Innholdsfortegnelse for February 2018 i Cosmopolitan India

PEOPLE WHO CARE TOO MUCH (AND THOSE WHO DON’T CARE AT ALL) We know both kinds. Or perhaps we fall in one of either camps—those who are hyper-aware and hypersensitive, and those who really don’t seem to give a f*ck. Is it even possible to care too much? Camp 1 peeps know it. They have way too many #feels...they take everything personally, give more often than they get, and are particularly vulnerable to negative people and hurtful behaviours. They’re the ones up at night, ruminating over what someone did or said (even if it doesn’t concern them directly), often bewildered when others don’t see things the way they do. Then there’s the Camp 2 guys, often the cooler ones. They don’t get their leather jackets in a twist over what’s…

BIG NEWS AND NEED-TO-KNOW INFO IN EASY BITES CHANDAN GOMES “This is a candid picture of a ragpicker I befriended during the documentation of a landfill site. This picture is so symbolic...both of them orphaned by hate, bought together by love. Sometimes, the simplest things in life can evoke such strong emotions.” FARHAN HUSSAIN “Love both fools you and fulfills you. The problem is, you will never know which one is it doing. This picture of Yerine Park looking at her cat Leo in such a loving way sums up the purest form of love...” RAM SHERGILL “This image explores the relationship between human beings and nature. We’re often too tied down to technology, not appreciating the important things in life. Connecting with our ‘being’ and preserving the beauty of…

HARNAAM KAUR The former teaching assistant from England with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (a condition that results in excessive hair growth), holds a Guinness World Record for being the youngest woman in the world to have a full beard at 24. In March 2016, Harnaam became the first woman with a beard to walk the runway at London Fashion Week. The now 26-year-old is also a body confidence campaigner and gives motivational talks. RESHMA QURESHI After surviving a brutal acid attack in 2014 that disfigured her face and blinded one of her eyes, Reshma didn’t give up hope. She became a fashion blogger and in 2016, walked the ramp for Archana Kochhar at NYFW. Recently, Reshma has also collaborated with the Make Love Not Scars campaign to empower acid attack victims…

THE UPCYCLE CYCLE Reduce, reuse, and recycle: these three words have been defining the fashion world off-late. With tonnes of fabric discarded every year, eco-friendly design practitioners are promoting sustainability by utilising everything from scraps of fabrics to industrial waste and even plastic. The upcycle pioneers in India include brands like Doodlage, Huemn, Péro by Aneeth Arora, Amit Aggarwal, Abraham & Thakore, among others. Huemn even launched a sub-brand campaign called The Huemn Project showcasing patchwork jackets, shirts, and dresses, highlighting that upcycled luxury isn’t just here to stay, it’s the future of fashion. Cruelty Free Greeu Orqauic Ecoloqical GOING VEGAN Stella McCartney was the first luxury house to go vegan by forgoing leather, skins, fur, and feather in their creations. Instead, the brand uses innovative materials that mimic a…

Monica Dogra Actor & Musician “I feel like I have a million avatars, and I play them up by the way I dress. Though my style remains constant whether I’m meeting a man or woman, I truly feel sexy when I’m dressed as per my mood. It could be anything, from a pair of ripped jeans or a sexy evening gown, but if it fits how I’m feeling at the moment, I’m the best version of myself. I like to keep it real, cut through the bullsh*t...and once that happens, I can really have fun.” Bani J VJ & Actor “Can I say that I feel sexiest in my tattooed skin? It’s funny to think about it now, but while I was growing up, I always knew I’d get tattoos—…

HELLO, HOT COLLAB Is there anything Kaia Gerber can’t do? It’s only been three months since her catwalk debut, and the 16-year-old already has a huge collab with none other than fashion mogul, Karl Largerfeld! Their capsule collection will include clothes, shoes, sunglasses, and jewellery. Inspired by Karl’s Parisian aesthetic and Kaia’s West-Coast style, we can only imagine the collection to be a fashion lover’s dream come true. FEELIN‘ THE LOVE If you love ‘love’, you’re going to want to get your hands on the latest Crocs collection designed specially by Drew Barrymore! And the best part? It includes a host of customisable charms that just scream Drew! The exclusive collection will be available starting this month on shopcrocs.in, so you may want to add them to your Valentine’s wishlist.…

