Posts in category: Life Style

Woody fragrances have a reassuring presence; like the olfactory equivalent of someone who always shows up on time. If you grew up thinking “woody” meant sharp, smoky or strictly masculine, this year has been one to change everything you thought you knew about woody fragrances. Notes like sandalwood, cedar, vetiver and patchouli are being softened with musks, gentle spices and even a hint of florals, so they feel like something you can actually live in.

You notice it on the days you want to feel put-together, but are working against the clock. Some of these scents stay close to the skin, warming up gradually over the day; others have that clean, polished edge that works in an office, on a flight and at dinner. Grounded without being heavy, they’re the fragrances you reach for when you want comfort, refinement and a little confidence in the background rather than a shouty signature. Below, our picks for the best woody fragrances of 2025:

Jo Malone London Hinoki & Cedarwood

This cologne feels like a walk through a Japanese forest after rain: clean, woody and meditative. It’s not too dense, making it a great option for people who usually avoid heavy woods. It’s understated and endlessly wearable.

Creed Millésime Aventus

Pineapple and blackcurrant up top, smoky birch and ambergris below, Aventus walks a line between crisp and rugged. A niche staple for anyone who wants compliments from strangers and doesn’t mind that half the room is trying to guess what they’re wearing.

Azzaro Wanted Forever Elixir

This one builds a darker, richer story around spicy cardamom, rum-like warmth and dense woods, sweetened by raspberry and tonka. It’s an intense, long-lasting night-out; mood-boosting and with a sophisticated sillage.

Paco Rabanne Million Gold For Her Parfum

While best known for its gleaming florals, Million Gold For Her earns its place in a modern woody wardrobe. Beneath the luminous white flowers lies a warm, polished woodiness that feels smooth rather than sharp.

Bvlgari Le Gemme Amunae

A fragrance that treats woods with reverential detail. Deep vetiver, resinous oud and mineral-rich accords that feel pronounced rather than overpowering with woody notes of weight and texture: elegant and luxurious.

Also read:

Vogue’s guide to the 20 best fragrances of 2025

Vogue‘s guide to the best fruity-floral fragrances of 2025

Vogue‘s guide to the best gourmand fragrances of 2025

A few weeks ago, I travelled to Bhutan, landing in the valley town of Paro before beginning the long, winding drive to Six Senses Thimphu. The road does most of the work for you—hairpin bends, thinning air, the occasional cow with no regard for your schedule. By the time we reached the capital, I had stopped trying to orient myself and started paying attention instead. Bhutan has a way of recalibrating your internal pace without making a big deal out of it.

Six Senses Thimphu sits high above the valley, framed by apple orchards and pine trees that look like they are growing into themselves. The villas are spaced apart and designed in the traditional Bhutanese style. The food is grown nearby, sourced locally and changes with the seasons. Over time, I noticed how naturally the lodge assimilated into the surrounding community. It was almost like it was aware of being a place that draws from its environment and, in turn, must sustain it. Watching how little was wasted—how much was reused, shared, and tended to—I realised how often we equate abundance with excess. Here, luxury revealed itself as something far simpler: making careful use of what we already have and being accountable to where it comes from.

The next day began with a bowl of Thueb (rice porridge) followed by a walk through the property, which led me to the thermal pool and the spa centre. Taking a dip in the thermal pool followed by a Bhutanese herbal scrub (made from ingredients sourced and grown within the grounds itself) made me realise something I hadn’t acknowledged before: the body has its own rhythm, if you let it show you what it likes. Treatments like the Dotsho (Hot Stone) Bath weren’t rushed, and the pools seemed designed for lingering rather than just streaking through. I noticed how I could move faster than I thought my body would allow me to.

The next afternoon was dedicated to Taa-shing Jha Kang, a quiet immersion into Bhutanese hospitality. Inside a traditional teahouse, I was introduced to suja, the local butter tea. Made with tea leaves, butter, salt and yak milk, it was created to fortify people through long Himalayan winters. I was also guided through the making of tsa-tsa—small votive offerings shaped by hand, believed to remove obstacles and avert misfortune—and the lighting of butter lamps.

In the stillness of those small, deliberate actions, I realised that meaning accumulates in the daily rituals that we otherwise might consider insignificant or take for granted. Luxury doesn’t always come from what we can see—it comes from trusting the process, from believing that small gestures, repeated carefully, ripple out in ways we cannot measure. In that moment, it felt like such a beautiful luxury to have faith in what cannot be seen.

The highlight of my stay at Six Sense Thimpu was the curated food and beverages served on the hotel grounds, accompanied by bonfires. Between all the wonderful meals and the meditative gestures of Taa-shing Jha Kang, I began to understand that the body and the mind have their own rhythms, and they reveal themselves only when we slow down enough to notice.

A deep karmic cleanse has been happening with you, Taurus—almost like you may have been shaken and stirred in the most unthinkable ways in the last 14 years or so. However, now the story is about to shift. You are not only finding yourself, but you’re also turning further away from who you were. Doesn’t it feel amazing to be in the spotlight, Libra? See how opening yourself up and making intentional choices can transform your life—and your self-esteem. Your guides now remind you to consciously step forward instead of standing on the sidelines when you feel strongly about something. Strengthen your boundaries, but also keep the doorways to your heart open. Look at it whichever way you like—because the possibilities are endless. Pisces, you can either choose to come from faith or from fear, and whatever you choose holds the potential to become your reality. So why not simply trust your intuition and pick your fate with utmost care?

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.

