Indholdsfortegnelse for September 2018 i Cosmopolitan India

Recently, I came across an amazing concept that I simply had to share with you: it’s called a life audit, somewhat similar to a financial audit, and it will reboot your existence. Most of us navigate life with certain hopes and expectations—a dream career, fulfilling relationships, an Instagram-worthy social life, more time to travel, whatever. And during this course, we sometimes wake up and find ourselves feeling a little underwhelmed. Disappointed. Maybe our love life didn’t turn out as we had hoped or that job isn’t as awesome as we had dreamt. It’s in these dead-end moments that a life audit can help us get unstuck, and make a comeback with renewed energy and focus. But first: set some goals. And make them as specific as possible. Where do you…

“My mum always forces me to carry a pepper spray with me. Thankfully, I’ve never had to use it, but I was damn curious about what’ll happen if one did. I was discussing the same with my friends, and we decided to test it out during a college trip. We were in a bus and I sneakily sprayed it, not really thinking about the outcome. What followed was a bus full of innocent people coughing their lungs out. I obviously got caught and was made to apologise to the whole class.” —RIDHI K., 20 GUYS CONFESS “My best friend’s a girl and we have this pact where we get to judge each other’s Tinder dates. She once matched with a guy who I knew from school. I never liked him…

The Antitragus Piercing A dainty stud right over your regular piercing will allow you to play with proportions and shapes. Slick back your hair to let the earring part deux shine—it goes well with everything from casuals to couture. The Double Helix Piercing This one isn’t for the faint-hearted—it’s number two on the list of ‘most painful piercings’! But if you’re a Miley fan and have a pixie cut, then why not, right? The Conch Piercing If Rihanna’s done it, you know it’s cool approved. The ‘conch’ is the inner bit of your ear, the one that looks a bit like a shell. Style yours with a metallic hoop or more sparkly options too. Shhh…a clip-on ring has the same effect, minus the pain. The Industrial Piercing What’s that? Two…

Whether you’re turning vegan to help aid the ecosystem, save animals, or for health reasons, kicking meat and dairy shouldn’t have to be a punishment. Life’s too short to say no to pizza or scoop (tub!) of ice cream. With veganism becoming bigger than ever (did you know, ‘going vegan’ is predicted to be the biggest food trend of 2018?!) the options available now are more than ever. Here, five entrepreneurs who have have introduced compelling substitutes that will make meal planning so much simpler… 1. WEGAN FOODS www.weganfoods.com “When I saw a gut-wrenching film about the dairy industry two years ago, it led to a paradigm shift for me,” says Kinjal Darukhanawala, Founder of Wegan Foods. After turning vegan, she realised that many people, like her, wanted to switch…

OFF THE CHAIN The classic chain-strap number is back, looking chicer than ever. What we love about this style is how it effortlessly blends elegance with edge. WHITE KNIGHT Yes, that’s what these boots are, because they’ll save you from looking staid this season. Cowboy, pointy-toe, block-heeled… whatever you pick, these babies will keep your #OOTD on-fleek. FANCY THREADS We’re swooning over the vibrant colours and textures these embroidered beauties are waving at us. With options fit for any time of the day, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t bring ’em home! CLEAR THE DECKS… …and your shelves for the bag of the mo‘. The transparent, colourful PVC bags are popping up everywhere—resting on the arms of A-listers and street-style heroes. And as it allows you to show off the…

THE DIMPLE DISGUISER BLACK TEA Smooth It “A body lotion with caffeine can temporarily reduce the appearance of cellulite by tightening the skin,” says dermatologist Heidi Waldorf, MD, of Waldorf Dermatology Aesthetics in New York. Sip It Among black tea’s many benefits, “it may help reduce the risk of breast and ovarian cancer,” says NYC dietitian Sarah Rueven. THE FREE-RADICAL FIGHTER MATCHA Smooth It This bright green mask doesn’t just make for a fun Snap. Matcha is rich in antioxidants, which combat free radicals (from pollution and UV rays) that can damage skin cells and lead to premature ageing (think: fine lines). Sip It Unlike most other teas, matcha is brewed using the whole leaf and bud. When you drink a cup, you’re getting more vitamins and minerals than from…

