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If you were born between 20 March and 19 April, you have undeniable Aries traits. Arians are known for their optimistic and youthful energy, and other people love to be around them. Sometimes, though, they can be rash or quick to anger.

Everything you need to know about Aries signs:

Aries is… nicknamed the baby of the zodiac

As the first of the 12 zodiac signs, Arians are known for their playfulness and innocence, and like to be number one in everything they do.

Aries is… symbolised by The Ram

This connects back to Aries’s ties with the ancient Egyptian god Amon, who was frequently depicted with a ram’s head.

Aries is… a fire sign

Like Leo and Sagittarius, Aries is a fire sign, meaning those born under it are passionate, motivated and creative, as well as born leaders. As the cardinal sign within this group (more on which below), Arians are trailblazers, as impulsive as they are intense.

Aries is… a cardinal sign

Like Cancer, Libra and Capricorn, Aries is a cardinal sign, meaning it marks the beginning of a season, in contrast with fixed signs (ie, Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius, which fall in the middle of each season) and mutable signs (ie, Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces, which come at the end). Specifically, Aries marks the start of spring, coinciding with the vernal equinox. Cardinal signs are generally considered to be driven, visionary and ambitious, sometimes at the expense of their personal relationships and emotional well-being.

Aries is… ruled by Mars

Aries is governed by Mars, the planet of action and desire, named after the Roman God of War. By extension, it is associated with the colour red, Mars being the Red Planet.

Aries is… compatible with Leo, Sagittarius, Gemini, Libra and Aquarius

In general, Arians get along best with other fire signs (namely, Leo and Sagittarius) and air signs (Gemini, Libra and Aquarius).

Aries is… associated with The Emperor

Like Aries, tarot’s Emperor card is linked to confidence, assertiveness and leadership.

And now for the best and worst Aries traits:

You can be a little impatient

When you decide you want to start a project or go somewhere new, you may expect everything to happen immediately. You may not understand why everyone else isn’t as quick to take action as you are, and this could be very frustrating at times. Practising greater patience and giving certain situations time to play out may be something you need to work on.

You are a natural leader

You like taking initiative, and you might be the person in your friend group or at your job who is always ready to jump into the next, new experience. Even if you may not know exactly what you’re doing, you would never let anyone else know when you’re feeling insecure. Others usually look up to you because of your confidence and leadership skills.

You need to stay active

You might feel like you have a lot of pent up energy inside, or it could just be difficult for you to wind down after a busy day. Regular exercise or finding a hobby outside of work to pour all of your energy into is probably necessary for you to destress.

You don’t always finish what you start

You’re constantly coming up with fresh ideas and new interests that you want to pursue. However, once that initial rush of excitement is gone, you could find yourself losing interest in whatever you’ve started. A big challenge you may have to face is in sticking with one task and seeing it through until the end.

You’re direct and to the point

If you’re feeling a certain way about a situation or a relationship, you are not going to beat around the bush and pretend you don’t care. You are quick to voice your opinions, and you’re usually very honest about how you’re feeling. It may also be hard for you to disguise your emotions when you’re upset, and you usually let people know exactly what’s on your mind.

You don’t shy away from a challenge

You don’t take no for an answer, and fear of rejection has never held you back from taking risks in your life. If someone tells you that you can’t do something, that may serve as even more motivation to keep at it until you accomplish what you want.

You rush into relationships pretty quickly

When you like someone, it’s probably difficult to disguise your feelings. You may jump into relationships super fast, and you’re probably not one to follow the usual dating protocol. If you’re into a person, you may want to be around them all the time at first, but it could be that your flings fizzle out just as fast as they started.

You have a very competitive side

Whether you’re tracking your progress at work or engaging in a fun game with friends, you always like to come out on top. Not winning isn’t really an option for you. You may see everything you do as a challenge, and you never want to come across as weak or not good enough.

You tend to act first, and plan later

You dive headfirst into projects, hobbies and relationships. You may agree to do a lot of things without fully understanding how you’re going to accomplish them all. Instead of having a huge to-do list or game plan in place before you start a task, you may prefer to figure it out as you go along.

You are extremely independent

You don’t need to look to others to give you direction, and you’re confident in the decisions that you make for yourself. However, you may have difficulty compromising or seeing a situation from another person’s perspective. Developing better teamwork skills might be something you want to explore.

