Innehållsförteckning för August - September 20201 från Cosmopolitan India

There’s a lot to learn and take in from the pages that follow, especially if you are unfamiliar with the concepts of sex, sexuality, gender, and gender expression. Or if you are still in the process of understanding what it means to be cisgender, non-binary, genderqueer, agender, bigender, or gender non-conforming. And that, really, is the point of this issue. To embark on a journey that will make you more informed. To help you learn about identities and expressions and romantic preferences and gender-neutral languages. To propel you to discover and respect those around you…and yourself. To absorb the stories of our brilliant coverstars, and the trailblazers in Cosmo’s Pride List, and be inspired by and better educated through their diverse narratives. But most importantly, the point of this special…

“UPCYLING IS NOT AS SIMPLE AS IT LOOKS—DIVING IN WITHOUT DOING YOUR PREP LEAVES YOU OPEN TO MAKING A MESS OF IT.” WHAT IS IT? Upcycling is all about taking something old, restoring it, and giving it a good glow-up, so it looks as good as new—or even better. You can do it with pretty much anything, including old clothes, but the practice is having a real ‘moment’ in the world of interiors. A lot of the vintage-style furniture you see on your favourite influencers’ accounts is likely to be the result of an upcycling project. NAIL THE BASICS Upcyling is not as simple as it looks—diving in without doing your prep leaves you open to making a mess of it. So do your research first—with a bit of knowledge…

A long, long time ago…well, in the ’80s, rappers like Flava Flav and Big Daddy Kane kickstarted the trend of dressing up one’s teeth with grills dipped in diamonds and gold. And to no-one’s suprise, grills quickly became the It accessory to represent the cutting-edge hip-hop culture at the time. The painful-looking teeth jewels briefly made a comeback in the noughties, with sightings on popstars like Katy Perry, Beyoncé, Miley Cyrus, Rihanna, and more. However, they managed to achieve ‘mainstream’ status only in the past year-and-a-half—you know a trend has peaked when Kim K sports it! Now we know that all you maximalists are rejoicing at the thought of an iced smile, but minimalists can get in on the trend, too, by commiting to a relatively cleaner pattern, or a…

RED COLOUR CRUSH Shaking up the colour wheel, red has made a surprise entry into the season to spruce up your winter wardrobe. It might be a bold hue, but one that mingles well with other shades to create an eye-pleasing effect. While designers mostly served monotone looks—a smattering of evening gowns, pantsuits, and luxe loungewear—invest in a layering piece (like a blazer, cape or a jacket) to get maximum ‘wear’ out of it. Also, opting for lighter fabrics will ensure you can wear the hue all year-round. BOHEMIAN SPIRIT This season’s boho-chic pieces are the epitome of easy glamour. Rich fabrics, embroidered patterns, eclectic prints, and happy hues… whether you opt for a co-ordinated look or mix ’n‘ match separates to channel your unique personality, there are options galore.…

Style these delish bbs with a halter neck and bright, flared pants…and oh, you know what’s gonna look good? Candy jewellery and chunky rings!…

GAME, SET, MATCH START WITH A MASCARA Yes, we are in the upside-down. And to get with the programme, you need to start with a curling, volumising mascara to, well, get you in the mood. Use two to three coats to create va-va-volume. Oh, did we mention, use it only on the top lashes, and leave the bottom ones bare. BRING OUT YOUR FAVOURITE PALETTE We want all the colours in the rainbow, and then s’more. Now you don’t have to stick to the reference, aka Blumarine’s SS21 lewk on the left. You can choose any shade of your liking. Beginners might want to stick to pastels, or if you like to go bright, diffuse the intensity. Use a fluffy shadow brush to blend the shadow on your bottom lids…

ACTIVE BEAUTY If you love being out and about in the sun, then consider adding these products to your beauty arsenal as they are designed to protect your skin and hair from the harsh rays. 170 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE Kiehl's is celebrating a special milestone this year. The brand has completed 170 years and to commemorate it, it has launched a limited-edition Heritage Collection, comprising three special formulas inspired by the archives—Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner, Ultra Facial Cream, and Midnight Recovery Oil. This range of Kiehl’s classics comes in a new white and gold glass packaging, in sync with the brand's commitment to a more sustainable future. DIY LIP GLOSS IN A MATTER OF MINUTES If you'd like to match your lips to your lids or cheeks, we have an easy…

