Posts in category: Life Style

The festive and wedding season always arrives with two inevitabilities: an avalanche of invitations and the looming anxiety of wardrobe decisions. Between sangeets, cocktail nights, Diwali dinners and destination weddings, the pressure isn’t just about dressing up, but about standing out each time. For many, the sari feels like the eternal answer—timeless, elegant, steeped in heritage. But it can also be a logistical challenge: the pleats that refuse to fall neatly, the pins that prick just when you’re ready to leave, the constant fear of a mid-dance unravel.

Enter the sari gown: a modern hybrid that offers the best of both worlds. It carries the unmistakable fall of a sari, but in a pre-stitched, ready-to-wear form. As easy as slipping into a dress yet as striking as a traditional drape, it reinvents an icon for women who want to move through celebrations without losing the flair.

From ceremonies to after-parties, the sari gown proves endlessly adaptable. Silk and satin versions glow under evening lights, sequins and embroidery turn it into a showstopper, jewel tones bring richness to winter weddings, and metallic finishes are made for New Year’s Eve. Whatever the mood, the sari gown delivers.

“Bonita” drape sari gown set, Dolly J, ₹75,000

Ivory floral embellished concept sari set, Aggunj, ₹79,500

The sari gown doesn’t need much. A pair of statement earrings, metallic heels and a sleek clutch is all it takes. Keep hair in a bun or soft waves and let the drape do the talking. Because it’s already a statement, there’s no need to over-accessorise.

Black and gold brocade applique pre-draped sari set, REIK, ₹90,000

Blush pink net and double georgette sari set, Ritika Mirchandani, ₹3,48,000

Wine bidri-inspired corset & draped sari set, Tarun Tahiliani, ₹5,29,900

This season, the sari gown isn’t just a trend, it’s a solution. It streamlines the ritual of dressing without stripping away the significance of the garment. You still get the sweep of fabric, the sense of occasion, the unmistakable silhouette but with the confidence of knowing nothing will come undone as the night unfolds. In an age where fashion is as much about experience as it is about appearance, the sari gown offers both.

Grey embroidered Crinkled Pre-Draped Saree Gown, KM by Kavita, ₹27,390

Moulded vintage banarsi fishtail gown, Amit Aggarwal, ₹1,95,000

Also read:

From bugadi to kaanphool, today’s earring stacks echo centuries of style

Indian couture is ruling red carpets and stages worldwide, just ask Beyoncé, Shakira and Megan Thee Stallion

From Apatani to Moirang phee—mapping out India’s lesser-known handlooms

Every January, when the Lollapalooza India lineup is revealed, it feels less like a festival announcement and more like an annual gift to music lovers. In just three editions, the festival has already brought a range of artists to Indian stages that music lovers once had to travel abroad to catch: Imagine Dragons, The Strokes, Sting and Green Day; names that have pulled crowds to the festival like a moth to the flame. And if the previous years have all felt like beautifully growing fires to us music moths, then Lollapalooza India’s 2026 headliners feel like the whole damn sun.

Since I was 12, every time we discussed our top five bucket list bands to watch live, Linkin Park has always been at number one. For many millennials, they were the first rock band that truly helped us make sense of the world. In my case, it began at the age of ten, when I tried to memorise the lyrics to ‘Numb’ to impress a crush. What began as an act of pretence quickly turned into a genuine outlet for my prepubescent rage. And now, to stand in a sea of thousands, shouting along to songs like ‘Faint’, ‘Papercut’, ‘Somewhere I Belong’ and ‘Crawling’ that once played through tangled earphones in dimly lit bedrooms, is the kind of full-circle experience that I know is going to make me and my fellow millennials ecstatic.

Some brides wouldn’t dream of their ideal beauty look without enlisting the help of a celebrity makeup artist. For some, DIY-ing their makeup might be a preferred option, while others might simply want to rest the fate of their face in some trusty favourites. No matter what your reason is, it pays to invest in a range of makeup essentials yourself. A great plus: Your special day proffers up the perfect opportunity to splurge in a few versatile products that promise to come handy during the celebrations (and beyond).

