Posts in category: Life Style

This week’s beauty looks clearly swung across a spectrum of moods. The lineup felt like a study in how different interpretations of glamour can coexist, pared back or lit up with colour. A refreshing reminder that beauty doesn’t have to move in one direction.

Sushmita Sen leaned into warmth and natural glow. Gold lids, glossy yet muted rose lips and ever-so-slightly sculpted skin lit with a golden highlight created a look that was glamorous, but evergreen. Her high ponytail tied everything together, giving the whole moment a neat finish.

Malaika Arora went with drama this week. Golden lids paired with a bold maroon lip and strong eyeliner brought in that unmistakable, high-impact glamour she wears so well. Subtle bangs softened the look.

Vaani Kapoor’s beauty moment was all about that lit-from-within radiance. Her hair in waves, ultra-dewy base, lots of blush mixed in with a liquid highlighter and a pink lip stain worked together to create that beachy flush. It was understated and wearable.

Kriti Sanon let a bolder, perfectly executed smoky lid play against a softer lip. Her half-up hairdo framed her face neatly, highlighting her cheekbones and giving the otherwise traditional look a modern feel. It had edge and elegance.

Tamannaah Bhatia embraced colour and whimsy. The sky blue shimmery eye (which felt like a classier take on the infamous Y2K blue eyeshadow), paired with nude lips and super natural pink blush delivered a high-impact contrast. A sleek bun grounded the look, keeping it contemporary and chic without losing the sense of fun.

Ananya Panday went for sultry and precise. Smudged eyeliner, nude lips and contoured-to-the-gods skin created a smouldering aesthetic. It moves easily from day to night, without needing adjustments.

Below, a closer look at the standout beauty moments from the week.

Janhvi Kapoor’s latest Manish Malhotra look goes straight for impact. In Indian couture, some of the most prized possessions, once reserved for royalty and heirloom-worthy bridal trousseau, were garments embroidered with real gold and silver threads or encrusted with gemstones. Kapoor’s ensemble follows squarely in that lineage, toeing the line between couture and ornamentation.

The actor’s cream lehenga consisted of a voluminous skirt, dupatta and blouse. The neutral base comes alive with floral thread embroidery in leaf motifs, further elevated with clusters of pearls and tonal stones. “Janhvi Kapoor in a cream lehenga with stone and thread leaf embroidery, finished with a nude blouse embellished with pearls and stones—celebrating the soft radiance of pearls,” the designer shares, and the thought process is realised in her blouse. Layers upon layers of pearl strings drape across the yoke in elaborate swags, creating the illusion of a sculptural neckpiece that sits directly on the skin. The sleeves, too, are composed entirely of pearl strands, delicate ropes that frame the arms. Even the dupatta abandons traditional drape conventions, instead presenting itself as a bunch of pearl strings.

You worked for something, so why are you pushing it away? Aries, this may not be the time to get calculative or purely logical. Turn your gaze towards what still remains and is available. It may not be the biggest or the brightest nugget, but it still is something. Have you learnt to fall in love with your life once again? Capricorn, whatever shook you up has also made you stronger and wiser. You love being there for and doing things for others, but remember to keep your boundaries and ideas in place. Assert yourself where necessary and trust your intuition. Remember to feed your body, mind, soul and relationships only what is good for you. You cannot be everywhere, so Cancer, it is better to decide where you choose to be. Yes, you can build everything you want to build, but can you really do it all together, or is it time to readjust your focus on things that are more urgent? Defend your beliefs but choose your battles with care. It is a time to continue to be compassionate and driven at the same time. Quite a task, but not impossible for you, Scorpio.

Read on for what the stars have in store for you, and make sure you check out your sun, moon and rising signs for the complete picture.

You worked hard for something, so why push it away? Aries, this may not be the time to get calculative or purely logical. Turn your gaze towards what still remains and is available. It may not be the biggest or the brightest nugget, but it still is something. Your guides ask you—why not allow your angels and the cosmos to help you? Share your ideas, love, and resources within reciprocal relationships. For some, engage in random acts of charity to really open yourself to the balanced flow in life.

Cosmic tip: When you focus on doing, remember to also focus on being.

How much longer will you cry over spilled milk, Taurus? There is no doubt about what you’ve brought to the table and what you’ve let go. But perhaps you could also look at what has remained in your life up until now. They may not be many, but they are still blessings you hold in your hands. Allow these to fuel you forward and help you decide your path. Take charge and move forward in the most non-linear, creative manner possible.