If you look closely, life may feel like a mirage—it exists, but right when you approach it, it feels different. Aries, that is the beauty of it all. And you are here to embrace it with gusto and style. When you sit in a rollercoaster, don’t you expect it to take you through an adrenaline-pumping route, and you love every bit of it? Then why do you expect your life to be a flatline? Lead with confidence and know that no matter what, you are precious, you are secure, and you are sacred.

Cosmic tip: It may be time to step into the driver’s seat before the signal turns green.

A deep karmic cleanse has been happening with you, Taurus—almost like you may have been shaken and stirred in the most unthinkable ways in the last 14 years or so. However, now the story is about to shift. You are not only finding yourself, but you’re also turning further away from who you were. It feels like a death but also a rebirth, all the same. This territory might feel unfamiliar, but it is unfolding as you read this. And your guides want you to know that you are being safely held through this all.

Cosmic tip: Flow a little more, rush a little less.

Your connection with the cosmos may feel unshakeable, and your personal sense of purpose may be feeling clearer, Gemini. This is that time where life feels clearer, more focused, and cosmic magic surrounds you like never before. Whether you are going solo or looking to team up personally or professionally, remember that you are capable, you are worth it, and most definitely you are loved. Flow where the waters of the Universe take you, and watch how fertile the soils of your heart become.

Joseph wore a traditional pink-and-green silk sari for the Mylanchi Ideel, paired with gold bangles from both her grandmothers, while Benson dressed in a cream kurta with beige churidar pants, blending stylishly and seamlessly into her world. These Houston ceremonies, filled with laughter, gold silk and family banter, set the emotional tone for everything that followed — a journey that would take them and 200 guests to the cobbled streets of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

“We looked at venues in Houston and North Carolina, but nothing felt quite like us,” Joseph shares. “We wanted somewhere vibrant, romantic, and full of character and San Miguel had it all.” The colonial architecture, bright rooftops, and live music spilling from every plaza gave their wedding the cinematic feel of a travel dream.

The wedding in Mexico opened with a rooftop welcome fiesta at Quince, where guests were treated to a front-row view of the city’s famous Parroquia. “It was sunset, and the whole city was glowing,” Joseph recalls. “Evan’s mum added the sweetest personal touches, from baby photos to a custom bobblehead of us in traditional Mylanchi outfits.”

The décor burst with colour: cascading florals, candlelight, and tamarind-mango margaritas that paid homage to Joseph’s Indian roots. As a violinist played into dusk, a tightrope walker stole the show. “Everyone was mesmerised,” she says. “Then, as the sky turned indigo, we handed out sparklers and lit up the rooftop together. It felt like the perfect prologue to the weekend.”

The wedding ceremony was held at Templo de San Francisco, an 18th-century church in the heart of San Miguel. “Having my uncle officiate made it deeply personal,” Joseph says. The couple incorporated two Knanaya Catholic traditions into their Catholic Mass: the Manthrakodi and Minnu. “Evan’s sister placed the Manthrakodi over my head to welcome me into his family, and the Minnu, a gold pendant tied with seven threads from my dress, symbolised his promise to protect me,” she explains. The ceremony ended with the beautiful hymn Barumariyam, sung in ancient Syriac by Father Joseph Manapuram. “Hearing it echo through the stone church was incredibly moving,” she recalls.

For the vows, she wore a strapless lace Ines Di Santo mermaid gown with custom French lace sleeves, while Evan donned a classic black tuxedo with a crisp white shirt and bow tie. “I wanted something timeless and understated that wouldn’t compete with the beauty of the church,” she says. From the city’s old-world charm, the celebrations shifted to the countryside for a reception at Rancho Luna Escondida. Cocktail hour in the butterfly garden featured live tabla by Nihal Singh, merging South Asian rhythm with Mexican romance. As the evening unfolded under silk-draped ceilings and mirrored panels, Joseph and Benson made their entrance to dhol beats. “It was such a rush, all energy and love,” she smiles.

At a recent family celebration, Nita Ambani wore a sari with watercolour-style florals and a muted palette of greens, pinks and golds. The drape moved easily with her, and the bow tie detail at the back of the blouse stayed unobtrusive.

Here, the clothes provided a backdrop; what drew the eye was a necklace with a vivid blue-green gemstone, the hues for which Paraíba tourmalines are renowned. Electric-toned blues and greens are caused by trace amounts of copper and manganese in the mineral structure.

Instagram.com/bbhiral and savleenmanchanda

Paraíba tourmaline was first discovered in the Brazilian state of Paraíba in the late 1980s, according to the International Gem Society, and introduced to the gem market at a 1990 industry event; its intense colour and relative scarcity quickly made it highly valued among coloured gemstones.

The necklace worn here sits long on the body, the stone’s hue dominating against the softer tones of the sari. With hair styled in gentle waves and warm makeup, there is a compositional hierarchy. Double diamond earrings sat close to the ear and understated accompanying jewellery kept the focus on the gemstone itself.

From Vogue’s fashion desk:

“To highlight jewellery and make it the focal point, opt for an off-shoulder dress or a boat-neck gown. Solid colour blocks in golds, pearls or neutrals keep the outfit clean so your accessories pop. Keep the rest minimal; subtle earrings and sleek hair lets the jewellery shine,” says Vogue India fashion associate Divya Balakrishnan.

