Indholdsfortegnelse for March/April 2023 i Cosmopolitan India

Lately, I’ve been wondering…have we, as a society, become more irritable than ever? Our social media feeds certainly seem to point in that direction, as they play frequent host to irate outrage against poor service, celebrity statements, political leanings, fashion choices, and imaginary (and unimaginary) insults. Everything seems to annoy us these days, every inconvenience offends us, and we want the world to know. I guess we could blame this flood of vituperation on the times, our era of information overload. A study published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior in 2016 found that people who use smartphones and other digital devices are more likely to feel irritable and impatient. Plus, we are getting less sleep than our predecessors, making our generation more stressed. And then we have triggers…

BRIGHT-EYED BBS Better than ever, cargos in sprightly hues are a clear winner according to the runway experts, this season. For a fresh and elevated look, opt for a statement pair. Experiment with textures or unique fabrics such as metallic or silk—à la Fendi is a sure shot example of the same. For an understated finish, ground your pair with a neutral-toned bodysuit or a camisole. PRACTICAL POCKETS Let your usual line-up of jeans take a back-seat and consider cargos with an edgy finish to shake things up. And if you can score one that includes many pockets, even better. For a high-impact vibe, consider a roomier fit that stores bare essentials (as well as your dreams). For example, SIX5SIX’s powdery blue fit is perf to score extra street-style cred……

Nandini Bhalla: What is the story behind The Ordinary? Nicola Kilner: “When we presented The Ordinary to the biggest retailers in the UK and US, they refused to listen to us. They thought consumers wouldn’t understand the concept, and were leaning towards anti-ageing and glow-inducing products. Luckily, we decided to launch the brand anyway. We eventually tied up with a website in the UK, which was relatively unknown, and that’s when we witnessed the power of the consumer explode overnight—not just consumers, but also beauty journalists who supported The Ordinary because they were impressed with our formulations. And a few months later, the retailers who had rejected us invited us to join them!” NB: What is your earliest memory of beauty? NK: “My mother getting ready with rollers in her…

“ I am extremely Indiaproud and I love our culture, so I want to work towards making it relevant for the younger generation.” Cosmo: Growing up, were there any hair rituals you learnt from your mother or grandmother? Mira Rajput Kapoor: “Hair oiling is something I have been practicing religiously since childhood. I remember my mother would sit me down and oil my hair…and I do just that with my kids, too. Of course, the formulations have evolved over time, and today, there are oils and oil-infused products that nourish your hair without weighing it down.” C: You are Schwarzkopf Professional’s new Hair Muse. Tell us more about that. MRK: “I am thrilled to be associated with the brand. I love that authenticity and diversity are at the heart of…

A version of the cult K-beauty skin trend, AKA glass skin, glazed donut skin took the Internet by storm last year, courtesy of Hailey Bieber. And, TBH, it served as a refreshing change to celebrate our faces that had been hidden behind a mask for over two years. Needless to say, the grand reveal had to be striking. The self-care beauty movement that gained momentum during the pandemic had a similar MO, but Hailey was smart enough to coin a term that made the beauty world buzz. While both trends focus heavily on skincare toachievethatdewy effect, we are here to offer an upgrade that allows you to sport this look during the day and at night… #1 JUICE UP THE SKIN The key focus of this skincare trend is on…

GO BOLD, OR GO HOME The colour palette from Autumn/Winter runways has seamlessly crossed over to Spring/Summer as well, especially when it comes to lips. We saw a bevy of strong lip moments, featuring everything from deep, dark hues to atypical shades. At Chanel and Rochas, models sported a deep plum shade in varying finishes, giving a nod to Autumn. The backstage pros at Etro experimented with goth hues like blue, allowing this lip colour to claim space in mainstream beauty, while Thom Browne showcased futuristic look with metallic-frosted lips. BABY, YOU’RE PERFECT! Marc Jacobs’ new fragrance celebrates authenticity. Featuring notes of pink peppercorn, white daffodil, and cedarwood, the new Perfect is a refreshing scent. While the flacon, crafted in collaboration with Marc Jacobs, is an elegant blend of unexpected…

