Innholdsfortegnelse for September - October - 2024 i Cosmopolitan India

Did you know the Sun’s surface gravity is 28 times that of Earth? Or that 28 is one of the seven magic numbers in nuclear physics, which ensures the atomic nuclei is far more stable than other nuclei? Or even that it is the number of tiles in a standard domino set? You see, this strong bid for celebrating this incredible number is because with our Sept-Oct ’24 issue, we celebrate 28 years of Cosmo! And because, personally, for me, every year we grow together is a momentous occasion and a step up from the last. The first international title to set foot in the country, helmed by incredible editors before me, we are nothing without you, dearest reader. So, thank you, from the team and I, for being with…

I was 11-years-old when I got my first period. I didn’t exactly know what was about to hit, but I was intuitive—something was definitely up. How, you ask? Oh, it wasn’t rocket science. For starters, there was a mysterious new addition to my beloved stack of The Princess Diaries and The Twilight Saga (yes, go ahead and judge me) volumes… a pink book called Just for Girls, which my mom had purchased. It covered all the awkward Bs—breast development, body hair, breakouts, boys, and oh—THE period talk, of course. Then, there was my dermatologist, who—during my routine checkup—told me, “You haven’t started your period, right? You will in a few months. Gear up!” And yet, these not-so-subtle hints could not help me escape the overwhelming feeling of getting my first…

Citadel: Honey Bunny November 7, On Amazon Prime Video Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu will star together in an electrifying spy-action series and spin off to the American show Citadel. Expect an adrenaline-pumping thriller directed by Raj & DK and produced by the powerhouse duo, the Russo Brothers. This series seamlessly blends the excitement of a spy-action thriller with the charm of romance, all set in the 90s. Expect a lot of jaw-dropping fight sequences and intricate plot details in this new series. Jigra In theatres Written and directed by Vasan Bala, this one stars the most unpredictable duo—Alia Bhatt and Vedang Raina—as siblings. Oh, there’s also a collaboration between Diljit Dosanjh and Alia (you know it, don’t you?). The story: How their lives turn upside down when Vedang…

It’s smart to start with some basics, because you’ve gotta understand the process before you master it. Dermaplaning is a form of physical exfoliation that removes your outermost layer of dead skin cells as well as any peach fuzz with a surgical blade, explains US-based licensed aesthetician Joie Tavernise. Just how sharp that blade is depends on where you are getting it done. Actual aestheticians generally use much sharper ones, leading to a deeper exfoliation, but you can expect to pay much more for a professional treatment (dermaplaning costs about ₹8,300 approx per session, with results lasting around two to four weeks). So it is a good thing the newest at-home tools work almost as well. Possibly the best part of dermaplaning is that it is quick, painless, and instantly…

COLOUR THERAPY We’re ditching that black ensemble in our wardrobes for the boldest and brightest of shades because who doesn’t have a crush on colours. Extra points if they shine! Cosmo Tip: Pair it with minimalistic silver jewellery for that chic look. YOU’RE GONNA HEAR US ROAAAAAR Not too long ago, leopard prints were considered rather gauche. The tide has turned and how! From jeans and tops to skirts and dresses, there’s a leopard look for everyone. Cosmo Tip: Don’t think you can rock this look yet? Try adding chunky gold jewellery. Voilà! CITY SIREN “I’m working laaate…cause I’m dressed for it!” And even if you’re not entering the boardroom, you can rock a pair of tailored pants, statement blazers, and chic accessories—no judgments whatsoever. Cosmo Tip: Anti-fit clothes, chunky accessories—we…

SOWMIYASREE, 21 I styled this look in vivid hues and prints by adding a fuchsia pink, oversized blouse to African print bell bottoms in order to catch the audience’s attention. To complete the ensemble, I have worn gold statement earrings, which complement the wooden bangles and black block heels. This look allows me to stand out. NANDINI BHATTACHARYA, 25 For this street style look, I’ve embraced a feminine yet edgy vibe with a white halter neck dress that I’ve paired with a black bomber jacket. For accessories, I’ve worn a cross neckpiece, dangling heart earrings, and a heart ring. Knee-high black boots have helped add a bold touch, while my JW PEI vegan leather bag completes the look. ARUNAV DUTT, 22 I am a fashion content creator and my style…