We have curated a ready reckoner with the key makeup products in any kit along with tips on how to use them, so that you’re well prepared for your big day.

A long-lasting, high definition foundation

Dior Forever No-Transfer 24H Wear Matte Foundation, ₹6,300

NARS Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation, ₹4,500

When you get down to brass tacks, foundation should be your starting point. Look for a product that not only makes your skin appear perfectly airbrushed, but also lasts all day. Terms like long-lasting and long-wear should be your cue. High-definition foundation, which is boosted with pigments that reflect light, is another apt way to go about it. Steer clear from SPF infused options for best effect. Foundation should be applied with your fingers in a circular motion in sections on your face down to your neck.

A mattifying primer

Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base, ₹6,250

Benefit Cosmetics The Porefessional Matte Primer, ₹3,600

Without proper prep, your skin can be something of a blotched nightmare. After all, you’ll want your makeup to hold up through the last selfie, toast and twirl. This makes primer extremely essential. The thumb rule is to use a primer, and lots of it. Spread it on your face, lips and eyelids after you’re done with your cleansing and moisturising routine, then top with a foundation to create a smooth base. Depending on your skin type, you may want to skip moisturiser and go in with a hydrating primer instead.

An easy-to-blend concealer

Rare Beauty Liquid Touch Brightening Concealer, ₹3,000

Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Wear All Over Concealer, ₹2,900

You probably won’t get enough shut-eye during your wedding festivities, but this is the one time when you want to look your fresh-faced best. This requires a seriously heavy-duty concealer that doesn’t crease or spread, and blends perfectly with your skin tone to cover unforgiving last-minute zits, blemishes or discolouration. Dot a creamy formula on the inner corners of your eyes after your foundation, and work it outwards while pressing into the shadow areas with your fingertips. Want to camouflage a zit? Just apply concealer right on top of it, and blend till it disappears.

Different types of blush

CHANEL JOUES CONTRASTE POWDER BLUSH, ₹5,300

Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush, ₹3,125

A blush will help you fake a healthy flush instantly, making it an imperative addition to your bridal beauty stash. Brides with dry skin must look to a cream blush—a few dabs will give you a dewy glow. If you have normal or oily skin, the powder blush works wonders. For a more pigmented formula, a liquid will serve well. Pro tip: layer blushes of different textures to lock in the colour and provide long-lasting coverage.

A compact setting powder

Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish, ₹2,900

M·A·C Cosmetics Studio Fix Pro Set + Blur Weightless Loose Powder, ₹2,950

Lock in your base with a pressed or loose setting powder. One swipe of a brush will absorb excess oils to give a visibly flawless finish. A compact size will also be handy for touch-ups later.

An all-in-one eyeshadow palette

Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Eyeshadow Palette, ₹4,800

Huda Beauty Empowered Eyeshadow Palette, ₹5,900

Your wedding day is the perfect opportunity to pack some punch with your eye makeup. Look for a palette that combines neutrals and metallic shades. Warm, earthy tones work best with Indian skin. Shades of gold, bronze and copper also do well together, and the modern Indian bride can opt for these colours without a second thought.

Waterproof eye makeup

24-Hour Waterproof Kajal Liner, ₹1,200

YSL Lash Clash Extreme Volume Waterproof Mascara, ₹3,200

A waterproof formula is the only answer to smudge-proof, sweat-proof and even tear-proof your eye makeup. Make sure to add a highly pigmented long-wear eyeliner to your makeup kit. Another non-negotiable? A mascara. But before you buy one, decide whether you’re looking for length or volume.

