Innholdsfortegnelse for May/June 2023 i Cosmopolitan India

This is my 140th Edit Note for Cosmopolitan Magazine…and my last one. I joined Cosmo as an intern in May, 2004…and then returned as the Editor in October, 2010, and I still remember how excited I was to work at the world’s largest selling magazine. It’s funny how it feels like yesterday, not 14 years ago, when I sat down for my first edit meeting to discuss ways to make an already-iconic brand even more iconic. You know what they say about time flying when you’re having fun? I am a case in point. And what an exciting, exhilarating, thrilling joyride it has been! I have had the honour to be a part of many firsts at Cosmopolitan India—we launched the country’s first Real-Girl Issue in 2013, the first Feminism…

AUGUST THE GINGER CAT Meet August, the enchanting feline whose irresistible charm has propelled her to the forefront of the pet influencer world. Her photogenic appearance, and expressive eyes make every picture purr-fect. PLOWY THE CAT Beyond the fashionable looks, Plowy has become a trusted source for fashion inspiration for fellow feline buddies. Plowy also uses Insta to share tips on grooming and nutrition. POMSTERS Say hello to the Pomsters! These fashion-forward pups instantly make a connection with the audience owing to their playful antics and very cute outfits that have amassed a dedicated fan-following. SUGAR FURRY BOY Introducing Sugar, the heart-melting petfluencer. His fluffy fur, endearing expressions, and eye-catching statement looks are sure to brighten up your day. FOR MORE GREAT STORIES, VISIT COSMO.IN…

Cosmo: Let’s talk about your new film Kathal… Sanya Malhotra: “My character Mahima Basor is a cop, who has to find a missing kathal [jackfruit] that’s been stolen from a local politician’s house.” C: Was it tough playing a cop? SM: “No, it wasn’t… I truly enjoyed essaying this character as I have never played the role of a cop before. And in order to prep for this role, I had to ensure my body language and dialect was both fierce yet sweet.” C: You have been a part of the industry for almost seven years. How would you describe your journey? SM: “Honestly, my debut was very, very tough. Dangal [2016] was both mentally and physically gruelling. However, the appreciation that the film received was extremely fulfilling. My journey…

NIGHT 1 Exfoliate With Acids Apply a leave-on serum or use a peel pad with AHAs, BHAs and/or PHAs to dissolve dulling dead skin cells, unclog pores and improve your skin texture. TRY: The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution, ₹1,250; Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 25% AHA + 2% BHA Exfoliant Peel, ₹3,500; Eve Lom Rescue Peel Pads, ₹6,300 NIGHT Go In With a Retinol Exfoliating preps your skin for the main event. This collagen-boosting superhero is every dermatologist’s favourite ingredient for firming skin and smoothing fine lines. TRY: Clinique Smart Night Clinical MD Multi-Dimensional Repair Treatment Retinol, ₹6,000; Pixi Botanical Collagen & Retinol Serum, ₹2,550; The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane, ₹700 NIGHTS 3 & 4 Time to Recover Your face needs to rest. Slather on a gentle barrier-repair…

1. You’ll never use enough Crazy but true: “You may need to use up to seven (yes, s-e-v-e-n) times the amount of foundation that you typically put on to get the full SPF value marked on the label,” says Whitney Bowe, a New York-based dermatologist. And let me guess, you are probably using just enough to get the cosmetic coverage you want, and then blending it in with a brush or sponge, which…soaks up more of that precious SPF. Basically, Dr Whitney says, “If you’re not being extra generous with your application, you can’t expect the sunscreen in your make-up to protect your skin effectively.” 2. The sums don’t add up in your favour Okay, but let’s say you use an SPF15 moisturiser underneath an SPF15 foundation—that equals SPF30, right?…