Cricket—both a sport and religion in our country—has given us everything we could imagine, and more. It’s given us the big little moments that we will cherish forever—the intensely emotional ones, the ones that make your heart race a bit faster, and most importantly, the ones that make you believe in even the most unachievable dream. And all too rarely does one stumble upon someone who embodies this very belief. Hailing from Moga, Punjab, captain of the Indian women’s cricket team, Harmanpreet Kaur grew up amidst many gender stereotypes—no cricket team for women to begin with—yet her heart and mind told her she would make it anyway. She convinced herself she would play for the men’s team if it came to it. But not wearing the blue cap for India?…

Disclaimer: Turn the page at your own risk! Screaming. Crying. Stanning. NAME: GURFATEH SINGH PIRZADA AGE: 27 SIGN: SCORPIO MAIN GIG: ACTOR Oh this? Just an extremely hot and steamy (and HOT) photoshoot of the man you’re about to obsess over (you’re welcome). WDYM?! Of course, we watched Call Me Bae for the plot winks Please don’t ask us the colour of anything. If I told you that a random conversation Gurfateh Singh Pirzada had with Ananya Panday at Soho House Mumbai, as well as a meeting with director Colin D’Cunha, helped him bag the role of the very charming Neel Nair on Call Me Bae (2024), you will take no time in calling it a strange happenstance. I did too, after I read Pirzada’s Instagram post about the same. In fact,…

Watch the postscript of any great 2000s romcom, you’ll find only one flavour of ‘Happily Ever After’—right after the airport chase, the boombox moment, or the big Hollywood kiss, there is always that one little flash into the future spliced into the rolling credits; the wedding. Sometimes, it cuts even further ahead—the hospital bed scene with the birth of the cine couple’s first child. But the ending essentially slants toward the same idea of peak relationship …marriage. With romcoms today, endings vary—and so do the protagonists. Couples in pop culture are no longer heteronormative and white; they are diverse. The idea of the ‘perfect partnership’ has changed. There is no longer a one-size-fits-all dream when it comes to that big, sexy, game changing love; and the fact that people are…

ARMAAN, 19 • Those who keep their debit/credit cards in clear phone cases. • Adding sugar to black coffee—just drink hot chocolate at this point. • Ketchup on pizza. There are lines we DO NOT cross. • Over-editing and doodling all over random Instagram stories. Chill. • Bollywood songs as ringtones. • Wearing pants so low they’re practically ankle bracelets. ISHITA, 21 • People without table manners—just, no. • Blowing your nose in public. Please, spare us. • Dudes following girls on IG who don’t even follow them back. Loser behaviour, for real! • Men who don’t trim their nails. Is a nail clipper that hard to find? • A man who yaps. • Snapchat filters—actually, Snapchat in general. We’re not in 2016, babe! SAANYA, 20 • Not straightening the…

Let me start by setting the theme of this article to be utterly morose. I would suggest you mind your step. The writing brief I was given was to “make it me, make it funny.” I found that endearing. Being myself is ‘being funny’? What a time to be alive, this is all I have ever wanted! But let’s pop that bubble like the situationship I’ve been pining over for five months. Here’s the gloomy truth: The subtext to all my emotions is a sense of melancholy. At the risk of sounding like a Tumblr post from 2016, I do think funny people tend to be sad people. Not all, some are truly just doorknob human versions of a knockknock joke. But since I am superior and more nuanced than…

She ties her pinafore apron over her ganji (tank top) as the sweet morning sun rises to filter through the kitchen casement window in her apartment in Paris’s Rue des Fossés Saint Jacques. Only a few hours before her day begins at Le Cordon Bleu, but enough to try her hand at the madeleines she learnt in class yesterday, her dalmatian, Miso, snoozing next to her feet. CUT TO: It is July and she’s on an assignment in Tanzania to photograph the great migration across the Mara River. Her moss-green ganji is a perfect camouflage against the beige of the car she is standing in. Miso, too, blends perfectly with the zebras he is silently watching hoisted next to her. CUT TO: The rutilant lights of Not Just Jazz By…

Naming your debut album Jackfruit—that spiky, prehistoric-looking fruit that could be used as a weapon if need be—takes a special kind of audacity, and the 26-year-old Sri Lankan-Aussie Dhee has that in spades. Stepdaughter of Indian music composer Santhosh Narayanan, the singer shot to fame with hits like Enjoy Enjaami and Rowdy Baby (from the 2018 Tamil movie Maari 2). Jackfruit is Dhee’s introduction to indie pop, and her work is as layered and surprising as the fruit it’s named after. Before you go all, “But who names an album after a fruit?” let me tell you—this is no ordinary fruit, and Dhee is no ordinary artist. “I had the album ready but couldn’t name it for a long time,” Dhee tells me. “But one day it hit me that…