A pigmented highlighter

Smashbox X BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector™ Pressed Highlighter, ₹3,750

Diamond Bomb All-Over Diamond Veil,
₹4,375

A highlighter can serve as the perfect pick-me-up for your complexion, and provide a lit-from-within glow when applied to the high points of the face (cheekbones, tip of the nose, brow bones, and Cupid’s bow). Choose your formula according to the look you want to achieve—a powder highlighter will give you a matte look, a cream or balm version will leave you with dewy face, while a liquid highlighter will provide the most intense colour pay-off.

Lipstick

Givenchy Le Rouge Sheer Velvet Matte Lipstick, ₹4,300

Yves Saint Laurent The Inks Vinyl Cream Liquid Lipstick, ₹4,000

The last step to your bridal makeup, lipstick is a staple. Keep a red, pink and a nude at the ready. While matte formulas will last the longest, don’t have any qualms about opting for a creamy option.

Also read:

Deepika Padukone’s wedding makeup artist on how to bring colour into your bridal look

Celebrity makeup artists share tips on sweat-proofing your bridal makeup

8 bridal beauty hacks that will help you deal with every makeup emergency

5 wedding day manicure trends for every kind of bride

Love is definitely on the cards—Pisces, whether you are already in a relationship, or seeking one—the cosmos gives you a wink. Now this love and abundance are available to all Pisceans, but in different forms—intimate relationships, partnerships, friendships, communities, purpose, work or in any other form. Minds, hearts and visions converge, and you find yourself upon a path that feels not only fulfilling but also rewarding in a long-term term sustainable manner. Life moves in circles—you get an idea, you work with it, you make it meaningful, you feel like this is it, you get onto something new, you make your way through it and set things in place, find the strength to start afresh or anew once again. Aries, you are not insane or fickle; you are simply in tune with the imperfect beauty called life. And hello, as stuck as you feel, as much sucked into lack of energy as you may have felt, your angels guide you to train your focus on all the lovely tiny moments that fill your heart on an everyday basis. You think this is some mundane advice; however, they assure you that what it will really do is help you draw up what is truly important to you mentally, emotionally and in every other manner, and it will also give you a reason to work hard and efficiently towards things that you wish to grow, Cancer. Get to know yourself deeply, get to know what drives you so well that you can fearlessly stand up to pick your battles, you will receive ideas that light you up, and then it will be your responsibility to actually see them through. However, Leo, you know, to get to the stage you wish to get to, you must go through this current phase with utmost devotion and sincerity. To plunge into the unknown, you must get clear on where you are swimming to. If your inner voice has been telling you that things are doomed or that you are sick of trying hard, lean on someone close for support and assistance. Hold hands, and do things together. Rest your sword, reach out and bite into that juicy fruit you have grown and simply allow the cosmos to take charge. Your angels are here to assist you in miraculous ways if you only allow them to steer the way ahead.

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.

Life moves in circles—you get an idea, you work with it, you make it meaningful, you feel like this is it, you get onto something new, you make your way through it and set things in place, find the strength to start afresh or anew once again. Aries, you are not insane or fickle; you are simply in tune with the imperfect beauty called life. When you are down in the dumps, it may feel like it is a bit difficult to work through things; however, when you rise and move beyond current challenges, you notice that your intuition and inner guidance held you safe all through.

What if your next skincare obsession wasn’t plucked from a far-off rainforest or concocted in a lab but something your body already makes? Meet hypochlorous acid, or HOCl. It sounds like a chemical formula, but chances are you have encountered it before, in pools, cleaning sprays or hand sanitisers. Fun fact: It was even used in World War I hospitals to disinfect wounds, long before it became a beauty buzzword.

“Our bodies naturally produce HOCl,” says Dr Chytra V Anand, founder of Kosmoderma Skin & Hair Clinics. She continues, “White blood cells release it to fight bacteria and calm inflammation, and modern skincare has harnessed it. The end result is an ingredient that repairs, protects, and refreshes skin without breaking down the barrier.”

