Innholdsfortegnelse for January - February 2025 i Cosmopolitan India

A few days ago, during one of those late-night conversations with friends, a swift check-in on what resolutions had already been broken in the tail end of the first month of 2025 put us all in deep anguish. There was a collective sigh from three out of five, who urged January must be discounted…it was the prep before the pull of true change. The two who had committed themselves to the ‘New Year, New You’ vibe expressed fear at not being sure they would be able to keep the momentum all through February, but still hoped for the best. The fact that some progress was made was overshadowed by the sequence of “if/but/must/maybe”, disregarding self-love and forgiveness when needed the most. Not surprising that when The Body Shop Global Self…

Fucktose Intolerance: Instagram user Maddy Gutierrez came up with this masterpiece to describe the very universal human condition of “being completely unable to tolerate other people’s bullsh*t”. Newmes: Stemming from the phrase “New Year, New Me”, this word applies to all of us non-Scorpions, -Capricorns, and-Virgos who don’t stick to our New Year resolutions. Sobro: You’ve met the Chill Guy, now meet the bro who is sober. Bleisure: It’s business + leisure, aka your boss’s go-to word to convince you that answering emails while soaking in the sun by the beach counts as “vacation”. Schizo-Fascism: Coined by Yale historian Timothy Snyder, this is less funny, more terrifying. It describes actual fascists who accuse their enemies of being fascists. Think of it as the political version of, “No, YOU are!”…

There is no escaping the cosmetic jargon with this one, so let’s get it out of the way. Arbutin is a derivative of hydroquinone (a popular skin lightening ingredient), and a naturally occurring antioxidant and skin brightener that is found in bearberry, cranberry, and wheat. Think of it as an organic molecule that breaks down to make hydroquinone, which inhibits the formation of melanin—and this is the real important bwit—improving age spots, freckles, melasma, and post-inflammatory pigmentation. Alpha arbutin is the synthetic derivative of arbutin, and beta arbutin is the plant-derived form of it. While both work the same way, with targeted formulation, alpha arbutin is just stronger and more effective. “In fact, it is more effective than vitamin C in treating skin blemishes and pigmentation, and safer than hydroquinone,”…

Every night, I do my skincare routine. I lather on tiny creams, squeeze serum pipettes, and rub lotions on my face. I feel like a scientist in a lab or a pickle being preserved in a pickle factory. Then I scroll through Instagram, which as though ridiculing me, tells me I need a new eye cream and that it is about time to add retinol to the mix. The thing about chasing coveted glass skin is that, like all glass, no matter what, it eventually shatters. My thoughts often wander to a statement I’ve heard a lot growing up—“Beauty is a depreciating asset.” I’m not sure where I heard it first, but it was always said to make me understand that the pursuit of beauty can be a frivolous one.…

The morning sun in Mumbai hits different today. It does feel like the most ideal time to be here, thanks to the little nip in the air I may have carried with me from Delhi, along with the sketchy AQI. The Gateway of India standing tall and statuesque overlooking the Arabian sea is giving portal energy—the kind which harbours latent dreams of being crowned superstar by millions that make their way here. Ten minutes of being lost in the sea of movement and port play, I am told my cover star has arrived. I turn around to see Triptii Dimri walking towards me, self-assured, pods on, ready to make my Monday less manic and quite marvelous. Twenty minutes later, when we reach Alibag, Triptii stops by a local corner shop…

1. When you think of your partner, which three words come to mind? a Unpredictable, passionate, unsupportive. b Emotional, jealous, aloof. c Trustworthy, supportive, hilarious. 2. You’re about to introduce your new partner to your friends. You are: a Nervous and worried but have an exit plan in case the night turns sour. b So excited and can’t wait to see how they get along. c Keen to get your friends’ opinions on whether they think it’s a good match. 3. You get offered your dream job, but when you tell your partner it involves a lot of late nights, they: a Worry about how it will impact your life but ultimately support your decision. b Are so happy for you and reassure you that it will be worth the late nights. c Get frustrated that it will mean…

For the past few months, my relationship with Instagram has hit a rut. I wake up and the monotonous clockwork begins. My hand invariably reaches out for my phone, I scroll for my five minutes of morning news, and the day unfolds in a litany of swipes. It’s fake dopamine, fleeting satisfaction, and a brain on autopilot. Clearly it’s time for a shake-up. Fuelled by the want for satisfaction and a pinch of curiosity, I decided to try a digital detox. Categorised under “excessive Internet usage and gaming”, it’s one of six compulsive behaviours tackled by dopamine fasting. Originally a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) technique by Californian psychiatrist Dr Cameron Sepah, the phenomenon quickly proliferated as a pop culture trend, thanks to its catchy name and the promise of a…

