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26 marriage tips to keep the spark alive long after ‘I do’

The most enchanting weddings often feel like they’ve leapt straight out of a fairy tale, with glittering lights, tear-jerking vows and storybook romance. But once the confetti has run out and the cake has been eaten, the marriage that truly begins—a commitment that’s built on something far deeper. The strongest marriages demand hard work, the kind that shows up even when it’s inconvenient. Because while weddings may sparkle, it’s the quiet, consistent tending of love that makes a marriage last. Below, Vogue India lists 26 marriage tips to keep that spark in your relationship alive.

1. Talk about the money, honey

So you’re a double income household run by a power couple with soaring careers and sky-high ambitions? Between income-based power play, stealth overspending and a mismatch in financial values, money can derail things faster than you can count the zeroes in your bank balance. Revisit your financial goals regularly. “Make sure you agree on one simple structure: how do we split bills, save and splurge?” says Lavanya Mohan, chartered accountant, content creator and author of Money Doesn’t Grow On Trees. “You can go 50/50, or pro-rata based on income, or keep a joint account just for shared goals. Whatever works—as long as you both understand it and both feel seen.”

2. Read the Kama Sutra

“The sage Vatsayana wrote that for good sex, the genitals have to be fairly matching in size,” says mythologist and author of The Art of Seduction, Seema Anand. “But obviously, you can’t always go checking the size of people’s genitals before you marry them, so he created a bunch of ways and positions to synchronise those sizes.” There’s also an entire section in the Kama Sutra devoted to what men can do to make a woman fall in love with him, so that she will accept his proposal—just like Hitch, but this advice on romance and foreplay is everlasting.

3. Accept that the in-laws are part of the package

Begin by “sharing what family means to you from a space of understanding context, not from a space of blame,” suggests Mumbai-based psychotherapist Anusha Manjani. “In South Asia, we marry into networks of duty and history. Often what we call ‘interference’ by in-laws is unresolved enmeshment or unconscious loyalty. Partners are often trying to mature from fused roles like the ‘good child’, ‘dutiful son’, ‘obedient daughter-in-law’ and that can create conflict.” So what can you do about this? “Keep the focus on ‘we’—align as a team and be clear on what is okay and not okay when it comes to spending time with family. For example, how do we want to spend our holidays and festivals?” Come to this conversation not with rigid expectations, but patience while being firm and clear. “Think of this not as rebellion, but repair.”

4. Don’t resort to pre-nups

To begin with, says Mohan, pre-nups are not legally recognised in India and can get thrown out of court easily. And secondly, wouldn’t you rather enter a marriage, even one with a wealth imbalance, with openness and clarity? “This may be unsettling, but you’d rather do the hard work of tackling wealth planning early on,” says Mohan. “And if your partner or partner’s family is the one insisting on legalities, don’t be dismissive or look at it as an accusation. Try to understand what’s going on instead and consult your own lawyers on the whys and the whats. This is where you really get to know who you’re marrying, so don’t take this experience for granted.”

5. Drop them a text at odd hours of the day…

Between endless tasks, a mountain of paperwork and a million Zoom calls (that could’ve been an email), it can be hard to take out time for each other when you’re both at work. Harder still when there’s an Instagram reel or Twitter storm always at hand to distract you. “Little updates during breaks like ‘I just ate’ or ‘having such a tough day’ can help you stay connected even when you’re apart,” says New Delhi-based psychologist Divija Bhasin. Memes or emoji work too, if those are your love language.

6. …And make a ritual of reviewing those hours apart

Screens in bed and when we wake up—who are we really married to? “Create intentional screen free rituals,” says Manjani. “Ask them: what was especially joyful or challenging about your day?” It could be at a device-free dinner, while making a cup of coffee or reconnecting at the end of the day while doing chores. “It is not about the amount of time or money spent on dates but more about creating room for daily presence and connection with each other.”

7. Even better: do the day-audit naked

Anand recommends carving out 15 minutes at the end of every day for “very close, intimate, non sex time” and building it into your daily routine. “Lie down with each other naked and cuddle but don’t talk about sexy stuff. Talk about your day. The rule is, this does not lead to sex. This is to remind yourself how good and comforting and nice it feels to touch each other, to truly be with each other.”

