Posts in category: Life Style

Where do we find love? On dating apps, where most conversations fizzle out, and even ChatGPT seems clearer about its intentions than some humans? Or on matrimonial websites, where caste and purity dictate the rules, leaving little room for nuance or stepping beyond society’s sanctioned limits?

Chitralekha Pasupuleti and Holm-Ingolf Hamann, born worlds apart, met in Seattle through a dating app—at an Indian restaurant called Moksha, now replaced by another.

“She had a puffy jacket on because it was November,” says Ingolf Hamann. “I hugged her and she was this fluffy cloud of puffiness. I didn’t even know the human was in here. It was so darling. She is a petite person and the puffy jacket made her look much bigger.”

When he hugged Pasupuleti, walking towards her all blue-eyed, in a straight woolen jacket, hair almost tousled, for her, the “hug felt as if he knew me, didn’t feel uncomfortable at all but very caring and loving.”

In the first meeting, both of them weren’t there to impress the other. They had been in enough relationships to know that the whole impression business only lasts so long and that it takes more than just grand illusions to see a relationship through.

“I also liked her independence,” he says. “I was raised with the idea that men and women should be independent, self-sufficient, and no one has to rely on the other. But it is comforting to know that you can do that when tough times come. So, there was no red flag. I was wondering, what am I missing? Is the shoe dropping somewhere? Where is the skeleton in the closet? I didn’t know. And it turned out there wasn’t any.”

They fell in love quickly—between grocery lines and Crate & Barrel aisles in Washington before heading to an Indian restaurant. Things became clear when Ingolf Hamann, newly a US citizen, planned to celebrate in Paris during winter. They had never been professionally photographed together, and Paris in winter felt perfect. Braving subzero temperatures, they woke early for a photographer’s only available slot.

“He was very nervous and I was like, why is he this, you know, stressed out about a photo shoot? It’s just a photo shoot,” she says. “I wondered if maybe we should not have done this. Then the photographer said why don’t you two just talk to each other. So we both did and (Ingolf Hamann) would just not stop talking. And I was thinking, oh my God, the photos are going to come out really terrible because he is talking. Suddenly, I started hearing words like marriage, love and life and I realized, oh, this is a proposal speech. He went down on one knee and people around were clapping and I was just very emotional, he said how having me in his life was like Diwali, tears were streaming down my face.”

Disclaimer: These apps are not substitutes for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are in crisis or need urgent help, please reach out to a mental health professional or a helpline in your area.

Mental health conversations have come a long way, but seeking support can still feel overwhelming. Stigma, accessibility, and affordability often act as roadblocks, leaving many to navigate their struggles alone. While professional help is invaluable, not everyone has immediate access to a therapist or a support system. This is where mental health platforms step in, offering a bridge between awareness and action, whether through guided therapy, meditation, or community support. Technology can’t replace human connection, but it can make help more approachable. With that in mind, here are four mental health apps that might make a difference in your journey, whether you’re looking for professional guidance, emotional check-ins, or just a moment of calm in your day.

Mindhouse

Mindhouse is transforming mental wellness by blending accessibility with a refined, science-backed approach to self-care. In an age where stress, anxiety, and burnout are all too common, this platform offers a thoughtfully curated mix of guided therapy, meditation, and expert-led programs designed for those who seek more than just surface-level solutions. Users can also access one-on-one sessions with experienced therapists for personalized support. A standout feature is its exclusive ‘Mental Health Circles’, which are intimate, expert-guided gatherings where trusted individuals connect, share, and grow together. Intimate and deeply personal, these private gatherings offer a safe space to individuals who come together to share, be heard, and uplift one another. Mindhouse is fast becoming the go-to destination for mental well-being, making self-care feel less like a luxury and more like a necessity.

YourDost

Relationships, of all kinds, are multifaceted—informed by shared experiences, personal histories and the way each has shaped a person’s outlook and personality. So, it seems reductive to think an online quiz of relationship questions could ever accurately know how healthy our connections (romantic, specifically) are, right? Well, sort of.

Last month, researchers at Stockholm University published a quiz created to place romantic couples on “The Valentine Scale”. The answers you give correlate to a certain number of points. At the end, the points are added together to give you a total score out of 21. Depending on how high or low your score is, the quiz will give you suggestions on how to improve, or affirmations on a healthy relationship.

