Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2020 i Cosmopolitan India

Welcome to the December Issue. Around this time of the year, one of the coverlines you’ll frequently see on magazine covers and in newspapers is: ‘New Year, New You’. It’s a reassuring declaration, laced with the intoxicating promise of a better body, a better mind…a better life. Which might make one wonder: can you truly transform your existence in 12 months? As someone who has tried to improve her own orbit, in small doses and several times, I can tell you that the short answer to this question is: yes. The longer version is, yes, but it will involve incorporating several, helpful micro habits…and letting go of some disadvantageous ones. Over the years, I have been able to reshape my mental make-up, social life, and degree of personal joy with…

By now, we have all come to this realisation together, silently: not going places = not needing to wear half your apartment on your shoulder. We mean, our only (masked, obviously) outings right now are perhaps to the coffee shop… and the park if we are feeling adventurous—places where all we need is the holy trinity (phone, keys, wallet). Know what those fit in? Pockets. Hands. Or if you’re committed to an outfit, or bringing along additional items (sunglasses, sanitiser, sanity), a tiny bag. And know what that feels like? Freedom. BABY BAGS IF YOU MUST…

Checks and (faux) leather, when paired together, results in a certain power play that makes for an eye-pleasing effect. It’s amazing that the toughness of leather is so beautifully enhanced, yet softened, by checks. You can further accentuate the look by adding link-chain jewels, broad belts, and more. And, if you are not a skirt person, you can achieve the same finale with a pair of flared trousers, too. Oh, to be young again! This sartorial style has aged so beautifully that it can make you feel like a teenager (minus the gawkiness!). Just throw on a checkered, box-pleat dress and blazer, and you’ll see what we mean. Team your Mary Janes with a pair of knee-high or calf-length socks for the ultimate school-girl vibe. Time for Classics The world…

QUILTED Pretty much like the blanket with diamond shapes and a puffy texture. You’ll feel all toasty-warm and snuggly while lookin’ hella chic in the freezing months ahead. HIGH SHINE Gotta love when fashion is surprisingly low-maintenance. All you need is a soapy, damp cloth to clean these pieces. BUTTER YELLOW It makes for outfits as slick as your favourite quarantine baking ingredient. Add more ~dimension~ to a monochromatic look by mixing up the materials—knit, jersey, leather, whatever you please! Now we’re in the mood for toast… PAISLEY Your dad’s ties might make you averse to this pattern, but trust us, there are so many stylish, non-boring options! (Totally eyeing that jacket on Sonam.) PATCHWORK This one lets you mix a whole bunch of prints or textures together for a…

CONFESSION: wearing only no-show socks up until a few years ago, we all have a tonne of those neutral ones that supposedly cover the tips of our toes and are meant to stay hidden. (PSA: they never do. They bunch up under your arches or slide off altogether. In case it is not clear, they are terrible!) But then *dramatic pause*, we all have those calf-high, patent-leather boots that rub against bare legs so much, it feels like we have shin splints. (TBH, shin splints seem like the only apt description of this peculiar pain.) So caving in and buying a pair of pink crew socks—you know, the ones between ankle and knee length—is not a bad idea and can make the hellish friction stop. The more we wear them,…

MALAIKA VAZ, 23 Wildlife Malaika is a wildlife presenter and filmmaker, whose key areas of focus include documenting human-wildlife conflict and coexistence, investigating illegal wildlife trafficking, and highlighting the need to protect the lesser-known and endangered species in India. A penchant for adventure sports and the outdoors from an early age meant growing up around a lot of wildlife, “from whales and tigers to bears and frogs”. She’s also a windsurfer, a divemaster, and a Cessna pilot. That, and the fact that the world is in the midst of several intractable environmental issues, became Malaika’s reasons to want to pursue a career in wildlife conservation. “When you’re so invested in environmental protection, looking at the news of the Amazon burning, the oceans acidifying, and species being pushed to the brink…

TOFFEE BROWN In a world of blinding neons (which we love, FYI), warm, earthy neutrals are still ~very~ much a thing. The runways saw Fired Brick, Tawny Birch, Sandstone, etc, in fun iterations, on buttery faux-leather, soft suedes, knits, and more. You can let one fabric and one shade dominate the look, like Ms Jenner here, or try permutations and combinations of both, even different prints and patterns. (We love the contrast with purple at Mugler, too—and think gold/green will go just as wonderfully with it.) Browns work great as a monotone pick, but are the perfect canvas for out-there experimentalists, too! CLASSIC BLUE Pantone Color of the Year 2020, this shade of blue is said to be “evocative of the vast and infinite evening sky, opening us up to…