Best Balm 1. Caudalie French Kiss Tinted Lip Balm in Addiction, lookfantastic.co.in, ₹879 Kiss and Tell “It’s so sheer, and it made my lips really soft! My boyfriend even noticed.” —Lavanya K. Make-Out Metre Staying Power Taste and Smel Comfort and Texture Best Lip Gloss 2. Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Gloss in Red Extrovert, ₹1,950 Kiss and Tell “It’s glossy, so it didn’t last forever but it really made my lips look fuller. The good thing is that it is quite hydrating and not sticky.” —Karina S. Make-Out Metre Staying Power Taste and Smell Comfort and Texture Best Liquid Lipstick 3. Lakmé Absolute Plump And Shine Lip Gloss in Plum Shine, ₹450 Kiss and Tell “Even after dinner and a few martinis, this stayed true. My BF loved…

CHOCOLATE Research shows the sweet stuff can help slow down ageing. “Dark chocolate—not the milky kind—is rich in flavanols, antioxidants that neutralise free-radical damage and may help protect the skin from UV light exposure,” says dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD. For a caloriefree skin fix, slather on a cocoainfused mask two or three times a week— topically, the antioxidants nourish skin and may reduce wrinkles over time. RED WINE A glass a day keeps the wrinkles away? Derms say it’s possible. “Red wine is loaded with the antioxidant resveratrol,” says Dr Joshua. “It helps to reduce inflammation and promote healthy collagen production.” Translation: a plumper, glowier complexion. Want the perks without the buzz? This sleeping mask clears away dead skin cells, and creates clear and jelly-like skin with its shape-memory barrier.…

KESHAV KALRA Designer and CEO, The Monk Q. Could you tell us a little bit about yourself and Dayal Opticals. “My grandfather Shri Dayal Dass Kalra started Dayal Opticals and he’s taught me everything that I know. We have been running optical retail stores for the past 57 years now and we prefer to deal with people first-hand— from consumers and manufacturers, to designers, stylists and even doctors—to learn about their needs and wants. We created The Monk with a goal that quality, unique products need to be created at a price that is honest. We’ve tried to take a more unconventional route with the business and have always preferred to take a tougher route than give into easy shortcuts. We’ve maintained focus on making The Monk a legacy and…

No romantic relationship can be a completely open book. Keeping a few things to yourself is common...and normal. One study by sociologist Beth Easterling (who’s examined this topic extensively) found that more than 60 percent of coupled-up people admit to having kept at least one secret from their partner. And yet, once couples grow closer, it’s typical for them to start divulging all truth. For instance, you may confess to your partner that you actually hate that sweater he always wears or that, early on, you didn’t think you two would last. For the most part, these are facts that will hurt your mate—you’d be telling him purely for transparency’s sake, which today is equated with intimacy. But I believe it’s not so simple. Certainly, it’s useful to tell your…

SHAAN THADANI “I was constantly tortured about being gay up until I was 21, and I kept trying to suppress my natural tendencies. It was a very lonely time for me. I remember thinking that I can’t tell my guy friends because they’ll think I’m hitting on them, and I can’t tell my girl friends either because they’ll think I’m hitting on their boyfriends. It was a really awkward situation for me so I dated a girl for a while...actually, I dated quite a few girls. I even got engaged to one with the thought that if this is what I have to do, I might as well get it over and done with. But then I went to England to study, where I met completely different people and realised…

MOSTLY As WINGWOMAN WUNDERKIND Whenever a single friend is on the prowl, you’re more than happy to lend a hand. Helping homies get out of guy ruts sends your heart aflutter, even if you’re still flying solo. Keep doing your thing, but make sure you’re meeting your own needs too! MOSTLY Bs SALTY SIDECHICK You’ve taken one for the team so many times that you’re getting resentful. It’s nice to keep others in mind, but you’ll regret always passing on promising matches. Limit what you do for others, and know when it’s time to prioritise your own life. MOSTLY Cs HOTTIE HOG On the off chance you try to run interference, you end up interested. Don’t monopolise the singles’ section. If you just can’t fight the feeling, give your ladies…

