Innehållsförteckning för December 2019 från Cosmopolitan India

I CAN PREDICT HOW 2020 WILL TURN OUT FOR YOU… Modification: I can’t quite prophesize that you’ll meet a dashing dude in May or sip wine in Positano in October, but I can reveal if you’ll be happier in the New Year. How? Well, based on how you’ve spent the last 365 days. To know your future, go through the series of good-for-you habits ahead, and confirm if they are already a part of your life. The more yesses you reply with, the more fulfilled you will feel next year. And if you end up with several nays, that’s okay, because the science backed pointers below can be put into action immediately, to ensure your year is a wonderful one. Ready? Answer the following statements with a yes or no……

THE SEX BOMB DRESS Carrie Bradshaw knew it in the ’90s that sequins will sparkle forever. A blingy number is still the Ultimate Party Dress because it makes you look sexy with minimal effort. Pair with equally sexy shoes and throw on a classic black coat for balance. THE STATEMENT-MAKING DETAIL Okay, we get that you might not always be dressed to the nines (or even feel like making an effort sometimes). For times like those, elevate a plain ol‘ dress by adding that one accessory that’s truly *extra*. Perhaps a gigantic brooch (like the floral detail seen on Carrie’s), an embellished belt, or OTT jewellery… anything that adds edge to a simple garment. PYJAMAS, BUT MAKE IT COUTURE Carrie went out on New Year’s Eve in her actual pyjamas,…

LUXE LOVIN‘ Velvet is one sumptuous fabric that’s trending in many shapes and styles. There are so many reasons to love this plush fabric—one, it’s warmer than many of its cousins; two, it’s form-flattering as well; and three, it’s a guaranteed way to add a touch of luxe to anything at all. TINY TALES The ’80s mini is back and it’s more risqué than ever… We’re not just talking hemlines, but also the silhouette, from plunging necklines to slinky straps, slits that run up to your pelvic bone, and more. Make these babies shine with glorious, glowing legs (hello, body highlighter!)—this illustrious line-up deserves not one, but several nights out. LEG WORK Blessed be those who made pants party staples. And with the temps going down, it’s the perfect way…

AYUSHI PURI, 24 “It’s the perfect weather to take this animal print, faux-fur baby for an outing. To highlight it, I’ve teamed it with an all-black outfit, with accents of gold by way of the accessories. The wide belt also works well to cinch the waist and lend a more defined look. In keeping with the chilly temps, I’ve finished the look with thigh high boots.” EKTA SARNA, 21 “I have always wanted to werk checks, and decided to ease into the trend with this dress. I have paired it with a plain, collared shirt, and thrown on a cardigan. I decided to wear my hair in plaits for a glam, schoolgirl vibe.” ABHIJAI P. SINGHA, 22 “The jacket that I’ve opted for works as a perfect statement piece for…

These hero primers are packed with a bunch of superpowers—they prep and prime skin, and correct various imperfections to ensure you always have a flawless face on.…

GEETIKA MITTAL GUPTA “I am a huge fan of double cleansing—it leaves skin squeaky-clean, without stripping it off its natural oils. I start with Bioderma Micellar Water (it breaks down make-up easily) and then take a pump of Filorga Foam Cleanser to wash my face. If I’m wearing a lot of make-up, I add an oil cleanser—like Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil—to take off the grime. I’m more inclined towards using products that have been scientifically proven to show results. Plus, one tip that I’d like to give is that always, always wash your face with cold water, as hot water can leave skin feeling dry and sensitive.” JAISHREE SHARAD “The first rule of cleansing: identify your skin type and choose a cleanser accordingly. Very often, we get swayed…

‘I’ve completely lost the plot’ Once you learn how to manage your problem, you should begin to feel more grounded and in control. ‘I don’t want it to end’ Your therapist will show you how to self-practice the skills you’ve learned. Remember, the aim isn’t to be in therapy forever. ‘I feel self-indulgent’ If you had a chest infection, you’d probably see your doc and take the prescribed medication to get better. Psychological problems, like physical ones, need our attention and care, too. ‘I’m a sh*tty person’ This kind of thinking is often the problem itself. Remember: just because you think something, doesn’t make it true. ‘I love/hate my therapist’ Therapists are only human. If you have any concerns about the relationship, raise them at your next session. ‘It’s not…

