manicure

Credits: Instagram.com/ @paintedbyjools

• What’s involved: “This can be done with polish or gel” says Diogo, who favours a perfect soft nude as a base. “Once dry, just paint a fine white line along the tip. It usually takes about an hour and 15 minutes and gives such a timeless, elegant finish.”
• When to choose it: Anytime, whether you want to be classic or playful, it’s a versatile option.
• Maintenance tips: A great French manicure is a glossy one, so apply a fresh layer of topcoat every 2-3 days to keep it shiny and gloss-free.
• Lasts: Depends on product used (regular polish: 5-7 days, gel: 2-3 weeks.)
• Pros: Versatile, simple technique that any good nail tech should know how to create.
• Cons: Tricky (but not impossible) to do on very short nails.
• Trend tip: Play around with different colour tips, as well as the width and shape of your tip.

The nail art manicure

Credits: Instagram.com/ @gazebybecky

• What’s involved: Like a regular manicure, either with polish or gel, a nail art mani involves adding creative designs to nails for a completely customised look. Kalnina suggests trying using various techniques and products like hand-painting, stamping and embellishments.
• When to choose it: If you want to create a unique and personalised nail look.
• Maintenance tips: The beauty of a nail art manicure is that it can be totally unique, but if you are looking for a style with longevity, opt for something on a nude base. That way regrowth will be less noticeable.
• Lasts: Depends on the product used (regular polish: 5-7 days, gel: 2-3 weeks.)
• Pros: Unique to you, creative.
• Cons: Depending on what you choose, it can take time to create.
• Trend tip: If you don’t want to commit to nail art on every nail, an accent design on one or two nails can be striking.

The acrylic manicure

Credits: Instagram.com/ @pegi_nails

• What’s involved: An acrylic manicure involves creating a hard layer that’s bonded to your natural nails by combining two binding elements, a liquid monomer and a powder polymer. Mixed to a paste-like consistency, the product is applied to your nails (often using a tip or a form as a guide) before it hardens naturally. Once it’s dry, the acrylic is filed and shaped according to preference and can be painted.
• When to choose it: If you’re looking for a long-lasting alternative to gel or BIAB.
• Maintenance tips: Ask your technician about in-fills rather than redoing the whole nail, which can be a time-saving option.
• Lasts: Anywhere between 2-6 weeks, depending on in-fills.
• Pros: Length enhancing, often cheaper than gels, durable, easy to repair.
• Cons: Less flexible so more prone to breakage, time-consuming to remove.
• Trend tip: Because of their strength and durability, acrylic manicures lend themselves well to more intricate nail art, like 3D work and encapsulations.

Before you try it

What’s the healthiest manicure?

“The healthiest manicure is one that celebrates and protects the natural nail, rather than covering it up,” says Rebecca Crawforth, founder of Navy Professional. “At Navy Professional, we champion a traditional natural manicure, focusing on precision and care. Using a combination of different grits, you can gently refine the nail surface to achieve a mirror-like, natural shine, no gel or polish required.”

This technique doesn’t just enhance appearance, she explains to me, it also stimulates blood flow to the nail bed, which can encourage stronger growth and healthier nails over time. “Pair this with a high-quality cuticle serum or balm to help lock in moisture, protect the nail plate and nourish the surrounding skin. Healthy nails begin at the cuticle, so hydration is non-negotiable.”

“The healthiest manicure is always one that’s applied and removed properly,” adds Kalnina. The key is always proper prep and gentle removal, never picking or peeling.”

“Not when they’re carried out with care and attention to detail,” says Crawforth. “The idea that regular manicures are harmful usually comes from over-filing or aggressive removal techniques. When performed correctly, manicures can actually improve circulation, strengthen nails and enhance natural resilience.”

“We always teach that the tools, pressure and products matter. Using gentle grits, a hydrating cuticle serum and consistent aftercare keeps nails supple and healthy,” says Crawforth. “A light daily massage with a nourishing balm improves flexibility and prevents brittleness; small habits that make a huge difference in long-term nail health.”

“This is one of the biggest myths in the nail industry!” says Kalnina. “Your nails don’t need to ‘breathe’, they receive oxygen and nutrients from your bloodstream, not the air.” What they do need, she says, is proper care. “The damage most people associate with manicures usually comes from improper removal or over-filing the natural nail and improper application.”

The mosaic figures of a man and a woman at Prabhu Cinema in Agra are inspired by Raj Kapoor’s RK Films logo. Photographed by Hemant Chaturvedi.