These relationship questions are short with multiple-choice answers, ranging from how often you think about ending the relationship (a seemingly sure sign of doom) to how much you feel able to confide in your partner. The seven questions are:

1. “I can collaborate well and solve practical problems with my partner.”
2. “I feel that I can confide in my partner.”
3. “When my partner and I disagree or have a conflict, I quickly get over it.”
4. “How often in the recent past have you thought that your relationship is not good?”
5. “How often have you recently considered separating from your partner?”
6. “How emotionally close do you feel to your partner?”
7. “Overall, how satisfied are you with your relationship?”

If it seems too good to be true, I agree. Seven questions and you’ll have a well-rounded insight into your incredibly nuanced relationship? Surely, not. However, the science does back it up. Of the 1,300 participants included in the two studies, the results were found to correlate strongly with other provable, reputable measures of relationship satisfaction. Of course, it can’t accurately quantify how many snipes it takes to move the needle down, or how many cups of tea in bed it takes to move it back up, but it can tell you interesting things about how you deal with conflict resolution, emotional closeness and trust. Intrigued? Question one, please!

You’re not alone if you’ve ever typed “How to grow hair fast?” into a search bar. At some point, nearly everyone I know—including myself—has dreamt of having longer hair. Unfortunately, there isn’t a single, simple trick that can deliver the lustrous mane of your fantasies. If there were, I would definitely share it with you.

That said, plenty of effective remedies can help stimulate hair growth. Combined with techniques that prevent breakage and promote strong strands, they can help you achieve the hair of your dreams, or other’s dreams. Here are nine tips to apply to your hair routine if you want to grow longer.

Get a trim

It may seem counterintuitive, but getting regular haircuts can actually help your hair grow longer. The general recommendation is to trim the ends every two to three months to maintain healthy hair and remove dry, split ends. If split ends are not removed, they can continue to break further up the strand. Communicate with your hairdresser about your goal of growing out your hair so they can take that into account when cutting.

Choose the right shampoo

Not all shampoos are equal. Choosing the right one for your hair type is essential because it will allow you to wash your hair properly and maintain optimum health. Too aggressive a shampoo can strip hair of its moisture and lead to long-term damage.

Using the wrong shampoo for your hair type can also cause buildup or irritation to the scalp, clogging the hair follicles and slowing growth. If you’re unsure which shampoo is right for you, opt for a moisturising and gentle formula. If you want to be very sure about it, look for a pH-balanced, sulfate-free formula with nourishing ingredients like amino acids, ceramides, or botanical extracts.

Scalp care

We often focus a lot on skincare but we tend to overlook the importance of caring for our scalp. If the scalp is healthy, clean and hydrated, it will have better blood circulation and bring more nutrients to the hair follicles. This leads to stronger hair that grows more quickly.

This is where a scalp scrub and a scalp massager come in handy. Use them once to twice a week to cleanse, exfoliate, and stimulate blood circulation to the scalp. Use a scalp scrub before shampooing to exfoliate dead skin cells and unclog hair follicles, and a scalp massager while shampooing to enhance blood circulation and distribute the product more effectively. Of course, as is the case with any product, avoid overuse.

Stimulate the roots

Speaking of stimulation, scrubs and massage brushes are not the only way to get it done; scalp serums are excellent for promoting circulation and growth while also strengthening the hair. In addition to stimulating the roots, hair serums nourish the strands for long, healthy hair. Look for ingredients like minoxidil, rosemary oil, and biotin as each offers varying degrees of effectiveness in promoting hair growth.

Towel dry carefully

Rubbing your hair too vigorously with a towel can harm its beauty. This aggressive drying technique weakens the fragile wet strands, leading to breakage. It can also pull hair out from the roots and open the cuticles, making strands more porous and, as a result, frizzier. Instead of rubbing hair, gently use a soft 100% cotton or microfiber towel to remove excess water.

Brush correctly

The saying that you should brush your hair 100 strokes before bedtime is outdated. In fact, brushing your hair excessively from root to tip can be harmful and lead to increased hair loss. So, how to grow hair fast if you’ve been attacking it with aggressive bristles? Develop a routine that includes using a special brush to massage your scalp and stimulate the hair roots. Additionally, be sure to choose the right brush that suits your hair type for brushing the lengths of your hair.

Avoid heat

Heat from blow dryers and straighteners is known to damage hair, so it’s best to avoid using hot styling tools if you want to grow your hair out. If you must use heat styling, be sure to apply a heat protectant to help preserve the health of your hair.

