Posts in category: Life Style

An unfortunate fact about my life: I have spent a lot of time planning funerals. I was 21 when my mom died of stage four colon cancer. She requested a traditional Methodist service where Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam’s songs were to be played. Both of my American grandparents wanted smaller to-dos in a chapel connected to the funeral home and asked for open caskets (something I still think about to this day). And then there was my dad, who died of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) last year; he had a remarkable-for-the-disease four years to meticulously plan his funeral. The memorandum was full of staunch requests (my fiancé was to read this exact passage from the Bible by memory, there would be a slideshow of approved photos at the country club reception), which made the planning almost too easy for somebody who was larger than life.

These experiences helped me learn something important about myself: I want to have a fun funeral. After all, the word does have fun in it.

Wear an outfit you think I’d like, but please remember I hate high-low dresses, skinny jeans and khaki pants—the inspiration is Naomi Campbell at Andre Leon Talley’s funeral. A movie-theatre-sized slideshow should be only hot photos of me—if I’ve ever texted you a tasteful nude, go ahead and throw it in there to remind everybody how good I looked. Let’s hire Caffè Panna to hand out ice cream cones while a Champagne tower overflows (each glass finished off with a crunched-up antidepressant adorning the rim). Maybe Sephora can do beauty touch-ups on-site, giving everybody a dab of Victoria Beckham lip gloss and a pop of Westman Atelier blush? Book the venue for the entire night, even though we all know if I was there, I would have snuck out at 9:15pm sharp to be home with my cat. But I want my funeral to be a capital P party.

Last month, transgender Filipino-American drag performer Bianca Castro-Arabejo (also known as Jiggly Caliente) passed away. Instead of a traditional funeral, ‘Slaybill’ (a play on Broadway Playbill) was hosted in her honour. The event took the idea of a celebration of life to heart—guests wore pastel colours and the run of show included eulogy-turned-comedy acts all about Caliente, as well as roasts that walked the line between dark humour and just plain dark. Fellow drag queen Karl Westerberg, known as Manila Luzon, embodied it all in his laughing-and-crying-at-the-same-time eulogy. When recalling filming Caliente’s Drag Race tryout video in an Apple store, he said “it was giving a glamorous Augustus Gloop going up the chocolate tube in Willy Wonka,” but also “I’m so sad we can’t keep doing and dreaming bigger and bigger things together.”

Sequins have fallen in and out of favour across the decades. And if Shanaya Kapoor’s latest look is anything to go by, then sequins are a sure-fire way to feel dressy. The actor wore a silvery-grey Sabyasachi sari for the Zee Cine Awards night.

Her feminine and floaty tulle look is part of Sabyasachi’s 2025 heritage collection. Her cocktail sari channelled the retro glam aesthetic, right from its silver shade to the embroideries and embellishments. The languid fabric was enerously accentuated with intricate floral thread embroidery and highlighted with sequin work. The border and pallu were brought to life with contrasting gold sequin work. Complementing it, a pale gold sequin sheet bralette completed her look.

Cosmic tip: Chaos will soon reveal its purpose.

In love and in work, curiosity is your compass now. Follow what excites you, even if it’s still unshaped. There’s someone – or something – meeting you halfway, mirroring your energy with steady presence and quiet support, Sag. This is not a fleeting flame; it’s the start of something with roots. Your ambition is valid, but it’s the relationships you nurture that will help it grow. You’re learning to balance fire with foundation, inspiration with intention. Build with both heart and focus. What begins now has the power to last.

Cosmic tip: Stay grounded and focused.

You’re awakening to your own power – the kind built through resilience, not ease, Capricorn. Yes, something didn’t go as planned. Yes, there’s grief still settling in the background. But you’re no longer defined by what didn’t work. You’re being called to rise, to reclaim your voice, your vision, your magic. The world is ready for what only you can offer. Don’t wait for a perfect sign—you are the sign. Show up. Speak clearly. Build boldly. The second chance you’ve been waiting for is already here—wrapped in self-trust and a little bit of fire. This is your becoming. And it’s only just begun.