This article first appeared on Vogue.co.uk

Lip balms and chapsticks have always been skincare staples, but thanks to the rise of peptide lip balms, they’ve gone from basic hydration heroes to beauty must-haves. Hailey Beiber’s launching of the Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment in 2022 started a peptide frenzy, sending every beauty brand into their labs to get peptide lip products out into the market. From luxe labels to homegrown favourites, everyone had a peptide-powered lip product promising plumper, smoother lips.

But what exactly do peptides do, and are they worth the hype?

What are peptides, and how do they help our lips?

Peptides are short chains of amino acids, the fundamental building blocks of proteins like collagen and elastin. In skincare, they’re prized for boosting collagen production, improving elasticity, and softening fine lines. When added to lip balms, they offer potential anti-ageing properties and deep hydration, subtly plumping, and an overall smoother texture. Some peptide lip balms also claim to enhance the natural shape of your lips over time.

So, should you make the switch? If you’re looking for more than just basic moisture, these peptide lip balms should be on your radar.

Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment

“When you’re 18 and have just started earning, you don’t even bother looking into a Louis Vuitton store when you walk past it… There are some things that are aspirational and then there are some things that are just completely out of your orbit. My association with Louis Vuitton is the latter. I’m a very practical, pragmatic person in reality, but I keep having to pinch myself because I can’t believe this is real,” said Deepika Padukone in her Vogue India cover story from May 2022.

Cut to today, the actor recently attended the French maison’s fall-winter 2025 show in an all-white ensemble carrying a black Biker MM. But this isn’t the only statement bag in her repertoire. Ahead, we round up all the times she wore the maison’s signatures, along with special appearances from luxury brands like Dior, Celine, Chanel and Ralph Lauren.

Biker MM

At the recent Paris Fashion Week, Padukone wore a wide-brimmed hat, a structured coat, and a pair of leather gloves along with a bold red lip, giving a feminine yet structured feel. The Biker MM bag in ink black finished the look.

Dauphine

While nice in theory, of course, the idea can be challenging to put into practice—especially when someone is in the depths of breakup despair. “One of the hardest parts about ending a relationship well is that we’re undertaking an extremely sensitive task while our emotional bandwidth is limited,” Burrets says. “Conscious uncoupling allows for the expression of all these feelings, but requires each person to take ownership of their contribution to the relationship dynamics that led to challenges, and resist the urge to blame the other.”

The steps of conscious uncoupling

Acknowledge the end

First, both partners must agree that the relationship isn’t working. If the split isn’t mutual, “the partner who is choosing to end the relationship must take the brave step to be honest with themselves and their partner,” says Burrets. “It can be tempting to avoid the truth, but a failure to be direct results in leading the partner on, wasting their time and prolonging the pain. Conscious uncoupling requires we accept the relationship is over and act with integrity.”

Communicate openly

Acting with integrity means approaching the split with “compassion for yourself, your partner and the relationship that was,” says integrative psychotherapist Jenny Mahlum, who recommends using “I” statements instead of accusatory “you” statements when discussing the relationship. “Focus on mutual respect and shared goals, such as co-parenting if children are involved or preserving a friendship,” Burrets adds.

Set boundaries

To transition out of the romantic relationship and into a new dynamic, fresh boundaries must be drawn. “This could include limiting certain types of communication or establishing ground rules for interactions moving forward,” says Burrets, who emphasises that this step should not be overlooked: “People can sometimes forget that for a relationship to evolve into something else, we must define clear boundaries to create space for healing.”

Reflect, release, redefine

True healing involves taking time to honour the lessons learned in the relationship. “Release resentment or anger through forgiveness,” Mahlum advises. And, as with any breakup, “allow yourself to feel and process the emotions rather than suppressing them, and treat yourself with the kindness and understanding you’d offer a close friend.”

Also, resist the urge to excessively rehash the relationship with your ex. Remember, you can’t expect them to offer the same emotional support they once did, even if the ultimate hope is to remain friends. “Successful conscious uncoupling involves a process of redefining the relationship,” Burrets notes. “Instead of viewing the breakup as a failure, we can reframe it as a transition and an opportunity. Acknowledge the value the relationship brought to your life and explore what a healthier, redefined relationship might look like, such as an amicable co-parenting partnership.”