HEAVY METAL We are fans of over-the-top beauty moments, especially if they involve shimmery shades. And this season did not disappoint, with metallic shadows sprinkled in sombre and exaggerated styles. Versace’s two-toned winged eyeshadow is great for when you want to grab eyeballs, while the smudged paint at Stella McCartney is a more artsy take on the trend—something you need to keep in mind for the next costume party. If you love to experiment, try Thom Browne’s metallic brows + lips combination, else opt for a wash of colour on the lids in more conventional hues, as seen at Batsheva and Dries Van Noten. SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS Colorbar’s new Take Me As I Am lipstick collection is a must-have for many reasons. It’s the brand’s first-ever refillable lipstick housed in 100…

COSMO TIP As the temps rise, add cool, blue accessories like bags, mules, or sunglasses to your OOTD for a striking look that stands out against the sky. FOR MORE GREAT STORIES, VISIT COSMO.IN…

KHAN ETRAM, 25 “I truly enjoy styling basic ensembles together. Here, I’m wearing a button-down denim jacket with a white shirt and black trousers, for an laidback vibe.” JHANVI SAREEN, 21 “Cargo pants are the new skinny jeans! I wanted to keep my outfit casual by adding understated accessories… A pair of classic, rectangle sunglasses along with a baseball cap add finishing touches to my look.” AYUSHI GARG, 22 “The easiest way to break the monotony of basic hues is to include bright tones. Here, my pink cropped vest and handbag pack a punch.” DARRYL NADAR, 22 “Who’s afraid of styling contrasting prints? Certainly not me! I have brought three varying prints together against muted pieces for a look that deserves a double take.” SHIBIKSHA MUDALIAR, 21 “The scarf wrapped…

Cosmo: Walk us through your creative process while prepping for a role… Anjali Sivaraman: “For my first film, Cobalt Blue [2022], I prepped for three to six months; I took up language and dialect coaching, worked out thrice a day, and followed a strict diet plan. I had to work on my voice modulation to make it slightly deeper and less nasal, and also change my body language to match that of Anuja Dixit’s [the character]. It was a very intense process. The role of Suhani, in Class [2023], was also not easy… I did not want to immerse myself in it completely because I think I’m only just starting out. So, each time the director called ‘cut’, I would tune out of the character… I prefer experimenting and going…

Change is always hard no matter what stage of life you are in; from moving cities or switching careers to learning to live through broken relationships, friendships, and everything in between. While we often talk about what it is like for people to go from being in steady, long-term relationships to suddenly adjusting to the single life, we rarely ever talk about the other side of the coin—the struggle of getting into a steady relationship and embracing emotional intimacy after being single. There are a host of reasons someone might struggle with re-adjusting to a relationship after being single for a while. You might feel like you aren’t ready to share your space or time, experience dating app-induced FOMO if you are monogamous, or not know how to ask for…

Cosmo: Meta is the parent company for some of the most widely-used social platforms. Are you devicing any key strategies to make these platforms safer for women? Antigone Davis: “We take comprehensive steps to ensure the safety of women not just on our platform, but online as well. We have policies and technology in place to safeguard women and teens—we offer tools like blocking, comment filters, and reporting. While for teens, we have supported National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) [in the US] to launch Take It Down, for adults, we have worked with the UK Revenge Porn Helpline to develop StopNCII.org that helps prevent non-consensual sharing of intimate images not only on our platform but on all participating companies’ platforms. Meta’s Women’s Safety Hub provides easy access…

Q My complexion has been looking extremely dull of late, with whiteheads and bumps peaking. What can I use to improve my skin’s texture? A: You need to exfoliate your skin to slough away dead cells and allow faster cell turnover. But if you are prone to whiteheads, over-exfoliating can sometimes also lead to skin sensitivity. You can consider an AHA/BHA-rich spot chemical treatment for problem areas. This one by Lisén is great as it offers Q-tips seeped in a potent formula, allowing you to target areas prone to blemishes, whiteheads, and blackheads. Rich in antioxidants, this multi-action peel stick clarifies the skin by tackling dead skin cells, uneven complexion, and dark spots. Q My hair is damaged due to hard water and I am experiencing hair fall, too. What’s…