Cosmic tip: When things turn out differently, ask yourself what you’d like to do about it, and then go with the flow.

You’re learning the art of balance—how to give without losing yourself, how to love without shrinking your voice. This chapter asks you to lead with heart and vision, while staying rooted in truth. There’s joy waiting in the spaces where you’re willing to be both soft and strong. Relationships flourish when they’re fed with mutual respect and clear communication, and you’re now wise enough to know the difference between compromise and self-sacrifice. Your growth is magnetic—it inspires those around you to rise too. Emotional fulfilment isn’t a distant dream; it’s unfolding through every honest conversation, every bold choice, every moment you choose yourself without closing your heart. Keep going.

Cosmic tip: Lead with passion and clarity.

Love feels light and familiar today—like a shared laugh, a warm memory, or a connection that just gets you. You may find yourself drawn to someone from the past or craving the kind of love that feels safe, joyful, and real. Celebrate the people who feel like home. Friendships and heart-led conversations hold more magic than you expect, Pisces. If you’ve been nurturing a bond, trust the process—it’s growing, even if it’s slower than you’d like. Love doesn’t always arrive in fireworks; sometimes, it’s in quiet consistency and small, meaningful gestures. Be patient, be present. What you’re building has heart—and it’s worth the wait.

Cosmic tip: Nurture all that feels genuine, let things unfold naturally.

The actor styled the look with a slicked-back bun, with baby hair gelled on her forehead in soft twirls. Her signature dewy makeup was kept to a minimum. The rosy blush and lipstick complemented the nude dress. For accessories, she went with pearl and diamond studs and a large pear-shaped diamond ring.

Alia Bhatt at “The Mastermind” Premiere during The 78th Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 23, 2025 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images)Michael Buckner/Getty Images

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This Schiaparelli look is from Daniel Roseberry’s spring 2025 couture collection titled ‘Icarus’. “I think that, to me, it’s always about challenging the expectations of what makes a memorable moment—because we’ve done the break-the-internet thing,” Roseberry told Vogue Runway.

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Bella Hadid’s after-hours Cannes look was a quiet masterclass in French-girl minimalism. Swapping her red carpet Saint Laurent gown for a sleek head-to-toe Jacquemus ensemble, she stepped out in a square-neck black dress paired with tiny sunglasses, a ladylike top-handle bag, and sharp kitten heels—all straight from the Spring 2025 runway. It was a look that felt entirely in tune with the Riviera’s after-dark rhythm.

For a recent award function, Tamannaah Bhatia leaned into the season’s affinity for black with a striking Manish Malhotra creation. Her sculpted blazer gown, layered over a corset, brought sharp tailoring to the red carpet, offset by soft drapes that moved with ease. A classic vintage-style brooch added a touch of retro elegance, while sky-high stilettos and minimal styling kept the look modern. It was equal parts power and poise, proving once again her knack for standout red-carpet choices.

Others joined the black brigade too—Tania Shroff in a glinting, embellished saree, Mindy Kaling in a sharp LBD, and Kim Kardashian in vintage John Galliano, choosing a Spring ’95 gown with sculpted hips and a soft train. Each interpretation brought a different rhythm to black—sleek, structured, or theatrical. Whether rooted in tradition or pulled from the archives, this week’s fashion proved what we’ve always known—when done with intent, black always stands out.

If you have oily skin, choosing the right cleanser can feel like an ongoing battle, especially when the humidity of summer kicks in. While dewy skin may be a trend, that shine paired with stickiness is far from ideal.

The best cleansers for oily skin regulate oil production without stripping your skin of essential moisture. As Dr. Elena Martínez explains to Vogue España, the key is finding products that “provide the skin with the water it lacks and help it retain the moisture it naturally produces.” Here, hyaluronic acid (HA) is a star ingredient.

HA attracts and holds moisture, which may seem counterintuitive for oily skin, but dehydration prompts your skin to produce even more oil. This non-comedogenic ingredient won’t clog your pores, making it an excellent hydrator for oily skin types.