First, some facts: liposuction is the most common aesthetic procedure performed in India, as stated in a report in the Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery. It is the second most popular cosmetic surgery in the US, and in 2019 alone, a whopping 2,65,000 people got it on areas like their butt, stomach, and arms. One out of every six of them was under 30 years old. That last part is the one that’s kind of shocking. We are talking about 45,000 young people getting a rather pricey procedure in uncertain times. We are not one to judge—women can (and should!) choose what to do with their bodies and money—but it’s not like lipo is a low-stakes thing: it’s a legit surgery that requires anesthesia, incisions, stitches, and recovery time…aka stuff…

GREESHMA SHETTY, FASHION BLOGGER “I believe a woman looks her best when she is comfortable in what she is wearing. And as luck would have it, my favourite piece by an Indian designer is also the most comfortable outfit in my closet: this oversized hoodie. Plus, it quotes my forever-mood, which also happens to be the brand’s name: Where’s My Pizza. The label promotes genderless, streetwear fashion, and their inspiration comes from retro, hip-hop culture, with an eccentric colour palette. 2020 made me realise there’s an art to lounging around in oversized clothing. I could style my hoodie with sweatpants and a fanny pack during the day, or switch things up with ripped jeans and chunky sneakers for night.” AISHWARYA SINGH, MODEL “AKHL is one of my favourite Indian labels,…

ISHITA MANGAL Creative Director, QUO “My jewellery box features a mix of heirloom and modern pieces—I love mixing the old with the new, as it is refreshing and works as a great conversation starter, too. I gravitate towards bold pieces with unique patterns. In this photograph, I am wearing an Afghani silver choker—it is one of the first Afghani pieces I purchased. I love how versatile this necklace is, and I must have worn it over 50 times! I am fairly quick when it comes to making key shopping decisions, but that doesn’t mean I don’t think before buying. While selecting new jewels to take home, I am simultaneously thinking of the ways I could style them, the outfits I can pair them with, or if a piece can be…

ANGELINA PONGENER, 23 “I love experimenting with different styles. Like for this look, I have teamed a casual-cool sweatshirt with an uber-feminine, tulle skirt. I have matched my lips to the colour of my hair—I love how it adds to the whole girly-but-fierce vibe.” ANIMA KANDIR, 21 “Stripes and prints make for such a head-turning outing together. In this photograph, I am wearing a fun, half-striped dress over a printed, fitted top. To amplify the impact, I opted for a dark mouth and dramatic eyeliner.” MAHIMA RAMNANI, 23 “Winter, for me, is all about (faux) fur, fuzz, and feathers! And sorbet shades have my heart. I have layered my favourite ice-blue jacket over a baby pink top. The accessories—beret, sunglasses, and the pearls—all add to the Parisian-winter vibe I wanted…

Why risk sweating off this masterpiece? Somewhere along the way, someone started spreading this not-so-cute rumour about our favourite beauty product. It goes a little something like this: waterproof mascara—in all its long-lasting, curl-holding glory— is super harsh, and unless you hate your eyelashes or you’re, IDK, cool with them breaking off and falling out, you shouldn’t be using it at all. Yeah, scary. Except, not true at all. The stuff itself *isn’t* bad for your lashes—in fact, it’s pretty much exactly like regular mascara, with one key difference: “It’s anhydrous, meaning it doesn’t contain water,” says US-based cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson, Founder of BeautyStat. (Formulas made with water are much less likely to cling to your lashes when they come into contact with rain, sweat, or tears.) Instead, waterproof…

THE SWEET SMELL OF JOY A fragrance can mean different things to different people, but an emotion one's favourite 'fume has the power to evoke is a sense of happiness… And if you are searching for the little joys of life, do consider adding one of these precious scents to your collection. SMOOTH, SILKY LOCKS ARE JUST A BLOWDRY AWAY… We love tools that make our lives easier. And given the rise in the demand of at-home tools this year, Panasonic recently launched one of its most-coveted hairdryers in India. It comes with the patented Nanoe Technology, which uses ultra-fine water particles that penetrate into hair cuticles to maintain the moisture balance ance of the scalp and strands. Along with that, the platinum ions technology coats the hair surface and…

“I must have been about 10-years-old when I discovered YouTube, and was instantly drawn to its potential. By the time I was 13, I had decided to pursue a career on YouTube—it was a very intuitive calling for me. The first video I ever uploaded was of me playing Outlast, a first-person survival horror video game. It got just one Like in a month…which was by me… from a friend’s phone! The strangest thing is that I have been on YouTube for years now but I am still clueless about how it works…a lot of it is still Greek to me! Honestly, I think the best content comes out in the worst of times. I try to create something that is genuinely amusing or cringe-worthy. Some content—like, say, a consecutive,…