After an Instagram-worthy breakfast, it was time for guests to enjoy a very special Lipstick Lunch, hosted in collaboration with Colorbar Cosmetics. The colour-themed lunch allowed nominees to experience Colorbar’s latest launch: sustainable, refillable lipsticks and relish carefully curated, colour-coordinated food. Our guests swatched, tested, and explored dozens of lust-worthy shades in various formulas, and took photographs at some truly creative experience zones. The venue featured three kiosks: the ‘Cute, Crazy, Soft, Nude’ kiosk, which was decorated with teddy-bears; ‘Playful Pink’, reminiscent of the viral Barbiecore trend; and ‘Lady Red’ zone which was an ode to varying facets of women (and red-hot lips)! There were other truly unique elements present, including a ‘cage’ to break out of, and a dart board where you could win Colorbar’s bestsellers.…

POPULAR CHOICE BODY-LOVE INFLUENCER OF THE YEAR AND COMIC OF THE YEAR OF THE YEAR KUSHA KAPILA POPULAR CHOICE FASHION INFLUENCER OF THE YEAR (MALE) KARRON S DHINGGRA EDITOR’S PANEL CLIMATE WARRIOR OF THE YEAR AAKASH RANISON POPULAR CHOICE FASHION INFLUENCER OF THE YEAR (FEMALE) ISHITA MANGAL EDITOR’S PANEL BEAUTY INFLUENCER OF THE YEAR (FEMALE) SHALINI KUTTI POPULAR CHOICE LGBTQIA+ VOICE OF THE YEAR SUSHANT DIVGIKR POPULAR CHOICE LIFESTYLE INFLUENCER OF THE YEAR KRITIKA KHURANA EDITOR’S PANEL FASHION INFLUENCER OF THE YEAR, (FEMALE) SHAFAQUE EQBAL POPULAR CHOICE BEAUTY INFLUENCER OF THE YEAR (MALE) ANKUSH BAHUGUNA EDITOR’S PANEL FASHION INFLUENCER OF THE YEAR (MALE) SHAKTI SINGH YADAV EDITOR’S PANEL BEAUTY INFLUENCER OF THE YEAR (MALE) SHANTANU DHOPE EDITOR’S PANEL FOOD INFLUENCER OF THE YEAR SHIVESH BHATIA POPULAR CHOICE EMERGING FASHION INFLUENCER…

Cosmo: What were you doing right before this interview? Sonam Kapoor Ahuja: “I just finished reading a bedtime story to Vayu.” C: How did you strike a balance between work and personal life during your pregnancy? SKA: “I had already begun working on a few projects before Anand and I discovered that we were pregnant. I ensured that I fulfilled all my commitments that were due, since I knew that in my new phase of life, I would be just available to my son as a mother. And if that meant that acting would take a backseat for a bit, so be it… I will never stop acting completely, but I wanted to be present during my transition to motherhood.” C: And were there any projects you couldn’t finish? SKA:…

“Sustainability will never be a costly affair when you are in sync with nature.” Cosmo: You recently mentioned on the ’Gram that you are now a newbie gardener… Soumya Manthena: “Practicing gardening to be more sustainable was a natural transition for me. I initially began composting in order to find an outlet to make the best out of the in-house waste I produced. And since I was making compost, I wanted to put it to use as well. That is how I began practicing gardening. I am not a ‘plant mommy’ who loves to maintain fancy plants, I always knew I wanted to grow food. And so I began planting saplings that were easy to grow—greens like methi [fenugreek], dhaniya [coriander], and palak [spinach]. I failed numerous times but the…

FAKE DATES AND MOONCAKES This heartfelt, queer rom-com novel authored by Sher Lee follows the story that brings forth the realisation that love, although amazing, is complicated. This is the story of an ambitious chef named Dylan who wants to save his family’s restaurant. As Dylan goes about pursuing his career and making a name for himself, he runs into a rich billionaire named Theo. Dylan falls for Theo (read: get distracted from his plans). Can Dylan follow his goals and his heart? ONE TOUGH COOKIE This is the story of a young, female baker named Karina Cortés. Equally dedicated to her work and play, she works hard and is truly enjoying her singlehood until Ian Feliciano—a hotshot mechanic enters her life. Making her feel emotions she wants to steer…