1 Do it, do it, do it! Follow up on your unacknowledged note. Maybe they (ahem, Mom) saw it, started to respond, and suddenly realised they were next in line at Starbucks and needed time to rehearse their order. You won’t regret this nudge. 2 I mean, you could. If they love you unconditionally (eg: your bestie, your dog, your mom and her sister), it’s worth the risk. But the dude from the bar, whom you’re messaging on Insta because you don’t have his number, isn’t worth the stress. 3 Don’t. Give them some time. Take a deep breath and turn to Astro to read your horoscope. You are very busy and important.…

Aquarius 20.01–18.02 This month, work’s on your mind. With a bunch of planets in retrograde, things may slow down, but stay patient. Saturn will play a positive role when it comes to health and finances. Avoid being spendthrift this month and pay off your debts. Pisces 19.02–20.03 Oh, you have so much to look forward to this month, Pisces. Your work and social calendar will be buzzing, which may lead to exhaustion, but you’ll make some vital connections. Don’t forget to hit pause every once in a while and spend time with fam. Aries 21.03–19.04 Aries, December will bring along a few lessons. Your outlook towards life is going to change…in a good way. You will be excited about the new changes coming your way. Your love life is on…

This pair can totally turn around a drab outfit! A fun shape and out-of-the-box colour is what makes it a total winner. Replace that party mini with a pair of fancy shorts. I’d wear these with a button-down, white shirt, and a pair of high, high heels. Artist Alex Israel brings his renowned California wave to life in this multihued bag. A collectible, if there ever was one. Need a li’l something to brighten up your outfit? These flats are the perfect way to add a touch of whimsy to anything. Look at the incredible detail on this pencil skirt! Statement separates such as this one can be dressed up or down, for lunch, dinner, or a cocktail do.…

ARJAN BAJWA MY RECOMMENDATIONS “I’m training to be a pilot and fly as a hobby. So one of my favourite things to do in SF is go to the Livermore airport and fly around. If you’re passionate about planes too, do go there. The Livermore Outlets is also a great place to shop. The area is also home to some great vineyards, so you can enjoy wining and dining. Other than that, do visit the Bay Bridge: it’s an engineering marvel; visit Pier 39 marina for its liveliness, abuzz with performances, 3-D rides, eating joints etc; watch an NFL game; take a tour of the Alcatraz jails; if you’re an outdoorsy person, trek to the Twin Peaks and see the city spread out like a carpet below you; if you…

Kallol Datta 1955 “Gender-fluid fashion is a crude, rudimentary, and myopic term coined to indulge the queer community. Our industry has deep-rooted misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, and classism. Designers think that putting a man in a sari or a woman in a tuxedo is gender fluid. It’s such a dangerous and irresponsible way of viewing fluidity in identity. The moment you start treating androgyny, gender fluidity, and sexlessness as a trend, you’ve lost the plot. My clothes are neither intimidating, nor are they uninviting. The shapes and silhouettes are sexless. I don’t ascribe a gender to them. They’re just languid, distorted fabric columns. I don’t use sex as a currency in design…there’s no acknowledgement of gender. However, with the addition of colour and construction details, the form might get ‘gendered’, but…

You don’t have to be Kate Middleton to sport ’em (we love how she rocks the headbands, though). Play subtle or go OTT (like Dolce & Gabbana here): you’re sure to be fashion royalty with these pearl-y tiaras. Why limit the AW19 rage of velvets, satins, faux furs et al only to the lower body, when they can play perfect dress-up partners for the mane, too?! You may wanna go easy on the other accessories (or skip them all together as seen at Shrimps) to ace the look. Embellished headbands can be a great way to incorporate bling in your ensemble. From splattered unabashedly with studs to scantily lined with stone details, there’s one for everyone and every occasion.…

ALL THAT’S IN STORE After 15 years in the industry, designers Shane and Falguni Peacock inaugurated their first store in Mumbai, nestled in a heritage building in Kala Ghoda, and designed by Gauri Khan. Cosmo caught up with Falguni for details… Cosmo: Tell us about the new store. Falguni: “The city’s been our base, and we always wanted to have a store in South Mumbai. After searching for almost three years, we fell in love with this place the moment we saw it—it goes with our label’s aesthetics.” C: Describe a signature FSP outfit. F: “One that you can see from miles away, and immediately know is an FSP outfit: a statement piece, high on glamour, and with any of the quintessential elements of the Peacock DNA—such as prints, ruffles,…