DHRUV OBEROI Executive chef at Olive Bar & Kitchen, and The Grammar Room, New Delhi LEFTOVER POTATO AU GRATIN, WITH JAKHYA TEMPERED HIMALAYAN CHEESE FONDUE “The recipe is ideal for a snack or a side for the main dish. Inspired by gratin a la Dauphinoise—it is a recipe from the south-eastern region of Dauphiné in France. Although classically made with gruyere, I used a Himalayan cheese called Zarai sourced from the foothills of the Himalayas and spiced it with Jakhya seeds—a spice used in Uttarakhand.” POTATO DAUPHINOISE: Leftover potatoes (sliced): 500gFried onion: 30gCream: 250gBay leaf: 2Thyme: 1 sprigBlack peppercorn: 5gSea salt: 5gDry oregano: 2gGarlic to taste METHOD: 1. Mix all the ingredients, except potatoes, with the cream in a pan and bring it to boil. 2. Layer the potatoes with…

“Every girl needs Paris.” —Eve Chase, The Wildling Sisters Four years since the world woke up to Emily in Paris after it premiered in 2020 to polarising reviews, to now, when it’s been renewed for a fifth season, there’s no holding back Emily, or her European adventures. From the get-go, her life was a carefully curated series of playful adventures of an American girl in Paris. However, it wasn’t until last year when her maximalist fashion choices were starting to grow on me that I put aside a rather slow Sunday for the series, spending the rest of it until Monday, bingeing. More than the storytelling, it was Lily Collins, a natural performer who started acting at the age of two, who kept me coming back for more. Having seen…

You know you can expect magic when the doyenne of Indian fashion, Kolkata-based designer Anamika Khanna, known to metamorphose Indian textile and design to give it a contemporary facelift, collaborates with the buzziest international high-street brand, H&M, known for the most iconic partnerships in the past few years. About time…was the sentiment…when I, along with other friends from the media were made privy of this pivotal coming together. Excited about the global celebration of Anamika Khanna’s exceptionally cool avant-garde aesthetics for a growing market of fashion aficionados and enthusiasts, I sat down for an exclusive chat with the icon herself and Creator Advisor for H&M, Ann-Sofie Johansson. We explored the driving influences, what to expect from the most anticipated global drop of the year, and everything in between. Pratishtha Dobhal:…

1 When it comes to skincare, you are: a. A hoarder—if there’s a new serum in the market, I’m buying it yesterday. b. A minimalist…in fact, it isn’t enough of a word! c. A DIY queen—why buy it when I can whip it up in my kitchen, or as my mom says, “There’s skincare at home!” 2 Your make-up collection is: a. The whole shebang—every colour of the rainbow, and then some! b. Just the essentials. That five-in-one face wash? NEED. c. A blink-and-you’ll-miss-it situation—lipstick and mascara, and I’m good to go. 3 Where do you display all of these products? a. On an extremely organised Pinteresty vanity case. I’m making Marie Kondo proud. b. In the bathroom sink-turned-vanity—how very heroin chic. c. Wherever they land—if I can find it,…

Unlike a lot of at-home skincare devices, LED (Light-Emitting Diode) face masks deliver in the results department when used regularly. These futuristic-looking devices utilise varying wavelengths of light to help you get clearer skin, reduce redness and inflammation, improve skin texture and tone, and even help smooth fine lines and wrinkles. TRUE OR FALSE To separate the sales pitch from the reality, derms weigh in. The more expensive the mask, the more effective. TRUE-ISH: In general, you get what you pay for, but you can’t judge on price alone. Yes, the ₹33,000 LED mask created by a dermatologist will probably be more effective than the ₹1,000 model on Amazon. Still, US-based dermatologist Cula Svidzinski, MD, explains that although there isn’t enough data to compare the efficacy of at-home LED face…

TREND ALERT: ESPRESSO MAKE-UP Fall is indicative of two things—Gilmore Girls re-watch and some coffee-derived make-up look in the news. This time it is espresso, or how most of us might identify it—Sabrina Carpenter’s namesake bop! To re-create this look, all you need is some brown-tones in your make-up bag. BOLDER THE LIP, CLOSER TO GOD! Anyone looking for a pigmented lipstick on a budget should head straight to the closest Colorbar store (or online) to grab their Power Kiss Matte Lipstick. Infused with vitamin D and E as well avocado oil, the lipstick—available in 12 shades—provides single-swipe coverage. What’s more—the lipstick has a click case, gold premium packaging, and there’s also an AI try-on feature on their website! SMELLS LIKE A MILLION BUCKS The latest addition to Hermès’ coveted…