Over the next six years, Chaturvedi travelled to 20 states and shot over 1,250 theatres—all self-funded and self-produced—and documented innumerable personal histories and cultural quirks in the process. He learnt of the now-demolished Eves Talkies in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, which actor, director and producer Raj Kapoor had a special relationship with, that had built a secret underground tunnel so his family could come and go without being mobbed. In a theatre in Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh, a region ripe with banana plantations, an amusing sign specifically forbade bananas from being brought into the cinema hall. Some theatres, like Gayathri Talkies in Mysuru, still go housefull to this day, thanks to the fandom of South Indian superstars, and then, there’s the touching story of one cinema owner in Jalna, Maharashtra, who refuses to cancel shows despite poor ticket sales, because the theatre is named after his grandmother. In this vein, some theatre owners have held onto their projectors from the 1920s like the treasures that they are, even while others have discarded them at “nine rupees a kilo.” Concurrently, Chaturvedi himself has collected a museum’s worth of memorabilia, including about 50 vintage projection lenses from the 1940s to the 1970s, spools of film, cinema brochures dating back to 1916, hand-painted advertisement slides, over a thousand tickets and two vintage projectors of his own.

These spoils, and the photographs themselves, are a testament to the scope of skilled labour that cinema halls once employed, from projectionists, who often had to train for years before they could run machines on their own, to artists, who hand-painted film posters, not to mention the ancillary businesses that cropped up around the cinema selling chai, juice or paan.

The last full moon of 2025 on December 5 may be a supermoon, but according to Jetteke van Lexmond, co-founder of the Moonsisters and their well-known lunar calendar, a powerful, energetic turning point had already occurred at the end of November. The reason for this caesura: Saturn and Mercury had become direct again after their retrograde: “When Saturn went direct in Pisces on November 28, the months-long fog slowly began to lift. After a period in which old fears, patterns and blockages came to light, clarity is now gradually returning,” says the expert. “Now, you can see what your inner work has brought you: stronger boundaries, greater confidence and a more pronounced sense of direction.” Saturn also encourages us to take our intuition seriously and to consciously complete everything that is ready to be completed in the coming months.

After Saturn, Mercury also went direct on November 29 in the sign of Scorpio. Van Lexmond explains, “Although the planet will remain in its shadow phase until mid-December and misunderstandings or delays are still possible, your mind is already slowly awakening. It’s as if the underworld of your thoughts is being illuminated again.” You may suddenly gain insights into old wounds, recurring patterns or once unfinished conversations. “Things that you were previously unable to put into words are now coming together. However, this is not yet the right time to resolve conflicts; the energy calls for calm and observation.”

Don’t be tempted to act impulsively in December

“You can now see and feel more clearly which path lies ahead of you and which first steps you should take,” the Moonsisters reveal. “Don’t get carried away by the quick temper of Gemini (the sigh that the full moon is in) and the enthusiastic energy of the ongoing Sagittarius season. These two dynamic forces can sometimes work together and tempt you to take impulsive action. Take your time and slow down, just as nature does.”

According to van Lexmond, the energy of December invites you to “steer your future with gentle but steady force.” This is necessary because the atmosphere of 2026 will be completely different from that of 2025. The moon expert explains, “We are moving from the calm, emotional realm of water and earth to the fast, dynamic qualities of air and fire. The last remnants of Pisces energy are slowly fading, while the fiery, action-oriented current of 2026 is already making itself felt.”

The supermoon in December brings curiosity and new perspectives

After the full moon in November was the biggest supermoon of the year, the full moon on December 5 in Gemini is another supermoon that bathes everything in crystal clear light. “This moon amplifies what lives within you and reveals it in a new, sharp yet gentle light, so that you can recognise the essence of situations—and of yourself—more clearly,” says van Lexmond.

A small power struggle surfaces, but only so it can be harmonised and released, Cancer. You’re opening up to your wild side and accepting your own dreams and desires. Some of them may feel oddly new and so liberating that they feel scary. Listen intently to your inner mind. Your need for freedom is only your mind trapped in the present. Your wandering attention is your feeling of invalidation in your present life. Your desire for acknowledgement and respect points to where it’s missing. Used wisely, these are all tools to strengthen a rocky boat instead of toppling it over. Got it?

Cosmic tip: Draw a line in the sand and give only where you’re cared for, unquestioningly.

A certain communication will help you see the truth. The fog will lift after the Mercury retrograde and Leo, you are right on track. You’re letting go of an older reality that no longer syncs. If this sounds too out there for you—let’s simplify it. You may be looking to change your diet, your relationships, your goals, your finances, your ambitions and even your sexual expression. Whatever liberation looks like to you—this is the time for you to see things with clarity like never before.

Cosmic tip: Free yourself of expectations, and move towards a steadier, more self-attuned pace of growth.

Dissecting situations may be second nature to you, Virgo and while your overthinking super powers often lead you to seeing missed details, this time round, ask yourself whether you’re holding back simply because you feel unready. What you obsess over, even silently, the cosmos multiples. So what are you choosing to add to the equation for the tables to turn now? It’s up to you.

Cosmic tip: You can birth your own sunshine, so stop waiting.

You’ve been waiting. Logic has asked you to push it a little longer, breathe a little deeper and witness life with a little more patience. Libra, your wait is paying off. Dare to be vulnerable and show up as your raw, imperfect, authentic self with rough edges and deep emotions. You’re needed in life and relationships as you not as a picture perfect image that you think you must be. This is how you will build and mend bridges and hearts.