TREND ALERT: SIDE PART Remember when your grandma used to do your hair in a sleek side part, and you hated it? Well, it’s trending now. At this year’s Golden Globes, everyone—and we’re not exaggerating here—rocked the side part. It seems to have become a favourite, since it flatters just about every face shape. So, yeah, maybe it’s time to send grandma a thank-you note! LASHING OUT Who needs falsies when Kay Beauty’s Lash Maximizer Mascara exists? It ticks all the boxes—volume, length, and lifted curls that last all day. Plus, its hourglass wand is designed to make sure every lash gets the royal treatment (bye, clumps!). And that’s not all. The mascara also happens to be enriched with castor oil, vegan biotin, and jojoba oil. Get ready for some…

If Indo Warehouse isn’t already living in your head rent-free, it’s about to be. This New York-based South Asian collective is rewriting the rules of music. Fresh off an Asia tour, founders Kunal Merchant and Kahani took a breather (just barely) to chat with us. Cosmo India: How did Indo Warehouse start, and how did the two of you meet? Kahani: During COVID, I was in Mexico, immersed in a lot of electronic music, and experimenting with some sounds. When I got back to New York, there was a lot of interest in the music I had been posting. One thing led to another, and I ended up creating a Spotify playlist of the little South Asian electronic music that I could find. The playlist was called ‘Indo Warehouse’, so…

KAMAKSHI KHANNA SINGER THE ARTIST’S WAY by JULIA CAMERON This book has really been a great tool in my journey as a songwriter. I would recommend it to anyone who is trying to tap into their creative side. It reminded me that creativity flows best when we give ourselves permission to start small, embrace imperfections, and honour our passions. At a time when life urged me to lay low, it reconnected me to my first love, which is writing music, and to my inner child. SANTANU HAZARIKA MULTIDISCIPLINARY VISUAL ARTIST 7 SECRETS OF VISHNU by DEVDUTT PATTANAIK I read this book at a time when I was going through a lot of personal turmoil and was not in a very good place. It impacted me in a lot of ways,…

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy February 14, In theatres If you have not watched the Bridget Jones trilogy yet, now might be the perfect time because the fourth is hitting theatres. In this one, Jones will be flying solo after Mark’s passing, raising two kids on her own. Hugh Grant and Emma Thompson will make a return, plus, you’ll be seeing a lot of Leo Woodall—Jones’ new love interest. Don’t know what you’ll be doing on V-Day, but we know where we’ll be. Prime Target January 22, On Apple TV+ Another Leo Woodall appearance this year? Shocker. Calling it now: Woodall will be the Internet’s next crush. This eight-episode show, directed by Top Boy’s Brady Hood, stars Quintessa Swindell opposite Woodall. It will follow Brooks (Woodall), a soon-to-be genius…

FASHION ISN’T JUST FOR THE CATWALK Get in bestie, we’re dressing formally on the streets now. You never know when an Instagram influencer will pop up, asking for your playlist or an outfit breakdown. SERVING IS A FULL-TIME JOB, BABY Aren’t we always a little nostalgic for the 90s? These glitzy outfits have Paris Hilton’s stamp of approval. PRETTY PLEATS Is the cosy country club trend also a Lana Del Rey reference? We hope so. But imagine serving both on court and off! Well, now you can. THREE’S A CROWD, TWO’S A TREND Oh this? Just the ultimate hack for when you can’t choose between a skirt pants. And if someone questions your fit, just rip out this page for them. TURN IT UP Va-va-volume up your next outing with…

Galileo 1.0: Your UI glow-up BFF in 2025 Zero skills? No biggie: Type your vibe and Galileo whips up jaw-dropping UI designs in seconds. No endless tweaking—this one automates the boring stuff so you can Netflix (or slay ideas). We’re talking snapping a wireframe for instant UI, chatting with AI for tweaks, and exporting to Figma. Why Reclaim AI is the app you need in 2025 Life’s a lot—jobs, side hustles, self-care, brunch plans. Who’s got time to organise all that!? Enter Reclaim AI, your new digital assistant to slay schedules and keep it all balanced. Here’s why you’ll love it: Boss-level time management Set it and forget it. It automatically blocks time for work, breaks, and even that Pilates class you always skip. Plans change? No prob. Reclaim reshuffles…