TRY IT When it comes to wild, wild prints, there are options galore. From track pants perfect for a casual day look to blazers and coats to layer solid pieces with, and glamorous styles that guarantee a second glance… we’ve got a fun bunch waiting for you to add to cart.…

SANYA KAPOOR, STYLIST “The co-ord set I am wearing is from a home-grown, Jaipurbased brand called the House of Mae. I discovered this brand via Instagram… Luckily, I was travelling to Jaipur at the time, and got to shop from the brand. What I love about the set is the silhouette. And this three-piece ensemble is so versatile—it gives me numerous styling opportunities. For days when I am running errands, I like to style the pants with a white shirt and a pair of comfortable sandals. For accessories, I like to throw on a bucket hat when it’s sunny outside. And at night, I like to style the bralette with a midi-skirt and boots.” NOOR GUPTA, WRITER “My favourite piece has to be this muted co-ord set by Graine. It’s…

STEP ON IT Paying ode to refined German craftsmanship and Birkenstock’s celebrated shoemaking legacy, the brand drops the second edition of their 1774 collection—replete with classic styles and elevated with distinct colours and shapes. Adopting a fresh palette of black, blue, pink, and white, each sandal is curated using raw materials sourced from Europe, and shines the spotlight on the brand’s shoemaking expertise and workmanship. Birkenstock 1774 revisits the Florida and Mayari sandals, and upgrades the Sylt, Tokio, and Arizona designs. ELEVATED STAPLES From striped sweatshirts to knit, bucket hats and crochet totes, Polo Ralph Lauren’s SS'23 collection rehashes the house’s signature styles to suit the spirit of today’s youth. The understated, albeit striking offerings—in vibrant hues of blue, red, pink, and yellow—spell joie de vivre, and evoke a sense…

Nandini Bhalla: Tell us about your current state of mind. Regina Cassandra: “I have been feeling great as there’s a lot happening in my life currently, both personally and professionally. This phase is really exciting and I believe I have evolved as an individual… In order to grow as a person, one needs to move out of their comfort zone. And the past circumstances have made me realise how I behave when I step out of my comfort zone.” NB: Tell me how have you grown and what were you like earlier? RC: “I joined the film industry almost two decades ago. Given that I was the first one in my family to venture into the world of films, my journey has been an impactful one in many ways. And…

Cosmo: Tell us about your beauty philosophy… Kareena Kapoor Khan: “According to me, beauty doesn’t have a set definition. I believe beauty is personal—as long as you feel comfortable in your own skin, you are golden.” C: Has motherhood changed what beauty means to you? KKK: “Definitely. I believe it has broadened my understanding of what the term means. It goes beyond what meets the eye. During my second pregnancy, I developed dark circles, and had puffy eyes and dry patches all over my face… Coming to terms with how I looked and felt at that time was a turning point in my life. That phase made me realise the importance of being patient and feeling beautiful, no matter what.” C: And what makes you feel beautiful? KKK: “I believe…

Cosmo: You performed in India after four years… Martin Garrix: “I was so excited to visit the country after a hiatus. India has always been important to me, and to be able to feel the infectious energy of the crowd while performing means so much! During my previous stay, I visited exquisite spots like the Taj Mahal… I do hope to visit the country again, soon, and make time to explore the rich culture.” C: How do you think electronic music has evolved in India? Are any of your tracks inspired by the country? MG: “It’s great to see emerging local talent who are supporting this genre—which is now evolving. I haven’t created a track inspired by India yet, but I am open to the idea of it because I…