“I define myself as the winning sperm and I am proud of not just who I am, but what I am—a wonderful, strong human with so much love to give. As a child, I was fearless, in complete control of how I saw myself, and knew undoubtedly who I was. I just lacked the vocabulary to articulate it. But with puberty and the imposed gendered rules of society came about a dysphoria—what I felt and what I was expected to feel were different. For almost a decade after that, I couldn’t recognise the figure I saw in the mirror. I have been coming out to myself gradually since I was a child, but it was only after studying abroad that I got some perspective on gender fluidity. Studying art in…

“My childhood was a little confusing for me—I found that I had an attraction for girls, so I thought that maybe I was a boy. On top of that, in reaction to living in India where women are often sexually harassed, it led me to reject my femininity altogether. I thought, ‘If this is what it means to be a woman, then I don’t want to be one’. Nevertheless, I know that I am attracted to women, and that biologically and emotionally I am a woman. But for so many people, gender can be a fluid concept. Globally, 0.3% of the people don’t feel that their biological and emotional beings match. This is why we must ask how we ought to address someone, because they might look like a woman,…

Have you ever felt distracted and not able to focus while having sex? Because it is a super-common experience, yet no-one really seems to talk about it. New research from sexual wellness app, Ferly, found that 30% of women experience anxiety before, during, and after sex, and that 92% of women don’t feel present during sex. How not feeling present during sex manifests itself is different for all of us. “It can vary from person to person and in the level of intensity that is felt,” explains London-based Kate Moyle, a psychosexual therapist at Ferly. But for most of us, she says it feels like not being able to silence our busy minds and “letting our thoughts jump from things that have happened in the past to things that could…

Being bisexual isn’t always easy. There are still so many misconceptions about bisexuality, and that can be incredibly frustrating. So if you are wondering, ‘Am I bisexual?’, you need to be wary of the BS. Despite what you may have heard, bisexual means being attracted to more than one gender—it doesn’t mean attracted to just men and women. Gender, like sexuality, exists on a spectrum. It is not binary. If you are attracted to people regardless of their gender, and have the potential to be attracted to someone of any gender, you could be pansexual. Other people might use queer. The label you use is up to you: there is no right or wrong when identifying your sexuality. Here, real-life bisexuals explain via Reddit how they knew they were attracted…

START HERE 1. It is time to update your vision board. What are you manifesting? A Finding my soulmate and then travelling the world together. B More Instagram followers, a viral Reel, and anything else that will build my personal #brand. C Tapping into the most-creative part of my brain and making something tangible to share with the world. 2. You are saving up for something luxe. Which side hustle do you take on to earn extra cash? A Running the social accounts of a local business. B Renting out your spare room on Airbnb. Yeah, you have a spare room. C Selling beautifull-ymade DIY things, because you are crafty like that. 3. What is your go-to weakness-that’s-secretly-a-strength answer in a job interview? A ‘Sometimes I take on more than…

Refresh your beauty cabinet with our top picks Best Buys…

It’s time to turn to the heavens and indulge in some star gazing! Aquarius 20.01–18.02 Even as things look bleak currently, don’t lose faith in the Universe. Trust your gut and do not hesitate about taking tough decisions. Your personal relationships shall bounce back as the month ends, and a cordial work rapport will help you excel professionally. Be wary of financial speculations as those could lead to losses. Keep anxiety at bay by practising relaxation techniques regularly. Pisces 19.02–20.03 This month, compromise is the key to resolving love issues. Singles will be at their charismatic best and could meet a potential beau. Financially, money might be tight and that could delay any plans to start your own venture. On the bright side, everything on the health front looks great…and…

NITIN BARANWAL “When I was a child, I used to secretly watch Fashion TV, and then drape my mother’s saris, put on music, and strut around the house, imitating the models. I was born and raised in Dharavi, Mumbai—the country’s biggest slum—where there isn’t a lot of sensitivity towards alternate sexualities. So I was hectored, abused, even molested. Everyone wanted to shape me in their own way, and I’d get no say in it. Thankfully, my mother stood by me through it all. She encouraged me to explore myself, and accepted me as I was. And that made me confident, as well as rebellious…to be me. I believe fashion has no gender. As a model, I want to fit in both male and female binary categories, and create more awareness…

STEP 1 Preparation is key when it comes to doing a good job with any upcycling project. Have an end goal in mind—what do you want your piece to look like once it is finished?—and work out what steps you will need to complete to get there. Although you will be excited to get started, do not rush, because you are more likely to run into problems. STEP 2 Yes, it is not the fun part, but getting a cobweb tangled up in your paint is never going to end well. Give your piece a quick wipe with a wet cloth, then sand it down to encourage new paint to stick properly, and to stop any new paint reacting with the old and causing discolouration. STEP 3 Use enough layers…