Cosmic tip: Protect what you have created, but also learn to stand on your feet and welcome the good and necessary changes.

You can bury yourself under workload and commitments forever, but what are you really running from? Gemini, your past hasn’t been easy, and for some, the loss of a loved one continues to haunt the waking life. But is this why you fear love entering your life? Is this hyperindependence and subconscious unwillingness to schedule space a defence mechanism that prevents vulnerability and love in your life? As Saturn exits in retrograde today, these patterns are surfacing. Think it over, but don’t get lost in it.

You’ve been working hard and endlessly. It is almost as though you are breezing through a never ending checklist and Pisces, aren’t you exhausted, even mentally? Take a moment to gasp in wonder at all the amazing things you have built around you. You’re exactly where you once wished to be. Doesn’t this feel exhilarating? Confidently accept all that has been laid out on the table for you—you are exactly where you need to be.

Cosmic tip: Take a moment to enjoy your life.

Also read:

Aries November 29, 2025

Taurus November 29, 2025

Gemini November 29, 2025

Cancer November 29, 2025

Leo November 29, 2025

Virgo November 29, 2025

Libra November 29, 2025

Scorpio November 29, 2025

Sagittarius November 29, 2025

Capricorn November 29, 2025

Aquarius November 29, 2025

For ages, the feminine olfactory landscape has been dominated by the predictable: floral, fruity, or sensual. So much so that we have been culturally coded to believe that femininity smells exclusively of crushed petals or sugary gourmands. But in a world where beauty has embraced the chaotic and the uncomfortable, our olfactory appetites are craving something with more grit. Enter leather fragrances: the subversive, second-skin scent that is currently dominating the niche market.

In a rather technical term, leather is a base note, formulated to cling to the skin long after the lighter top notes have evaporated. Leather is the antithesis of “pretty.” It is deep, it is textural and it is undeniably commanding. It reminds you of what understated luxury truly aims to be, like the smell of crisp leather car seats or new handbags. A scent that is sharp, tannic and expressive.

A great leather fragrance warms with your body heat, evolving from a distinct campfire smokiness, opening into something rustic and intimate; a true “skin scent” that smells of amber and salt.

Below, a lineup of leather fragrances that best capture the tactile beauty of this note.

Hermès Barnéia is a study in tactile luxury – a scent that blends the duality of sensual strength and softness. The fragrance blends the sticky, sensual heat of patchouli with the unexpected zest of butterfly lily and berry. Oak wood takes the centre stage to reveal a captivating scent – which is significantly softened to reveal the sanctious leathery note.

Tom Ford’s Ombré Leather is wild, dusty, and delightfully unrefined. Opening with a punch of cardamom to the back of the throat, it settles into a hyper-realistic accord of black leather that’s softened only somewhat by jasmine sambac. It’s tactile, it’s textured, and it has this raw “dust-on-wind” quality that makes it arguably one of the most popular leather fragrances.

Not all leather needs to be rugged; sometimes it should be intellectual. Byredo’s Bibliothèque captures the hushed atmosphere of an old-world library, but just as you expect it to be dusty, it surprises you with a jammy sweetness. The leather here is soft and worn, layered under a heavy dose of peach, plum, and violet. It could be your best bet if you’re just starting to experiment with this scent note.

Alessandro Gualtieri created this scent based on the concept of a “beautiful mistake,” choosing ingredients blindfolded. The result is a chaotic, artistic triumph that defies easy categorisation but lands firmly in the territory of woody-leather. Nasomatto’s Blamage is synthetic in the most chic way possible. This is not a perfume for the people-pleaser; and is definitely an acquired smell.

Giorgio Armani’s Privé Cuir Noir leather dipped in gold. Inspired by the art of leather tanning, it leans heavily into the oriental side of the spectrum, using saffron and vanilla to turn the leather note into something creamy and narcotic. It lacks the harsh, tar-like bite of others, replacing it with a fluid, resinous warmth that feels like molten honey. It is shadow and light, opulent and reserved.

If you want to explore the regal side of this note, Chopard’s Leather Malaki is your best bet. This is not a subtle skin scent; it is a power move. It opens with a sharp crack of black pepper and bergamot before descending into a dry, woody leather fortified with cedar and slate-like mineral notes. It feels architectural, structured, and incredibly commanding.

Guerlain’s Cuir Intense takes a potent, almost animalic leather note and softens it with the apricot fuzz of osmanthus and the tropical creaminess of ylang-ylang. The result is a leather that feels thick and chewy, almost edible, but with a dark, woody backbone that keeps it from becoming a gourmand. It is heavy, intoxicating, and lingers on the skin for days.