On August 30, Avani Lekhara—a 22-year-old from Jaipur, Rajasthan—made headlines (once again) at the 2024 Paralympics, held in Paris. Competing in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 event (a classification for para-shooters who can hold their gun and shoot from a standing or sitting position—in a wheelchair or chair) she defended her champion title, becoming the first Indian woman to win two gold medals in the history of Paralympic Games. In a twist that’s both surprising and fitting, Avani broke her own record—previously set at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games with 249.6 points. She also set a new record with an impressive score of 249.7 points. That glorious moment—Avani beaming with her gold medal alongside Korean para-athlete Lee Yunri with a silver, and her compatriot Mona Agarwal with a…

If dirty talk feels unfamiliar or awkward, you’ve come to the right place. Mastering the art of cheeky conversation can really turn up the heat in the bedroom. But if you don’t know what to say or where to start, you can find yourself tongue-tied and stuck in a cringeworthy conundrum. Embracing the seductive side of speech doesn’t have to be an awkward ordeal. With our guide, you’ll be able to craft electrifying exchanges that will leave your partner begging for more. EASE INTO IT Navigating dirty talk, especially for the first time with your partner, can feel unnatural. It is a good idea to ease into it with some NSFW texts. Think of it as a practice run before the real deal. Texting lets you set the scene before…

1. Your partner has arrived 20 minutes late to a date without texting to let you know.You: a Are relieved they’re OK and ask them to call next time they’re running late. b Feel annoyed and hurt, but decide it’s not worth getting into. c Have genuine concerns for their safety and are hurt they didn’t text you. 2. Your friend expresses a small frustration they have in your friendship. You: a Ask why they’re bringing this up and say you don’t want to talk about it. b Jump straight into fix-it mode and triple check it’s really not a big deal. c Are relieved they brought it up, and ask for more details to resolve the issue. 3. Your best friend is going for a weekend away with their…

Once upon a time, eating your ‘5 a day’ (the UK government backed campaign to reinforce the importance of nutrient-rich foods) and fitting in a semi-regular jogging session felt like enough. Now? Darling, don’t you want to live forever? Step it up! Alongside witnessing a boom in extreme biohackers (TLDR: millionaire YouTubers spending thousands trying to reverse biological ageing through hundreds of daily supplements, intense diet regimes, fitness and…plasma infusions), us Average Joannes are also becoming increasingly drawn to personalised approaches when it comes to health. Something that the wellness set has dubbed as achieving ‘optimal’ health—in order to lengthen our ‘longevity’. But what are these shiny new alternatives that demand data to create your plan? Is this the death of ‘one-size-fits-all’ fitness guidance? I decided to trial three contenders…

1. Have sex… and love it! At a time when women were expected to be married before getting busy, Helen challenged that idea in her book Sex and the Single Girl. “Theoretically, a ‘nice’ single woman has no sex life,” she wrote. “What nonsense!” 2. Rock your career She stressed that “a job can be your love, your happy pill, your means to finding out who you are, and what you can do.” 3. Make yourself irresistible In an interview with the late Nora Ephron, self-help champion HGB said, “You cannot sit around like a cupcake asking other people to come and eat you up and discover your great sweetness and charm. You’ve got to make yourself more ‘cupcakable’ all the time.” 4. Speak your mind unapologetically When critics said…

GLOSSY: AMBITION, BEAUTY, AND THE INSIDE STORY OF EMILY WEISS’S GLOSSIER by MARISA MELTZER Looking for insights straight from the beauty world? Meltzer offers a sneak peek of the complexities of beauty culture and the world of magazines, focusing on all things glamorous and aesthetic. She recounts Glossier’s journey from a vague concept deck to a dominant player in the beauty business. In all of this, Marisa tries to reflect on the ways we must perceive ourselves. WOMEN LIVING DELICIOUSLY by FLORENCE GIVEN Nothing tastes better than the sweetness of being unapologetically authentic in the true essence of being a woman. This pageturner is a celebration of empowered femininity. It takes you on a journey of self-discovery and self-love. Packed with pearls of wisdom, the book will leave you embracing…