Cosmo: What sparked your love affair with beauty? Bhumi Pednekar: “I have always been intrigued by the world of beauty. I feel very fortunate to be born in a family where I saw my mom, aunts, and cousins change their appearance as per their mood with the help of make-up. And growing up, I had access to all the products they used—they never told me not to wear make-up or touch anything because my parents were of the view that children should experiment and have fun. And now, beauty is therapeutic for me. The time I spend in front of the mirror—whether for my daily skincare ritual, or to wear make-up—feels so healthy and positive. It is like self-care for me, you know, where I am appreciating myself and not…

RIYA JAIN, FASHION BLOGGER “I have been crushing over whites lately and this monochrome combo impeccably complements the summer season. Striking a perfect balance between minimalism and glamour, this ivory dress by Cuin is my absolute favourite, and makes for one of the most-versatile pieces in my wardrobe. I often style it in multiple ways, without anybody realising that I am wearing the same outfit. I admire the aesthetics of Cuin—they mindfully curate their looks and their silhouettes are simple yet elegant. During the day, I like to pair this dress with a white blazer and boots (as seen here), and for the night, I add a black belt with some dainty accessories to the mix.” AYESHA KANGA, MODEL “I couldn’t pick just one thing, so I opted for an…

1 Outerwear makes it work Adding a coat to the mix helps turn visible skivvies into ~An Intentional Look~. No coat can turn it into ’Got Locked Out of My Apt at 3am. Have You Seen My Keys?!’, if not done right. 2 But showing off is the point Sheer blouses, open cardigans, and tops with low necklines will let your—very bright, very colourful, please!—underthings shine. 3 Care is also very imp Lingerie is fussy as hell, and you can’t just throw it in the wash willy-nilly. If you want your delicates to last (and, you know, be able to transition back to the bedroom), it’s handwashing or dry cleaning for you. Some undergarment suggestions to grab l’attention If you’re gonna up your underwear game, you might as well get…

SHIVANI RAJANI, 23 “I decided to dress up my basic, oversized blazer with a harness belt to add definition, while the heart-print stockings add a dose of fun to the look.” NAVDEEP KAUR, 30 “I love pantsuits and the checkered pattern…and this look combines the two in a way that it is striking without being over-the-top.” RIDDHI AGRAWAL, 21 “This is my version of tonal dressing featuring a pair of comfy trousers, a snug camisole, and an oversized shirt, all in different shades of dusty rose.” ZAINAB SHAKIR, 22 “Multitasking printed scarves are one of my favourite accessories. I have styled mine as a headgear and kept the rest of the look simple to allow it to be the focal point.” NICOLE MEHTA, 29 “Can you ever go wrong with…

If you have watched one too many drag queen transformation videos, you would know that they have some mean make-up skills up their sleeve. The way drag queens created their personas with the help of make-up is awe-inspiring. But drag culture isn't a recent phenomenon…historians have documented that men have been dressing up as female impersonators (aka drag) since the 1700s. It is no wonder their skills are so good…they have had hundreds of years of practice! We looked up some of the most trending make-up trends and techniques of recent times and, unsurprisingly, many have been borrowed from the queens. THE MEGA CONTOUR Sorry Kim K, you did NOT invent contouring. But she did do a helluva job marketing it. [Hello, her multi-million dollar brand—KKW Beauty—was literally born because…

Nandini Bhalla: What is it like being a woman in India? Sobhita Dhulipala: “It is almost like Stockholm syndrome…which is interesting. I feel in India, women are still living by patriarchal rules. I have met women who judge other women who are trying to break out of the box. They are not able to take that journey to fight issues, and sometimes it becomes easier to pull down another person. We hear stories from rooms of ambition, where women have curtailed the growth of another woman. And we have heard of difficult mother-in-laws… I feel like we need better ‘relationship education’ in the country, because I don’t think the rules we have followed are applicable anymore.” NB: How can women be better allies to other women? SD: “Women don’t always…

While growing up in the ’80s and ’90s, both Porus Vimadalal and Prayag Menon did not have the resources and access to information the way they do now. In spite of not having the vocabulary to describe themselves, deep down, they always knew that they were both attracted to men. While Porus and Prayag were seeing each other, they never explained their relationship with the narrative, ‘Oh, I am gay and I am with a guy,’…but that they were simply together. For they never approached their identities and the relationship with any boxed or compartmentalised terminologies. Back in the day, even homosexuality came with its own set of stereotypes. Prayag shares, “I used to get bullied in school for not conforming to the image of a typical boy. I didn’t…