Not to sound dramatic, but moisturising is a *big* deal—so important that we use the word ‘lotion’ as a verb. See the above question and ‘Don’t forget to lotion before you leave this house!’ and ‘Lotion that beautiful skin’, all things my mom would say when I was growing up. This idea of lotioning (yes, also a word) is a unique cultural nuance that still lives on. When I asked a few women at Cosmo (they = Gen Z, me = millennial) whether my mom’s words rang true, their responses ranged from ‘Hell yeah’ to ‘1,000 percent’. We agreed that our parents’ pleas were layered with meaning. They were impassioned reminders to cherish our skin—despite what the world might think of it. Rocking a set of dark and/or ashy elbows,…

HEAVY METAL Chrome manis, yes, but you know what’s even better: skipping polish altogether in favour of chrome spheres (Amazon has plenty of options for all the nail accessories on this page). To DIY, dot nail glue onto the base of each nail, then press on a sphere and hold for a few seconds. PETAL PARTY Another actually groundbreaking use of florals for Spring! Pair them withteeny gemstones and an elongated coffin nail shape. MIXED MEDIUMS Can’t decide between all the nailspo in your IG saves? Go ahead and try ’em all—all at once. Playing with different lengths, shapes, and designs isn’t only acceptable, it’s encouraged. FINGER PAINTS You could paint just your nails, or you could totally embrace 2023 by extending the polish past your cuticles for a full-on…

Owing to the bare-beauty aesthetic that global fashion runways have been witness to in the past few seasons, lips were barely getting any attention. But with a major focus on the mouth this season, it feels like the order in the beauty world has been restored. The eyes no longer serve as the only feature to showcase your creativity…lips hold an equal footing. After the pandemic, many of us are no longer okay with heavy formulas that make their ‘presence felt’. We crave lip products that are practically undetectable and offer a velvety, matte finish—hello, this is the doorway to step into your soft-girl era. And to rekindle your love affair with lipstick, we have taken the liberty to curate some seriously-good formulas that deserve a spot on your dresser.…

COSMO TIP We encourage you to go all in when embracing this trend…but if you are a minimalist, pick one key piece like a dress or bag and mix ’n‘ match classic separates to complete the look.…

COSMO TIP While the transformative and healing power of crystals is well known—we suggest you stack all these bbs together—or give your all-black ensemble a fresh spin with these vibrant beauties.…

The reality is that sexual desire and appetite are far from constant: they wax and wane throughout your life. One year you might be the horniest person alive. The next, sex might be the furthest thing from your mind (and loins). And when it comes to relationships, well, it is no secret that sexual chemistry can peter out with time. The longer you have been with someone, the more the inexplicable, blazing, attraction that drew you together becomes a flickering hearth—homely, yes, but for better or worse not likely to set your life on fire. So, are there ways to take control of your libido? Keep reading to find out. THE FOUR CAUSES OF LOW LIBIDO While it’s normal to go through periods of low libido, it may help to…

People stop drinking for all kinds of reasons—from pregnancy to being on medication that doesn’t mix well and to save money or to lose weight, the list goes on… But for me, it was the intense, soul-shredding anxiety that accompanied every hangover that made it no longer worth it. Ditto making decisions I never would sober—some of which left me shaken up and bruised when the booze wore off. The regular memory loss after night-outs was a big factor, too (trying to fill in the blanks with what I might have said or could have done, even if my friends insisted, ‘Nothing, you were fine!’ only further fuelled the panicked brain-fire I experienced most Sunday mornings). The fact that I could never quite pinpoint which drink had tipped me into…

“Creativity can’t exist without collaboration. It’s almost impossible to execute a project until the team comes together to bring an idea to life. It is extremely difficult to achieve desired results if even a single part of the puzzle is weak or unable to see the full picture.” —Janhvi Bansal, Stylist “A photograph starts in my mind…I visualise it, and then build a story around it. And then there are the people you work with. When you bring the right people on board, 70 percent of the work is already done.” —Varun Sikka, Photographer “For me, mood boards are essential for my vision. Be it for a personal shoot, or a commissioned piece, I like to ensure that my ideas are explained in detail as it helps me visualise the…