SINGLE-USE WIPE Swap sleeping in your make-up (not done!) for this anti-acne rosewater wipe. Lauren Napier Beauty La Rose Facial Cleansing Wipes, net-a-porter.com, ₹4,200 approx BLENDING BRUSH A shrunken version, because bathroom touch-ups, duh. Artis Palm Brush Mini, price on request SERUM STICK Hi, cute li’l bb that hydrates skin with watermelon extract! Milk Makeup Mini Watermelon Serum, milkmakeup.com, ₹1,200 approx SETTING POWDER A tiny finishing product so clutch, it fits in one. Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Mini Instant Retouch Setting Powder, fentybeauty.com, ₹1,300 approx FACE OIL BFF: Wait, I thought you slept at his place last night? You: *pulls out this omega-rich oil*. Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil, amazon.com, ₹5,100 approx SEXY SCENT Marilyn Monroe wore Chanel to bed. Why not you, too? Chanel Gabrielle Chanel Eau…

Let ’s guess what you’re thinking: ‘Why can’t I just use my regular face cream?’ Well, “most face creams contain some sort of fragrance, which can aggravate eye skin,” explains US-based dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD. “And thick ones can also cause the under-eye area to retain moisture and look puffy.” So there’s that. Also, the skin around your eyes is super-thin and delicate and has fewer and less concentrated oil glands to keep it plump and bright, says US-based dermatologist Shari Marchbein, MD, which leads to the obvious dark circles, dryness, and puffiness. It also means your eye area will be the first part of your face to show signs of ageing. Bottom line: if you want to prevent the above, you’re gonna need a targeted eye cream. Hello, yes,…

We all crave freedom. But some of us desire a carefree lifestyle, away from the hustle bustle, more than others. Remember Esmerelda from Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame? Since we saw the beautiful gypsy girl, with a mystic and free spirit, we’ve dreamt of being a gypsy, too. But there’s a lot more to being a gypsy, of course. It’s not just about the travelling, long, flowy clothes, funky jewellery, and the like. ‘Gypsy’ is actually a term for Romani people—a whole different culture. However, if you have a free spirit, too, that wants to explore the world, meet new people, and live a worry-free life, a modern-day gypsy lifestyle is what you need. Here’s everything you need to know… THE GYPSY LIFE ISN’T FOR EVERYONE Before you turn your…

Model: Sumayya Hazarika at Anima Creative Management; Make-Up and Hair: Aakriti Kochar; Location Courtsey: Aqube Studio…

SHINING BRIGHT “Shraddha Kapoor looked lovely on the cover! I loved all her beauty looks, and thank you for the tips on how to recreate them. The interview was equally interesting, too. I agree, it is important for women to stand up for (and with) each other. It was great to see that she takes her social media responsibilities seriously, and understands the impact her voice can have on her followers.” —Hajra Shamim DIFFERENT REALITIES “In Good Faith was a very interesting piece. We need more platforms like The Queer Muslim Project to normalise non-straight sexual orientations, and also to give those who feel marginalised within the community a place to belong to. ‘So, Who’s the Man in the Relationship?’ was another thought provoking story we need more of. It’s…

Cosmo: Tell us about Reebok’s new concept store, Fit Hub 3.0… Malaika Arora: “It’s the first of its kind in the country! Today, the world over, fitness is not looked at as just fitness alone…it’s become fused with fashion. And that coming together is fantastic. That’s what the store offers: a unique shopping experience for any fitness enthusiast.” C: You’re a fitness enthusiast, too. What’s your workout routine like? MA: “The most important thing for me is to just get up in the morning and go out. I encourage people to make time for themselves and engage in a fitness activity. That tends to be the biggest challenge for most people. If you can incorporate that in your daily life, half the battle is won. Next is what you do…

“I didn’t know what I was excited about more. That I was visiting a lesbian bar for the first time, or that I was on a date with a woman who I had met on the Guardian Soulmates dating website. I had just moved to London in 2011, and was still finding my way around the city and my sexual orientation. While I remember very little about my date, the memory of being in a space for girls, run by girls, was both thrilling and assuring. The next day, I called my friend, a lesbian Londoner, to relive my experience. Five minutes into my prattling, she interrupted, ‘But, how did the date go?’. At that exact moment, I realised how naïve I must sound. I was a ‘late-blooming lesbian’, who…

BE JEWELLED Richly saturated jewel tones, such as amethyst purple and emerald green, are perfect to spice up staple winter hues. LACE-D WITH GLAMOUR Romantic and sexy in equal measure, lace can also be paired with boots and sneakers for a more chill-girl vibe. STYLE TIP Layering is hot this season (literally!), so use your party dress as a base, to team with an overcoat, jacket, cape, et al. You could also throw on a pair of subtly-patterned tights to add some texture to the look. COW(L) GIRL Cowl necks on slick, body flattering silhouettes are the ultimate evocation of starry glamour from the 1900s. Think Fay Wray (from Doctor X) to Irina Shayk. SEQUINNED SEQUENCE Party dressing is a whole lot dazzlier this season, thanks to sequins—sparkle galore and…

