Posts in category: Life Style

Maybe you worked hard at building your confidence, maybe you were just born as one of the most confident zodiac signs. Whatever the case, self-love is a wonderful thing to master—as long as you don’t go overboard and become pompous. More ‘Main apni favourite hoon’, less ‘Good looks, good looks and good looks’, you know what we’re saying? If you’re yet to get there, you can take the first step with our guide to building your self-confidence in six easy steps. And if you’re on this list of the most confident zodiac signs? Well, then the world is already your playground.

Sagittarius

Move over, Leo. Sagittarius, you’re cosmic gold when it comes to drawing people in with your magnetic charm. Your superpower? Seeing people for who they really are, no filters, fillers or judgments—just pure, authentic connection. You’re as much about getting your facts straight as you are about trusting your gut when it whispers a hunch. You let go as easily as you hold tight to all that matters. You trust your instincts and intuitively know when it’s time to fly.

Leo

Like the lion, you love the spotlight as much as you love a partnership of equals. Your drive to get to your desired destination is a huge motivating factor in the way you devise plans. Intuitive, headstrong and fearless are three words that describe you to the tee. Untainted and innocent at heart, you leave no room for failure, even if it means putting yourself out there a lot more because, in your world, comfort zones don’t exist.

Scorpio

You’re a traditionalist at heart. You love sticking to tried and tested methods because they get you to your goal faster—and who can argue with solid results? You love looking back and relying on your experience to find solutions. When it comes to reading the room, you’re a pro. You can instantly tell what holds weight and what’s just noise, giving you the upper hand in any situation. Your love for a good party not only keeps your razor-sharp wit going but also naturally magnetises the right people and opportunities your way.

Taurus

Come rain, hail or a surprise snowstorm, you never sway from chasing that prize. A true connoisseur of luxury and relaxation, you have the magical ability to turn even the most chaotic moments into comedy gold. If that wasn’t enough, your attention to detail not only keeps you up at night but also helps you close loopholes that others may overlook. Adding another feather to the hat would be your ability to build and progress together.

Capricorn

You’re like a powerhouse on a mission—so locked in on your goals that nothing can distract you from your purpose. Strangely, it’s this obsession that will take you to new heights because you don’t like second place. Your focus on the small, meaningful things in life while you overcome those mountainous hurdles not only helps you find creative solutions but also turns that pointless hamster wheel into your personal wheel of fortune.

Pisces

The world could be in the middle of an apocalypse, but you will always be the one waiting for the sun to rise again, Pisces. You always find yourself in a transitory phase of life because what fun is life if there are no dreams to pursue? Perpetually chasing sunsets, finding gold and looking for unicorns making rainbows, there is little in your reality that you cannot shift with your sheer vision and unshakable optimism.

This season, structured and oversized blazers are taking centre stage on runways across the globe. At Lakmé Fashion Week, designers like Shantnu and Nikhil, Anurag Gupta, Quarter, and LineTribe reimagined the classic blazer with flowing silhouettes and contemporary tailoring. Internationally, fashion houses such as Kenzo, Emporio Armani, Victoria Beckham, and Isabel Marant also embraced the trend, each offering their spin on this versatile wardrobe staple.

Yesterday, Alia Bhatt followed suit. The actor stepped out in a chiffon sage-green ruffled blouse tucked into high-waisted pants by Alberta Ferretti, layered with an oversized grey blazer from Magda Butrym. She paired the look with white leather pumps from Jimmy Choo and gold earrings and rings from Misho. For her hair and makeup, she opted for her signature dewy pink makeup and pulled-back hair.

Isabel Marant Fall 2025

Vogue Runway

The 25th edition of Fashion Week wrapped up on a high, setting the stage for bold debuts and defining moments from industry veterans. The week wasn’t just about the runway—A-listers turned the front row into a style spectacle. With risk-taking and directional fashion at the forefront, the best-dressed stars of the week ensured their presence was as statement-making as the collections themselves, from Alia Bhatt and Radhika Merchant Ambani to Bhumi Pednekar and more.

Alia Bhatt’s latest look played with sharp tailoring and soft textures. She layered a ruffled mint green blouse over matching wide-leg trousers, grounding the pastel set with an oversized, boxy brown blazer. The structured outer layer features a textured finish, adding contrast to the fluid silhouette. With its sheer detailing and precise layering, the Alberta Ferretti and Magda Butrym ensemble was a masterclass in balancing androgyny with a hint of romanticism.