Perfume has long been heralded as the ultimate tool of seduction. Research has proven that not only does it make you feel more attractive, it also acts as a carnal catalyst— certain perfumes release pheromones, which are naturally occurring chemicals that send out scent signals to the opposite sex, triggering powerful sexual responses. Oud is one such intoxicating scent that has caught the fancy of perfumers around the world. And its arousing powers have been the subject of many a study. One research published in the Personality And Individual Differences journal even concluded that this dark resin’s smoke boasts of a mysterious alchemy that can make anyone go weak at the knees. Just imagine, what it can do to you when spritzed on for date night. Do we have your…

“ We have two oud-based fragrances in our current range: Al Ameera and Al Ameer. And it ’ s probably the most expensive compound I have worked with, to date. We wanted to create something that would capture the Middle Eastern essence by blending the old and the new. For both fragrances, we sourced oud from Assam and Cambodia; and the other ingredients that we ’ ve worked with include sandalwood from Mysore, saffron oil from Kashmir, cardamom from West Bengal, and hinoki…

AQUARIUS 20.01–18.02 Focus on: your dreams. You hustle hard. Now’s your moment to bring your visions to fruition. This month’s New Moon in your sign—a partial solar eclipse on the 15th—is prime time for manifesting dreams. After the Sun moves into Pisces on the 18th, your mind is on rupee signs. Remind VIPs of your worth and you’ll reap big rewards. Pisces 19.02–20.03 Focus on: your creativity. You have a fab imagination—don’t let it go to waste! At the month’s start, spend some time brainstorming ideas that bring all the money. Once the Sun moves into your sign on the 18th, go out and share that shine with others. Aries 21.03–19.04 Focus on: your social life. Consider this permission to party—especially during the New Moon on the 15th—and watch your…

As Hugh Grant states in Love Actually, “Love actually is all around”—and it’s true! Who doesn’t love love, right? But there’s one union that’s added an extra spring in our step and captured our hearts—it’s a romance that has united people around the world. It’s the love story of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Ever since the ridiculously attractive couple announced their engagement, we’ve been aflutter. Apart from the obvious fact that this is a real-life fairytale, there’s something special about Harry and Meghan that has us rooting for them. “Meghan is a little outside of the box; she’s not been bred or groomed for this role,” explains psychologist Madonna Hirning. BREATH OF FRESH AIR Meghan is unlike any other woman who has married into the royal family—she’s American, an…

ADIDAS: The sports giant collaborated with Parley For The Oceans, and updated a ’90s Originals shoe style with yarns made from waste plastic collected from the ocean. LEVI’S: The brand’s Water<Less campaign (aimed at using less water in the finishing process for some styles) has saved over 172 million litres of water so far. G-STAR RAW: The brand partnered with Pharrell Williams’ company, Bionic Yarn, for RAW for the Oceans (a capsule collection), to create denim using recycled ocean plastic. H&M: Their Conscious collection is made entirely from sustainable materials. Currently it includes only 26 percent of the brand’s complete offering, but H&M aims to increase the percentage a little every year.…

COSMO TIP Form-fitting skirts pair up best with heels: they create a slender finish. But if you choose comfort, there are plenty of cool sneakers that’ll keep your style score in check.…

The start of 2018 also brought with it some major news: Kérastase has appointed Emily Ratajkowski as its new ambassador and hair muse. The gorgeous star revealed that she loves clean, textured, natural-looking hair, and Elixir Ultime is one product that helps nail that look in a jiffy. If you too are craving shiny, voluminous hair, Elixir Ultime should definitely be in your beauty arsenal. This baby packs in the goodness of an oil, but doesn’t leave your hair all greasy. With just a couple of pumps it’ll up thickness, add shine and leave you with lightweight softness. The best part: it works on all hair types.…