If there was a theme running through the best fashion looks of the week, it was embroidery—intricate, shimmering and meticulously crafted. Mindy Kaling’s Anita Dongre jacket showed just how striking dense hand-beading can be, while Sonam Kapoor’s Rahul Mishra dupatta highlighted the beauty of threadwork through architectural motifs.

Nita Ambani wore custom Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla. Her off-white sari featured Phulwari hand-embroidery, intricate Resham work, touches of Zardozi and a pearl-encrusted chevron border. She paired it with a matching double-layered blouse. Her hair was in an updo, adorned with a gajra.

What used to be a whisper: “I’m on Ozempic” has recently become a shout. Celebrities like Serena Williams, Oprah, and Kelly Clarkson are on the jab, AKA an injectionable medication like Ozempic, Zepbound or Mounjaro, which are synthetic versions of the GLP-1 hormone our body produces and the results typically include weight loss.

“GLP-1 is short for glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone that we produce in our gut after we eat,” says Rocio Salas-Whalen, a board-certified physician who specializes in obesity medicine and endocrinology. Some 90% of Dr. Salas-Whalen’s patients are currently on a form of the medication, and it inspired her to write the book Weightless, out in December. “The main function of this hormone is to regulate glucose, but it also helps us feel full after we eat, reduces cravings and slows down gastric emptying. We have receptors for this hormone all throughout our bodies. GLP-1 medications, such as Ozempic and Zepbound are long-acting versions of our body’s GLP-1 hormone and have the same effects.”

Last year one in eight Americans reported having tried one of the drugs, which is typically prescribed to those with diabetes or obesity, because of the weight-loss side effect. Along with the weight loss, though, have come hair loss, facial sagging (known as Ozempic face) and potentially shady knockoffs. The latest trend tied to the drug? Microdosing. Watch What Happens Live host Andy Cohen recently confessed that he’s been doing it on his show Radio Andy.

“Given that for 20 years I have been asking people about their body regimens and that I’ve been pretty vocal about every time I go on a diet, I think it would be completely hypocritical not to share,” Cohen says. “This summer, [I lost] a good chunk of weight by microdosing a GLP-1.” The father of two said he was unhappy with his weight, but other health concerns, like “plaque in my arteries and high blood pressure,” motivated his decision to go on the drug.

“Microdosing a GLP-1 refers to taking a dose that is smaller than the FDA-approved therapeutic dose,” says Dr. Salas-Whalen. Dave Asprey, founder of Bulletproof Coffee and inventor of the term biohacking, agrees that microdosing is a fad that he hopes passes. Asprey began his weight-loss journey in 1995, weighing in at 300 pounds. It wasn’t exactly done what we would call the old-fashioned way (AKA just diet and exercise) because his tactics involved then experimental techniques like MCT oil, but he didn’t have GLP-1s as an option at the time.

“We’re all obsessed with GLP-1s right now because they deliver visible results in the short term and we live in a world that loves a quick fix,” Asprey tells me. “For someone who’s severely obese, that can be a real breakthrough. But the catch is that in most cases, you’re not just losing fat, you’re losing muscle. And it’s not just a little muscle. Scientists compare the muscle loss from GLP-1s to severe starvation.” He adds that he only tried a version of the drug once but “felt like I had morning sickness the entire time and thought, I really don’t want to feel like this all the time.”

What does the modern Indian bride want? It’s a (frequently exasperated) question many ask planners, photographers, decorators, brides’ mothers and, most of all, brides themselves. The truth is: it is a bold new era for the Indian wedding and, by extension, it’s a wide playing field for the Indian bride. As Vogue India speaks with women who are on the verge of tying the knot, round the year, we have lately found overwhelming emphasis on finding balance—between the traditional and the contemporary, the family and the individual, the past and the present.

There is perhaps nothing that better crystallises this desire, this ethos, this spirit than the heirloom: the pieces of jewellery, the saris, those well-preserved objects that defy the order of time and live on, across generations, embalmed in love and memory. Three brides tell us how they interpret the idea of heirlooms, as well as weddings, to their own unique, individual
tastes and style.

Aishwarya Ganesh, marketing professional, 29, Paris

Aishwarya: Corset, trenchcoat, BODEMENTS. Sari, PATOLA BY NIRMAL SALVI. Jewellery, TYAANI JEWELLERY. Shoes, FIZZY GOBLET

Love story: “We met back in 2014 during a college festival in Symbiosis (Pune). As friends and dancers, we were inseparable. Somewhere between the rehearsals and the spotlight, we realised we wanted more from each other. We’ve been dancing through life together ever since.”