Hypochlorous acid is made by combining salt, water and vinegar through electrolysis. The resulting solution mirrors the skin’s natural defences. When Tower 28’s SOS Daily Rescue Facial Spray went viral on social media, HOCl became a must-have in beauty routines. Once a clinical disinfectant, it now holds a coveted spot in dermatological recommendations, makeup artists’ vanities and influencer regimes.

So, what does this mean for your skin day to day?

Why your skin will love hypochlorous acid

Think of hypochlorous acid as your skin’s Swiss Army knife. “It clears blemishes without the dryness of harsh spot treatments, eases redness and irritation, tackles perioral dermatitis, rosacea, and eczema flare-ups, and speeds recovery after procedures or minor cuts. Beyond skincare, HOCl doubles as a quick, skin-safe spray for gym equipment, makeup brushes and other high-touch surfaces, while keeping body odour at bay and soothing sun-exposed skin,” says Dr Hashna Bijlani, aesthetic physician and founder of The AgeLess Clinic.

So now that you know what makes HOCl special, here’s how to make it work for your skin.

How to fit it into your routine

Most commonly available as a spray or mist, HOCl acts like a reset button. Apply after cleansing, before serums or moisturisers. “If you’re acne-prone, it helps prevent breakouts without drying you out. I recommend it after treatments like chemical peels or microneedling – it calms the skin instantly and reduces infection risk. And if you have sensitive or easily reactive skin, you can spray it anytime during the day as a ‘skin reset’. Reapply throughout the day, especially after travel, pollution, or long flights,” recommends Dr Anand.

In a dusty onion pink Mayyur Girotra kurta set, Mrunal Thakur brought romance to the frame. The short kurti and churidaar were drenched in fine silver zari work, paired with an airy dupatta. Styled by Sheefa Gilani with jhumkas from Curio Cottage and Aprajita Toor heels, her look was soft and contemporary.

Instagram.com/mrunalthakur

Instagram.com/mrunalthakur

Sonali Bendre went the clean-elegant route in a solid green Ekaya Banaras sari, styled by Archana Walavalkar. Chunky Valliyan jewellery, juttis by Inochhi and a cinching belt brought a bold, modern edge to the traditional drape. Her curled hair and polished accessories kept the mood sharp.

Rakul Preet Singh chose a bubblegum pink lehenga by Gopi Vaid. The corset blouse featured princess seams and a deep V neckline, heavily embroidered with gold accents. The voluminous skirt with a detailed embroidered lace at the hem balanced the structure on top. Her hair, half-up-half-down, showcased a multi-rowed diamond polki choker, matching jhumkas, stacked bangles and rings.

instagram.com/rakulpreet

Manushi Chillar chose restraint in a butter-yellow satin-finish kurti paired with a matching embroidered dupatta. The tone-on-tone look leaned into simplicity without feeling sparse.

Foundation has come a long way from the cakey nightmares that once dominated beauty aisles. The rise of cushion foundations has changed the game: portable compacts designed to deliver convenience with a finish that looks like skin, only fresher, more even and more radiant. Depending on the formula, you can sheer it out for a glow that mimics eight hours of sleep or build it up to full coverage for a high-glam finish.

Unlike liquid foundations that live in bottles and call for brushes or blenders, this Korea-born format keeps things simple. The pigment is housed in a sponge and activated with a tap of the puff—no extra tools or fingers required. Many of the latest cushion foundations even blur the line between skincare and makeup, enriched with hydrators, brightening actives and SPF protection.

For quick touch-ups, all-day radiance, or coverage without the heaviness, cushion foundations are the effortless solution. Here are five that deliver on their promise.

Kay Beauty Hydrating Skin Cushion Foundation

Kay Beauty’s first cushion foundation is a homegrown option that marries skincare and makeup seamlessly. With its dewy, radiant finish and buildable, weightless coverage, it creates a smooth, seamless base that lasts all day. Hyaluronic acid keeps skin hydrated, while SPF shields against sun damage. Developed in collaboration with Korean experts, it brings international innovation with an Indian sensibility, making it ideal for everyday wear.