8. Those chores are a bore but you’ve got to do them—together

Of course, it isn’t fair that one partner becomes the default chef/maid/ house manager if the other is on a faster growth trajectory. “Sit down to ask: What does a functioning home look like to both of us? What tasks do we hate? What do we not mind? What can we afford to outsource so we don’t end up totally hating each other?” says Mohan. You can also draw up a joint chore schedule. “One person has late-night meetings on Tuesdays? Cool—maybe the other handles dinner that day and they swap on Friday. The idea is to be equitable (different from equal).”

9. And if one really truly can’t? Show up in other ways

Maybe you’re so swamped with your partner track, you actually can’t do the laundry. “But then, perhaps you can handle all the bill payments or weekend grocery runs,” says Mohan. “The point is to demonstrate intent and to say, ‘I see this as our shared load and I want to carry my part’.”

10. Cook together—and make it sexy

Anand suggests practising “relationship foreplay”. The key to good intimacy, she says, is transition: You have to be in the right frame of mind, not still thinking about that email you’re drafting or that contract you need to sign. She suggests watching a comedian together in bed (and naked, if you like) because “you can’t imagine what laughing together can do for your relationship.” Or the very tactile, sensory act of cooking. “Either you turn it into a game or it’s just a simple meal,” says Anand. “Think about the transitions that you actually use so it’s not like cooking with a friend.”

11. Make an offline weekend once a month non-negotiable

“We all have core needs of being seen and heard, and listening with intention and attention is a big part of what is needed to build intimacy today,” says Manjani. A screen-less weekend can do wonders, she says: Stay in and read to each other or play strip Scrabble, go out and explore the city, but take time away from work and your screens. It can “ground, reconnect and bring more care to what the relationship needs”.

12. Take up a regular outdoor activity together

Hit the padel court, go hiking once a week, ride the Peloton—whatever it is, make a habit of getting out of the house and into spaces where you can kick things up a notch, even allow your competitive side to come out and play. “Anything other than that mandatory weekly candlelight dinner date which comes with so much pressure to perform,” says Anand.

13. But also, make (and take) space

They love going on road trips with their friends, you could spend the whole weekend knitting through re-runs of Sex and the City. That’s not just okay, that’s great. There must be space for “each partner to follow their own interests or meet other social circles,” says Manjani. “Be curious and encouraging of their autonomy.”

14. Don’t tell your partner to “cheer up”

It’s never easy: An unexpected anxiety attack while getting ready for work or living under a black cloud for weeks. It’s not easy on them—or you. “But try to learn more about your partner’s mental health problems by reading about it,” says Bhasin. “We often tell people to be positive or be grateful to try and cheer them up but can end up invalidating their feelings in the process.” Instead, seek professional help but also understand that actually taking that help will be their call.

15. Sometimes, let your skin do the talking

“A long hug, holding their hand during a tough conversation, placing your palm gently on their back or leaning into each other can signal ‘I’m here with you, I care for you, I see you’ to your partner’s nervous system,” says Manjani.

16. Tell them what you want—and don’t—in bed

Maybe you don’t want sex after a harrowing week at work, but you do want… something. Set a 15-minute timer for judgement-free play, says Anand, and tell them to give you the neck massage or kisses on your stomach that you’ve been craving. Or, maybe you don’t like how they kiss you. Lack of courage, meet role-play. “A friend in the kink community came up with this wonderful idea,” says Anand, “try light sub and dom play. It’s like a verbal script where you basically issue directions. Plus, you can be sure that your partner is listening at this point because, I’m sorry to say, but a lot of the time they are not.”

17. Don’t keep score

The reality of contemporary life is that we assess the world (and ourselves) in terms of productivity and can end up assigning value based on numbers. Manjani sees a lot of couples “keeping track of who did what or earned how much”. “It is important to use a shared language of respect and not comparison when talking about time and contribution. Try to name—and value the invisible labour and reclaim rest.”

18. Say yes to toys

Sex toys, says Anand, are great to experiment with together because “they can help take the pressure off and then this time can just be for the sheer pleasure of being together. On days when you’re not up to it, it’s wonderful to have mutual masturbation.” And if all of that is too uncomfortable, then play with toys by yourself, she says, without the guilt. “The more you understand your body, the more you can guide your partner. It’s not their job to discover your pleasure points.”