1. You spot yet another mirror selfie while on Tinder. You: □ a. Take a screenshot. Think of the group-chat LOLs! □ b. Swiftly swipe left—you saw two toothbrushes in the reflection. Just no! □ c. Demand the name of their editing app. That bathroom lighting is on point. 2. Your cousin serves an exotic cheese tower instead of a cake at her wedding. You: □ a. Eye-roll at this millennial BS. The weekend’s hashtag is cheesy enough. □ b. Wonder if they tried to order a cheesecake and just got royally effed. □ c. Claim the Brie. You’ll totally help out by shedding a tier. 3. Some dude is lingering on your gym’s rowing machine. He’s: □ a. Clearly there to get some *ss. And you don’t mean pumping…

Q My hair’s very fine and super-flat. How can I get volume? A: You need to use a shampoo + conditioner duo created specifically for fine hair. Like the Volumifique range by Kérastase. Its Amplifex System formula gives a visible thickening effect to the fibre by restoring it, while boosting hair volume with heightened roots. Also, use a round brush while blowdrying as it helps pulling up hair sections to create lift. Q My nails are chipping and breaking…I love applying nail polish, but can’t anymore. What can I do to fix this? A: Excessive use of nail lacquers can sometimes damage talons, especially if you’ve not been careful after the post-care ritual. Next time, apply a strengthening and brightening base before swiping on your favourite colour. This one by…

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TREASURE HUNT Bella’s outfit is the perfect example of how to load up on accessories and still not look OTT. The trick lies in playing with proportions and a monochrome colour field. A belt (slim or oversized) lends shape to an easy-breezy pantsuit. Tiny details like a structured bag, dainty hoops, and minimal make-up help bring the look together. MINIMAL MAKEUP FOR MAXIMUM IMPACT With so much going on, dramatic make-up is a big no-no. Opt for a ‘getting-sh*it-done’ look with nude lips (or a hint of balm), defined brows, and slicked back hair. Want to take the look up a notch? Throw on a pair of tiny, tinted sunnies. THE GAME OF SHOES Let’s face it, not everyone has a hot bod like Bella. While she’s opted for a…

Cosmo: We’ve seen you sport some pretty cool T-shirts…how many do you own? Ranveer Singh: “I’ve lost count…but maybe a couple of hundred.” C: You have such a unique style. What’s going through your mind when you’re getting dressed? RS: “I don’t really subscribe to tags like bold, quirky, eccentric, or out-there… Because when you tag someone, you’re essentially putting them in a box and you’re saying ‘This is you, finite’. But that’s not the case with me. I dress according to my mood. When I’m feeling adventurous, you’ll see me wearing something that will get written or talked about, but I’m not always like that. I’ve just evolved into the kind of person who makes authentic choices in every aspect of life, and most certainly in the way I…

Cosmo: There’s talk about Bata being the ‘Love Brand’… Sandeep Kataria: “It’s really a reflection of the affection that consumers should have for us. Not only do we want them to wear Bata because it’s good value for money, great quality and comfortable, but also because they want to see it as a stylish brand to own and wear.” C: And the Bata Red Label Collection looks totally stylish… SK: “Yes, it’s a very on-trend range. Bata has tied up with amazing designers in Italy to create a special range of shoes glamorous and modern. You’ll find all kinds of heels, styles, and prints in this special collection. C: So who is the Bata woman? SK: “Bata’s philosophy is ‘Me & Comfortable With It’, and our role lies in helping…

TSEMOLA DECHHEN, 25 “Grunge boots are my current favourite—they’re turning out to be quite versatile. They don’t just look great with jeans or cargo pants, but can give an edgy twist to a über-feminine look like this as well.” TANIYA ARORA, 24 “Accessories can really lift a basic outfit. This multihued bag is one of my favourites because it pairs well with most things. And the pastel block heels make for the perfect partner-in-crime without attracting too much attention.” KOMAL JAIN, 23 “Quirky things really catch my eye—this slogan bag being my latest obsession. I’m in a bit of a ‘gold’ phase these days, as you can tell from the overload of gilded jewellery paired with reflector sunglasses. I kept the rest of the palette neutral with a denim-on-denim look.”…

1 DARKEN ’EM The ultra-sheer powder formula blends with your natural hair in a jiffy. What we love about this product is the foam applicator—its dainty felt tip makes it super-easy to fill out the thinnest, sparsest brows, turning them into total Delevingnes. 2 PUSH THEM UP Sometimes it’s best to play up your natural assets versus creating unrealistically thick brows. And this dual-sided pencil does just that in a matter of minutes. Use the universally flattering pencil to draw and fill in the brows, and the highlighting end on the brow bones to lift and brighten. 3 TAME THAT BUSH Got a pair like Groucho Marx? Make this brow mascara your BFF. Its transparent gel texture styles and sets eyebrows with a totally natural finish. Your job: just swipe…