Also read:

A zardozi-heavy halter blouse shifts the balance of Janhvi Kapoor’s velvet sari

Nita Ambani paired a Jamawar Tarun Tahiliani sari with vintage Golconda diamonds

Karisma Kapoor’s beige Ritu Kumar anarkali relies on the power of construction

Joy, I’ve learnt, is rarely the fireworks we’re promised. It slips in through the cracks instead: the soft exhale of a child drifting off to sleep, the quiet of a set after the last light is adjusted, the moment a woman stops asking for permission to be who she is. It is not spectacle as much as it is stamina, a tenderness that shows up when the day has scraped you thin.

It is this kind of joy I am thinking about on a blush-gold November afternoon at Mumbai’s Mehboob Studios. The building has seen everything—heartbreak and heroism, reinvention and ruin, comebacks and collapses. But as I push open the heavy metal door of Stage 2, the air seems to vibrate with something gentler. Not the manic, adrenaline-fuelled energy of a blockbuster set, but a softer hum.

Inside, 30 people are choreographing the kind of chaos that only looks effortless in the final frame. A stylist balances a tray of bubblegum bows like a Parisian patissier. A production assistant yells for safety pins, someone else for more blush. The lighting crew wrestles a massive diffuser that sways like an indecisive cloud. In the centre of it all, calmly seated in a pastel chair, serene amidst the storm, is Kiara Advani, in her first photoshoot since becoming a mother last July. But make no mistake, this is not an actor ‘coming back’ from maternity leave—her most recent film, War 2, was one of 2025’s most anticipated releases, and an ambitious bilingual film is slated for a March release. Advani’s work has continued, the momentum never fully broken. Her life, it seems, has widened, and her selfhood has expanded to make room for it.

A day later, the bows are zipped into garment bags, the lights at Stage 2 have cooled to a metallic sleep. Some­ where else in the city, a four-month-old baby has been fed, rocked and tucked into a cot. When Advani appears again, it is inside the small blue rectangle of a late-night Zoom window. The frame is intimate, unadorned: beige wallpaper, a simple white shirt. Perhaps it is this stripped-back palette that pulls the next words out of her. “Pink was my first language of joy. Pink ribbons, pink hairbands, pink flowers, pink dresses. It was everywhere when I was little,” she smiles, aware of how easily the colour is dismissed. “People think pink is fragile, but softness isn’t the opposite of strength. It’s one way of being strong.”

On set at Mehboob Studios, this softness manifests when she remembers to thank the light boys by name. When she checks whether a young assistant has eaten. When she asks if everyone can take a break at the same time. “I grew up around women who looked out for each other,” she tells me now. “My mum, my school friends, my teachers. I naturally gravitate to that energy.”

You are a cyclical being, and every phase in your life serves a purpose, Cancer. The key point to remember is that you don’t need to make sense of every single phase you go through. Instead, you clearly need to trust the currents you move through. What often makes no logical sense soothes the soul and makes you expand in seemingly unknown ways. Are you really this body and form, or are you much more than that, Libra? Yes, you got that right—so crack yourself open because there is nothing to lose, only to gain. If you keep looking into the wells to find the sun, you will only see fleeting reflections. Follow your intuition before it makes sense, Leo. The higher dimensions are now accessible; messages from your guides will feel like random ideas that seem too good to be true or too easy to comprehend. Your task today is not to ask the universe, “But how is this possible?” Your task is to ask the universe, “Show me how easy it can get.”

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.

Now that you have tasted a slice of heaven, why not stay awhile? Aries, this is your moment to embrace peace, harmony, and the simple pleasures that life provides. Let destiny take the wheel—release your need to control every outcome. The future is unwritten, so why hold yourself back from pursuing what your heart truly desires? Step confidently through this cosmic doorway and welcome the possibilities waiting to uplift you. Trust yourself and let these new experiences unfold—you won’t be disappointed.

Cosmic tip: Break an addiction—to coffee, to gossip, or simply to self-reliance.

A profound reset is unfolding for you, Taurus—one designed to catalyse a major shift. Its tangible effects will begin to surface by June 2026. Though it may not look like it at first, this is a blessing in disguise. The more deeply grateful you are for being alive, the smoother and faster this transition will unfold, regardless of the current state or quality of any existing relationship.

Cosmic tip: The love you crave? It is time for you to create it.

Estranged relationships, karmic cycles, perhaps even love that almost always feels unrequited—Gemini, this must end. And this is ending. If you view your life on earth as your journey through school, you will realise that every class teaches you something new, every grade you grow a little differently, and most importantly, your circles keep shifting as time goes by. And this is just a part of life. Now, as you graduate, you can choose what journey you wish to embark on. And like your jobs, you can pivot through this as well, at your own pace, in your own time.

After promises, it’s time for deeds—our horoscope for 2026 consolidates the words and fortunes that 2025 had only sketched out, putting us in front of small, but important, trials and new possibilities. 2026 will see Neptune and Saturn permanently inhabit Aries, making quick rules and an imagination that cannot be silenced. The same originality will cause Uranus, stable in Gemini, to make fast but curious decisions, igniting healthy doubts and legitimate questions. Concluding with Jupiter, which will shift to the power of passions July 1 onwards. With fervent hope that the stars will behave themselves, below is a sign-by-sign horoscope for 2026.

ARIES

There are skies that seem to tell us impossible stories that are difficult to understand. Aries’s new guests will be Saturn, the planet of logic and reality, and Neptune, the planet of fantasy that allows us to escape from normality—two rather different voices, telling and celebrating distinct but somehow reconcilable truths. In short, you will have to invent new balances that never overdo anything, trying to live by the rules as something necessary and cultivating fortunes of your own.