As a seasoned beauty editor, I am embarrassed to say that I only realised ‘eau de parfum’ translates to ‘perfume water’, while researching this story. Adding to my chagrin: said realisation happened while I was in France…with Dior’s team of expert noses. To be fair (to me), modern fragrances have mostly been made with alcohol instead of water, hence my surprise. But as part of the beauty industry’s effort to become cleaner, perfumers are starting to forgo synthetic ingredients wherever they can. Thus: a return to the literal eau. That’s especially great news because the other thing I learned in France is that water-based scents tend to smell more natural and true to the ingredients. My personal proof was testing Dior’s new water-based version of its iconic J’adore—a fresh floral…

1. FOR ACNE-PRONE SKIN Lightweight, noncomedogenic and oil-free, this sunscreen’s formula won’t cause breakouts. Plus, it’s packed with antioxidants to help shield your skin from pollution. Estée Lauder Perfectionist Pro Multi-Defense UV Fluid SPF 45, ₹3,500 2. FOR NORMAL/COMBINATION SKIN This lightweight, transparent gel formula moisturises and protects the skin, while creating a silky-smooth base for make-up application. SunScoop Invisible Sunscreen Cream SPF 40 PA+++, ₹599 3. FOR SENSITIVE SKIN Formulated with active ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, this formula features Purescreen Technology that absorbs, reflects, and scatters dangerous sunrays…thus protecting the skin from sun damage and sunburns. Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Mineral Sunscreen Lotion with Broad Spectrum SPF 60+, ₹1,499 4. FOR HYPERPIGMENTATION This moisturising SPF30 is infused with Vitamin B3 (aka niacinamide), which can help brighten uneven…

1. BLUSH Blend this juicy cream on your cheeks for a realistic-looking flush. It instantly melts into the skin, creating a stain-like effect that won’t fade or smudge. 2. CONCEALER Pool-day approved, this formula hides dark circles, breakouts, redness, hyperpigmentation, and more (!) without getting all creasy or cakey. 3. BROW GEL It’s a tried and tested favourite because this is true: the gel’s tiny, tinted fibres will cling to your skin, and hair no matter what, giving you fuller, thicker brows. 4. FOUNDATION It’s sheer, formulated not to cause breakouts, and waterproof too, of course. In short, the perfect foundation for summer. 5. EYELINER This water-resistant formula does not budge! It offers rich colour in a single swipe and promises to stay put for up to 16 hours. 6.…

WHO NEEDS A SPACESHIP? Did someone just start a science experiment? Because suddenly, radioactive-green is everywhere. And why not? It’s flashy! It’s fun! You can dip a toe in or go full ’fit! Welcome, friends, to this spectrum of bold options. FOR MORE GREAT STORIES, VISIT COSMO.IN…

THE BEWITCHING HOUR Rocky Star recently showcased his new collection called the Midnight Bloom at Milan Fashion Week 2023 which mixed dark inspiration with high octave glamour. Inspired by the magic of nocturnal blooms along with exploring the beauty of the unknown, fleeting, and the wild—the collection presents ready-to-wear outfits that offer drama. The fabrics include refined velvet, delicate tulles, and organic mules that extend his love for timeless, investment pieces. At present, the brand is focusing on creating trans-seasonal luxury clothing for a discerning global customer and redefining the future of design wear in India. CINCH IT UP! Add texture and intrigue to your everyday ensembles with Dursala. They’ve recently launched an exclusive line of reversible belts and brooches made from the finest materials and featuring exquisite designs that…