Seek support

Couples therapy can be helpful even when you’re going your separate ways, especially if you have shared children or assets. A trusted therapist can keep you accountable and help mediate any conflicts that arise. “Consider individual or joint therapy to navigate the emotional complexities,” says Mahlum.

Longevity has officially entered its main character era. It’s in Netflix documentaries (Don’t Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever), it’s all over social media (biohackers tracking their sleep cycles with more commitment than their relationships), and it’s reshaping the beauty industry (from topical to barrier to cellular-level ingredient work). But longevity is no longer about just adding candles to your birthday cake—it’s about extending the good years. The ones where you can dance at weddings, not just attend them for the food.

At first glance, it sounds like the same old wellness advice, just repackaged. Eat well, sleep more, exercise, and maintain relationships. So, is longevity just clever marketing? Not quite.

Longevity isn’t about living longer, it’s about living well

In Lifespan: Why We Age—and Why We Don’t Have To, geneticist Dr David Sinclair controversially claims “ageing is a disease, and that disease is treatable.” He says that practices like intermittent fasting, cold exposure, and targeted exercise don’t just improve health but reverse biological ageing.

Not everyone is convinced. Critics say these methods show promise but remain largely theoretical, with limited long-term human studies. Still, the allure is undeniable. While the longevity industry capitalises on the desire to live longer, it also reframes ageing—shifting the focus from lifespan to healthspan.

If Sinclair’s theories focus on longevity at a lifestyle level, regenerative medicine takes it further—treating ageing at a cellular level rather than just managing decline. This is where experts like Dr Adeel Khan, MD, Founder of Eterna Health and an interventional cell and gene therapy specialist, come in. Dr Khan, who was a speaker at the Peak Longevity Festival hosted in Dubai in February, says, “People want to be healthier both inside and out. They don’t want to just put something in their body to superficially look better—they want their cells to actually function better, too.”

So how does one go about stretching their healthspan? It’s part science, part self-care, and a little bit of trial and error.

The science of longevity: Biohacking or just better habits?

At the core of longevity research is a microscopic player with a big impact: telomeres. These protective caps at the ends of our DNA act like shoelace tips, keeping genetic material from fraying. As they shorten with age, cells break down, leading to fatigue, muscle loss, and collagen depletion.

For most of us, a hair oil massage is more than just a routine. It’s a tradition passed down through generations. But are we doing it the right way? Even if you’ve been oiling your hair for years, it’s worth revisiting the best techniques to make the most of this practice.

We spoke to Dr Geetika Mittal Gupta, medical director of ISAAC Luxe and a firm believer in the power of a good hot oil treatment, to break it down.

“A scalp massage helps boost blood circulation, which can lead to hair growth and also help you relax. However, a vigorous champi can break a lot of hair during and after the oil massage,” she warns. “Be gentle—use your fingertips to massage the oil into your scalp and roots.”

If you’ve wondered how to apply oil to hair with the least damage, Dr Gupta suggests using circular motions to improve circulation. Placing your hands in an L-shape and applying gentle pressure works well, but it’s just as important to avoid tangling your hair in the process. Excess friction can lead to breakage or even pull hair from the follicle.

By tweaking your technique, you can ensure your hair oiling ritual is as effective—and damage-free—as possible.

Can you apply oil to damp hair?

“You can oil when your hair is damp or dry, but your hair and scalp have to be clean, or the oil won’t have a chance to be absorbed,” says Dr Gupta. For heavier oils like coconut oil, applying it on dry hair is best, as the larger molecules may not penetrate the shaft of wet hair as well can dry hair. Another way to improve penetration? Use warm oil, as the liquefied formula can sink in better. “Heat in the form of a hot towel or warm hair oil equals increased chances of absorption. You can warm up some oil in a bowl and apply it or use a hot towel on your hair after application,” she confirms.

How much oil is ideal?

When the question of “how to apply oil to hair” arises, one of the first things to take into consideration should be the amount of oil you’re using. The answer lies in the type of oil you are using, the purpose (a few drops as a serum or more as a mask) and the length of your hair. Apply a few pumps or one to three palmfuls of oil onto your scalp gently and use one to two pumps on your strands depending on density and hair texture, says Dr Gupta. Start at the scalp, and then “gently use your hands to apply oil to your mid-lengths and ends to give them much-needed moisture, especially if you colour or chemically treat your hair,” she says.

How long should you leave the oil on?