Love

In the second part of the new year, Venus will throw a tantrum, but Jupiter will pass by your side to tell new stories, perhaps even bring adventures. Remember to focus on your passion, on the most fun and exciting components of the heart, since Jupiter expands dreams and promises. Venus, on the other hand, could complicate any romance, so be careful about not asking too much of anyone.

Work

Saturn will be all over you, demanding and proposing, making matters related to your profession very topical. From July onward, when Saturn’s (somewhat forced) good intentions will be joined by Jupiter’s friendship, you will feel better about solving problems and obstacles, making you quite valuable when it comes to practical matters. Use the mid-January moon to start making considerations and envision a path.

Key dates of 2026

Around March 25, the closeness of the sun and Saturn will reveal to you the secrets of wellbeing, of being able to live smoothly with everything in your life.

TAURUS

With Uranus—the planet of upheaval—everything has felt unstable, in constant motion. A difficult state for steadfast Taurus. The good news? Uranus exits your sign for good this year. From April onward, calm and lightness return, allowing you to face Jupiter’s summer challenge, which will draw attention to intimate and domestic matters.

Love

Seek steadiness in relationships—connections that don’t change course overnight. 2026 follows more understandable emotional rhythms, though feelings may surge unexpectedly. December is especially favourable, with Mars enhancing intimacy and cooperation. If conversations need clarity, March and July offer a supportive Mercury for meaningful dialogue.

Work

Saturn suggests that ambition may not always take priority this year. However, Mercury repeatedly steps in to support negotiations, logistics and smart decision-making. February and March are ideal for acting on something that requires your grounded judgement—do only what truly adds value.

Key dates of 2026

Be cautious in early October, when misunderstandings may arise. December, however, is ideal for collaboration and collective efforts.

GEMINI

You are a sign made of movement and curiosity. You are the sign that accepts the fact that the only thing that lasts a lifetime is life; the rest is precarious, unstable and fleeting. Gemini is as elusive as fate, as quick to change your mind as luck. This is why the arrival of Uranus in your sign will be welcomed as something beautiful after years in which Saturn weighed like a boulder, making everything heavy and predictable. And it is precisely Saturn that will change its mind, moving to your side, making certain dreams and projects solid and credible. You just have to blindly trust the stars by accepting proposals from the sky.

Love

In the first six months of the new year, your heart may still remain on the starting blocks, never quite convinced of what it deserves. But then, thanks to a suddenly warm and responsive Jupiter, relationships will regain a sense of importance, so much so that there could be interesting news in December, just before 2026 ends. Also, because Mercury will spend long periods in the water signs, you may feel particularly emotional, sensitive to temptations and dreams that quickly touch the heart.

Work

Until June, devote yourself to preparation, meticulously planning fortunes and evolutions that the sky will then make possible from July onward. Pay attention to the details and to doing the right thing without neglecting anything. In mid-March you may be called upon to decide something: do it calmly, knowing that you don’t lack the right insights and the ideas to shine.

Key dates of 2026

From late January, Neptune will bring great imagination and much colour to your beautiful dreams. Go ahead and live them, but avoid over-optimism from February to mid-April because of a careless Mercury. The eclipse at the end of August will change certain plans.

CANCER

The year 2025 has been a year that has been able to reward some of you with easy luck, with plans and promises that are rather easy to keep. Fortunately, Jupiter will continue—until the time of your birthday—to support you, but then you will have to fend for yourself. Also, because Saturn will impose itself from the very beginning with its weight, which is difficult to understand and accept, it will demand more precision, commitment and punctuality from destiny. Convince yourself of the importance of getting involved in everything, never sparing yourself, holding fast to certain words and thoughts, while also paying attention to Neptune, which will have fun playing with the subtle clarity of destinies.

Love

The fiery quadrature of the slow Saturn will be the phenomenon that will bring back importance and value to the dynamics of your love life. Some of you will feel, in fact, the need to consolidate certain situations, to give meaning and solidity to being together, so as not to make mistakes with next moves and decisions. Strive to give voice to feelings and to better explain what you feel from early June to early August, taking advantage of the fact that Mercury will suggest the best words and proposals.

Work

Neptune and Saturn will dwell in your 10th house, the one that describes the profession with its destinies. That is why you will have a different relationship with doing, why you will feel the need to balance imagination and rigour better so as not to make it too heavy, but also never to go wrong with paths and conclusions. Instead, use the new moon in mid-April to make a decision that matters, a choice that will certainly affect destinies. Show a little more commitment from early July onward.

Key dates of 2026

If you have to do things that badly need luck, don’t wait too long and act before summer, in short, before Jupiter leaves you on July 1. From the end of August, take certain realities that will become hazy less seriously.

LEO

After a time lived half-heartedly, 2026 will return the attention that a sign like yours always expects from destiny. Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune promise it, but also Uranus; in short, the most solemn planets will add something unique in your sign. Jupiter will bring great growth and expansion from July onwards as it enters your sign; Saturn and Neptune will be at your side from the start to provide understanding, insights and fortunes.

Love

To speak of Leo’s feelings, we must look to Saturn and its providential friendship. Saturn will help you involve those you love in projects and priorities, solidifying an understanding, making a relationship even more useful and functional. Use this energy to do, knowing that you will be able to count on a small but valuable advantage that will make you the true protagonist in relationships. The moons of mid-February and mid-August will help you restore certain balances to regain a sense and measure for the heart.