Salicylic acid (SA) is another must-have. This oil-soluble exfoliant penetrates deep within the skin, dissolving dead skin cells and clearing pollutants trapped in your pores. It helps combat the excess oil that often leads to clogged pores and breakouts.

Niacinamide is a great option for tackling excess sebum. It regulates oil production, restores the skin barrier and calms inflammation.

When selecting a cleanser, aim for lightweight formulations like gels, foams, and serums—anything that cleanses without feeling sticky. Here are 11 of the best cleansers for oily skin to help you achieve the perfect balance:

Caudalie Vinopure Pore Purifying Gel Cleanser

Formulated with natural salicylic acid, this lightweight gel cleanser is perfect for oily and acne-prone skin. It also contains organic grape water that soothes and hydrates, making it a great choice for those with sensitive skin. This cleanser effectively reduces excess oil and tightens pores but should be used once a day due to its salicylic acid content, which can be potent with frequent use. Ideal for targeting blemishes without drying out your skin.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Gel Facial Wash for Oily Skin

Zinc-pidolate, known for its purifying properties, helps to remove excess oil while maintaining your skin’s natural pH balance. This gel facial wash is gentle yet effective, ideal for those with sensitive skin. It doesn’t strip moisture, leaving skin clean and balanced—perfect for daily use.

Paula’s Choice Oil Reducing Cleanser

This fragrance-free cleanser is a great option for oily skin types, even those wearing makeup. It uses coconut-derived ingredients to remove oil, dirt and makeup, while glycerin keeps your skin moisturised. The gentle foaming action ensures that your skin feels refreshed, not dry, after every wash.

Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser

Cetaphil’s affordable cleanser is designed to remove excess oils and dirt without irritating the skin. It contains a soothing blend of niacinamide, panthenol and glycerin to hydrate and protect your skin’s natural barrier. Free from parabens and mineral oils, it’s ideal for those with sensitive, oily skin.

CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser

This foaming gel cleanser is enriched with ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, which help maintain your skin’s natural moisture barrier while cleansing away oil and impurities. It’s perfect for oily skin that needs deep cleaning without feeling stripped or tight.

Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Daily Cleanser

Amazonian white clay helps to absorb excess oil and impurities, while the non-drying, foaming formula gently exfoliates and removes dead skin cells. This cleanser helps to deeply purify pores without making your skin feel tight or uncomfortable, making it a great option for oily skin in need of regular exfoliation.

Minimalist Salicylic Acid + 2% LHA Cleanser

This exfoliating cleanser combines salicylic acid with Capryloyl Salicylic Acid for multi-layered cleansing. Zinc and oat extracts help soothe and hydrate the skin, while the exfoliants work to clear out oil and dead skin cells. Due to its active ingredients, use this product once a day to avoid over-exfoliation.

Ole Henrikson Find Your Balance Oil Control Cleanser

With a unique blend of botanicals like green tea, eucalyptus, algae and Irish moss, this refreshing cleanser absorbs excess oils while maintaining hydration. Glycolic and lactic acids exfoliate and refine skin texture, leaving your complexion smooth, balanced, and refreshed without being stripped.

Avene Cleanance Cleansing Gel

Featuring Comedoclastin™ from milk thistle extract, this gently foaming gel reduces excess sebum and helps prevent breakouts. The addition of Avene Thermal Spring Water calms and soothes, leaving your skin feeling soft and balanced while controlling oil throughout the day.

Murad Acne Control Clarifying Cleanser

This clarifying cleanser uses two types of salicylic acid, one of which is encapsulated to continue working after rinsing. It’s designed to dissolve oil, unclog pores and prevent acne. Green tea extract provides antioxidant protection and reduces irritation, making it ideal for oily skin prone to breakouts.

We tend to think wellness needs a perfect setting, a new week, a better schedule or a full hour. But the things that truly changed my day are the ones that feel almost too small to count—those we often skip over because they don’t come with transformation photos or gold stars. There’s also discomfort in doing something slow or in something that doesn’t give us quick results. Maybe we overlook them because we’ve grown up on big gestures. Bollywood has taught us that dramatic pay-offs lead to happy endings. And while I love that in a love story, when it comes to wellness, it’s the smallest things that make the biggest difference.

