Posts in category: Life Style

The tandem team included a fitted button-up vest in the same fabric and matching wide-leg trousers. Black and red rings and strappy maroon sandals ably provided restrained jolts of colour. Rashmika Mandanna let the suit take centre stage by opting for a conspicuous downplay of jewellery. Overall, the styling was clean and intentional, laying bare the impact of fine tailoring, feminine silhouette, and contemporary codes of power dressing.

Instagram.com/@rashmika_mandanna

From Alia Bhatt to Khushi Kapoor, oversized blazers and suit sets with minimal to no jewellery are favoured by many celebrities. Ahead, we list a few examples of power dressing that made headlines for all the right reasons.

From a nutritional perspective, the cucumber is 95 per cent water, so it’s super hydrating and great for all facets of your health, including your skin. “I like to think of cucumbers as a great way to eat your water, but with all the added benefits of containing soluble fibre to nourish the digestive tract, which helps flush the system of toxins, preventing constipation and creating a less acidic environment in the gut microbiome too,” she says.

Rich in nutrients like vitamins K, B and C, as well as minerals like copper, phosphorous, potassium and magnesium, you benefit from around 2g of fibre for every 300g of cucumber you consume.

Don’t slice off the skin, because it’s one of the richest sources of silica–a mineral that activates enzymes involved in the production of collagen to keep skin supple and healthy. “And to top it off, cucumbers are also loaded with phytochemicals, such as lignans, flavonoids and triterpenes, which help keep inflammation in the body at bay,” Shand adds.

How to eat cucumber

Other than the many health benefits of cucumber, it is also one of the easiest vegetables to add to your plate because it works with most other foods. Of course, Logan’s page has a wealth of cucumber ideas (some work better than others), but Shand has also found a recent favourite in one of her newest hormone-balancing recipes. “My sesame soy salmon includes a fresh cucumber salad that totally elevates the dish,” she says. “The crunchy, fresh cucumber works so perfectly as a contrast alongside the salty Asian flavours from the omega 3-rich salmon, adding fibre, hydration and powerful plant nutrients.”

Cosmic tip: Taking care of yourself is essential right now.

Detangle yourself from toxic words, cords and people who drain you more than they lift you up, Gemini. You know your persistent cheerleaders, you know who has your back, even if they may fleetingly appear in your life or may be a consistent part of it. You know your chosen few that you count as your blessings before you go to bed. Your health challenges, if any, may not be mere physical symptoms, they may simply be attached to a root that runs deeper.

Cosmic tip: Find your tribe and celebrate yourself with them.

Instead of trying to power through your situation or day, Cancer, try to accomplish all you can as it flows. When you set your mind on something, ask your angels for divine assistance to keep toxic people, situations and even other forms of allergens away from you and they will do a fantastic job of it. All your cravings signify you trying to fill a void that you may not be able to fully understand so today, sit in silence and ask yourself what is it that you wish for and why. You will find your answers and the strength to see them through.

Cosmic tip: Release control to sleep well.

As far as your relationships are concerned, Leo, you may have been very social and vocal lately and this is a time for you to celebrate and join in with the intention to bask in them. Let blame and shame slide by but ensure your voice is heard and understood clearly. You can ask your Angels to help you and your inner child to find the courage to firstly go easy on yourself and secondly make wishes that are aligned to what you truly desire. You may be going through a deep emotional reset, so take your time to expand into this world view.

Cosmic tip: Stay strong in your faith.

When you know something, you just know it. This is your time to call a spade a spade and use your voice for what you feel is right. Virgo, you’ve got the gift to see through a situation in ways others cannot perceive, so use this to infuse love and kindness into the stickiest situations. You can help build bridges where there is a fork in the road. Look ahead with clarity, let go of your own wounds just for a bit to see how you can bring forward what you feel so strongly about.

Capes have a way of elevating Indian wear, if you ditch the dupatta for a lightweight silhouette on your back. But, Samantha Ruth Prabhu proves that you can style it with just about anything—even jumpsuits. Styled by Prayag Menon, Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s cobalt blue structured jumpsuit, cut from matka silk and paired with an organza cape from Payal Khandwala, tapped into some of the dreamy, billowy silhouettes that had defined the 2020 runways of New York and Paris.