Dior Capture DreamSkin Moist & Perfect Cushion Foundation

Dior’s luxury take on cushion foundations offers makeup with skincare benefits. The formula blurs pores, tones down redness and delivers luminous, natural-looking coverage with SPF 50 protection. Hydrating glycerin ensures the skin stays plump and comfortable, while Dior’s signature Longoza and Opilia complex targets signs of ageing and unevenness. The finish strikes a rare balance: fresh, matte and radiant all at once.

Tirtir Mask Fit Red Cushion Foundation

This viral cushion foundation works overtime to blur pores, smooth blemishes and even out tone, while hydrating skin with water bloom extract and niacinamide. Its silky, powder-cream texture glides easily onto skin, setting into a naturally flawless finish that lasts up to 72 hours. With SPF 40 PA++, it doubles as a shield against UV damage, keeping skin luminous and nourished without any heaviness.

Dolce & Gabbana Cushion Foundation

True to Dolce & Gabbana’s high-end aesthetic, this cushion foundation offers a silky, luminous finish that feels as good as it looks. Infused with niacinamide, the formula brightens, hydrates and smooths for up to 24 hours, ensuring skin looks fresh and vibrant from day to night. With SPF 50 PA++++, it delivers top-tier protection against sun damage while maintaining a glossy, natural-looking glow that elevates everyday wear into something indulgent.

Milk Touch All-Day Skin Fit Milky Glow Cushion Foundation

For those who like their cushion foundation to lean skincare-first, Milk Touch delivers a lightweight, brightening formula packed with glutathione and skincare essence. The finish is semi-glow—enough radiance to look luminous but still refined enough to last all day. Niacinamide, Centella Asiatica, panthenol, and Hedera Helix work in harmony to hydrate, soothe, and firm skin, while SPF protection keeps environmental damage at bay. Smooth, buildable, and never greasy, it’s a compact that does it all.

Also read:

7 types of foundation and how to find the right one for your skin

Why applying makeup with your fingers isn’t a beauty faux pas

For makeup that won’t sit still, these 12 primers hold it down

Oh my god, guys, you got ENGAGED? I’m so happy for you! Made my day, honestly. Thanks so much for letting me know. Well, me and your 281 million other followers on Instagram…

Is it just me or is there something about Taylor Swift’s betrothal to NFL star Travis Kelce that feels a lot more personal than any other ‘extremely famous celebrity engaged to a less famous celebrity’? The culmination of their two-year relationship is something many of us are strangely invested in, even if we’re only mild Swifties. Even pals who have never shown any interest in the singer prior to this have piped up to say that this was the heartwarming slash distracting news they needed. Truth be told, there have been friends’ engagements that I was less emotionally invested in than this one. That’s normal, right?

Maybe it’s because the narrative arc that Swift has taken us on over her 11 albums so far (the 12th, The Life of a Showgirl, arriving imminently) is so familiar and relatable that it feels personal: first love, unrequited love, on-and-off-then-on-again love. Love that is cruel, manipulative, hopeful, comfortable, addictive, frustrating, depressing and a giant red flag. Doesn’t that describe our 20s and 30s, too? She’s not our best friend, but she’s occasionally felt like one—or, at least, someone going through the same old crap that we all have. (Admittedly, while turning her heartbreak into a billion-dollar music empire).

Perhaps it’s because she and Kelce, on a recent episode of his New Heights podcast, came across as genuinely happy and in love, which feels at odds with the cynical view of relationships we hold more widely. He seems comfortable in championing her success loudly and proudly; she spoke of the sort of happy-ever-after love story she’d wanted since her teen years and which he’d offered on a plate. Not that most women—no doubt Swift included—crave that above all else, but it’s nice to see that the modern fairy tale can be compatible with equality. Their relationship shows that powerful women can be adored for their ambition, rather than pulled downwards in order to satisfy someone else’s ego. It’s why the internet is already calling Kelce ‘Travis Swift’.