19. Create a ‘forever’ asset together

Maybe it’s real estate, or maybe it’s a joint retirement fund that you will sink into that round-the-world cruise you’ve dreamt of your whole life—but creating a long-term asset or goal together, says Mohan, is a powerful way of showing commitment. “You want to convey that the money you make is not ‘your’ money, but ‘our’ money. If you’re the earning or significantly higher earning partner, proactively include your partner in your financial decision-making process so he or she feels like you’re working towards a joint future.”

20. Make a ritual of reviewing boundaries

Things change. You change. You might have realised you aren’t enjoying something you thought you were flexible about—or the opposite. Anand suggests having monthly talks about boundaries which, just like consent, is not a one-time thing set in stone—and this isn’t even restricted to sex. To make it a conversation, not confrontation, Anand and her partner would gather daisies on walks in the meadows behind their house, and then offer a daisy to each other for each new rule they wanted to set. “Create a ritual. It softens the edges.”

21. Learn to appreciate the small things

Every once in a while, leave them a note noticing the everyday or unsaid gestures, says Manjani. Things like “thank you for always making me laugh at awkward family gatherings” or “thank you for making the reservations whenever we go out to eat.” They’ll love that you’re paying attention.

22. Interested in exploring your kinks? Say it first, act later

Think you might be bisexual? Want to try cuckolding? “Don’t go try it and then come back and say, I enjoyed that,” says Anand. “You have to remember that marriage is like a contract that you sign. There are certain unwritten rules and the main one of monogamy is fidelity.” Talk about it with your partner, she says—you might be surprised at just how willing they are to go along with it.

23. Tread very carefully on the ‘P’ word

If you or your partner want to try polyamory or an open marriage, Anand’s advice is to look up the subject to understand what questions need to be asked. “It’s not as simple as deciding that one wants to also sleep with somebody else at the same time. There are some basic questions you need to deal with that don’t even fall in the emotional paradigm—things like STIs, living arrangements, financial arrangements, legal repercussions. Remember: this requires even higher levels of trust than being monogamous.”

24. When fidelity becomes difficult, try therapy

Maybe it’s not even Tinder; maybe they’re just talking—to ChatGPT. “Even though AI can become a proxy for unmet needs, the actual work is in facing what those needs are—was it emotional availability, curiosity, lack of judgement or distraction? Is it a symptom of loneliness or disconnection, or is one partner trying to reclaim something they have lost—desire, aliveness or validation? In therapy, we don’t rush to close or repair the relationship but create space to understand these needs and check if it is possible to reconnect and repair,” says Manjani.

25. Set up a Google Calendar meet (if you must) for the 3Cs

“Create time to check in with the other,” says Manjani. “Ask: do you need Comfort (need for support and rest), Connection (time to spend together, affection, touch) or Celebration (need to be appreciated or to celebrate a small win)?” And then follow through with action, however small.

26. Sign up for that waltz class

On one side is rhythm and habit (or worst case, total monotony). On the other is discovery and reconnection. “Try new things: dance or doodle, introduce your favourite childhood games and activities to each other,” suggests Manjani. “Find ways to create joy—because that joy is glue.

This story appears in Vogue India’s Wedding Book alongside the September-October 2025 issue. Subscribe here


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Horoscope Today: September 16, 2025

Cosmic tip: Keep your ideas, goals and visions to yourself. And make a move when you feel ready.

Yes, you grieve, and slowly at that, Taurus, just as you create – gradually but surefootedly. Things may not have been easy for you in the past, and we agree. However, here is your golden ticket to make a lasting change and impact. You can serenade life once again and you can make things work in different ways. Now only if you dare to listen to your intuition and make wise decisions.

Cosmic tip: Have a little patience. Think carefully before acting.

Merge your heart with your voice, Gemini, and in that, you will find your answers and your way through. There is little or no point in running around in circles, and there absolutely is no point in pushing through for something that feels a little subdued and unwilling to move yet. There is a lot more going on than meets the eye and you are being guided to trust the cosmos and whatever is coming through for you. You will need to stand up for your beliefs, but not just yet, okay?