DIOR DIORSHOW EYELINER, PRICE ON REQUEST A first from the brand, this liner features a hybrid tip that combines the ease of a felt-pen with the suppleness of a brush. Its fine tip allows for freer application, helping you recreate runway looks in a single stroke. The ultra-pigmented and waterproof formula is available in three intense effects—vinyl, matte, and satin—and helps you dress the eyes in an instant. MAKE UP FOR EVER AQUA XL EYE PENCIL, ₹1,750 If you don’t have a steady hand and dread liquid liners, this one will help you nail all the runway-approved looks, easy-peasy. This formula offers rich colour in a single swipe, while the creamy texture blends easily with a brush for a soft, blurry finish. CHANEL STYLO YEUX WATERPROOF LONG-LASTING EYELINER, PRICE ON…

700 BCE In Hesiod’s epic poetry, Zeus commissions Pandora, very possibly the first sexbot. 350 BCE The sculptor Praxiteles creates a life-size statue of Aphrodite. Stains on her marblet highs are evidence of men’s secret relations with her. 8 CE As told in Ovid’s Metamorphoses, Pygmalion falls in love with his ivory statue, Galatea, giving birth to the term ‘pygmalionism’, a sexual at traction to an object of one’s own creation. 1600s Lonely sailors bring dames de voyages, sex dolls made of cloth or old clothes, on long voyages. 1880s A British physician, Joseph Mortimer Granville, invents the first electromechanical vibrator. 1955 In Germany, stores sell novelty dolls inspired by a popular sexy comic-strip character, Bild Lilli (who is widely thought to have inspired Barbie). 1997 Matt McMullen, a sculptor…

According to WHO, 7.5% of India suffers from some form of mental disorder. And that figure is likely much lower than the stark reality. With hardly any info available, how do you know what the right treatment for you looks like, especially when you’re in the midst of a dark cloud? There are a bunch of treatments out there, so we’ve decoded all that’s on offer before you make the leap. Remember, no matter what route you take, therapists don’t have a magic wand and it’s important to approach the process with a willingness to work if you want to see results. Do your research, then decide what’s best from what’s available… HYPNOTHERAPY What is it? Forget swinging pocket watches. Sessions involve being guided into a relaxed state, imagining various…

Anukriti Upadhyay You Can Be Anything You Choose “Till the end of the pitted and dusty lane, she was a dry, brown leaf swiftly floating down a clear stream. Part of it was easy, the part about being brown. ‘Brown as mud and common as mud,’ Aaji would scream every morning waking her up. The rest of the way, down the row of tiny rooms lining the pond with water the colour of old oil and ducks like old cotton spilling from Aaji’s quilt, she was an earthen pot filled with cool, gently rippling water. Once she was out of the earshot of the jeering boys yelling obscenities, she could select from a wide array of choices—she could be the pretty red car parked at the curb, the striped kitten…

SMOKEY SIREN This look is super-easy, and perfect for when you have zero time. A wash of vivid colour on your lids can totally change the game. Keep the make-up minimal—similar to the look before—to make your peepers shine. Apply primer to lids, as it helps the product glide on smoothly and stay put. Next, pick your favourite shade of blue and swipe it on—keep the finish uneven to nail the imperfect-perfection seen on AW19 runways. Load up on mascara and you’re done. WALK THE CHALK We know that white is thought of as a summer colour, but when it comes to make-up, it can provide a great contrast, turning a simple look into an edgy one. Prep your face with primer and apply matte foundation. Line lids with a…

The latest drop by the brand delivers extreme shine-amplified colour in a single swipe, thanks to the Dimensional Shine Magnifier Complex. Plus, it’s loaded with hyaluronic acid and Vitamin E that keep lips hydrated all day long. Who doesn’t love multi-taskers, especially those that allow you to nail a glowing face in an instant. This blush and highlighter palette offers a subtle, shimmery formula that blends effortlessly and leaves you with lit-from-within skin. Plus, the compact size makes it a great travel companion for touch-ups on-the-go. Created for busy girls on-the-go, the latest launch from Katrina Kaif’s beauty brand is a unique crème-to-powder formula that glides on effortlessly and offers intense pay-off. Bonus: it’s available in multiple finishes and a palette ranging from neutrals to bold hues. A blend of…