Non-binary people are still very much misunderstood, despite many celebrities like Demi Lovato speaking about being nonbinary. Fortunately, through the power of social media the landscape of sexuality and gender has been able to reach so many more people than before. I am non-binary, and have identified this way since 2015. My awakening with non-binary identities and the LGBTQIA+ term in general came through Twitter. It granted me an epiphany moment, and I was able to feel like the cogs were fitting. WHAT DOES NON-BINARY MEAN? The definition from Stonewall, a UK-based charity, describes non-binary as an “umbrella term for people whose gender identity doesn’t sit comfortably with ‘man’ or ‘woman’”. For me, it means the ability to choose and set your own rules and parameters of where you see…

Meera Sanghamitra LAWYER AND TRANS AND DALIT RIGHTS ACTIVIST “It is not the transgender community but society that needs to come out”, says Meera Sanghamitra, a proud trans woman, lawyer, and social justice activist. Meera knew from the age of six that she felt like a woman, draping her mother’s sari and getting photos clicked. But it was only at the age of 25, after years of negotiating with her body, that she formally came out to her mother and the world. In this transitional journey, her mother’s support was her biggest asset. Meera is the convener at the National Alliance of People’s Movement, a pan-India collective of mass movements for marginalised communities, and is associated with the Telangana Hijra Intersex Transgender Samiti. She believes that intervention should take place…

There is a reason that Hollywood seemingly has no new ideas. And that reason is money. It is a lot safer financially to iterate on a cultural artefact that audiences know and love than to take a chance on something totally fresh. TBH, this is often great for you as a movie-goer, who will probably enjoy round two (or three or four) if you enjoyed the original. It is kind of like how you keep buying V-neck tees from your favourite brand in slightly different colours than the ones you already own. But movie studios can’t just entirely reuse old material—remakes have to be bigger, with higher budgets, and more celebrities, so they can outperform whatever came first. Sometimes this works, and sometimes…well, here are all the new films and…

As people are evolving—both individually and as a society—language, too, continues to evolve. And one of the most-exciting ways language has progressed is through the use and understanding of gender-neutral pronouns. According to the LGBTQIA+ Resource Center at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, gender-neutral pronouns are “inclusive pronouns that do not associate any gender with the individual being discussed.” These are different than he/his and she/hers pronouns, which are specifically gendered pronouns. Now before we dive deeper into the subject and what gender-neutral pronouns are like, it is important to know that learning, using, and respecting someone’s pronouns are a necessary part of daily interaction. So, whether you personally have gender-neutral pronouns, are trying to figure out which pronoun(s) are best for you, or are looking to be a better ally, you…

THE TRICK Invest in sneaky underthings like nip covers or sticky bras so no straps distract from your final look.…

TREND OF THE MONTH COORDINATED MUCH? Since most of us have been living in our matching loungewear sets, designers used that as a cue to bring back happy hues for the dreary winter days ahead. Monotone head-to-toe looks at the Autumn-Winter 21 runways (shoes and accessories included) were spotted in a host of shades, including pretty pastels, bright pinks, vivid yellows, and rich greens and reds. And there are options galore for all style personalities. Check out Balmain to satiate your love for futuristic silhouettes, Jacquemus to nail the cazjh-cool vibe, Moschino if you can’t get enough of retro glamour, and Max Mara for snug-meets-chic pieces that have the power to turn into classics. GET THIS! THE ART OF TIME Rado recently collaborated with artist duo Thukral and Tagra to…

MASCARA If you have run out of brow gel, or are unsure about investing in one, your reg mascara can double up as a brow product to fill in and lift your arches. Tip: use a waterproof formula as it helps set eyebrows better. Benefit Cosmetics Theyre Real! Beyond Mascara, ₹2,510 BRONZER A bronzer doesn’t just help you fake that sexy I-Just-Got-Back-From-the-Maldives glow…a creamy, slightly shimmery formula can also be used on the lids to create a brown/copper smokey eye. Wet n Wild Color Icon Bronzer in Ticket To Brazil, ₹650 LIPSTICK You have probably read about this hack in Cosmo, before, but allow us to refresh your memory: dabbing on the same lipstick on your cheeks lends a seamless effect. This nifty tweak looks bomb in photos. Nykaa So…