In times of stress (hello, 2020!), not only does the skin on our faces often go into meltdown, but the muscles behind the scenes hold one heck of a lot of tension, too. Enter: facial massage. Admittedly no new practice (it has been around for 3,000 years), facial massage began as part of traditional Chinese medicine. And while it won’t address skin concerns like acne, rosacea, congestion, and pigmentation (for that, you’ll need to see a GP and/or a dermatologist), it can offer lots of other benefits to your face. “The main benefits of daily massage on the face are removal of tension and stress in muscle tissue. Massage will also remove toxins, help to drain and eliminate puffiness and fluid retention, and improve blood circulation,” says Nichola Joss, A-list…

ARIES 21st March-19th April Your confidence and strength give you ambitious ideas about your outfits. A look that draws attention and double-takes ticks the boxes for you. Athleisure also suits your chilled nature, even if you’re just watching TV in it. TAURUS 20th April-20th May You’re into luxury. ‘No, thank you’ to throwaway fashion. ‘Yes, please’ to ultra-luxe one-offs. You don’t mind splashing the cash on pieces you know will last a long time. Putting well-matched, elegant, and accessorised looks together is a happy pastime for you. GEMINI 21st May-20th June Back in the ’90s, everyone wore fluorescent T-shirts, cycling shorts, whistles, bucket hats, and white gloves. Well, the wardrobe of the raver is well-suited to Gemini’s fun-loving, hard-partying, and youthful demeanour. You love to play, dance, and feel young…

Cosmo: What was your reaction when you heard from Ricky Martin’s team? Neha Mahajan: “When I received a call from Mireille, Ricky’s associate, I didn’t believe it at first… I thought it was a prank call. I was so skeptical, I even ended up asking her, ‘Why do you want me to play for this song?’ She said, ‘Erm, because it’s beautiful music’. I jumped for joy once I found out she was being serious!” C: What was it like, working on Pausa? NM: “I learnt and grew so much because of this experience. My Sitar-raga music is a purely wordless communication, and to pair it with a song with lyrics—with a soulful voice like Ricky’s—certainly expanded my imagination. And Pausa speaks largely about the need to love unconditionally, which…

Cosmo: You have had some big releases with Netflix this year, Dolly Kitty Aur Woh Chamakte Sitare and Ginny Weds Sunny. How has the ‘digital’ experience been? Vikrant Massey: “I enjoy working on the digital platform…always have. But, honestly, the medium doesn’t matter to me—it’s all about making a good film and telling a good story. Even with these digital films, we hadn’t set out thinking they would be streamed on such platforms. But the times are such that these tieups became possible. And as an actor, I don’t really get into anything other than the project I’m a part of, and the role I’m playing…and simply hope to give it my best.” C: You have worked across genres, from crime thriller to drama. Is there a genre that you…

Diana Penty is at home, curled up on her couch, in pyjamas, a topknot bun, and no make-up. “You wouldn’t believe this person belongs to the film industry if you saw me right now,” she laughs on the phone. That does sound like a far cry from her typically put-together self one is accustomed to seeing. But Diana is, by her own admission, “very normal”. And, despite being in the spotlight for more than 15 years now—first as a model, then an actor—she has managed to remain not just unfazed, but even unaffected, by the stereotypes around beauty and body. “It’s not about what you wear or how you look—for me, it’s the personality…” she tells us. In this interview, the face of Forever New in India also opens up…

1 OUSHK BY USSAMA SHABBIR “Right from the brand’s name (Oushk, as they tell us, is Arabic for ‘adore yourself’) to the details—thread embroidery with crochet work, patches, and handmade buttons, this cotton and leather bag deserves a firm fixture in the closet that appreciates Indian craft.” 2 ARCVSH BY PALLAVI SINGH “As we bring the year to a close, tie all loose ends with a wrap-jacket dress. This design has been hand-block printed, and features a diverse range of patterns, creating a patchwork effect sans the weight.” A jacket dress offers up so many styling opportunities 3 SAGAA BY VANITA “Comfortable, sustainable, and ethical clothing trumps all else when it comes to good style. This muslin dress, with hand-embroidered geometric patterns and pleated cuffs, will see you through many…