The science behind micro-wellness rituals

Dr Michael Norton, a behavioural scientist, explains that rituals are intentional actions that attach meaning to what we do, making them more emotionally engaging and repeatable. Micro-wellness rituals are small enough to be repeated often, but meaningful enough to anchor us. They can reduce stress, increase focus and create a stronger sense of control, even when the ritual itself is just a few minutes long. They don’t need to be big. They just need to be consistent.

Rituals that reset my day

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Morning breathwork: A 3-minute anchor

The urge to scroll usually kicks in before my feet even touch the floor. But when I pause and choose breath instead, even just for a minute or two, it doesn’t transform the whole day but it shifts how I enter it. My thoughts might race, my breath uneven, but even then, it creates a shift—like telling my body, you come first today, before the noise.

As Nikhil Kapur, founder of Atmantan Wellness, shares, “Just one or two minutes to do some active relaxation, or try and be in silence, or just focus on the breath… sometimes all it takes is two to five minutes to rewire yourself.” And that’s exactly what micro-wellness rituals do.

Joyful movement: Redefining exercise

I once believed movement only mattered if it was hard. I over-exercised, under-ate and treated my body like a constant project. In a culture where health is often seen as something you “earn” by pushing harder, eating less, doing more, rest feels indulgent and ease feels like laziness. But everything shifted when I found Melissa Wood-Tepperberg’s platform. Her workouts were short, low-impact and surprisingly, kind. For the first time, movement became a micro-wellness ritual. Just a few minutes of checking in, not checking out.

“It’s not just about the body we build in these few minutes together, it’s about strengthening our mind and feeling good,” she says. I embraced moving every day, whether that’s a five-minute solo dance party or a standing arms workout between meetings. At first, it was just doable. Over time, I felt stronger from these micro-moments. You don’t need an hour to see results. You just need to shift from correcting yourself to connecting with yourself.

Night-time gratitude: The one-minute reset

While living in the Netherlands, I often felt lonely. Though I knew there was beauty in that time, I wasn’t acknowledging it. Not ready for journaling, I started with the simplest practice: saying three things I was grateful for before bed. It sounds easy, but I struggled to name even one. It felt robotic, like something I “should” do.

In a style affair that just keeps giving, Sonam Kapoor has donned yet another Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla creation—a translucent cream sari with gold floral motifs and an intricate border.

Instagram.com/@sonamkapoor

The golden tissue sari was draped to highlight the hand-embroidered zardozi that decorated its trim, woven with sequins that added to the sparkle. With a near-backless blouse as the final touch, the sari is a fine example of the delicate Indian craftsmanship the brand embodies.

Leaning into the sari’s regal glamour, the actor opted for traditional gold jewellery with a kundan-studded jalidar choker, lined with pearls and a chunky gold neckpiece. She had two large polki bangles on each of her hands and rings to match. Her hair was pulled back in a low bun, and adorned with a gajra, and her makeup was minimal—a dewy base with a light blush and pink lips. She wore a tiny bindi on her forehead.

Instagram.com/@sonamkapoor

Following a star-studded Met Gala last month, the ongoing Cannes Film Festival has also featured several Indian stars on the red carpet. Ahead, we detail all of their sartorial appearances.

1. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

For her 22nd appearance at the festival, the actor walked the carpet in a custom Manish Malhotra Banarasi sari. The white-and-gold piece was styled with a ruby necklace and sindoor.

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The next day, the actor arrived in a custom black velvet Gaurav Gupta dress. Over it, she wore a Banarasi brocade cape handwoven in Varanasi, India and paired the look with her signature red lip.

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2. Janhvi Kapoor

Janhvi Kapoor attended the red carpet for her upcoming film Homebound in a custom-made skirt and corset by Tarun Tahiliani, which was crafted from real tissue woven in Varanasi.