Work

Uranus will stop making your destiny unpredictable and instead transform itself into a promise that will make dreams more visionary. It will enliven all those hopes you had set aside for a while, perhaps because you were tired of waiting, of putting up with the delays of the stars or words never respected. Load yourself with ideas to show off when the time is right, and use the mid-May new moon to take action and anticipate the friendship of destiny. Enjoy being among the protagonists of your sky.

Key dates of 2026

Most important is the great solar eclipse that will form right in Leo on August 12, marking a very important moment energetically. Towards the end of July, accept that someone who is close to you has much less clear, less precise ideas than you might have imagined.

VIRGO

True lightness is made of wind, fluid thoughts, a mind finally free and horizons always open wide to possibilities. Saturn and Neptune have long been a difficult mix, a union that has brought you problems and much uncertainty. Fortunately, however, the new year comes to Virgo with the best of intentions, relieving you of burdens, interrupting oppositions that have blocked and confused your momentum. Saturn has been slowing down your trust in others, pushing you to close and limit contact, whereas Neptune has often confused your ideas and impressions of someone. All this now ends, restoring your courage and luck.

Love

Jupiter will make your love affairs beautiful and interesting until July, long enough to still build and improve certain relationships. In the meantime, Mercury will convince you to do everything to reestablish certain understandings and commit yourself to words and gestures that matter. 2026 will lend you a hand with the expectation of a show of interest on your part. Watch out for the eclipse moon in late August, which will mark a starting point for love.

Work

There will be three times in 2026 when everything will become more important: February to March, June to July, and November. Concentrate your efforts during these periods to take advantage of the stars’ favours, channelling your best energy for special results, so you never have to settle. The new moon on June 15 will show you how to make the right moves in the direction of something new and different. You will only need to know how to recognise those that are willing to help you out.

Key dates of 2026

On February 5, Uranus will begin changing timing and methods of destiny; shortly after, on the 15th, Saturn will finally leave you alone, making responsibilities and rules less urgent. From November 26 onward, Mars will remain with you for a long time, bringing intensity and a desire to do more.

LIBRA

It’s not hard to consider those who live by limits and boundaries as those who were denied the freedom to colour outside the lines as children. However, Libra respects these limitations; the invisible boundaries against which they routinely come up against. Saturn and Neptune will be there for just that, giving substance to the boundaries and contradictions to help you grow. Jupiter will stop denying you the right to good fortune, opening you up to new possibilities from the summer onward, giving you other perspectives that broaden the horizons of 2026.

Love

2026 is the time to seriously work on being together and making paths together. Saturn and Neptune risk confusing certain balances by demanding more commitment and conviction from your heart, so you will be called upon to concretely do your part—to show whether you care or not. Help will come in the form of Venus, which will be by your side from early October onward to make you feel less alone.

Work

Jupiter’s shift on July 1 into your 11th house opens the door to new professional paths. You may consider changing jobs or renewing your direction, aided by Uranus, now an ally of novelty, stirring vocation and ambition. Watch the mid-August eclipse—it may ignite destiny.

Key dates of 2026

Limit words and ideas in June and July to avoid provoking a mischievous Mercury. In late November, beware of people who remain elusive and never fully commit.

SCORPIO

Help should never be taken for granted, not even when it comes from the stars. Saturn, Neptune and Jupiter have supported you in recent years, but now their help fades, and you must compensate for their absence. Intuition weakens; logic must take its place. Jupiter, too, withdraws its favours from July onward. Time to react.

Love

Stability is the key word. Uranus finally ends its opposition, bringing more reliable relationships. Learn trust, aided by Venus, which will stay with you for much of autumn. A lunar eclipse in late August may ignite a memorable, passion-filled period.

Work

Eyes on Jupiter and its next moves. Summer onwards, Jupiter will inhabit the point in your sky that describes growth and ambition. In short, you will have to learn to keep up with certain rhythms, taking every opportunity to grow and do something you enjoy. Tiring, of course, but also useful and precious. Focus on a beautiful solar eclipse in mid-August, which promises to establish a moment of beginning. Count on Mercury, which will often be a friend of connections.

Key dates of 2026

Be curious and communicative in spring, June, and November. The mid-May Moon asks for a concrete gesture in love—someone is waiting.

SAGITTARIUS

The sky has tested you with its difficulties, but 2026 will be the year that gives back, when everything will find meaning again, when you will understand the value of efforts and accepting some truths. There are indeed some planets, slow and important, that will pass by your side, lighting up the new year’s sky, making the promises of the moment luckier and more intense. Neptune (January) and Saturn (February) shift into fire, translating rules and inspiration into pleasure and creativity. From July 1, a blazing Jupiter brings immense good fortune.

Love

Patience always rewards those who know how to wait, even more so those who love speed, adventure and know how to celebrate life under all circumstances. Blockages and misunderstandings are loosened thanks to Saturn, while Uranus in opposition will enliven the heart with its move toward stability. Mercury will help you love; just watch out for spring, during which time it will be less easy to find understanding and complicity between hearts. An important journey awaits you in August.

Work

Your professional year will pass by quietly but with some accelerations. It will be important to rely on others in the summer, while in February and March, something may hinder your relationship with ‘performing’. From July, Jupiter will teach you to be more independent, to do everything without anyone’s help. Do not overlook the lunar eclipse in early March as it could mark a change, a new beginning, a promise.

Key dates of 2026

From late April, Uranus will be faster and more impatent in love affairs and relationships. Watch out for the last five weeks of the year, when Jupiter retrograde will make you uncertain, just as Mars, from quadrature, will press you.