KNIT-PICKING A staple for chilly climes, knitwear is back with an AW20 update: dressy, literally and metaphorically. So as all of grandma's age-old techniques—cable stitches, saxon braids, purls, et al—find their way on runway, these could just be your newest work-to-party favourites. Roomy fits—often belted for definition—and mononotones ruled the roost, but there were also the sexy, bodycon versions, and a deluge of prints and patterns. With modern elements like draping, roll-necks, side slits, and cut-outs. Wear these bbs by themselves, or pair with stylish outerwear (hint: long coats!). Or ease into the trend with co-ords. While boots, of all lengths, styles, and colours, are the current go-tos, feel free to swap 'em for high-heels. And extra points for some bling accessories and bold make-up. OUT AND ABOUT Inspired by…

1 …you want to define every single lash Innisfree Skinny Waterproof Zerocara in Brown, ₹810 2 …you want a curled effect DIOR Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara in Brown, ₹3,600 3 …you want tonnes of length Chanel Inimitable Intense Mascara Multi-Dimension Sophistique in Brun, price on request 4 …you want lots of lift, curl, and fullness ETUDE HOUSE Lash Perm Curl-Fix Mascara in Brown, ₹950 5 …you want extra volume and definition Kiko Milano Smart Colour Mascara in Warm Brown, ₹590 “I recently bought a brown mascara by mistake (too much pinot while late-night Amazoning, as one does). So I tried it, and you know what? Forget what you have heard: this stuff is *actually* great. It doesn’t look like you have mascara on—and honestly, that’s its sneaky appeal. Think of…

“Growing up, I was very shy. I never liked the spotlight.” On the same day as this interview, in 2019, Vicky Kaushal received the prestigious—his first ever—National Award for Best Actor. In 2020, as he sits with Cosmo for his cover interview—also his first—a lot has changed. But in a world gone awry, riddled with derailed plans, Vicky has few reasons to complain. Part of it could be owing to the fact that he is a man of instincts, who likes to go with the flow, and take each day as it comes. “I don't plan things in great detail… I wake up in the morning, accept whatever life throws at me, give it my all…and hope for the best,” he explains. Plus, despite the turbulent ride that this year…

FIND OUT Look, even if you hate admitting it, sometimes you just want to know if your ex still thinks about you sometimes. This obviously isn’t the case if you are still friends or talk regularly—this is figuring out if they ever miss you or reminisce about your time together when you have had, shall we say, a less-than-stellar break-up. Here is how to know for sure: 1. Have they liked any of your photos or statuses since you broke up? a. Occasionally, though it is always pretty random. b. Never. 2. Do they ever watch your Insta stories? a. OMG. Like all of them, but they never talk to me. What is up with that? b. Nope, I think they muted me. 3. Are they dating someone new? a.…

IT ’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE… You, soiree edition. Who cares if no-one’s there to see your show stopping embroidery or puff sleeves—that ’s what Instagram is for. GO TOTAL BODY WITH IT Your holiday challenge: show off a full-length out fit on a chest-up screen. Honestly, these satin-y bot toms deserve the at tention! ALL THAT GLITTERS IS… FIRE It *is* the holiday season, my friend—if you haven’t been sparkling it up all year, now’s the effing time. RAMP UP THE DRAMA, MAMMA Yes, frills! Yes, dots! Yes, more shiny sat in! Throw it all on and turn all the heads (virtually or otherwise). NOT YOUR AVERAGE LBD True, it is weird out there, but that doesn’t mean the safe black dress you wear for everything is…

Q I have dull skin and everyone recommends using a Vitamin C-rich formula. However, all the Vit C products I have used so far sting and irritate my skin. What should I do? A: Often, people with sensitive skin complain of this. Vitamin C comes highly recommended for skin brightening, but it doesn’t necessarily work for everyone. You should start with a diluted, low-intensity formula with hydrating ingredients and then work up from there. Even though Vitamin C fights free-radical damage, sometimes, using it during the day can also leave skin irritated due to sun exposure. Or, it might leave an orange-ish film on the skin’s surface when it comes in contact with oxygen. To avoid this, try a night cream or serum. This one by Pilgrim, a Korean brand,…

It’s time to turn to the heavens and indulge in some star gazing! Aquarius 20.01–18.02 You can look forward to a blissful time with family and your SO (thanks to all the oneness you’ve been experiencing with the Universe). On the love front, Mars promises to add a dash of sensuality, Sun will keep the mood upbeat, and Venus will bring in oodles of romance. You’ll also be feeling particularly social this month, and are likely to indulge in celebrations and get-togethers. Professionals might be rewarded for their hard work. Things will be rosy, health-wise, too, keeping you feeling energetic and cheerful. Pisces 19.02–20.03 Caution: when it comes to your bond with bae, do not let jealousy take over, and be open to some healthy compromise. Good news for singles,…