Sleep with silk

A silk pillowcase can be a saviour for those looking to pamper their hair and promote growth. Resting your head on a light, soft fabric not only allows your hair to look shinier (because it is not subjected to rubbing), but it also promotes scalp health by improving air flow around your head.

Eat well and supplement often

Supporting hair growth largely depends on maintaining proper nutrition. Aim to follow a “hair diet” that includes plenty of protein, healthy fats, vitamins and antioxidants. Then, you can fill in the dietary gaps with supplements. When selecting hair supplements, be sure to read the labels carefully. Look for the following key nutrients that aid in promoting hair growth:

Blame it on Chemena Kamali. The resurgence of the clog does predate her arrival in the creative director’s chair at Chloé, but the designer’s wafty dresses, lace bralettes and bloomers have certainly done nothing to quell the fashion set’s renewed appetite for all things boho.

Her new proposition for the house – introduced for her autumn/winter 2024 debut – memorably included stompy ’70s clogs as well as daintier heel hybrids, and the shoe has been a recurring theme on runways (and the high street) ever since. Among the brands championing the clog for spring 2025: free-spirited favourites like Ulla Johnson and Etro, but also less boho-inflected brands like Hermès – whose studded Kos clog is an update on the coveted Chypre sandal – and Miu Miu.

Miu Miu primavera-verano 2025.

Ulla Johnson primavera-verano 2025.

An ideal transitional shoe, the street-style set has naturally picked up the trend and run with it, teaming clogs that a San Francisco art teacher would approve of with everything from minidresses and socks to tracksuit bottoms. The traditional, nostalgic wooden clog (think Swedish Hasbeens) is always a good first port of call. Still, designers and brands are reimagining the shoe in fresh ways, too, from open-toe styles to unexpected colours or materials.

Hermès primavera-verano 2025.

Chloé primavera-verano 2025.

Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images

Sandalias con suela de madera

Zuecos

Isabel Marant, ₹ 24,500

This story first appeared on Vogue Spain

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Embracing white as the temperatures rise is a no-brainer. Whether it’s the classic poplin shirt, a pair of comfy jeans or a linen slip dress, white is a summer staple that can sail you through any event. But Madhuri Dixit Nene is making the classic white sari a hero this season, dressed in a romantic drape by péro.

Her understated sari showcased a fuss-free half and half silhouette in a soft, flowing fabric. The pleats of the handloom were left bereft of embellishments, while the pallu was embroidered with delicate red and pink roses. A halter neck blouse with a key-hole open back completed her set.

A pair of pearl drops from Tara Fine Jewellery and statement rings by Joolry made for her accessories. The veteran actor pulled out all stops to elevate the romanticism of her ensemble with a side-parted ponytail adorned with a beautiful pearl-encrusted bow.

The rebellious writer has blazed a path in a rural Muslim community that most do not understand. She attended university when most of her peers were tying the knot in their teens, married for love at 26, became a reporter for the award-winning vernacular paper Lankesh Patrike, then an activist in several protest literary circles including Bandaya Sahitya and eventually an advocate; not to miss her two terms in the municipal council. The daunting prospect of owning her writerly voice only came to her through a crisis.

Upon graduating, Mushtaq was ready to embark on her journey to teach, explore and write. But it was marriage that came tumbling down on her dreams like a ton of bricks. “I had always wanted to write but had nothing to write because suddenly, after a love marriage, I was told to wear a burqa and dedicate myself to domestic work. I became a mother suffering from postpartum depression at 29.”

Finding marriage, motherhood and domesticity against the very fibre of her being, Mushtaq chose a radical solution. “One day, I doused myself with white petrol kept in a can at home to clean watches since my in-laws had a watch-cum-spectacle shop,” she recalls. “With a matchbox in my hand and ready to strike, it was my husband, who I had married for love, who clung to me and kept our three-month-old daughter at my feet, telling me to stop.”

In ‘Heart Lamp’, the eponymous short story, Banu Mushtaq concludes the incident much more poetically for Mehrun, who, drenched in kerosene, is interrupted by her adolescent daughter and the baby placed on the floor. “She picked up the baby and pulled Salma, her young daughter, to her chest, feeling as if she was being comforted, touched and understood by a friend. All she could say was ‘Forgive me, my darling.’”