The Vivienne Westwood show delivered some standout front-row moments, with Radhika Merchant making a striking nod to the house’s Fall/Winter 1990 Portrait Collection. She styled the iconic Boucher corset with a custom Chanderi sari, creating a seamless fusion of archival and contemporary design. A vintage Westwood scarf was repurposed as a skirt, and a pearl choker added layers to the look.

Vivienne Westwood’s front row was a reminder of the brand’s rebellious roots, thanks to Bhumi Pednekar and Alaya F, both dressed in the label. Bhumi took the denim route, pairing flared jeans with a matching jacket left unbuttoned just enough to play with proportions. But it was the accessories that did the heavy lifting—pearls and plenty of them. A bow choker, layered necklaces, bracelets, and oversized earrings—all in varying shapes and textures—softened the rawness of the denim without diluting its edge.

Alaya F, on the other hand, took a maximalist approach. Her look featured a plaid corset etched with Westwood’s iconic graffiti, styled with spiked boots, chunky cross-adorned jewellery, and a punked-out smoky eye. The hair was big and deliberately undone—the kind that looks like it’s been danced in. The overall effect? Pure Westwood theatre.

Not to forget, a host of others brought their A-game too—think Mira Rajput, Diana Penty, Banita Sandhu, and more. From unexpected pairings to striking details, keep scrolling to see who else made the list.

After a hiatus of 18 years, artist Laila Khan Furniturewalla makes a powerful return with Untamed Heart, a deeply personal solo exhibition dedicated to her parents Sundri and the late superstar Feroz Khan, whose creative influences continue to shape her work. Using materials like sand, gold leaf, copper, pigment and acrylic in abstract compositions that explore spiritual themes and the balance of tradition and innovation, she delves into the complexities of identity, emotion and memory, capturing what lies beneath. Speaking about the exhibit, Furniturewalla shares, “My forthcoming solo exhibition is a culmination of my journey as an artist. The works are highly personal and emotive, and embody my search for the mystical and divine without boundaries and definition.”

On view at Snowball Studios, Worli, on 5th and 6th April, and Gallery Art & Soul, Worli, from 16th to 22nd April, 2025

Acid Disco by Jonathan Trayte at Akara Contemporary, Mumbai

A single look at his large, quirky sculptures, and you’d really think you’re viewing them on an acid trip. Acid Disco, UK-based sculptor Jonathan Trayte’s first solo show in India, features a collection of painted bronze sculptures inspired by food, using castings and facsimiles to showcase how we see and utilise our natural resources and indulge in overconsumption. “In Jonathan’s compositions, we contend with what is natural or artificial, cultivated or manipulated, playfully inviting or repulsive, through forms that evoke both delight and distaste,” says independent writer Khorshed Deboo in her essay on Trayt’s intriguingly novel exhibition.

At first, his relationship with Claire seemed innocent enough. They were old friends—longtime colleagues, in fact. Plus, she was married and we were happy. Or, so I thought.

Then, she got divorced and started texting him nonstop. We’d be at dinner or at home and, like clockwork, his phone would buzz. “Sorry,” he’d mumble, tilting his phone towards his chest. “It’s Claire. She’s going through a lot.”

Within a few months, he began to seem distant. He was always on his phone; always leaving the room “to talk.” When I would accompany him to work events, Claire was never far away from us. “I need some advice,” she’d say, pulling on his arm.

It got annoying. Every time his phone would ring, my temperature would rise. Then I caught him lying about seeing her—twice. When I confronted him, he’d just shrug it off. “We’re friends,” he’d say, rolling his eyes. Sometimes he’d get flustered: “Maybe you’re the one who’s interested in someone else.”

By then, my trust had completely evaporated—the whole situation was just too much. Needless to say, we didn’t last long. I’ll never know what truly happened between them, but I later heard they started dating a few months after we’d broken up.

What is emotional cheating?

That’s the thing about emotional cheating—it is often difficult to prove. It usually starts off slowly and creeps in like a cloud. It doesn’t come with hotel bills or receipts for gifts; its evidence is more visceral than tangible.