Cosmic tip: Yes, something new is brewing, so keep your spirits and faith high.

Who said karmic rebalancing is easy? And who said that you are not doing it right? Cancer, new opportunities are arriving for you and while the scales are being rebalanced, you must remember that the more you dwell in your past, darling, the more you will keep repeating the same loop, in different ways. To write a new story, your Angels remind you that you must be willing to not only have faith in the cosmos but also in yourself, that you will be able to handle whatever is brought your way—so accept opportunities confidently.

Cosmic tip: Time to hit reset—especially emotionally for you.

Grief, that deep-seated feeling of loss, disappointment, disconnect and discontentment may have been your underlying theme lately; however, Leo, even the lion needs to sleep sometimes. And so do you. Your intuition may have been feeling scrambled and you may have been feeling overwhelmed or perhaps stuck with a narrative in your head that only keeps you going on in a loop that you don’t want. For one moment, detach yourself from your life and facts. For one moment, allow your brain some downtime. You will see what you are capable of.


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Is your matcha latte making your hair fall out?

  • Caffeine-related side effects such as anxiety, insomnia, and headaches
  • Stomach irritation or digestive issues
  • Potential lead contamination
  • Teeth strain
  • May interact with medications
  • Possible liver stress in very high doses

If you just love matcha too much to completely cut it off, Samantha Dieras, RN, DCN, director of ambulatory nutrition services at Mount Sinai Hospital, says you don’t have to take such a drastic route. “If you enjoy it, [it] provides the benefits of drinking green tea,” Dieras says. Instead, she recommends being more thoughtful about the timing of when you consume it and what foods you can pair with it to offset the possible negative downsides. For example, you can drink your matcha about one to two hours before consuming iron-rich foods or make sure to add some vitamin C food with your iron-rich meals to increase absorption, she says. Also, be careful with the sweeteners and milk you add to your matcha, as they might contain unnecessary added sugars and other ingredients that are considered unhealthy.

As for the amount you’re consuming, Dr Viola says a safe limit would be about 2 to 3 grams a day (which is the equivalent of 2 to 3 cups). Because matcha is more concentrated than regular tea, she tells patients that drinking 4 to 5 grams a day regularly is too much. Your body will alert you when it’s reached its limit with matcha. She says that if you’re experiencing insomnia, jitteriness, headaches, acid reflux and other downsides, you may want to rethink that matcha latte. And if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have caffeine sensitivity, take certain medications, have an iron deficiency or liver issues, it’s best to avoid daily matcha drinking. Other than that, you should be okay.

“Overall, if you’re healthy and moderate your intake, matcha can absolutely be part of a daily wellness routine,” she says. “Just be mindful of your body’s signals and iron status.”

What can you do about the shedding?

Dr King says that hair loss is a complicated subject that can have many different causes. The most common causes, she says, are usually genetics, stress and hormones. While diet can also be a factor, she says other deficiencies such as vitamin B, zinc and vitamin D deficiency, as well as insufficient protein intake, can lead to hair loss. Your best bet, as always, is to ask a dermatologist or your doctor for answers. “It’s reasonable to cut back if you are drinking large amounts of matcha, but in most cases, hair loss is not caused by a single dietary factor,” she adds. “See your doctor for a thorough assessment.”

This article first appeared on Vogue.com

Also read:

Of course I like matcha, I used to eat chalk

How do you know if the matcha you are drinking is healthy? This is what nutritionists say

Can too much matcha cause an iron deficiency?


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See all of the 2025 Emmys red carpet fashion

The 2025 Emmys red carpet is officially underway in Los Angeles, and we are just as eager to see the fashion as we are the awards ceremony. Let’s be honest, we might even be a smidge more excited about the fashion.

Tonight promises to be an exciting show, hosted by Nate Bargatze at the Peacock Theatre in downtown Los Angeles. Severance leads the pack with 27 nods, while The Penguin follows with 24. It’s also a history-making ceremony: The Studio broke the record for most nominations in a comedy’s first year with 23, Ayo Edebiri becomes the first Black woman to earn nominations for acting and directing in the same year, and Bella Ramsey’s second nomination for The Last of Us makes them the first nonbinary person to earn two nods in an acting category.