1. GET LOW An undone braid with face-framing wispies gives hot mess new meaning. 2. PERK UP A PONY Move your tail up a few inches and bam: so much sassier. 3. SLICK IT BACK Wet hair, don’t care. Rake gel through damp strands for an effortlessly cool vibe. 4. TRY IT Sometimes, it’s the simplest changes (like where you part) that make the biggest impact. 5. GO HALFSIES When you can’t decide between up and down, work the best of both worlds. 6. BE A TEASE It’s called sex hair for a reason. Texturising spray will get you there. 7. SHINE ON Super-sleek strands catch the light, drawing all eyes to you.…

Esther Perel is a sex and relationships therapist, author, of Mating In Captivity and the forthcoming The State Of Affairs, and host of the audio series Where Should We Begin? With Esther Perel. Her TED talks have been viewed more than 17 million times. Visit Estherperel.com or @Estherperelofficial for more. Even if you’ve never cheated or been cheated on, it’s likely you’ve been affected by infidelity at some point. And yet it remains so poorly understood and is still shrouded in secrecy and shame. Cheating is the elephant in the room. This makes it hard to have open conversations with our partners about our relationships. And that’s why it’s time to rethink it. While writing my new book, The State Of Affairs, I discovered surprising things about cheating that can…

Q. Men say they hate duck-face selfies, but I get the most Likes from dudes on those posts. What’s the truth? A: If your goal is to get a tonne of random people commenting that ‘You look hot,’ then duck face may do the trick. (To each his own, but to us, overtly sexy posts often look thirsty, like you’re just desperate for attention.) If you are not fishing for compliments, though, then who cares what anyone else thinks? Post selfies that make you feel happy and are like your most authentic self. It means so much more when someone Likes the real you. Q: Help! My fiancé and I are stuck in a serious date-night rut. We go to the same restaurant, order the same thing... He sees nothing…

“I’m excited and proud to be chosen as a Kérastase ambassador. I love that feeling of clean, textured, natural hair that instantly makes me feel good. That’s why my hair deserves the best care.” —Emily Ratajkowski Emily Ratajkowski’s 16.3 million Instagram followers are testament to the fact that the American model and actor has a huge appeal worldwide. As for Kérastase, it’s one brand that believes in delivering only the best... For this leading luxury professional hair-care brand, it all begins with the promise of personalised care for exceptional hair. Needless to say, Emily and Kérastase was a association that was meant to be! The gorgeous star with hair to die for let us in on the one Kérastase product she swears by: Elixir Ultime Nourishing Hair Oil. And it’s…

“As a brand with over 65 years of experience in the intricate art of perfumery, we’ve been working with oud-based fragrances for a long time. Most of our fragrances are oud-based, and looking at the newfound oud craze, we recently launched Oudesire. It was actually my late uncle Nazir Ajmal’s personal fragrance, who was also the nose of the brand. Oudesire is an aristocratic blend, created with timeless oud fused with spicy and floral notes—giving you a fragrance that’s lush with the best of both worlds. Oud on its own is very potent and enticing, and we decided to add a dash of contemporary notes to make it more appealing and easy to wear.”…

ON THE COVER Rimzim Dadu—www.azafashions.com. Manish Arora—DLF Emporio, Vasant Kunj, ND. Mia by Tanishq—The Great India Place Mall, Noida, UP. FASHION & Other Stories— www.stories.com. Accessorize— Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj, ND. Adidas Originals— DLF Mall Of India, Noida, UP. Aeropostale— DLF Mall Of India, Noida, UP. Amanté— DLF Mall of India, Noida, UP. Calvin Klein— DLF Promenade Mall, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi. Canali— DLF Emporio Mall, Vasant Kunj, ND. Candyskin—New Link Road, Andheri (West) Mumbai. Christian Louboutin—DLF Emporio Mall, Vasant Kunj, ND. Clovia— www.clovia.com. Crocs— M Block, Greater Kailash-1, ND. Dior— DLF Emporio Mall, Vasant Kunj, ND. Dhruv Vaish— Main Market, Aurobindo Marg, ND. Fila— Infinti, Malad (West) Mumbai. For Love and Lemons— www.forloveandlemons.com. Fendi— DLF Emporio Mall, Vasant Kunj, ND. Fleur du Mal— www.fleurdumal.com. Forever21— DLF Promenade Mall, Vasant Kunj, ND. Flirtatious— Shahpur Jat Village, ND. Frou Frou By…