Still, “Emotional cheating can be just as devastating as physical infidelity—sometimes even more,” says licensed marriage and family therapist Claudia Giolitti-Wright. “It creates emotional distance and leaves the betrayed partner feeling replaced or inadequate.”

This is because, unlike a one-night stand or a drunken tryst, emotional cheating revolves around the deeper facets of intimacy—the truly personal ones. It’s the kind of intimacy that comes from the sharing of thoughts, feelings, beliefs and time; the kind that’s born in the divulging of secrets, the trading of stories, the giving of advice.

This kind of intimacy is like a house of cards. Its layers are fragile and built with connection, care, and trust—which is precisely why, when you suspect your partner of building it with someone else, it can hurt so much.

What are the signs of emotional cheating?

Emotional cheating is defined by behaviours that “erode trust and divert emotional energy,” explains licensed clinical social worker and trauma therapist Malka Shaw. “It occurs when one partner forms an intimate emotional connection with someone outside the relationship in a way that is characterised by secrecy and blurred boundaries.”

For her wedding reception, she wore a heavily embroidered Dolce & Gabbana ensemble featuring intricate gold-toned detailing and a structured, corset-style bodice adorned with sequins and beadwork. She paired it with a custom Anamika Khanna sari, where layers of sheer, embroidered fabric added texture and movement. She opted for a gold and diamond necklace, earrings, and bangles for her jewellery. She kept her hair and makeup simple and let the ensemble take centre stage.

Lever Couture

She chose a structured gown with a trail by Lever Couture. The gown features a translucent, iridescent fabric with sculptural details around the shoulders. The overall colour palette is a soft lavender or an icy lilac, and the trail is covered with shimmering feather-like embellishments. She complemented the sleek, pulled-back bun with statement earrings.

Grace Ling

The best lip oils of 2025 are leading beauty’s gloss renaissance. Forget matte fatigue—these formulas prioritise hydration over high drama, delivering a slick of shine with serious skincare benefits. Think lightweight, nourishing, and effortlessly cool.

With smart, skincare-adjacent ingredients and a finish that feels as good as it looks, the best lip oils do more than gloss over—they replenish, soften, and enhance. Whether you love a sheer wash of colour or a lacquered, mirror-like effect, this year’s standout formulas prove that a well-dressed pout is one that’s deeply conditioned.

Below, the definitive edit of the best lip oils to shop for now—from cult classics to homegrown heroes.

The best lip oils of the moment

Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil

Still undefeated. A colour-morphing, mirror-shine oil that’s on every runway-ready face and deserves a space in every bag.

Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil

Selena Gomez’s take feels almost like water—except it clings, in the best way, and gives a flattering flush that doesn’t move.

Lakmé Lumi Cream Lip Oil Gloss

A glossy lip treatment-meets-makeup from a true Indian beauty legacy brand. The finish is balmy, the shine high, and the wear time surprisingly long.

Clarins Lip Comfort Oil

A French pharmacy classic that packs its plant-powered formula into a luxe-gloss finish. Chic et practical.

Kylie Cosmetics Tinted Lip Oil

A new-gen player from Kylie Jenner’s beauty empire—unexpectedly hydrating, surprisingly chic. The colour payoff is soft but satisfying.

Kosas Wet Lip Oil Gloss

Makeup that moonlights as treatment. Peptides, hyaluronic acid, and just the right level of slip.

Typsy Beauty SPF Lip Oil

Active-infused and ingredient-forward—think sun protection, hydration, and a barely-there glaze that works across looks.

Fenty Skin Lip Oil

Think of this as the red carpet prep step—conditioning, glossing and scented deliciously.

82°E Clear Lip Oil Balm

Deeply conditioning and endlessly wearable—this lip oil from Deepika Padukone’s wellness line is as elevated as it is effective. An everyday essential with an Ayurvedic backbone.

Byredo Liquid Lipstick Vinyl

Is it a gloss? A lipstick? A lacquer? The answer: yes, and it’s brilliant. With its high-shine vinyl finish and buttery slip, this beauty-lovers’ favourite offers intense payoff with a creamy blend of vegan oils and shea butter.

TIRTIR My Glow Lip Oil

A K-beauty sleeper hit that deserves the spotlight. Think glassy shine with featherlight feel, enriched with squalane and camellia oil. Quiet luxury for the lips, bottled.