You probs don’t need us to tell you that brown hair—totally natural or dyed—can get hella brassy, developing a weird orangey-red tint after exposure to things like UV rays and chlorine or just from fading over time. Up until recently, there hasn’t been much—outside of a salon—that we could easily do about it (all those anti-brassiness purple shampoos = for fake blondes only). But now, friends, we have our own at-home solution in blue shampoo, the secret sauce for making brown hair look freaking excellent, like, all the time. It uses colour-correcting pigments (blue is across orange on the colour wheel) that bond to your strands and cancel out brassiness as you wash. Using a blue shampoo once or twice a week (any more than that could give your hair…

“I identify as a ciswoman, who is bisexual and polyamorous. When I was 13 years old, I realised that I am attracted to people of my own and other genders. When I spoke to my twin sister about it, she asked me if I was a lesbian, and since I didn’t relate to that identity and was not ready to handle the prejudice associated with being queer, I denied it. At the time I had no language to express what I was feeling because there were no conversations regarding gender or sexuality. But I did see the intrinsic homophobia and transphobia that existed in the form of bullying kids who were different. This made it even more difficult for me to accept my reality. I came out to myself after…

“Gender is such a ubiquitous, pervasive concept that there isn’t any one particular point when you learn it. It is ingrained in the language you speak, prescribed even to objects and things. It was the unlearning of gender that shook me—my tryst with fate of being a trans child. I was five-years-old, playing with my mother’s dupatta when an aunty came and slapped me hard across the face. That is when I realised that how I saw myself was not how others saw me, that gender was not fluid, and that there were clear demarcations between behaviours condoned for boys and girls. As a straight, heterosexual transwoman, sexuality was complicated for me because of my gender identity. My biological sex didn’t conform to my psychological gender. Like any other girl,…

“I want to change the fact that I don’t get a lead role unless I write it.” Sumukhi Suresh is unfazed by trolls who body shame her daily. The 33-year-old comedian, who has proved her mettle over the years, has a more pressing goal in mind…to erase years of conditioning that plus-size women can only play second fiddle in a show or movie. In this interview, Sumukhi speaks with Cosmo Associate Editor Meghna Sharma about starring in Netflix Comedy Premium League, women who inspire her, and her biggest learnings. Cosmo: What was it like being a part of Netflix’s Comedy Premium League (CPL)? Sumukhi Suresh: “Well, this is my first proper Netflix show and I was very excited about it. My team, which has Tanmay [Bhat], Rohan [Joshi] and Sumaira…

“An individual experiencing anxiety often worries about the future to such a point that the uncertainty can seem intimidating to one’s survival. Therefore, when we get anxious, our heartbeat skyrockets, we are unable to breathe or sweat profusely, feel thirsty, etc. These responses are very typical of the activation of the sympathetic nervous system, which keeps us on the edge and clouds us with a chronic feeling of impending boom. This feeling of apprehension and worry often results in physical symptoms that cause discomfort and may aggravate over time. Although, some amount of anxiety is normal and even helps us perform better (such as the discomfort you might feel in your stomach right before a presentation), it can become a problem if it renders you dysfunctional and makes you want…

ANOREXIA One of the better-known eating disorders, anorexia is primarily characterised by self-starvation. The main symptoms include eating too little, drastic weight loss, a fear of gaining weight, and a fixation on size. BULIMIA Bulimia often involves a cycle of binge eating, which is then counteracted by behaviours aimed at preventing weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting. BINGE EATING DISORDER (BED) If you have BED, you may eat a much larger amount of food than normal in a short window of time and find yourself trapped in a dieting and bingeing cycle. AVOIDANT RESTRICTIVE FOOD INTAKE DISORDER (ARFID) This refers to someone limiting the amount and types of food they consume. Normally, the individual won’t feel distress about their body shape or size, but will instead be uninterested in eating…

Q I want to recreate the cat-eye-and-red-lip look as seen on the runway, but I don’t have a steady hand. Any tips on how can I create perfect wings? A: There are a bunch of hacks, and the simplest of them all is ‘join the dots’. Yes, it is exactly what is sounds and extremely easy to master. You will require a pen eyeliner (smudge-and waterproof, preferably) with a thin tip. Make a dot right at the outer corner of your lower lid. Then, put two or three more dots in an upward fashion till the end of your brow. Now, join the dots starting with the one at corner of the brow to the lower lid. Next, starting from the middle of your upper lid, create an angled line…