The Awards The seventh on-ground edition of the coveted (not to toot our own horn) Cosmopolitan India Blogger Awards ’24-’25 was everything and more… Held at Le Méridien, Gurugram on December 21, 2024, this was how we kissed the year goodbye! Hosted by the fabulous Anusha Dandekar (actor and former VJ) and the witty Nikhil Naz (you know him as the Consulting Sports Editor at India Today TV), we made sure the awards were more inclusive this time. From North to South, East to West, we ensured all your fave creators attended. The winners of the 34 categories in Popular Choice were selected on the basis of public voting, and the seven of the Editor’s Choice categories were diligently vetted by our talented jury members: Pratishtha Dobhal, Editor, Cosmopolitan India;…

Anamika Ananth’s namesake brand is trying to find beauty in the mundane. They’re doing so by integrating handlooms and home-grown art forms with 3D printing and experimental pattern cutting. Angad Singh Malhotra’s clothing brand Sugga’s mission is simple: To create clothing that’s equal parts playful and refined. You must have spotted this Lay’s bag on every Insta baddie’s profile lately. If not, we suggest you follow cooler people. Founded by model Kimaya Singh, Mirchi by Kim is making sure our wardrobes look anything but basic. Haven’t we all had those days where we stand in front of our wardrobes full of clothes yet find nothing to wear? Well, Rakshita Nahata’s brand Morph Clo is on a mission to turn this around by unlocking your styling potential—they’re making unique AF add-ons…

MY FRIENDS by FREDRIK BACKMAN Think a wholesome sleepover with your friends, a nostalgic conversation about the silly old days, an introspective hug of a life lesson. The latest from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove and Anxious People is a perfect marriage of art and friendship—and a deeply moving story of four teenagers with a bond so powerful that it changes a stranger’s life. HOUSE OF CARAVANS by SHILPI SUNEJA Suneja delivers a rich debut novel—an exploration of life before, during, and long after the Partition, and a soul-stirring portrayal of national divide, a fractured family, and a forever changed home. GODDESS COMPLEX by SANJENA SATHIAN To DINK or not to DINK? Sanjana Sathian, in her second novel, taps into a dilemma plaguing…

I first realised I was bisexual when I was 25. It came after years of confusion, dismissal, and denial. It felt so easy to live with the veneer of straightness. I did, after all, like men. I did, after all, like them more—or rather, was more attracted to them, even though I’ve always preferred women as people (but doesn’t everyone?). But when I did eventually come out, several years later, reactions were mixed. There was an inordinate amount of acceptance and kindness—I was lucky that way. It wasn’t all rosy, though. I was asked, often, if I was “sure”—I had been with the same man for over a decade, how could I be confident? Boundaries were crossed by men, assumptions made that I was jonesing for a threesome. It was…

A hundred quid says you or DuBois will punch the other before the month is over,” Adil declared. “Wilson, you taking that bet?” “Absolutely not,” Noah said, his tone dry. “Leave me out of your bets. They never end well.” “I have no idea what you mean, and I’m offended that’s how you’re sending me off for the summer.” Adil clutched his chest. “When I’m on the flight home, I’ll remember your words. They’ll hurt.” “Good. Maybe you’ll stop stirring up shit next season.” “Is that any way to talk to your teammate? What type of example are you setting for your daughter?” “Yes, it is, and my daughter’s not here.” I shook my head. Noah, Adil, and I were at the Angry Boar, our favorite pub, for a last…

What owe do we the people we date? Respect? For sure. Clear communication? Definitely. The most “healed” version of ourselves? Not so sure on that. Yet, the conversation around whether we need to be “healed”, “doing the work”, or even just in therapy in order to be dating never seems to go away, does it? Remember when Jonah Hill was accused of weaponising therapy-speak against his then-girlfriend Sarah Brady when she claimed that he set her a list of “boundaries”, which included not surfing with other men or hanging out with friends from her “recent wild past” (sounds fun, tbh)? Or when people started sending out questionnaires to those they had matched with on dating apps, asking them if they were in therapy? Conversations around “healing”, when it comes to…

DRIP MEETS FIT GOALS Your wrist just got an upgrade. This fit tracker is all about glow-ups—counting your steps, tracking your moves, and looking fire while doing it. Sweat-proof and totally unstoppable, just like you. Active 2, Amazfit, ₹8,599 approx SYMPHONY FOR YOUR SOUL Luxury audio meets heart-thumping bass in this system that redefines what premium sound means. Whether it’s a chill lo-fi evening or a rave in your room, it’s got your back with crystal clear, goosebump-worthy sound. Symphony Opus One, Dynaudio, ₹17,17,652 approx FLIP THE SCRIPT ON WORK AND PLAY This multitasking champ is the ultimate flex for anyone who loves staying ahead of the curve. Dual screens let you toggle between big presentations and creative doodles without breaking a sweat. It’s sleek, powerful, and ready to make…