CAPRICORN

You are known to be solid, sensitive to duties, always grappling with tasks and missions. Every now and then, Saturn reminds you of your true nature, the meaning of being a Capricorn. Saturn and Neptune will soon be in quadrature, aspects that will immediately reconnect you to a more intimate and truer dimension, energies that will ask you to make peace and clarity with everything that moves within you. In the summer, Jupiter will reward you by ending its opposition, unlocking relationships and making you feel free at last to be, to move and to speak. 2026 will return you to a new and better interpersonal dimension, a different awareness of the relationships that matter.

Love

Move beyond the strains of Mars, to those trials and challenges the red planet will throw at you until mid-April. Enjoy the gentle calm of spring, knowing that in June you will have to face Jupiter and its desire to make a relationship grow and give even more substance to your togetherness as a couple. July 10 could be a great time to figure out how far you want to and can go with your significant other.

Work

Venus, the star that describes and decides the quality of commitment to work, will be cooperative in January, April and July, and less so in February, March, May and August. Collaborations and synergies will be much more fortunate in the first half of the year, when Jupiter will not complicate understandings and shared directions.

Key dates of 2026

Summer, because of Neptune and a rather insistent Mercury, will be a small test: better not to say too much or be too innovative. The powerful and friendly force of Mars will sustain you from November onward, favouring efforts and sports.

AQUARIUS

There are times when we need to get involved in events, to stop living detached from the whole, to give ourselves over to things bigger than ourselves. There are heavens that want us present, active, able to be there and speak out. 2026 calls for presence and participation. Saturn urges expression, while a summer Jupiter opposition creates situations beyond your control. Uranus tempers unpredictability, making change more manageable.

Love

Aquarius will definitely be more involved and interested in matters of the heart, thanks to the greater weight of fire in your 2026 sky. Jupiter and Saturn converted to fire, whereas Uranus tickles your thirst for adventure and the forbidden. In short, let yourself be convinced of experiencing feelings and emotions freely, consciously, actively. Keeping an eye on the solar eclipse in August could change something about your relationship.

Work

This year, you may be more attentive to matters of the heart, neglecting professional affairs a bit. Jupiter will distract you, true, yet Mars could mark time for you to focus on ambition in February, mid-April to mid-May, and again in July. Use the new moon of November 9 to envision something to look forward to in 2027.

Key dates of 2026

Between January and February, Neptune and Saturn will help you rediscover the pleasure of dialogues and exchanges that enrich you. In early May, however, silence Pluto’s unnecessary doubts to give yourself confidence.

PISCES

A year of solemn farewells. Saturn leaves your signs until 2052, Neptune forever. Time to take stock of the years in which you have often played by the rules and imagination, never quite understanding which one to give precedence to. Console yourself with Jupiter, which will support you with its good fortune for the first half of the year, while getting used to Uranus and its desire to stir the soul, to make feelings less stable.

Love

Jupiter, until the end of June, will be the best testimony for a sky that wants to entertain you and make you smile. The best times will be in February, March, June, July and the second half of November, while some care will be needed between the end of August and the first ten days of September, lest you challenge certain fates. The lunar eclipse on March 3, which will form in your sign, may push you to make up your mind.

Work

Something is playing in your favour, supporting and improving your professional destiny. Saturn will make you concrete and precise in every action or decision, while Jupiter, from summer onward, will indirectly favour those developments that we would not expect, those fortunes that happen without apparent explanation. In short, trust yourself, putting in the effort and enthusiasm, knowing that you will be rewarded. Just watch out for the last two months, when Mars will make things stressful.

Key dates of 2026

At the end of April, try to make your words less mprovised so as not to let Uranus create a communication problem for you. Use Mercury, in the sign from early February to mid-April, to already define desires and matters of principle.

This article first appeared on Vogue.it

A blue kurta is one of the most versatile pieces any man can own. Whether you’re dressing for a relaxed weekend outing, a festive celebration, or a grand wedding, a blue kurta flows effortlessly across occasions with its unique charm. Its colour alone makes it special—blue symbolizes calmness, confidence, and individuality. Pair this with the kurta’s traditional yet modern appeal, and you have a wardrobe essential that can be styled in countless ways.

From light pastel hues ideal for daytime events to deep royal blues perfect for nighttime glamour, a blue kurta allows endless styling combinations. It complements all skin tones, works well across seasons, and blends beautifully with both Indian and Indo-western fashion. With the right accessories and layering, this classic piece can shift seamlessly from casual cool to sophisticated elegance within moments. This style guide explores the most effortless yet impactful ways to wear Mens Kurta. Whether you want a laid-back brunch outfit, a polished festive ensemble, or a show-stopping wedding look, we break down everything—colour pairings, bottoms, jackets, footwear, and accessories—to help you dress with confidence.

Casual Cool: Everyday Blue Kurta Looks

Gents cotton kurta instantly upgrades your everyday wardrobe without feeling too formal. For a simple yet stylish daytime look, choose a cotton or linen light-blue kurta and pair it with beige chinos or white pyjamas. This combination keeps you comfortable while still looking polished enough for casual hangouts, college, or even work-from-home days.

Roll up your sleeves, add a leather strap watch, and slip into Kolhapuri sandals or loafers. You can even add a printed cotton Nehru cap or a simple chain bracelet to add character without going overboard. Looking for something trendier? Opt for a short blue kurta paired with jeans. A mid-blue shade with distressed denim offers a youthful street-style vibe. This outfit is perfect for coffee dates, movie outings, and weekend travel. A pair of white sneakers and sunglasses completes the look effortlessly.