No matter the kind of relationship you had with your mother growing up, Arundhati Roy’s memoir will unlock something primal in you. Some chapters will make you want to call up your mum and let her offload on you with abandon—it doesn’t matter what she’s saying as long as you can hear the sound of her voice. Other chapters will feel like you’re drowning under the weight of all the words you’ve never said to her. Whichever side you fall on, Mother Mary Comes to Me (published by Penguin Random House India) is a book of kinship: between a headstrong mother and her unyielding daughter; between a brutally honest author and her eager readers.

Mary Roy, founder of the prestigious Pallikoodam school in Kottayam, women’s rights activist and the persistent woman who fought and won a Supreme Court lawsuit against the inheritance law of Kerala’s Syrian Malabar Nasrani community, is the sometimes-hero, sometimes-villain protagonist of her author-daughter’s latest book. When she passed in 2022 at the age of 89, the shape of Roy’s own memoir began to form. But because so much of who the 61-year-old Booker-winning author is today is inextricably tied to her mother, Mother Mary Comes to Me ends up being as much the late Mary’s memoir as it is her daughter’s.

When Roy appears on Zoom, her grey curls are wet—whether from the shower or a walk in Delhi’s rains, I know not. In any case, to ask Arundhati Roy about the weather feels both irrelevant and irreverent. Instead, I launch into an impassioned preamble about how the book felt like a gentle breeze caressing my cheek at times, and at others, like a gigantic brick hitting me square in the face. I prattle on about mothers who demand too much and daughters who leave—both physically and emotionally. How does one write about a mother, I ask, who abandoned her young daughter by the roadside when she failed to dazzle a stranger with her intelligence, and only returned to fetch her after dark had fallen? How does one write about a mother who checked herself into a hospital to read her daughter’s first book because she was worried about how she might be depicted within its pages? “Did you feel like this was a book of rage?” Roy interrupts me, not unkindly. “I see it as a book of complicated love. I didn’t want my mother to destroy me, but I didn’t want to destroy her either.”

Cosmic tip: Slowly, but steadily, things will even themselves out.

Watch your flowers bloom, Leo. Watch your seedlings hatch, care for them and get excited with their every move. Your grounded, nurturing energy is what lays the foundations for your nascent and new ideas to rise from. There may be a lot to pick from, but what truly excites you, pick that. Happier, more harmonious times lie right ahead of you, enjoy the finery of your life a little, indulge in the quiet, fleeting moments that spark wonder, contentment and inspiration all at the same time. The Universe is on your side. Ask and get ready to receive.

Cosmic tip: Make informed choices based on intuitive, practical wisdom.

You made your pick and now you may be wondering if that was the right thing to do, Virgo. Don’t you sweat the small stuff and most definitely don’t you look at bygones at something that turned your life upside down. A bigger, better, more stable hand is here for you, supporting your every step. Step out of this vicious cycle and look ahead in life—towards the new innings that await.

Cosmic tip: Walk away from joyless encounters to new fresh beginnings.

There is something deeper that needs to be addressed. There is something more than is currently meeting the eye.Libra, you have been looking long term, you have been building castles and laying foundations, but what if your masterplan belongs in the 1800s not in 2025? What I’m getting at is, why build things upon foundations that are not meant for your current season or the time to come? You have shifted vibrationally and even in your outlook towards life. So embrace the change, get minimal about things and focus on the bare necessities, get with the Scandinavian design trend—classic, minimal, neat and crisp, only apply it to everything in your life.

Cosmic tip: Less is more—less drama is more happiness, less clutter is more peace, less noise is more silence, and less validation is more self-approval.

Watch out for hidden agendas, Scorpio. Be it within relationships, patterns, or partnerships on the work or professional front. Remember that not everyone who is sweet can be trusted and not everyone who shares bitter truths has your worst interests in mind. As you draw your focus back onto your core, what forms your inner circle, your fortune begins to shift for the better. You realise that although material gains and resources may seem cyclical, they always work out in your favour.