Heart Lamp, published by Penguin Random House India

The difference may seem subtle, but according to Higgins, it’s pretty powerful. “The language you use matters in helping you approach the situation with more clarity,” she explains. “And taking a break in a relationship can imply something is fundamentally broken or disjointed, which might make it feel more final and negative than it actually is.” Space, on the other hand, sounds a lot more neutral: It signals that you’re intentionally giving each other room to breathe and reflect—something that even the healthiest of couples need occasionally.

2. Consider the goals of your temporary reset early on

Basically, why do you even want to take a break in the first place? Are you trying to figure out if you can forgive your SO for emotionally cheating? Do you need space to work through personal challenges, like deep-seated insecurities or an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, without the added responsibilities of a partnership? Or maybe you’ve both been feeling disconnected lately, so you’re hoping that a little time apart will help you reconnect—or confirm you’re better off going your separate ways.

Being clear about your goals from the start can give your break more direction, structure and purpose beyond delaying a breakup, Higgins says. Without that intention, you might end up spending the whole time…waiting for the other person to text you back.

3. Decide how long the break will last up-front

According to Farrell, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer for how long a relationship break should be. For some a few days are enough to gain perspective, while others may need weeks or even months. What’s important is having an end date. “Otherwise, the break may extend indefinitely, which is more indicative of avoidance rather than a genuine attempt to strengthen or reevaluate the relationship,” Farrell says.

The good news is, you’re free to adjust the timeline of your temporary separation if needed—simply chat with your partner ahead of time about how you’ll touch base about potential changes. On that note….

4. Establish a few ground rules before you hit pause

Are you going to stay exclusive or hook up with other people? Will you check in occasionally or maintain radio silence for the entire month? Too often someone impulsively declares a break without addressing the details, which “results in confusion, misunderstandings, resentment and hurt feelings,” Farrell explains. That’s why both therapists suggest establishing clear expectations beforehand to avoid messy, dramatic surprises down the line.

There’s nothing like a stroke of liner in a fun colour for an unexpected beauty moment—and the best eyeliner shades are an easy way to achieve that. But where do you begin with a rainbow spectrum of shades to choose from? While there are no hard-and-fast rules for makeup, referencing the colour wheel is always a good place to start (and perhaps a nostalgic reminder of grade school art class). “Contrasting your eyeliner to enhance your eye colour is an easy trick to bring attention to your eyes,” says Los Angeles-based makeup artist Beau Nelson. Long story short, a complimentary colour creates a strong visual impact.

Once you’ve determined the colour you want, it’s time to choose your actual liner. Professional makeup artist Anastasia Vavina recommends a pencil over a liquid liner when getting playful. “Pencils allow for more application control than liquid eyeliners. You can stay precise or easily achieve a smoked-out look,” Vavina explains, adding that mistakes can also be easily blended and buffed with creamy pencil formulas. Since we’re not the colour theory masters, we tapped four pros to share their tips and tricks for playing up eye colour—and which of the best eyeliner shades to choose to make your gaze pop.

The best eyeliner shades for brown eyes

“Brown eyes are already neutral, so you can really play with colour on brown eyes,” explains Katie Jane Hughes, who gravitates toward jewel-toned eyeliners for brown-eyed clients (and regularly reaches for Glossier’s eyeliner pencil in the shade Rococo). When in doubt Hughes says to think rich berry tones, deep purples, and emerald greens. For a more subtle approach, consider makeup artist Tasha Reiko Brown’s go-to eye-brightening strategy: A gold eyeliner dabbed on the inner corners. “It catches the warm light of brown eyes [for extra sparkle],” she says.

The best eyeliner shades for blue eyes

Thinking back to the trust colour wheel, Nelson reminds us that the contrasting colour to blue is yellow. Rather than taking that as a literal interpretation, he leans towards more flaxen colours. “Golden browns, bronzes, and coppers all set blue eyes off nicely,” he says. Hughes agrees and leans towards warm hues like rusty orange to make all variations of ocean eyes (as Billie Eilish might say) truly stand out.

The best eyeliner shades for hazel eyes

With tones of green, gold, and brown, hazel eyes are inherently dimensional—and there are many different approaches one can take with eyeliners to emphasize their multifaceted irises. “Purples, pinks, burgundies, and cranberries bring out the green tones in hazel eyes,” says Nelson. For Hughes, a rich teal supplies a cool contrast, while for Brown, taking a tone-on-tone approach with an emerald green “really makes the colours [of Hazel eyes] jump.”