I am scheduled to interview Aditi Rao Hydari at 4pm, at a cosy restaurant in Mumbai. She will be travelling to Hyderabad later that day, and her manager has squeezed me in between an afternoon shoot and evening flight. My own Delhi-Mumbai flight lands over two hours late, amidst heavy rains. The roads are water-clogged, and traffic is at a standstill, lined with blinking cars and despondent drivers. I have chewed my nails down to stubs, anxiety rising with every missed traffic light. By the time I reach Aditi, she has been waiting for an hour. The interview must take place in the car now, her manager informs me, on her way to the airport. I yank open the door of her SUV, apologies at the ready. But Aditi doesn’t…

Hot Spots Challenge yourselves to recall and rank your three hottest sex sessions, then compare lists. Hearing what you both found so erotic will have you ripping each other’s clothes off. Carnal Clues Send your lover links to kinky props you want to play with, like a silk tie or a blindfold. Then it’s up to your mate to describe what they would do with them. The Sultry Snap Snap close-up shots of your bod, starting with toes (then ankles, legs, etc.) Send each to bae and say: ‘When you can’t wait a sec more to touch me, wave your white-flag emoji…’…

It’s 8am on a Monday morning when I slap my yoga mat onto the hot studio floor, feeling a pre-emptive sense of virtuous well-being as the first beads of sweat gather on my brow. But any smugness is swiftly eviscerated when I overhear a few hissed words from my neighbour to her friend. “Are you double-classing today, too? The killer combo is hot barre then hot power yoga, back to back,” she says. Welcome to Santa Monica, California, where ‘double-classing’ is a verb. For decades, this beachside enclave has attracted the most health-obsessed inhabitants of a health-obsessed city (Los Angeles) in a health-obsessed state (California). As the coastal district closest to Hollywood, it was destined to become the palm-fringed playground of choice for sport starlets, bodybuilders, dancers, and performers. During…

MOSTLY As HARSH CRITIC Nobody’s perfect—and you’re more than happy to point that out. You may not mesh with everyone, but don’t let a meh first impression ruin a relationship before it even begins. A little conversation and compassion go a long way. MOSTLY Bs JUST JURY It’s not so much that you’re quick to judge…more like you’re really into keeping it real (with lots of straight talk and thoughts). But remember, the best way to uncover what’s what is to spend time asking genuine questions. MOSTLY Cs EASY ACCEPTER You automatically see everyone’s good side, even if that means making excuses for people. That’s fine as long as you don’t get dragged into someone else’s nonsense. Keep in mind: it pays to have a discerning eye sometimes.…

You know what they say about creamy eyeliners: they get an identical twin as soon as you swipe ’em on your lids. Yep, creamy stuff has a tendency to smudge. But this gel formula in pencil form offers intense, long-lasting colour that just won’t budge. Available in six deep, powerful shades, it lasts up to 12 hours and doesn’t require touch-ups. Win! We’ve all heard that diamonds are a girl’s best friend. And now you can get some diamond dust on your cheeks, thanks to Kiko Milano. This new baked bronzer’s full of it (yep, it’s true!). The result: radiant, sun-kissed skin. Plus, its ultra-fine texture enriched with jojoba oil blends in with your skin easily, giving you that gorge warmth you’ve been craving for. Remember the sticky glosses back…

ON THE COVER Main Cover: Louis Vuitton— DLF Emporio, Vasant Kunj, ND. Marks & Spencer— DLF Place, Saket, ND. Massimo Dutti— DLF Place, Saket, ND. FASHION 431-88 by Shweta Kapur—Shwetambara Enterprises, No. 53, Sector 27-A, Faridabad, Haryana. Accessorize— DLF Promenade, Vasant Kunj, ND. Amit Agarwal— F-301, Lado Sarai, ND. Adidas Originals— DLF Promenade, Vasant Kunj, ND. Aldo—DLF Promenade, Vasant Kunj, ND. Ashdeen— D-16, Defence Colony, ND. Archana Rao— 1721, Road No.12, Sri Ram Nagar, Hyderabad. Autre by Gautam Gupta— www.gautamgupta.in. Bloni— Sainik Farms, ND. Bata— DLF Mall Of India, Noida, UP. Birdwalk—D-1/37, Vasant Vihar, ND. Burberry—DLF Emporio, Vasant Kunj, ND. Calvin Klein— Select City Walk, Saket, ND. Charles & Keith— DLF Promenade, Vasant Kunj, ND. Christan Dior— DLF Emporio, Vasant Kunj, ND. Chanel—Imperial Hotel, ND. Christan Louboutin— DLF Emporio, Vasant Kunj, ND. Coach—…