An heirloom is: “About memory more than anything else. It’s the way an object can instantly bring someone close, even across time.”

I’m building my heirloom collection: “By holding onto objects that truly mean something: the sari my mom wore to a special celebration, the handwritten recipe she cooks every time my brother and I visit home, the nose piercing my grandmother wore since she was young.”

In season 5, Karen, who has always been kind of unaware about the whole Upside Down of it all, is suddenly confronted by a demogorgon who is after her youngest daughter, Holly. And, against all odds, she, like Joyce, suddenly transforms into a fearless warrior. She hides in the bathtub under her bubbles with her daughter, then, breaks her wine bottle and attacks the monster to keep her daughter safe. Once again, I found myself wanting to let out a riotous cheer.

While this might look like Karen’s first fight, it is, of course, anything but. Because, as the show subtly implies, every mum goes through their own quiet, unrecognised battles long before they ever encounter their first demogorgon. And while they may not involve actual monsters, these fights are just as real.

© 2025 Netflix, LLC.

For Karen, it’s the fight to keep her three children and husband’s lives in order. You see her balancing demands from her teen daughter, while spoon-feeding her youngest, while also calmly asking her husband, Ted, for help. She’s always the one to answer the door or the phone. She’s always the one to ask where her damn kids actually are. She’s always the one doing pretty much everything. (I will give Mr. Wheeler some credit for racing at the monster with a golf club rather than running off to leave Karen and Holly to fend for themselves.)

Courtesy of Netflix

Courtesy of Netflix

And, although they may have smaller roles in the show, the other mums in Stranger Things are just as powerful in their own ways. There’s Max’s mum, Susan (Jennifer Hargrove), a woman who finds herself married to an abusive husband and doing her best to keep him calm for the sake of her children. Later, after he leaves, we see just how much a struggle being a single mum is (and perhaps a reason why she married the guy in the first place). In season 4, Susan is living with Max in a trailer park, struggling to make ends meet and sinking into depression and addiction. Her one moment with Max, though, shows that she’s trying to keep fighting for her sake. Then there’s Lucas’s mum, Sue (Karen Ceesay), who is also shown balancing pressures from multiple directions in her domestic scenes. When her son is being questioned by the police, she winds up fighting his corner.

Face conflict today with a gracious heart. Conflicting relationships and patterns are only here to either help you shed something or make you stronger. A detached, outsider’s perspective might just be what you need today, Scorpio. At this point in time, you are not only holding space for opposites but also slowly building a life you can truly thrive in, Libra. You can clearly see now that things aren’t always black or white. You are beginning to love the greys that come with it. You are here to forge a path, not follow one. Leo, this is said with grace, not rebellion. That quiet strength you feel in your bones is the cue to keep moving forward. The place you have reached today, but never imagined you’d get to before, proves that the cosmos is watching and supporting you. The power struggle you feel trapped in time and again? Cancer, it is your cue that perhaps it’s time you accept that you are not for everyone. Let this be the sign to mind your own lane, stay on course and stop letting others’ projections distort your internal dialogue and self-worth.

Read on for what the stars have in store for you, and make sure you check out your sun, moon and rising signs for the complete picture.

How much longer are you going to “think it over” or “sit on it”? Aries, this is your moment to dive into what you’ve been craving. Instead of allowing logic to overpower your every move, take a stand for what your heart has been saying all along. This loop has to come to an end and only you can bring it to one. Stop overcomplicating life when it is not needed. Because ultimately, the heart wants what it wants.

Cosmic tip: Say yes to change.

You are not there to simply ace one thing. You are here to grow personally, emotionally, physically and spiritually, sometimes through relationships, and sometimes through reflection and isolation. Taurus, a huge karmic cycle is over for you. Now that you are ready and waiting for newness in life, bid adieu to old ways of thinking, restrictive thoughts, ingrained patterns and even the way you approach money and life. You are worthy of the life you imagine. No compromises.

Cosmic tip: Serve the world by being you and let the cosmos serve you in return.

On the other side of this void lies freedom and aliveness. Gemini, you are being activated in ways you cannot fathom yet. Your boredom, resentment, and aloofness are not because of stagnation, but because your mind is moving faster than your reality. Use your overthinking superpower to not only ideate but to plan. Put an end to this seemingly endless cycle of uncertainity by pegging your thoughts and ideas down into tangible steps of action, one bit at a time.