But before Bargatze kicks off the celebration for achievements in television, we’re expecting major looks from a host of nominees with a killer sense of style: Edebiri, Britt Lower, Bella Ramsey, Pedro Pascal, Cate Blanchett, Carrie Coon, and Colman Domingo are all among the fashion plates up for an award.

The awards show has a long history of standout fashion moments: In 2003, Sarah Jessica Parker chose the palest pink Chanel confection, while Chloë Sevigny hit the 2009 Emmys carpet in a diaphanous one-shoulder polka-dot dress by Isaac Mizrahi. More recently, Zendaya complemented her Spiderman-red hair with an emerald green corseted Vera Wang dress and Emma Corrin kept their claws out in a nude Miu Miu column dress and matching bonnet. The 2024 Emmys also offered up some stellar looks, from host Dan Levy’s sculptural Loewe suiting to Saoirse Ronan’s draped navy two-piece.

Follow along here to see all of the looks on the 2025 Emmys red carpet, and stay tuned throughout the night for updates.


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Latest OTT releases (September 15-September 21): 12 new movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video, JioHotstar and more

Twin brothers Elijah “Smoke” Moore and Elias “Stack” Moore return to their hometown in the Mississippi Delta in 1932, hoping to leave behind their criminal past and open a juke joint for the local Black community. But their plans are disrupted when a supernatural evil, tied to the dark undercurrents of blues music and racial tensions, begins stalking them. Michael B. Jordan plays both brothers, joined by Hailee Steinfeld, Jack O’Connell, Miles Caton, Delroy Lindo, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Benson Miller and others. It is written and directed by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Ryan Coogler (Black Panther, Creed).

Streaming on JioHotstar

The Ba***ds of Bollywood (September 18)

In his directorial debut, Aryan Khan helms The Ba***ds of Bollywood, a drama series that follows Aasmaan Singh (Lakshya), a small-town outsider determined to carve out a place for himself in the cutthroat world of Hindi cinema. Alongside his loyal friend Parvaiz (Raghav Juyal) and manager (Anya Singh), Aasmaan battles rejection, manipulation and the shadow of powerful industry families. His path collides with rising star Karishma Talwar (Sahher Bambba) and her influential father Ajay Talwar (Bobby Deol), whose grip on the industry forces Aasmaan to confront just how far he’s willing to go for success. The series also features cameos from Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Ranveer Singh and other Bollywood heavyweights, grounding its fictional story in the real glare of stardom.


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Horoscope Today: September 15, 2025

Cosmic tip: Deal with your challenges in a kind manner, and remember that no act of kindness goes unnoticed in the eyes of the cosmos.

The sign of a healthy body is not gauged by the number of packs your abs have—it is gauged by the flexibility and agility it is capable of. Taurus, the same holds for your mind and emotions. Forgive, destress, unwind, slump off, but then also restore, align and open up. The more you stuff yourself in, the less room you have for the brilliant things that are yet to arrive. The more you stay vulnerable and open to learning, the more easily you adapt and grow. This is your time to remember who you are, before you allow your circumstances to define what you feel capable of.

Cosmic tip: Expand your awareness by harmonising with life.

Run run run away, Gem—but for how long? Stop. Breathe. Drop your shoulders. And allow these endings to metaphorically consume you if you like, because don’t you for one moment forget that it is from the ashes that the phoenix rises, again and again. You are in urgent need of grounding and self-care. So withdraw from drama, overexpectations, overcommitment, and overthinking. And simply embrace your entire being as one whole that you unconditionally love. Accept parts of you that feel broken, accept parts of your life that feel irreparable, and try to accept the parts where people rotate in and out on an axis or along your orbit. It doesn’t matter. It is all leading you where you are eventually destined to be. So breathe and make your way along that path.

Cosmic tip: Meditate, ground, reflect or make self-care in any way a part of your life as easily as possible.

If you’ve been feeling irritable or drained, Cancer, your guides remind you that you may have been feeling off balance. This has very little to do with your sleep schedule or any of that. This has to do with your ability to stay flexible and adaptive. When you have set ideas and notions about your goals—it is a great quality to have—that clarity that drives you forward. However, when you really look at the way things need to be woven into your life on an everyday basis, darling, it may become extremely important for you to remember that you are not a robot and fluidity is what makes your life and your goals come alive.