“Once on a date, a guy interrupted me midsentence to ask, ‘Why don’t you get your moustache threaded?’ then proceeded to call me Gandalf for the rest of the evening.” —KOMAL P., 26 “I met this cute guy one night and gave him my number. I must’ve had one too many drinks because I gave him my brother’s cell! (We have the same number except for the last digit.) I woke up to an embarrassing text from my brother about a random guy flirting with him.” —BHAVNA B., 24 “I went on a date with this guy who seemed really cool. The date lasted three hours long, so I assumed it had gone well. But when I got home, he texted me, ‘I’m pretty sure you were just telling me…

Celebs have been rocking looks with their SO’s moniker or face on full display. “It’s like a billboard telling the world about the person who means the most to them,” says sex and relationship expert Megan Fleming, PhD, who believes putting your partner on your outfit signals to them—and others—that you’re proud of your connection. “It creates a “we’re in this together’ feeling,” she adds. Take a subtle or bold cue from these stars and wear your heart on your own sleeve, chest, neck...or anywhere else.…

CROWN PRINCE HAMDAN OF DUBAI Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, aka ‘Fazza’, 35, loves adventure, plus he’s a published poet. CROWN PRINCE HUSSEIN OF JORDAN Heir to the Jordan throne, Crown Prince Hussein, 23, has good looks and a heart of gold! PRINCE PHILIPPOS OF GREECE AND DENMARK Since graduating from Georgetown University, Philippos, 31, has been working as a hedge fund manager in New York. PRINCE CONSTANTINEALEXIOS OF GREECE AND DENMARK He may be young, but ‘Tino’, 19, has godfather Prince William to steer him in the right direction.…

HOT FASHION, HOT BEAUTY, IT’S ALL HERE PINK PARADE From sugary pastels to bold fuchsia, the whole spectrum of pink evokes an ‘Oh, yes!’. Expect spring blossoms in embroidered, lace and applique forms. And if you like being a tease, go for sheer pieces that leave just enough to the imagination. MATCH POINT After red, black and white are the only two colours that come close to being as sexy without trying too hard. All you need to do is pick the right pieces—think romantic lace bustiers, delicate corsets and racy mesh teddies. Cosmo tip: avoid mixing black and white (it looks a bit too granny-ish), and opt only for matching sets. BURNING BRIGHT Show off your playful side in the sexiest hue of the season. These sets in romantic…

NIKITA SRAMBIKAL, 23 “No matter what the season, co-ords sets are my goto. This one has a very Kim K vibe to it; add a denim jacket to the mix, and it instantly ‘coolsup’ the look a few notches.” SHARDA PANWAR, 22 “I like to add a bit of crazy to my look through accessories. And my cat-print shoes do the needful here. I’ve kept the whole look fairly basic to let them shine.” MAANASI CHANDRASEKAR, 22 “I love an all-black look as much as the next person, but I always add one coloured element to make it pop. And this banana-print shirt is not just quirky, it does the job prett-ay well.” APOORVA SINGH, 23 “Colour-blocking is one of my favourite trends ever. Though I’ve stuck to a fairly…

We love how your Instagram feed is full of other bloggers and make-up artists’ tutorials... “I like to think of myself as everyone’s beauty BFF! We like to use our socialmedia platforms to share our love for beauty, and support other artists. Our goal is to make beauty as fun as possible, and that’s why we share videos from all over the world with our community.” What makes your products stand out from the rest of the brands? “We never create anything unless we recognise that there’s a need for it. Huda Beauty came into being after our social family begged us to sell our false lashes. And this theory still guides us.” Do you test your own products? “Absolutely! When we’re developing new formulas, I wear it for months…