Also read:

10 peptide lip balms that do more than just hydrate

How skincare-infused lip gloss and tints are becoming the new lip balms

If you have lip pigmentation, these are the 12 mistakes to avoid, according to a dermatologist

Few rituals are as universally cherished as that first cup of coffee in the morning. For some, it’s a moment of stillness before the day begins; for others, it’s a social prelude to the workday, shared over clinking cups and quick exchanges. While green tea has made its case as a worthy alternative, the allure of a perfectly brewed arabica remains unmatched.

But here’s where the ritual gets tricky—drinking coffee on an empty stomach might not be the best idea. While it jolts you awake, it can also trigger a cascade of side effects, from digestive discomfort to heightened cortisol levels (read: unnecessary stress before you’ve even opened your inbox). In a world obsessed with wellness, it’s worth reconsidering whether your morning caffeine fix needs a supporting act—a bite of something solid to keep your system in check.

So, before you reach for that espresso shot first thing, you might want to rethink the order of your morning routine. Your stomach will thank you.

What happens when you drink coffee on an empty stomach?

Acidity and poor digestion

Drinking coffee on an empty stomach can increase gastric acidity. Coffee stimulates the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, which, if not balanced by some food, can irritate the gastric mucous membranes. This can lead to a burning sensation, gastroesophageal reflux (when stomach acid flows back up the tube that connects the mouth and the stomach), and gastritis – especially in those who are already prone to stomach problems. Acid can erode the gastric mucosa (the slippery protective layer that lines the inner surface of the stomach) more easily when it is not protected by food, increasing the risk of inflammation.

Cortisol spike and hormonal stress

Beyond its rich aroma and energising kick, coffee has a direct impact on our hormonal system—specifically, cortisol, the so-called stress hormone. Naturally, cortisol levels peak in the morning to help us wake up, but drinking coffee on an empty stomach can push those levels even higher, sending the body into a state of unnecessary stress.

The result? A jittery, anxious feeling that’s less “calmly caffeinated” and more “edge-of-a-burnout.” Over time, excess cortisol can throw your metabolism off balance, disrupt sleep patterns, and leave you feeling more wired than wonderful. In short, that first cup—when consumed without a buffer—might be doing more harm than good.

The white skirt has quietly returned—not as a sweet afterthought but as a uniform. The best way to style white skirts? Separates. Think ribbed tanks, baby tees and silk shirts. Ahead, we curate cool ways to style them from day to night.

Brunch dressing

For daywear, lean into contrast. A tailored white midi with sharp pleats or an asymmetrical hem thrives when paired with a black funnel-neck top and low heels that mean business. Add a pair of angular sunglasses and the effect is less “good girl,” more “cool authority.” Clean lines, crisp fabric, and that deliberate balance of structure and fluidity—it’s a uniform for the woman who knows where she’s going.

Date night

On weekends, the white mini skirt takes a casual turn. Style it with a boyish tank top, unfussy flip-flops, and barely-there gold jewellery. Throw on a lightweight shirt, left unbuttoned, and suddenly you’re referencing ‘90s nonchalance with just the right amount of effort. The mini doesn’t ask for attention—it assumes it.

Cocktail hour

Then comes the evening. Long, slinky white skirts in satin or silk pair beautifully with an oversized graphic tee or a vintage button-down. Knot it at the waist. Or don’t. The point is to keep it unexpected. This isn’t about being polished, it’s about being personal. Add a kitten heel if you’re feeling playful or a flat sandal if you’re not.

Accessories should never shout—a single sculptural earring, a sleek crossbody, maybe even a sports watch to disrupt the softness. Consider a red lip, but only if it feels earned. And if the skirt gets a little wrinkled through the night? Even better. Perfection is boring.

What makes the white skirt feel right now isn’t just the cut or the length—it’s the attitude. It speaks softly but carries presence. It’s versatile without being vanilla. It doesn’t perform femininity, it reclaims it—with a wink, not a wave.

This season, forget about saving white for weddings or holidays. Let it be your weekday armour, your Saturday uniform, your answer to what now? And wear it with just the right amount of edge

Also read:

7 stylish heels to wear with a white skirt in spring summer 2025

9 miniskirts you need in your closet to make heads turn

14 denim skirt styles to wear with everything in your closet