Festive-Ready: Blue Kurtas for Puja, Family Gatherings & Celebrations

Festive occasions call for a look that’s comfortable yet eye-catching. Richer blues—such as cobalt, navy, ink blue, or royal blue—instantly add depth and elegance to your presence. For a traditional festive outfit, choose a silk or jacquard blue kurta paired with cream churidar or gold-tinted pyjamas. Enhance it with a light embroidered stole or a tonal Nehru jacket. This gives a refined cultural touch that looks great in family pictures and religious ceremonies.

If you prefer a more contemporary festive style, pick a kurta with minimal threadwork or geometric patterns. Pair it with slim-fit trousers rather than traditional bottoms—this Indo-western mix offers an effortlessly modern vibe. Add polished leather juttis or tan mojaris, and you’re celebration-ready in minutes.

Office-Appropriate Blue Kurta Styling

Ethnic day at work or a semi-formal meeting that allows fusion wear? Mens Kurta fits in perfectly. Go for a solid navy or charcoal-blue kurta with minimal detailing—straight cuts look the sharpest in office environments. Team it with tailored black trousers or tapered off-white pants.

Layering is key for a more executive look. A grey Nehru jacket or a slate-blue waistcoat adds authority to your outfit without overpowering your kurta. Keep accessories subtle: a metallic watch, a slim leather belt, and polished shoes. This ensures professionalism while still letting you embrace cultural style.

Wedding-Ready Looks with a Blue Kurta

Weddings allow you to embrace grandeur, and a kurta dress men offers the perfect canvas for stunning traditional style.

For the Groom or Close Family Members

Choose a royal blue or navy embroidered kurta with zari, sequins, or resham work. Pair it with silk churidars, dhoti pants, or even brocade trousers. Layering enhances the richness—opt for an ivory sherwani-style jacket or a gold-tinted embroidered Nehru jacket. A matching stole with tassels completes the regal aesthetic.

For Guests

A kurta with subtle embroidery or light embellishments works well. Pair your blue kurta with contrasting bottoms such as maroon, mustard, or cream, depending on the event’s colour palette. Slip into embellished juttis, add a brooch, and you’re ready for haldi, sangeet, or reception events with style.

For Evening Weddings

Dark blue shades—especially navy and midnight blue—look stunning under evening lights. Add richer accessories such as pearl malas, metallic buttons, or a velvet jacket for a dramatic, royal touch.

Pairing a Kurta Dress Men with Bottoms: What Works Best?

• White Pyjamas: Perfect for casual or festive wear. Clean and timeless.
• Beige or Cream Churidars: A classy match for silk or embroidered kurtas.
• Black Trousers: Best for formal or work settings.
• Jeans: Ideal for casual outings; works great with short kurtas.
• Dhoti Pants: Perfect for weddings to create a regal, traditional look.
• Printed or Brocade Bottoms: Adds richness for festive or evening events.

Blue is universally compatible, so these combinations always stay safe yet stylish.

Footwear & Accessories to Elevate Your Blue Kurta Look

Footwear

• Mojaris/Juttis: Best for festive and wedding looks.
• Kolhapuris: Perfect for everyday Indo-ethnic styling.
• Loafers: Great with semi-formal kurtas.
• White Sneakers: For cool, casual fusion outfits.

Accessories

• Stoles: A printed or embroidered stole instantly elevates the outfit.
• Watch: A leather strap or metallic watch always adds class.
• Brooch: Works wonderfully for weddings and receptions.
• Bracelets/Rings: Adds personality without overshadowing the kurta.

Final Words

Mens Kurta is a timeless wardrobe essential that works for every mood, every event, and every personal style. Whether you’re aiming for comfortable casual wear, polished festive outfits, or luxurious wedding ensembles, the blue kurta adapts to your look effortlessly. By choosing the right shade, accessories, and pairings, you can transform this simple garment into a powerful fashion statement.

If you’re ready to elevate your ethnic wardrobe with premium blue kurtas in stunning fabrics, embroidery styles, and modern cuts, explore the exclusive collection at Nihal Fashions. Discover high-quality, trend-forward ethnic wear designed for every occasion only at our website. 

Between skin tints that behave like skincare, lip colours you can apply in the back of an Uber and haircare that fixes the damage for you, our real beauty heroes this year were the ones that did the most with the least fuss. These are the best beauty products of 2025 that survived editors’ desks, long days, late nights, multiple climates and ruthless declutters and still stayed within arm’s reach. We reached for both reliable, use-it-every-day staples and unapologetically luxe formulas reserved for big nights and bigger mirrors.

Ahead, the best beauty products of 2025 that earned their place in our routines:

Mary&May Vitamin B.C.E Cleansing Balm

This sherbet-textured balm melts away makeup, SPF and sebum without stripping the skin, while antioxidant-rich fruit extracts help brighten over time. Use on dry skin, massage till it liquefies, then emulsify with water for a clean-but-cushioned finish.

Dyson Supersonic Nural™ Hair Dryer

A smart dryer that uses Nural™ sensors and Scalp Protect mode to hold the temperature around 55°C at the scalp, helping reduce heat damage while still drying hair fast. Attachments “remember” your settings, so you get consistent blow-dries and shinier, smoother lengths with less effort.