A few years ago, the market was inundated with news about retinol being the miracle ingredient for everything anti-ageing. More recently, there has been talk about peptides and ceramides being everything supple your skin needs. New ingredients pop up every week, and sure, you may think exosomes is just another one, but we suggest you put a pause on that thought. We spoke with industry experts who think otherwise, who are convinced that what were earlier ignored as waste cell material in the skin can actually take years off our face. WHAT ARE EXOSOMES? While we worried about pigmentation, cried over acne, and worked relentlessly with products, diets, pills, and treatments to fix it all, there were, all along, these little helpers on the inside working tirelessly to deliver messages…

EDITOR’S CHOICE BREAKTHROUGH DANCER AND PERFORMER OF THE YEAR NORA FATEHI POPULAR CHOICE FITNESS INFLUENCER OF THE YEAR (SOUTH) SHWETAMBARI SHETTY POPULAR CHOICE LGBTQIA+ VOICE OF THE YEAR ATULAN AND DIVESH POPULAR CHOICE ROYAL ENFIELD LIFESTYLE INFLUENCER OF THE YEAR (WEST) CARLA DENNIS KANUNGO EDITOR’S CHOICE COLORBAR ARTISTRY MAKE-UP ARTIST OF THE YEAR ALINA HASAN RIZVI POPULAR CHOICE NUTRITIONIST OF THE YEAR LOVNEET BATRA POPULAR CHOICE COLORBAR EMERGING MAKE-UP ARTIST OF THE YEAR (WEST) POOJA BUDHRAJA POPULAR CHOICE TECH INFLUENCER OF THE YEAR SAMEEHA MARIAM POPULAR CHOICE ITC FIAMA BEAUTY INFLUENCER OF THE YEAR ANKUSH BAHUGUNA POPULAR CHOICE CARLSBERG COMIC OF THE YEAR KARISHMA POPULAR CHOICE DIAGEO FASHION INFLUENCER OF THE YEAR (WEST) UORFI POPULAR CHOICE COLORBAR CELEBRITY MAKE-UP ARTIST OF THE YEAR SAVLEEN KAUR MANCHANDA EDITOR’S CHOICE CARLSBERG ARTIST…

1. GOÐAFOSS WATERFALL, ICELAND Niagara Falls who? Drive along the iconic Ring Road in North Iceland and you’ll come across a waterfall so magnificent, it looks like it should come with a “made by AI” label. It (and the photo to the left, promise) is totally real, even more beautiful during winter nights, and just a quick ride from two cities where you can stay—Akureyri, which has a cute art museum, and Húsavík, home to the Geosea geothermal baths. Meet you at the pool bar? FLY INTO: Akureyri International Airport (AEY) BEST TIME TO VISIT: September through April 2. ILULISSAT, GREENLAND The country’s most charming coastal city sits next to a UNESCO World Heritage icefjord, which is honestly reason enough to visit. Icebergs create a sparkling backdrop for the Northern…

The last year has been a grand celebration of food. There were restaurants popping up every week, everywhere, and very few cuisines were left untapped. In the midst of the noise, or rather the palate exhaustion, we thought we’d give you the easy four that you might want to step out, or even get on that flight, for. SIENNA CAFE, KOLKATA Sienna’s has been a glow up we didn’t know we needed. A favourite of gourmands and, well, not epicureans alike, the three months of waiting on what’s to become of 49/1 Hindustan Park has surpassed all things imagined. The new Sienna Cafe is all of three floors grand. Start off with the cafe on the ground floor. We recommend the battered bhetki with sienna fries, lion’s mane with truffle…

ARIES This year has grounding energy. You feel content about your career and financial position—why keep chasing something if you’re okay where you’re at? Friendships are strong and people will come through. Your love life is rocking; the sexual chemistry is off the charts…play safe! TAURUS You will be expected to work very hard, and it will be met with recognition, promotion, or reward. Your relationships with friends will be fun (look out for Fire signs) and your love life will transform for the better, albeit there may be some mini endings. Let old habits, routines, gripes, and expectations die off. GEMINI Look out for a career move unfolding before June, which you’ll feel fantastic about. Alongside this shift, your expectations and needs in love are evolving, and you should…