While some leave the oil in their hair overnight, usually one to two hours should suffice. “If you apply more oil than you need, thinking you need to coat every strand of your hair with oil, you will need the same amount of shampoo to get it off. This may lead to dryness, which is counterproductive. A little goes a long way,” advises the expert. She adds that a lot of women in India oil their hair daily and then plait or braid their hair, but she recommends sticking to it once or twice a week.

I spent my first few days simply absorbing the atmosphere—watching craftsmen, collecting small handmade souvenirs and appreciating the rhythm of creation that wasn’t dictated by algorithms or deadlines. It was refreshing to witness art—and life—unfold at its own pace, to see imperfections embraced rather than erased.

One morning, Airbnb arranged for us to have a sunrise meditation with Khun Sipohn, a former monk, at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a Buddhist temple. As golden light bathed the city, I sat in silence, feeling present in a way I hadn’t in a long time. It was a quiet reminder that creativity, much like mindfulness, thrives in slowness.

In Vogue India’s 2023 cover story, cricketer Kl Rahul revealed that actor Athiya Shetty loves her pantsuits and jeans. Two years later, as the married couple are expecting their first child, not much has changed with Athiya Shetty’s style. A quiet luxury-inspired palette dominated her looks in a recent maternity photoshoot.

Shetty embraced all things cosy including a beige knit dress by Sandro Paris. Next, she changed into a timeless white linen shirt from Ituvana and a pair of wide-leg denim jeans from Michael Kors. The star’s third look featured a co-ord set from Ura. It combined a baggy sweater and a skirt, paired with a gold statement cuff, and she used the sun as a highlighter.

Menswear as maternity wear? Yes, please, and Shetty thinks so, too. She paired a light beige cashmere crewneck sweater by Zegna with beige pants from the brand’s Fall 2024 collection, resulting in a stylish yet comfortable outfit. For her last look, she opted for a classic black dress from Deme by Gabriella.

For her hair and makeup, Shetty kept it simple—soft wavy curls and natural makeup with a pink gloss.

From Vogue’s fashion desk:

“The key to achieving these looks and making them your own? Play with proportions. Cinch the waist with a silk scarf or trade denim for a bias-cut slip skirt, or trade a heavy knit for a second-skin cashmere t-shirt. Gold accents add polish, while earthy tones keep it all grounded. The formula? A nonchalant mix of slouch and structure.” says Vogue India’s Fashion Associate, Manglien Gangte.

After an 11-year run, Jonathan Anderson is leaving Loewe.

The house said on Monday it experienced “exceptional growth” under his direction and, according to chief executive officer Pascale Lepoivre, “has risen to new heights with international recognition”.

“While reflecting on the last 11 years, I have been lucky enough to be surrounded by people with the imagination, the skills, the tenacity and the resourcefulness to find a way to say ‘yes’ to all my wildly ambitious ideas,” Anderson said in a statement. ‘While my chapter draws to a close, Loewe’s story will continue for many years to come, and I will look on with pride, watching it continue to grow, the amazing Spanish brand I once called home.”

Sidney Toledano, adviser to LVMH chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault considers Anderson “to be amongst the very best”.

“What he has contributed to Loewe goes beyond creativity. He has built a rich and eclectic world with strong foundations in craft which will enable the house to thrive long after his departure,” Toledano said.

The announcement comes after Loewe’s co-ed presentation took place on 10 March. “If the Loewe show was sorely missed in Paris this season, the lasting impression of walking through this exhibition was of just how much fun Anderson has had,” wrote Vogue Runway’s Sarah Mower. Since the day before his presentation, Anderson has shared a number of retrospective posts on his personal Instagram account that many read as a goodbye to Loewe.

At Loewe’s standout show during Paris Fashion Week last September, Anderson received a standing ovation from many of his peers (Sarah Burton, Pieter Mulier, Adrian Appiolaza, Nicolas Di Felice and Kris Van Assche all attended) as well as Delphine Arnault and actors Daniel Craig, Josh O’Connor, Greta Lee, Ayo Edebiri and Rob Lowe). The set for the show featured a sculpture by Tracey Emin — a pole with a bird perched on top. According to the press release, the bird is “caught in a moment of pause, she encourages us to imagine imminent flight, and ultimately its freedom”.