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Taurus Horoscope Today: September 15, 2025

Taurus, it’s the end of the world and the onset of a new one. Taurus, finally, you seem to have made a choice and become at peace with it, too. You have finally begun listening to your intuition, and you have finally allowed your actions to sync in without inner promptings. Not only has your wingspan expanded, but also your vision and horizon. Your pride is waiting on you—get caught up and get on it.

Cosmic tip: Each step you take with intention becomes fused with magic.

Also read:

Aries September 15, 2025

Gemini September 15, 2025

Cancer September 15, 2025

Leo September 15, 2025

Virgo September 15, 2025

Libra September 15, 2025

Scorpio September 15, 2025

Sagittarius September 15, 2025

Capricorn September 15, 2025

Aquarius September 15, 2025

Pisces September 15, 2025


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Dating a Virgo? Vogue’s astrologer sets the record straight on what it’s really like

Virgo also loves being in control, and they like to organise their life in a very specific way. It might be challenging to have a chill, relaxing day with a Virgo, because they have a need to always be doing something productive or useful. They may project a lot of nervous energy or end up overthinking everything.

What’s it like dating a Virgo?

At the start of a relationship, a Virgo will want to move slowly. It takes a while for them to fully trust someone else, and they will keep their cards close to their chest, preferring to have the other person initiate texting or asking to go on a date. It definitely takes a while for a Virgo to reveal their true feelings.

When a Virgo decides that they do like someone, it is usually pretty serious. Virgo doesn’t commit to just anyone, and they like to know that a relationship serves a purpose and has the potential for a long-term future before they make their mind up. Once they are in a relationship, they will remember every single little detail about the person they’re dating. A Virgo will never forget an anniversary or their partner’s birthday, and they may go out of their way to do something special for every event.

What signs should Virgo avoid?

Virgo may have a tough time understanding where Aquarius is coming from. Aquarius is a free spirit who likes to make decisions on a whim and needs a lot of change in their life to feel satisfied. This type of lifestyle might feel chaotic and too unpredictable for Virgo, and these two signs may clash when trying to figure out a future together.

Another sign that Virgo may have some trouble with is Aries. When Aries has a new idea, they like to act on it immediately and they may grow restless and frustrated when plans take too long to come together. Aries can also be pretty blunt, especially when it comes to their feelings for someone. Virgo may think that Aries is coming on a little strong, and they may not like how impulsive Aries is in their decision making.

What are Virgos like when they are in love?

When a Virgo has fallen in love, their guard will finally come down and they won’t be so hard to read. A Virgo shows their love through doing acts of service, so they will be very giving to their partner. If the other person is having a bad day or going through a tough time, Virgo will want to know what they can do to make everything better. They may also like to shower their partner with little unexpected gifts every now and then.

Because Virgos are always one step ahead, they will want to make plans for the upcoming months and even years. Once they are super sure about someone, they will be eager to discuss where the relationship is headed in the long run.

This article first appeared on vogue.co.uk

Also Read:

The luckiest zodiac signs this Virgo season

The most popular zodiac signs, ranked

These zodiac sign pairings have the most successful relationships


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This model bride’s wedding in Italy featured Lake Como views and a Sabyasachi lehenga

When international model Arya Bendkhale met orthopaedic business owner Federico Diego Perego at an equestrian event in Verona during Milan Fashion Week in 2021, neither could have predicted the whirlwind romance that would follow. Their love story, spanning continents and cultures, culminated in two wedding ceremonies that celebrated both their Italian and Indian heritage, making for a memorable wedding in Italy.

Bendkhale, a 23-year-old model from Pune, Maharashtra, was in Milan for Fashion Week when she attended the event in Verona. At the after-party, she met Perego, an Italian business owner from Brianza who shared her passion for horses. Both non-drinkers, they struck up a conversation that continued well into the night. “We just started talking and shared our Instagram handles,” recalls Bendkhale. “Then he DM’d me and asked me for a first date in Milan.”