While the jumpsuit featured a sharp collar, pleated front detailing, and a cinched waist, the wide-sleeved organza cape was done up with delicate embroidery along the arms. For glam, the actor wore maximalist diamonds from Nishka Jewellery and sported a pulled-back aesthetic for her hair and makeup—soft, low bun with a side parting, smoky eyes, and fluttery lashes.

Flowing silhouettes and capes return to celebrity wardrobes now and then. Think back to Kareena Kapoor Khan’s look at Lakmē Fashion Week’s gala night: a custom ivory Manish Malhotra sari embellished with delicate lace and rich embroidery, paired with a matching cape that echoed the same design. Or Sharvari’s quilted floral ensemble by Saaksha & Kinni, styled with a cape featuring hand-embroidered cutwork detailing and a dramatic trail.

A playful rivalry is one thing. But if you’ve got a competitive friend who’s seemingly determined to outshine you or bring you down…that sounds more like a secret hater than a companion.

Of course, not every moment of comparison or jealousy is an immediate red flag, says Suzanne Degges-White, PhD, LCPC, a licensed counsellor and chair of the department of counselling and higher education at the Northern Illinois University College of Education. “Competitiveness doesn’t always come from a malicious place or a desire to ‘be better,’” Dr. Degges-White says. In certain cases, it’s rooted in personal insecurity rather than ill intentions: “It’s not so much that they want to best their bestie, but more that they’re trying to prove themselves capable.”

No matter what’s driving someone’s competitive streak, however, an exhausting game of “who’s better” has no place in a healthy friendship. Most of us are looking for a support system that lifts us up, not one that treats our wins like a personal threat. The signs of a competitive friend are often subtle, Dr. Degges-White points out, which can make it easy to second-guess whether you’re overthinking…or truly dealing with a frenemy preying on your downfall. Luckily, familiarising yourself with the red flags below can help.

They downplay your successes

You score a sick new apartment. You get accepted into that competitive program. Any truly supportive pal will be cheering for you when you’re happy, says Layne Baker, LMFT, a licensed therapist based in Los Angeles—which is why a person who consistently shrugs off your wins or never lets you have your moment may be intimidated by your good news.

Take an impressive career move, for instance: Instead of congratulating you, a scorekeeping friend might respond with, “Well, it’s just a job.” You’re finally in a healthy relationship? “It’s still early, though.” Basically, “if they’re never mirroring your excitement, or they’re downplaying something that feels like a milestone to you, that’s definitely worth paying attention to,” Baker says, since it may signal that your success makes them uncomfortable or threatened.

Their “compliments” always feel passive-aggressive or backhanded

Competitiveness doesn’t always sound as obvious as “I’m better than you.” Even if a person says they’re happy for you, they might secretly be sizing you up by wrapping their judgment in passive-aggressive “compliments.” For example: “Wow, you’re wearing that to the birthday dinner? I could never be that bold,” or “I mean, he’s really not my type physically…. But good for you.”

It wasn’t a glossy Instagram reveal; it was a series of small victories—a few new baby hairs, fewer strands on my pillowcase, a quiet relief that built up over months.

The realities of daily minoxidil use

Managing minoxidil isn’t just about sticking to the plan, it’s about navigating all the small inconveniences no one talks about.

The twice-daily tightrope

Minoxidil doesn’t linger. “It has a half-life of just 3–4 hours,” explains Dr Spoorthy Nagineni, consultant dermatologist at Zennara Clinics. Which means if you’re inconsistent, you’re not just pausing your progress—you’re actively undoing it.

Daily application isn’t optional if you want real results. It’s another item on the invisible to-do list, wedged between ‘pay the electricity bill’ and ‘meet your daily protein intake.’

The grease equation

Even foam formulas, designed to absorb faster, leave a whisper of residue. And dry shampoo? Not ideal here. “If your scalp is greasy enough for dry shampoo, it’s time for an actual wash,” warns Dr Mukadam.

Dry shampoo buildup can block minoxidil absorption, cancelling out your efforts. The takeaway: you’re either washing your hair more often, or embracing a semi-permanent greasy chic.

The panic of the initial shed

People talk about this stage, but you don’t fully understand it until it happens. Around the one-month mark, it felt like I was losing more hair, not less.