WHEN YOU THINK OF PERFUME, sweet florals, ocean air, and crisp citrus come to mind. But what if we told you that some of the sexiest scents have something more pungent at their core? “Anything off heightens the sexual aspect of a perfume,” says master perfumer Roja Dove. He’s referring to molecules that, in large quantities, can smell like sulphur, sweat, even stinky cheese. But when trace amounts are added to a fragrance, they create an aroma that can arouse more than just your senses. Your olfactory receptors subliminally detect the funky molecules, putting your overall sense of smell on high alert and making the reaction to the fragrance as a whole more powerful. Here are the notes that can turn you on. ANIMALICS Civet, musk, and castoreum—all naturally secreted…

PARO: DREAMS OF PASSION BY NAMITA GHOKALE The novel, published in 1984, caused quite a stir, and was described as soft porn for its use of erotic language. Pick up this book if you want to be taken on a journey to sexual liberation through the outspoken protagonist, Paro. PANTY BY SANGEETA BANDHYOPADHYAY This bold and raw novel, published in 2006, marked an important step for Bengali literature with its hardcore sexuality. It’s a candid commentary on female sexuality and a favourite with many. THE COMPANY OF WOMEN BY KHUSHWANT SINGH The author’s candid and witty take on relationships will leave you in splits. This is a genuine account of the adventures of womaniser, Mohan Kumar as he frolics from one lover to another. LOVE THE BI-WAY BY BHAAVNA ARORA…

There is no such thing as the ideal girlfriend. It’s time to give up the hope that you can be fault-free, put-together all the time, and just the right amount of deferential and independent in a relationship. That idea is utterly unrealistic, keeps you in a constant state of not feeling good enough, and prevents you from developing real confidence. It can even end up putting unnecessary strain on your mate and bond. Think about it this way: relationships are like musical instruments. If you expect to pick one up and quickly play it like a pro, you’re going to become frustrated, and you may just walk away from a good thing—missing out before you really even began. To foster a long-term, supportive, rock-solid connection and healthy self-esteem, try to…

Raise your hand if you’ve side-eyed someone Regina George-style in the last month. Week? Day? We see you. You’re not the only one with betchy opinions. An onslaught of scary events (political upheaval, apocalyptic weather) has made us all feel unstable, amplifying our instinctual urge to call out those who threaten the norm, says NYC clinical psychologist Ben Michaelis, PhD. “Because things seem less predictable,” he says, “we’re assessing more, looking to shut down threats everywhere.” Even that guy who confuses ‘your’ and ‘you’re’ on Facebook can awaken fierce judginess. It’s easy to dismiss these savage instincts as harmless (example, giving stink eye to someone in stilettos at a concert isn’t hurting anyone). But constantly judging others can create an addictive cycle, says New York Times bestselling author Gabby Bernstein,…

“The Western markets might have just caught on with the oud trend, but the Vedic literature talks about its use for skin, in perfumery, incense and fragrant balms since 2000 BC. Oud has stimulating properties when applied to the skin—it retains moisture levels exceptionally, to make the skin soft, supple and hydrated, and also leaves one enveloped in a longlasting sharp, musky scent. This Forest Essentials Body Mist is created with oud sourced from Assam (it has the finest agar wood in India) and refreshing green tea, which leaves you with a long lasting aroma. It has a refreshing effect on the senses and also keeps skin hydrated.”…

Q I don’t have time to style my hair...any easy ideas for date night? A: Hair accessories are pretty big this season and a great way to stir things up without making an effort. The logo-ed and embellished hair clips seen at Versace are elegant and easy to style: but load ’em up as just one won’t cut it. Embellished headbands too are a great option—they look good on both straight and curly hair. And on a particularly bad hair day, stick in some floral slides to a loose bun and you’re good to go! Q How can I make my perfume last longer? A: Opt for an EDP formula versus EDT, as it has higher fragrance concentration. Before spritzing perfume, moisturise skin (preferably in the same fragrance) ...it ’ll…

IT’S OUR JOB TO KEEP YOU INSPIRED Nida Mahmood, Designer “When Cosmo asked me to give these wooden chairs a makeover, the first thing that popped into my head was the feeling one gets when love blooms... It makes everything blossom wherever it finds its way. And that’s why I decided to go with a floral motif in delicate hues, highlighted with a pink, polka-dotted border. These love chairs are a symbol of co-existing in a peaceful, loving space in the midst of all the chaos in the outer world.”…