That first date had its share of challenges. Perego took her to an aperitivo place that proved disappointing. “It was very, very disgusting,” Bendkhale laughs. But he quickly booked another restaurant, Izu, and the evening turned around. Over four and a half hours they discovered an unexpected connection. The night soon turned unforgettable when Perego’s vehicle was damaged and his jacket stolen.

For Bendkhale, the relationship was a first. “He was the first guy I ever dated,” she says. “I never dated anyone before because I was always studying, and my mum had told me to get a degree before I could start dating.” After a month, she returned to India to tell her parents about Perego.

The following year, when Perego was in Chennai for work, her father insisted on meeting him. “Either he comes to Mumbai, or I go to Chennai,” he said. Perego flew to Mumbai, meeting her parents at dinner in his Italian shirt and moccasins while they wore formal Indian attire. “Everybody was staring at us,” Perego recalls. “The restaurant in India was huge, and everyone was really looking at us, wondering what I was doing with them there.”

After more than two years of long-distance dating, Perego decided to propose. Knowing how important New York was for Bendkhale after she signed with Ford Models, he planned the proposal there with the help of her best friend Madhulika, who later became her maid of honour. The setting was Summit, a building with panoramic views of Manhattan. “I had to hide the ring from her during the entire trip,” Perego says. Madhulika kept up the ruse by telling Bendkhale they were headed to a Michelin-starred restaurant and persuading her to get her nails and hair done. “She took me for a blow-dry and nails, which I don’t usually do,” Bendkhale remembers. The proposal took place on a cloudy afternoon, but as Perego got down on one knee, the sky cleared to reveal what Bendkhale calls “the most beautiful sunset in New York I’ve ever seen.”


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Protein for hair: How to repair damage without overdoing it

pWhen our hair is in desperate need of some TLC, our natural instinct is to reach for the deepest and most nourishing treatment, soak our strands in it, say a quick prayer to the beauty gods and wait until the dry ends and brittleness start to fade away. That’s where protein for hair comes in: strengthening, repairing and patching up weak spots.

Because our hair is mostly made of keratin (a type of protein), dermatologists say protein for hair helps reinforce its structure and resilience. As board-certified dermatologist Hope Mitchell, MD, explains, protein is “the building block of hair.”

Marisa Garshick, MD, board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology, agrees and says that its main purpose for our haircare needs is to repair and reduce hair breakage. It can also create a barrier around each strand to help retain moisture and protect it from damage you might get from heat styling, colour treatment or wearing protective styles, she says. “Think of it as patching up weak spots,” adds Dr Mitchell. “Strengthening the cuticle and giving your hair more resilience.”

But before you stock up on every protein-based shampoo and mask, there are a couple of things to consider. With protein for hair, it’s a delicate balance of finding the right products that won’t cause more harm than good—and figuring out whether you even need it in the first place.

Is it safe?

“Yes, protein is generally safe for all hair types,” says Dr Mitchell. “But the need varies.” She explains that those with fine, limp, or chemically treated hair benefit from protein the most because those hair types tend to lose strength and structure quickly. She adds that those with curly, coily hair have naturally more fragile strands and will also benefit from protein as long as you find the right balance between it and moisture. If your hair is already pretty healthy and strong, you might not need much—or any—of it.

The downsides

There is such a thing as too much protein for hair. “Protein overload is real,” says hairstylist Devin Graciano. “Hair needs balance. Too much protein and not enough moisture reduces elasticity, making hair feel dry, tangly and dull. Past that, it becomes brittle and breaks easily.”

It’s pretty easy to tell if your hair is sensitive to protein. Dr Garshick says that the signs include hair feeling rough, stiff, or straw-like, or if your hair snaps off easily (especially if your hair was soft and healthy before). Dr Mitchell agrees and adds that if you’ve already got strong, healthy hair that doesn’t break easily, you may not need extra protein.

How to use protein, safely

Dr Mitchell recommends using protein-based products and treatments according to your needs. If your hair is colour-treated, relaxed, or frequently styled with heat, for example, she says you’ll need to look for something that you can use weekly or bi-weekly. Healthier hair can go longer between protein treatments and she says that you can get away with using a protein product once a month (or less). And regardless of how often you use protein for your hair, she says to follow up with a moisturising conditioner or mask to keep the moisture balance just right.


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