The ‘minoxidil shed’ is real and normal: the old, weaker hairs shed to make way for new growth. Watching it happen feels like losing ground before gaining it. You have to hold your nerve when everything looks worse before it looks better.

The lifelong lease

Minoxidil for hair growth isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon. “If you stop using it, you’ll lose whatever new hair you gained,” says Dr Nagineni.

You’re in it for the long haul, or until you decide you’re ready to renegotiate your relationship with your hairline.

How I manage minoxidil without losing my mind

1. Shampoo smarter

Gentle, scalp-friendly shampoos are my daily go-to. I’m not averse to parabens, but I keep the formula as mild as possible for daily use.

Every few days, I bring in the heavy artillery: a ketoconazole-based shampoo to deep-clean and prevent buildup, just like Dr Mukadam and Dr Nagineni recommend. I’d be lying if I said there weren’t days I picked up dry shampoo to cover my roots when time was short, but it’s the exception, not the rule.

2. Master the timing

Instead of slathering it on right before bed and rolling around in regret, I apply minoxidil about two hours before sleeping. This way, it dries down without baptising my pillow, and I can still squeeze in a face mask, doomscroll, and ponder my existence before lights out. If I’m working from home, I sometimes apply it mid-morning, keep it in for four hours (the minimum effective window), then wash it off and start fresh.

3. Scalp care, refocused

If minoxidil starts drying out my scalp, I switch to alcohol-free formulations and layer in lightweight, hydrating scalp serums.

Cosmic tip: Count your blessings to attract more things to be grateful for.

Your fire is what makes you so magnetic, Sag. You love and appreciate the finer things in life and hey, there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. So for those struggling with guilt or confusion around accepting abundance in your life; this is a sign that you need to learn how to drop those emotions from your system to fully receive life as it arrives – abundant, exciting and multifaceted – just like you. Find your strength to make this thriving energy a part of your life and try not to feel defined by your previous labels. They worked then, they don’t any more.

Cosmic tip: You’ve gotten onto this all important journey and project – passionately see it through.

All options lead to the same place, Capricorn. Yes, simply put, if no one gets out alive, then is that not reason enough to do good, choose to be kind over being right, and hold your ground when you absolutely think that something needs to arrive in your life or something noteworthy needs your faith and attention? You are a lover of simplicity – then why overcomplicate life? Embrace whatever comes with a laugh and a smile and remember that even if you feel it takes you down a rabbit hole, it simply is here to teach you resilience – either to transform or to let go.

Cosmic tip: What would you see, feel and think if your wishes came true?

Something really lights you up – it is almost like your personality shifts into a more vibrant one when you begin thinking and speaking about this thing, relationship, passion or purpose. Aquarius, this is the reason why you came here and no matter how much or how little you try, this is what makes you feel alive. You are here to help yourself and others make your lives simpler and more fulfilling – be it through simplifying taxation or practicing therapy or even building apps. How you fulfil your chosen purpose is up to you – but you must remember to continue onward because it is not life that drains you, it is the lack of doing what really energises you that feels depleting.

Cosmic tip: When you have the creative power to heal and help in your own way, why let it go to waste?

Preserve what you’ve built, lay stable foundations to ensure its lasting impact – even if that means that you must temporarily disconnect from the village to find your own way back home, Pisces. It is with your personal mind power that you draw people, resources and opportunities in your life. What your heart desires ultimately makes its way to you, now stop beating yourself up about how you were in your past. Instead look at that part of your life as something that brought deeper issues to light so that you could finally let go of them. Slowly and steadily keep moving forward.

Cosmic tip: Draw, paint, think and act in creative ways.

In a world that runs on dopamine hits and fleeting trends, loyalty is hard to come by. And the most loyal zodiac signs don’t magically develop the kind of allegiance you only read about in fiction or witness in movies. It is cultivated, piece by piece, event by event, until they are sure they’ve found someone they will follow unflinchingly, even if everyone around them is running in the opposite direction. If you’re lucky enough to have found a home in one of the most loyal zodiac signs, make sure you protect it with everything you’ve got.

Taurus

They love being in charge because, be it a room, a person or the news, they are excellent at reading between the lines. While these headstrong bulls can be temperamental to deal with, lift a finger towards their loved ones and expect to lose an arm. They tend to be loyal to the bone, but once their trust is broken, it will take you a lifetime to gain it back.