The Mumbai-born, Ludhiana-raised Anuv Jain is one of those musicians whose melodies instantly take you back to a place in time, a memory, and a certain feeling. It’s impossible not to be stirred by his second song Baarishein [2018], which went viral during the pandemic—a song he wrote at the age of 17. The recent version we all love today features a more mature voice, and it’s the perfect love ballad. “I was young and in love,” Anuv says simply, of that time. Without any formal training, but a singer since he was a child, Anuv says he’s primarily a songwriter. “Singing is an add-on,” he says. But he picked up the guitar at 16, took lessons, and it was his music teacher who suggested he shift his singing-songwriting from…

Cosmo: You have been working in the industry for a long time. How would you describe your journey so far? Shantanu Maheshwari: “It has been fantastic. Since I am not from the industry, this journey—with its fair share of ups and downs—has been a good learning experience. And I respect that, because that’s what keeps you grounded and makes you stronger. I am happy that I am still relevant. In this industry, sustaining oneself for so long is the most difficult thing…and I have been able to do that. I hope that I continue to be relevant in the future as well.” C: Your last project, Tooth Pari: When Love Bites [2023], was a fantasy love story. What drew you to your character? SM: “I was very intrigued by the…

If you have been online at all recently, there is a chance you would have seen a meme or two describing the unique struggles of being an ‘eldest daughter’ or ‘oldest sister’. From jokes about ‘oldest daughters on their way to solve everyone’s problems because no-one else will do it,’ to comedians acting out an ‘oldest daughter hotline’ to ‘support you while you support everybody else’, videos on social media unpacking the unique level of responsibility that comes with being the eldest female sibling are a major hit online. But what exactly is eldest daughter syndrome? WHAT IS ELDEST DAUGHTER SYNDROME? While the corresponding hashtag has amassed a huge quantity of views—big sister syndrome exists IRL and not just via URL. While this is not a psychological condition or officially…

A very quick glance at my social media explore page will show that I do indeed like cat videos. But the topic dominating my algorithm? An endless stream of beauty hacks. If it’s something that’ll save me time and money, I am here for it. In fact, it was during a late-night scroll sesh that I stumbled upon my now favourite skincare trend—and it’s one that’s also science-based and dermatologist-approved. Enter: skin cycling. There’s a never-ending stream of viral trends out there, but many are, at best, highly debatable—looking at you, hand-whisked foundation and using lube as primer—and, at worst, verging on dangerous. But skin cycling is one that’s generated millions on views across several platforms for good reason and has been praised by experts, including celebrity aestheticians Shani Darden…

1 UPTOWN BLONDE Think: Upper East Side 1990s glamour meets Hollywood starlet. According to Nicola Clarke, Creative Colour Director at John Frieda Salons in London, Ibiza, and New York: “It’s a shimmery champagne gold that is achieved by lightening the base, then using balayage or highlights to add dimension.” The style can brighten up your complexion, but Nicola warns that, “as the name implies—this is a high-maintenance look—so you will need regular trips to the salon to get your roots touched up.” 2 BURNT COPPER Yep, the biggest hair colour of 2023 is back. The classic deep auburn shade we saw everywhere has now been lifted to a brighter hue. Celebrity haistylist Andrew Fitzsimons explains, “It’s very warm and rich in tone but has a vibrant pop of brightness with…

SHE’S VERY, VERY VERSATILE As long as you have a long-wearing eye primer, gold eyeliner, and a palette full of warm metallic shades, your eye-art options are endless. Try a pop of gold shadow on your inner eye corners, build and blend a few different golden shadow shades on your lids, or swipe a gold eye pencil beneath your lash lines for a flashy underliner moment. The New Gold Standards FOR MORE GREAT STORIES, VISIT COSMO.IN…

Cosmo: What are the steps that Aveda has taken to be a more mindful brand? Christine Hall: “Aveda was founded over 40 years ago and we have a deep history of sustainability and mindfulness. From clean ingredients to responsible manufacturing and thoughtful packaging, the brand is a pioneer in the sustainability space and continues to set new standards in beauty today. We often refer to Aveda as a ‘no-compromise’ brand—meaning today you can find products that are high-performance, plant-powered, vegan and cruelty-free, all rooted in a mission of environmental care and responsibility. Also, we are proud that Aveda Corporation achieved its B Corp Certification earlier this year, wherein we are recognised for meeting high verified standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. To obtain B Corp certification, Aveda…