NEXXUS Promend Repair Keratinizing Mask

Designed to target damaged lengths and split ends, this keratin-rich treatment coats the hair fibre so it feels smoother and more resilient. Work through mid-lengths to ends once or twice a week for that “fresh trim” look between salon visits.

Dermalogica Powerbright Dark Spot Peel

An overnight AHA + PHA peel with mandelic acid, tranexamic acid and niacinamide to exfoliate, fade dark spots and help even tone, cushioned with omega-3s and turmeric butter to keep the barrier calm. Use a few nights a week on dry skin, followed by moisturiser and always pair with high SPF in the day.

Paula’s Choice C15 Super Booster

15% pure vitamin C bolstered with vitamin E and ferulic acid to tackle dullness, fine lines and uneven tone while boosting antioxidant protection. Mix a few drops into your morning moisturiser or use neat under sunscreen for a brighter, more even complexion.

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Intensive Moisturizing Hand Treatment

A richer, fast-absorbing hand cream spiked with the classic Eight Hour moisturising complex to soften roughness and shield against dryness. Keep it in your bag or on your bedside and reapply after washing hands or before bed for smoother cuticles and winter-proof hands.

Dior Rouge On Stage Lipstick

High-impact shades with a backstage-inspired formula that marries saturated colour with long wear and a comfortable, non-chalky finish. Swipe on straight from the bullet for a statement lip that lasts through dinners, events and flash photos.

Augustinus Bader The Elixir With Advanced TFC8

Powered by TFC8 (the brand’s amino acid, vitamin and peptide complex), this serum is designed to support cell renewal while hydrating and firming. Layer under your cream morning and night if you’re investing in a long-game routine for texture, elasticity and glow.

indē wild Champi Slick Stick

A clean, non-crunchy slick stick infused with nourishing oils to tame flyaways and smooth baby hairs without the helmet effect. Brush it over your hairline or parting to fake a polished blowout on ponytail, bun or braid days.

M.A.C Skinfinish Lightstruck Liquid Highlighter

Sheer, light-catching liquid highlighters that gives skin a glazed, wet-look sheen rather than chunky shimmer. Tap it over cheekbones, brow bones and the bridge of the nose as the last step of base to bring dimension back to matte foundations.

ETUDE Fixing Tints India Edition

Lightweight, budge-proof lip tints in India-inspired shades that sets down to a soft matte stain while still feeling cushiony and non-drying. Apply a full coat for impact or blur from the centre outwards for that K-beauty diffused lip that survives coffee and dessert.

Giorgio Armani Power Fabric Pro Foundation

A long-wear, medium-to-full coverage foundation that promises a thin, flexible film on the skin with a soft-matte, camera-friendly finish. Best applied with a brush or damp sponge, it’s ideal for long days, events and humid evenings when you need your base to stay put without looking heavy.

FENTY BEAUTY Gloss Bomb Stackz Layered Lip Luminizer

This triple-layer gloss stacks complementary shades for customisable shine and is loaded with conditioning ingredients so lips look juicy, not sticky. Wear shades solo or swirl them together for a vinyl finish.

LANEIGE Strawberry Shortcake Lip Sleeping Mask

The cult overnight lip mask in a limited strawberry-dessert flavour, with shea butter, murumuru butter and vitamin C–rich berry complex to soften flakes while you sleep. Slather on at night or tap a thin layer through the day as a glossy, treatment-level balm.

Too Faced Cloud Crushed Whipped Lip & Cheek Color

A whipped, mousse-like tint for lips and cheeks that blends into a soft-focus, cloud finish with buildable pigment. Dab onto the apples of the cheeks and press onto lips with fingers for a blurred, monochrome flush.

Yves Saint Laurent Couture Mini Clutch Palette

A palm-sized eyeshadow “clutch” packed with coordinated mattes, satins and metallics in chic colour stories. Use the softer shades for an everyday wash and the metallics pressed over the lid with your finger for instant night-mode.

MORPHE Best Of Blends 8 Piece Face & Eye Brush Set

A solid starter kit if you want smoother blending and fewer streaks without building a huge brush wardrobe. This set of eight synthetic brushes covers base, blush, highlighter and eye blending, designed to work with creams and powders alike.

Estēe Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Lift+Sculpt Eye Cream

A gel-cream eye treatment powered by the ANR technology plus firming peptides and hyaluronic acid to target puffiness, fine lines and loss of firmness. Use AM and PM around the orbital bone, and take the residue over the lids for that lifted, smoother look over time.

Bobbi Brown Luxe Cashmere Matte Lipstick

Ultra-fine matte lipsticks with a cashmere-soft feel, high pigment and a blurred, plush finish rather than flat dryness. Apply straight from the bullet or tap on with fingers for that lived-in, expensive lip.

La Mer The New Rejuvenating Night Cream

La Mer’s next-gen night cream blends its Miracle Broth with barrier-supporting lipids and peptides to firm, nourish and cushion skin overnight. Warm a small amount between fingers and press into face, neck and décolleté as the last step after serums.

Sol De Janeiro Body Badalada Vitamin-Infused Lotion

The brand’s Brazilian-inspired body lotion is infused with a vitamin blend and hydrating butters and wrapped in a solar, beachy scent. Smooth over damp skin post-shower to lock in moisture and leave limbs glowy and scented.

Smashbox Metal FX Metallic Eyeliner

A high-impact pencil metallic liner that lays down opaque, foil-like colour in one swipe and comes in gorgeous jewel tones. Trace along the upper lash line or use it as an accent in the inner corner to switch up a neutral eye.

MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Skin Blush & Glow Palette