Cancer

They may be indecisive about a lot of things, but they are blessed with the memory of an elephant, and a single fleeting act of genuine kindness can earn you a place in their hearts forever. Born with a sensitive disposition, a Cancerian can go to war for their loved ones, stopping at nothing if need be. However, their elephant-like memory is the very reason why they may not let too many people in, as they are burdened with remembering everything—the good, the bad and the ugly.

Aquarius

They may seem whimsical and fickle in many ways, but Aquarians tend to be the rocks within their relationships. They are great at preserving their independence and relationships in equal measure and are therefore more willing to look for the sunshine behind every grey cloud. Their family and community are everything to them, and they will go to any length to keep things filled with love and mutual respect. Displays of affection may not be their thing, but if there’s one friend who’ll always stand up for you when you’re not in the room, it’s your Aquarian buddy.

Scorpio

Under that Scorpio mystery and nonchalance lies a huge softie waiting to be cuddled. While they may seem like they are pushing you to the grave to gain their trust, once you earn it, get ready to welcome a ball of mush that dispels the thought of ever drifting apart. However, tip a Scorpio over the edge with betrayal, dishonesty or disrespect, and their loyalty can turn into scorn, leaving you praying for your life every waking moment.

Capricorn

Patience is their highest virtue, and it is also the trait that fuels their loyalty. Since they are hardwired to be all in or nothing, a Capricorn’s loyalty extends to their work, home and relationship. To them, service and effort are love languages, and their loyalty is a byproduct of it all. If you’ve got a Capricorn in your life who dotes on you, value their eccentricity because they will love you until they die.

Virgo

Allow them to shine and lead the way, and you will enter the high-security vault in a Virgo’s life that opens only for a chosen few. When a Virgo has your back, you feel protected in a way that feels tangible, because they don’t just say they love you, they go to varying lengths to prove it. They not only drive you to feel better about yourself but also help you set realistic goals that guide you to your victory post. If that isn’t a dynamic worth valuing, we don’t know what is.

You’ve heard the line before: you’re born with all the eggs you’ll ever have, and as the birthdays pile up, the stash steadily shrinks. By 35, the decline accelerates, and the ominous “biological clock” gets louder. But fertility isn’t just about quantity—it’s about quality, too. Which raises the obvious (and often whispered) question: Is there anything you can actually do to improve your egg quality?

Here’s the short answer: sort of. But first, some context.

A significant portion of egg quality, like quantity, comes down to age. As we grow older, “not only do we lose eggs, but the ones we keep are more likely to accumulate DNA mutations,” Dr Anate Brauer, a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist at RMA of New York, tells SELF. This can result in eggs with the wrong number of chromosomes, making them less likely to fertilise, implant, or result in a healthy pregnancy. Conditions like endometriosis or PCOS, along with treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation, can add to the decline. Certain lifestyle factors, particularly those that put the body under chronic stress, may also contribute, Dr Brauer notes (we’ll get into those in a moment).

Beyond DNA integrity, other egg characteristics matter too—its shape, for instance, or how well its internal machinery is functioning. Mitochondria, the egg’s energy centres, are particularly crucial, since the process of becoming a human is, to put it plainly, an energy-intensive endeavour. And here again, things like age, health and lifestyle may influence how well those mitochondria behave.

Now for the catch: there’s no clear test for egg quality. AMH and FSH levels offer a peek at your egg quantity, not quality. “We don’t know if there’s a quality issue unless we extract the eggs and inspect them under a microscope, as in IVF,” says Dr Brooke Rossi, a reproductive endocrinologist at Ohio Reproductive Medicine. Still, because egg quality plays a central role in fertility, it may be worth supporting it where possible—if only because, in a sea of uncontrollable factors, this one might offer a modicum of agency.

Let’s talk about what might (and might not) help.

What can harm egg quality?

Let’s start with the usual suspects. Smoking, vaping, drinking alcohol, skipping sleep, using recreational drugs, and consuming excessive sugar—all these habits can generate oxidative stress. That’s when damaging molecules (free radicals) outnumber the antioxidants meant to neutralise them. Over time, this imbalance can compromise cellular health, including your eggs’ DNA and mitochondrial function. Cue potential fertilisation hiccups, implantation failures, and higher miscarriage risks.