KARMAA DHINGRA, JEWELLERY CURATOR AND DIGITAL CONTENT CREATOR This three-piece suit in tangerine from Arohi signifies strength and power. It makes me feel sexy and this suit is very special to me because the homegrown brand champions experimental silhouettes and textiles made using handcrafted techniques. The silhouette has a western approach but also has a touch of Indian heritage through their choice of fabrics and colours. It’s easy to style this set and here I have paired it with statement golden jewellery. This is how I like to style it during the day… And at night, I simply blow-dry my hair and switch up the jewellery with fine diamanté and solitaires.” LALRINFELA, STYLIST “My favourite piece is this white corset from Diermeiss by the Dragon Lady. What I love about…

FOR MORE GREAT STORIES, VISIT COSMO.IN…

Nandini Bhalla: I last spoke to you almost two years ago. And you told me then that what you really wanted to do was work hard and work more. How have things changed since then? Alaya F: “I remember the last time we spoke was during the pandemic. And at that time, I only had one release out because there was a three year gap between my first and my second release, thanks to our dear pandemic. Even though I had started shooting for a lot of new projects, many didn’t launch. So during that phase, I was just shooting and waiting. And then six months later, I had three releases and it felt great. I’m glad that there are more things to do now and people can see me…

Her music videos are slice-of-life style, offering insights and the angst of a young, modern woman. Her vocals are effortless, and soulful, with a unique timbre that adds a honey richness to her songs… So whether it’s an animated illustration of her in a convertible with her precious cat on her lap—the video for her latest single Count the Stars [2023]—or her biggest hit so far, Cool Kids [2020], listening to Kayan is an escapist pleasure. There’s nothing Ambika Nayak aka Kayan, a moniker she adopted during the pandemic while going Live on Instagram (which is her name spelt backwards) can’t do. She’s been a DJ, model, part of a musical duo, and is now one of the hottest new solo acts to come out of India—accelerated by her videos…

What if we told you there is a way to hack your sex drive so that you can get horny—and stay that way—whenever you want? Yes, even these days, when just about everything feels like a libido killer (the looming maybe-recession, never-ending work stress…you get the gist), and when getting your brain to chill out, and focus on what feels good can be a particularly difficult task. The trick lies in identifying your desire style, aka your love language’s (much) sexier counterpart. According to US-based sex expert Emily Morse, author of Smart Sex: How to Boost Your Sex IQ, and Own Your Pleasure, almost every turn-on can be categorised into one of five styles: conversation, touch, visuals, play, and physical adventure. Think of each as a set of things you…

As the summer months approach, there is no escaping the shift in culture when it comes to drinking alcohol: it’s all Aperol spritzes in rooftop bars and boozy bottomless brunches. And while nobody’s saying that those things aren’t super fun, for some, who are wanting to cut back on their drinking—or change their relationship with alcohol—it can all feel a bit, well, daunting. In the last five years, we have seen a real surge in people choosing to not only stop drinking alcohol altogether, but to be open about their decision to go booze-free too (no doubt helped by the ever-growing option of cool alcohol-free beverages on offer nowadays). But alongside this, there’s a second wave of drinkers who are making changes: those known as ‘sober curious’ or ‘mindful drinkers’.…

FOR MORE GREAT STORIES, VISIT COSMO.IN…

In true Cosmo India style, Day Two kickstarted with ‘The World’s Most Instagrammable Breakfast’! And this year’s brekky featured a Parisian theme. Our nominees dipped their croissants in hot chocolate, and were transported to a pretty café in Paris! There was also Cosmo’s own lovelock wall inspired by Pont des Arts, French girls handing out flowers, baguettes wrapped in newspaper, and a delightful flower market to make a bouquet. And, of course, the best part—a delish spread featuring an array of croissants, French toast, entrecôte steak, quiche, Pâté, cheese and cold cuts, and more! But the day was only just starting……