It seems like the amount of hair hitting salon floors has risen rapidly over the past year, with pixie cuts gaining ground and bold bobs taking over. Even the mullet has had a moment. We are all for taking the plunge, but what happens if you decide it is actually not for you? Or if you are ready for something new? If an imminent unflattering growing-out process has you stuck maintaining a style you’re over, help is here. These are the clever cuts to ask your hairdresser for, and the at-home tips for styling it out. Post-pixie cut “Don’t grow the whole thing out at once or it will grow out very round,” says John Frieda’s creative director Zoë Irwin. “To give you some shape, let the top grow first…

They’re a staple on Instagram, but are jade rollers the be-all and end-all of skincare tools…or will you be mad you wasted your money? US-based dermatologist Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, MD, and Chinese medicine dermatologist Sandra Lanshin Chiu answer your burning questions about them. Do jade rollers actually work? That depends on your goal. While they’re not a magical cure-all for your breakouts and wrinkles, they can reduce puffiness temporarily by increasing lymphatic drainage, according to Dr Levin. Chiu believes they improve product penetration, though Dr Levin says there’s really no science to back that up. Bottom line: If you like the way they feel and how they smooth out your products, you might want to give them a try. How often should you use one? Chiu suggests using your jade…

I’m no historian, but it is a pretty easy feat to define the decade of almost any beauty look via the brows. From the sloping, expression-filled lines of the 1920s to the 1990s over-plucked arches, and even the intimidating precision of the sculpted HD brow that has defined recent years, eyebrow trends are ever-evolving. Fast forward to the autumn/winter 2024 season and your make-up will be all about embracing a low-maintenance, effortless look. In other words, when it comes to brows, natural is the motto! “While defined brows were once popular, they no longer align with the current “no-make-up make-up” trend that emphasises a softer, more natural appearance,” Aimee Connolly, MUA and founder of Sculpted by Aimee, explains. “Many individuals are now opting for a softer, natural brow look that…

‘GREEN’ IS THE NEW BLACK Is ‘Brat summer’ over? Maybe, maybe not! But honey, if there is one thing we have learnt from Charli XCX, it’s that Brat is a mindset. And this page is proof! THE GIRLY GIRL IS BACK Step aside nasty girl, it is time for the very demure of us to shine. We know you are tired of hearing the word, but bear with us just one more time (you WON’T regret it).…

It’s getting hot in here. Cosmo Tip: Pair your garter with high-waisted briefs or a matching set for that sultry look.…

Stay please. I am not letting you go anywhere. You are stuck with me!” Shraddha lets out her signature ebullient laugh—free, fluid, charming, and unpretentious—at the anniversary cover shoot, where we end up having quite the Carrie Bradshaw-esque Sex and the City hang. I wonder what’s an appropriate way of asking her if I need to leave while she is changing, but without any qualms, she continues to chat while trying out one look after another. Rare for an actor and celebrity of her stature and filmography to be so casj. Even though we are meeting for the first time, it feels like we are planning quite a rager, shuffling through the racks and accessories neatly lined up, which, tbh, is what it exactly felt like with her on set.…

What do you say to a young Olympic medallist who has made history—and is intentional in everything she sets her mind on—when you first meet her after her glorious win? Of course, congratulating Manu Bhaker, the professional shooter who is the first Indian woman to win two bronze medals—one in individual and the other in mixed—at the Olympics (Paris 2024), is the first rule of engagement. But it doesn’t seem enough, for you know she has inspired an entire generation on a global arena, as you watched her from afar and cheered for her along with your country women and men. My team waited in anticipation as Manu made her way to her first Cosmopolitan India cover shoot. After the one-and-a-half hours we had with her, each one of us…

The old blanket advice for uncomfortable sex? “Try more foreplay” and “Use more lube”. Yeah, those can help, but what if you are already having 30-minute make-outs and going through tubes of the slick stuff and it still hurts? Follow this flowchart for actually helpful insight into what might be going on and how to make it stop.*…

ARIES You were deep in work mode at the start of Virgo season and, yeah, it has been exhausting. But good news: Once you’re past the lunar eclipse, your to-do list looks like it’s (finally) been taken care of. Even better, with Libra season starting September 23, it has set the mood for love—and new lovers. TAURUS Friendly PSA: If you like somebody, tell them. If you love somebody, shout it from the rooftops (or, at least, on your IG stories). The end-of-summer astro weather has you meeting new friends and romantic interests. And once Scorpio season rolls up on October 23, you will be ready to lock those down. GEMINI Hey, so how’s your living situation? Your relationships with your friends, family, partner? If there’s room for improvement, get…