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IKROOP DHILLON IKROOP “As a glass artist, I use jewellery as a canvas to express my creativity. Glass is a whimsical material—when heated at 1,000 degrees, the medium has a mind of its own. It can be strong yet brittle, fluid yet firm, colourful yet transparent; so its potential for artistic expression is endless. And that’s also where my design process starts. It’s a combination of my experiments with glass and how I eventually accentuate it with metal. I draw a lot from nature because, like nature, most of the coloured glasswork is unique, and impossible to replicate. Something that catches the eye of people with a unique perspective.” ASMITA KULSHRESHTHA THE SLOW STUDIO “The Slow Studio was born in London, with its heart in India. An ethically handcrafted label,…

DR JAISHREE SHARAD MEDICAL DIRECTOR, SKINFINITI AESTHETIC & LASER CLINIC “Taking the day off is the most important step in my night-time routine. I use Noreva Sensidiane Soothing No Rinse Cleanser to remove make-up. I love it, as it’s fragrance-free, soothing, and removes make-up easily. I cleanse my face with Sebamed Olive Face & Body Wash—I have sensitive skin, and if I use a soap or foam cleanser, it tends to get dry. Next, I use Sesderma K Vit Under Eye Serum (great for depuffing those bags) and follow it with Filorga Sleep And Peel Resurfacing Night Cream. It’s a cocktail of six hydroxy-acids (AHAs and BHAs), soothing brown algae (that gently revives skin), and brightening plant extracts that leave me with luminous complexion the next day.” DR RASHMI SHETTY…

SO EXTRA! We’re loving the revival of the ’80s favourite accessory, aka the headband, on the AW ’18 runways. What’s different about it this time around is that it’s accompanied by XXL earrings, dialling up the cool quotient. Take cues from Tom Ford on how to work it in a rock ’n‘ roll way—complete with heavily kohled eyes and voluminous lashes. Not big on huge headbands? Try a sleeker metal one with a zig zag pattern (great for keeping those flyaways at bay) with shoulder dusters for a more understated take on the trend. COLOUR CORRECTION We all know that hair colour can leave our strands looking fried. But you can change that with Moroccanoil’s new Color Complete range. This gentle, sulfate-free range (including a shampoo and conditioner) is formulated…

I saw my first porn flick when I was 23, while in bed with a boy I liked. At first, I was excited. It felt naughty. But seconds later, I felt the complete opposite. In it, two ‘college’ girls—with boobs so big I instantly felt inadequate with my C-cups—were having sex with up to 16 aggressive ‘jock guys’. Instead of feeling turned on, I felt nauseous. ‘These girls aren’t enjoying themselves, right?’ I thought. A few more attempts over the years didn’t prove much better. In fact, I felt more excited by a screening of Fifty Shades Of Grey than anything recommended on RedTube, so I’ll admit I was just a little dubious when I heard about ‘feminist porn’. Put simply, the genre focuses on female pleasure and celebrates different…

THE WORKOUT Pilates Platinum. Meghan Markle was spotted leaving the SM branch, which boasts 55-minute classes on a Megaformer machine (like reformer Pilates…on crack) in the run-up to her wedding. Find it here: The Pilates and Altitude Studio by Namrata Purohit has similar Megaformers, and is at several locations in Mumbai, and at Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad. THE STREET-FOOD TREND Sweetfin Poké has brought poké (a traditional Hawaiian seafood dish similar to sashimi rice bowls) to Santa Monica. Perfect post-workout fuel. Find it here: The Poke Bar in New Delhi, and Bastian in Mumbai. THE HEALTH SUPPLEMENT Add one teaspoon of Beauty Dust to nut milk, water or tea for supple skin, lustrous hair and bright eyes. Magic! Find it here: Available online at amazon.com for ₹5,000 approx.…