Q My hair’s been looking dull, lifeless, and very frizzy. What can I do to tame it? A: You need a multi-action formula that targets different concerns. Just like our skin, even hair can get product fatigue. If you have been using too many products, or colouring or heatstyling your hair often, take a break till your scalp and strands heal. Look for products with nourishing ingredients that can bring your locks back to life. Alternatively, you could also include Kérastase’s Chronologiste Serum Universel in your haircare regime. It has three hero ingredients: abyssine, which acts as a natural antioxidant and helps regenerate cell vitality; hyaluronic acid, which plumps up the strands for a fuller effect; and Vitamin E, which protects it from external aggressors and prevents damage caused by…

GET IT RIGHT The classic colour combination holds the power to make any space look luxurious. Reminiscent of coastal decor, it also has a calming vibe to it. We recommend adding metallic accents to create a striking effect. Or, you can also consider an ornate toile de jouy wallpaper that dates back to the 18th century—featuring an ink-blue print on a white backdrop, it looks romantic and will add a chic touch to your space.…

Cosmo: What were you doing right before the interview? Chintan Rachchh: “I was reading a script while working out on a treadmill. The reason why I am doing these things simultaneously is because my daily schedule has not been on track. After Class released on Netflix, I haven’t been able to maintain a healthy routine and sleep cycle…” C: What does a regular day in your life look like? CR: “I moved houses recently, and now I wake up early because of the ample sunlight that enters my bedroom. To kick-start my day, I like to work out. Later in the day, I attend several meetings as I need to attend a lot of events related to the show’s publicity—most of my time goes into attending events, and doing interviews…

For many of us, our relationship with pores involves a lot of painful alliteration. Picking, poking, prodding, peeling. Somewhere along the way in aesthetic history, the teensy skin divots got an ugly rep, and ever since, a lot of us have spent a lot of time and money trying to banish them. But, hello, we have some more alliteration to share, this time in the form of good news: pore positivity. “Everyone, regardless of skin tone, skin type, age, gender, and ethnicity, has some 20,000 pores on their face,” says France-based Julie Bourlet, a chemist and skincare formulation expert at LVMH. Those thousands of microdots release sweat and sebum (aka a natural moisturiser) to keep your body temperature steady and your skin nice and dewy. So TL;DR: if you are…

1. Givenchy Prisme Libre Blush in Popeline Violine, ₹4,150 Featuring four complementing tones that blend harmoniously, this powder formula offers tailor-made vibrance to the face—a rush of colour that is hard to ignore. It lends a beautiful three-dimensional finish and promises to last over 12 hours. 2. Dear Dahlia Paradise Aurora Shine Lip Treatment in Twilight, ₹2,800 If you are wearing this bb, the first thing your date will notice is your lips… trust us! The super-hydrating, lightweight formula features shimmer particles that melts onto lips and deliver a beautiful, glistening finish. 3. Make Up For Ever HD Skin Twist & Light Powder, price on request A powder that lends a glowing finish… what?! Make Up For Ever’s HD Skin Twist & Light offers three colour harmonies in loose powder…

DERMAPORE PORE EXTRACTOR & SERUM INFUSER You probably recognise this product from your social media feed—there’s something so satisfying watching beauty influencers use this tool to deep-cleanse their pores. Dermapore utilises ultrasonic waves that gently loosen grime, sebum, and debris to unclog pores. Perfect for all skin types, the custom-curved spatula glides over wet skin for instant extraction minus any irritation, resulting in visibly smaller pores and clearer complexion. It also features an 'Infuse' mode that enhances the penetration of skincare actives and serums. BOOST LED FACE MASK This award-winning LED face mask is one of the most-recommended at-home devices. Offering the same precision wavelength used in professional treatments, this mask is clinically-proven to boost collagen production, strengthen the skin’s barrier, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and increase clarity and…

COSMO TIP Minimalists, rejoice! This lovely pastel hue allows you to step away from neutrals shades, add a touch of colour to your look, and still stay in your comfort zone. It’s a win-win.…