The Northern Irish designer was appointed creative director of the LVMH-owned Spanish luxury house in September 2013. Anderson created his namesake brand JW Anderson in 2008 and caught the attention of Sophie Brocart, senior vice president of LVMH fashion ventures at the time — notably with his Autumn/Winter 2013 menswear collection. It was the founding collection of his “shared wardrobe” approach, based on the idea that men could pick and choose from women’s wardrobes, just as women have long been able to do from those of men’s.

Endometriosis is a disease that, according to the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists, impacts between two and 10 women out of every 100. From Alexa Chung to Lena Dunham, Susan Sarandon to Chrissy Teigen, a number of women in the public eye have opened up about its often crippling effects, an honesty no doubt welcomed by the millions of women who suffer. But despite recent efforts to spotlight the condition, lots of people still don’t really know what it is. During endometriosis awareness month, Vogue spoke to Christopher Barker, an advanced fertility nutritional advisor at The Female Curve, to find out what we should all know about endometriosis, but often don’t.

1. What endometriosis actually is

“It’s a gynaecological disease – and hormonal inflammatory response – where endometrial-like cells appear outside of where they should be, which is in the womb,” says Barker. They can be found anywhere outside of the womb, but are typically found around it – in the pelvis, ovaries and fallopian tubes. “These cells respond in the same way to hormones, like oestrogen, which is why they also bleed when you have your period. Hence the pain that often accompanies it.”

2. What the symptoms are

Symptoms vary from woman to woman, but there are some common signs that may suggest endometriosis. “Painful periods or if they change, getting more intense or heavier; experiencing a lot of old or dark blood spotting before your period; pain during or after sex; feeling sick; fatigue; and experiencing diarrhoea, constipation or blood in your urine or stool during your period, are all symptoms,” says Barker. “You can also experience irritable bowel syndrome symptoms and other bowel issues. Infertility is also another key symptom, but it’s usually only when people run into fertility issues that they end up getting a diagnosis.”

3. It can start at any point during a woman’s reproductive phase

“Women are typically at risk from suffering from endometriosis from their first period, through to the menopause, but unfortunately, we don’t know what causes it,” says Barker. “The terrifying thing is how common it is – as a woman, you’re more at risk of having endometriosis than you are of developing something like lung cancer.” Symptoms can ebb and flow, subsiding through certain times and returning at others.

4. It is difficult to diagnose

As with many women’s health issues, endometriosis is often confused (by the experts) with other illnesses, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), as the symptoms are often similar. Proper diagnosis typically takes the form of exploratory surgery, which is invasive and usually only undergone when symptoms are bad enough. “It takes, on average, seven and a half years to get a diagnosis – not least because a lot of these painful pain symptoms are often lumped in under the umbrella of other women’s health issues,” says Barker.

It’s also quite common for women to be suffering from the disease without realising. “A lot of the time, symptoms can be masked with contraception, so people don’t know they have it until they come off it,” says Barker. “Then, they might experience more painful periods and so on, when their cycle is back to its natural state – that’s when endometriosis can show itself.”

5. There is no cure

It’s a long-term chronic condition that isn’t easily treated. Treatments range from painkillers, such as ibuprofen and paracetamol, to hormonal medicines and contraceptives (like the combined pill and Mirena coil), and in extreme cases surgery, such as scar tissue removal and even hysterectomy, where the womb is removed to stop the disease spreading further. “Unfortunately, endometrial cells can spread anywhere in the body – they can even attach to your lungs, heart or brain – so sometimes a hysterectomy can be a good route for some people,” says Barker. “However, that’s not to say that if you do get a hysterectomy, that the endometriosis goes away. It can still reappear.”

Barker expects the future of endometriosis treatment will comprise more hormonal treatment, because “it is oestrogen that makes the cells swell and then bleed, so learning how to better control that should be a gentler route than surgery”.

Meanwhile, since it is an inflammatory disease, potential lifestyle changes that could help include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to better learn about how to deal with the pain and stress of the disease, and adopting an anti-inflammatory diet. “These things may not help if you’ve got endometrial cells absolutely everywhere – there’s no amount of salmon and broccoli that will cure that – but they are lifestyle switches that can improve overall health, and in some cases do make a difference.”

This article first appeared in vogue.co.uk

Also read:

6 women reveal their agonising experience of living with endometriosis

8 ways people with endometriosis deal with the pain

All the supplements, diet additions and lifestyle changes that can help manage endometriosis