AISHWARYA CHAUHAN, 26 “For extra street-style cred, I have added a black crop top and a belt to a simple shirt-and-trouser combination.” TEENA CHOPRA, 29 “The ruffles on the crop top is what makes this pairing a lot more interesting. I added a bucket hat for finishing touches.” RUPDA RY LATO, 22 “I am channeling the classic Barbiecore look, and what better than a monotone co-ord set that screams bright pink?” ARYA VEER KHANNA, 21 “The bomber jacket is the star of my look. The vivid colour makes an impact, and the jacket keeps me warm, too.” AAKANKSHA PANWAR, 22 “My look is centered around this brown sweatshirt. A pair of white shorts and sneakers with socks makes the entire look soccer-chic!” JANAK VALECHA, 23 “Prints and colour come together…

Cosmo: Congratulations on your wedding! We have been noticing your extremely stylish looks… Would you call it a post-wedding glow-up? Athiya Shetty: “I don’t believe in ‘glow-ups’… And, to be honest, I don’t put much thought into what I am wearing, or what I may be seen in. It’s genuinely based on my mood. Some days I feel like dressing up…on other days, you’ll see me in comfortable, baggy outfits, without any make-up. Over time, I have become more comfortable with the idea of being my true self…and that probably comes across in the way I dress, too.” C: What are some of your favourite moments from your wedding? AS: “I can’t recall any specific moments, but it was all about the energy. Our wedding was about unconditional love and…

Relationships can be hard, there is no denying it: whether it’s navigating the anxieties of a situationship, exploring our own attachment styles or wondering when is the right time to break up, dating can come with a lot of baggage. But for some women in heterosexual relationships, things are even more complicated due to the uneven power dynamics between men and women which linger to this day, impacting intimate romantic connections through things like weaponised incompetence, the romance gap or unequally distributed emotional labour. Is there an alternative? Well, some individuals think female-led relationships are the key. Female-led relationships are a form of heterosexual dynamic which operates on the premise that, historically, men have been the dominant individuals in relationships. This means that, due to social privilege or convention, it…

Stop me if this sounds familiar. Your relationship is going great (no, like, for real though), when your boyfriend gets some bad news. Maybe he got passed up for a promotion; maybe his childhood dog died. Whatever it is, it has nothing to do with you or the state of your union. And yet, faster than you can say, ‘Hey, man, you are being weird—what is happening?’ you are, wait for it…single. You, my friend, may be a victim of a little thing I like to call the Etch a Sketch Effect. Reminder if it’s been a while: an Etch a Sketch toy has no ‘backspace’ button—if one little aspect of your design doesn’t go according to plan, you have to shake the entire thing and start from scratch. Still…

SHIELD SHADES + GLOSSY LIPS AKA two high-impact choices that combine to make an excellent cover for your lazy-girl life. Just swipe on a superdark hue (we love Dior Rouge Dior Forever Transfer-Proof Lipstick in 111 Forever Night, ₹4,000) and top with a thick gloss. Skip everything else make-up wise—these wraparound sunnies will take it from here. WILD PIECES + STATEMENT MANIS We know you are already in your maximalist mani era (thank you, page 38), so why not go absolutely all out—top optional—with your most out-there outfit at the same time? DRAPING + A BRAIDED PONY Soft and romantic, meet sleek and dramatic. (See? Opposites really do attract and this power couple is proof.) BIKER GETUPS + DISCO EYES The most unexpected thing you could do with your leather…

Aquarius 20.01–18.02 Your to-do list is longer than your monthly itemised phone bill, but after Venus enters Gemini on 11th April, your calendar has fewer meetings and more romantic dates. Yes, your love life is thriving! Enjoy it before Taurus season turns you into much more of a homebody in late April. Pisces 19.02–20.03 ‘Get sh*t done’ is your motto right now, Pisces. You are absolutely slaying at the office, and while there is not a tonne of room for anything else, that changes come Taurus season. Late April is one of the most social times of the year for you—you are gonna be the life of the party. Aries 21.03–19.04 Hello, it’s now Aries season, AKA the best season because… obviously. This is your time to start a new…