Festive season is here and we all understand that men have limited dressing options when it comes to ethnic wear. But fret no more, here’s how you can put together that fabulous look pairing pieces that are lying at that dead corner of your wardrobe. Men, we are here to give you major inspiration for your Diwali parties. Take a look at our outfit of the week and thank us later.
Traditional and comfortable, a slim-fit kurta and churidaar is the ideal Diwali outfit for men who like to keep things simple. Opt for organic fabrics in earthy tones and give a royal touch to your look by teaming your kurta and churidar with a Nehru jacket. The thing about Nehru jackets is that they don’t only brighten up your kurta and churidar combo but they also add the oomph factor to an otherwise ordinary looking outfit.
Want to add more style to it? Wear it with a silk pocket square in a contrasting colour. You can also try experimenting with Nehru jackets in printed Indian motifs with statement buttons in bold and bright colours.
Complete this look by teaming it with leather Kolhapuri slippers or sandals with your outfit and you’re good to go.
Yes it’s that time of the year again, where the city shines bright with houses decorated and lit up in festive lights. Whether you’re spending time with your family or heading out to glitzy parties with your best buds, there’s no doubt that you would want to look your best. Celebrate this season with complete festive fervour and look beautiful with these Diwali makeup tips.
Skin SOS
To make sure that your skin glows (despite the endless flow of alcohol) over the festive period your daily moisturiser is not enough. Prepare your skin a day in advance and look radiant during the celebrations. Facials and face masks rejuvenate the skin and make it look younger, try these homemade face masks to cleanse your skin and get that natural glow.
1) Oatmeal mask absorbs extra oil from the skin, removes impurities and cleanses all the pores. Blend two tsp of oatmeal in hot water and add one tsp each of honey, lemon juice and two tsp of yoghurt. Apply this thick paste evenly on your face. Rinse with lukewarm water once the mask is completely dry.
2) Fruits can work wonders for your skin and can give you a glowing skin instantly. Prepare a fruit pack by mixing papaya, cucumber and banana pulp; add two tsp of cream and mix well. Leave it on for 20 minutes and rinse with lukewarm water.
Hair SOS
We know that festive season can be hectic and styling your hair everyday gets very taxing. Moreover, daily styling may also damage your hair. Treat yourself to a professional blow dry as it adds more shine to your hair and helps in holding the style for long. Use dry shampoo to give ample body to your hair and absorb excess oil in between washes. Check out this video by Alexandrea Garza and learn how to blow dry your hair, salon style at home.
Try these homemade hair masks to add volume and shine to your hair.
1) Egg masks are moisturising and they add volume to dry and limp hair. They also help in reducing hair breakage by nourishing the roots and promote hair growth. Beat an egg yolk and add two tsp of olive oil, a cup of milk and four tsp of lemon juice. Apply it to your scalp and rinse it off, after 20 minutes, with cold water.
2) Yoghurt masks are ideal for those whose hair is damaged due to extreme styling. Massage half a cup of yoghurt onto slightly damp hair, leave it for 15-20 minutes and rinse it off with cold water.
Tired eyes
Festive season and social gatherings go hand-in-hand and all those nights partying are bound to leave your eyes looking tired. To make sure that you stay bright and fresh at every gathering, take some cotton and soak it in a cup of cold milk for a few seconds. Place the cotton over your eyes and leave it for a few minutes.
Nail art
Nothing says Diwali like glitter. Add a little sparkle to your nails with this easy glitter gradient nail art.
Makeup
Can’t figure out what kind of makeup to do this Diwali? Check out this video by Kaushal Beauty and get your Diwali makeup inspiration.
Follow these Diwali makeup tips and look flawless this Diwali.
Not everyone is blessed with flawless skin and at one time or another we have all felt the need to hide some imperfections. And for people facing issues like pigmentation, unevenness, redness and acne scars, hiding them is an even bigger task. But worry no more; there are a variety of products that can help in hiding them. Make way for colour correcting concealers, the secret behind that flawless and radiant looking celebrity-like skin. Here are the details and a guide on how to use colour correcting concealers.
Why use colour correcting concealers?
Most facial flaws are due to colour-related issues such as dark bluish under-eye circles and reddish-brown acne scars to name a few, and flesh tone concealers don’t cover-up all of them. Colour correcting concealers are a total game changer for people dealing with these kinds of flaws. The trick is to neutralise the flawed colours and mask their appearance as much as possible which is where the colour correcting concealers come into play.
How to use colour correcting concealers?
Colour correcting concealers typically come in four shades – green, peach/orange, purple and yellow. In order to hide the imperfections correctly, you need to understand which colour will neutralise the colour of the flaw you want to cover up. For instance, reddish colour spots are best covered with a counteracting colour, say green. Colour correcting concealers are mostly available in a cream-based blend and mix right into the skin along with your basic flesh tone concealer. Here’s how to use colour correcting concealers the right way.
Dab the colour correcting concealer onto the targeted spot with a clean brush or finger and gently blend it out until there are no apparent lines visible. Allow the corrector to set for a couple of seconds. Now use your usual flesh-toned concealer and apply it (again, dab) onto the area where you first applied the colour correcting concealer. With the help of a brush or a sponge, blend the productwell into the skin for an even finish. Lastly, set the concealer with some loose or pressed powder and notice the difference yourself.
Read on to find out which colour correcting concealer is suitable for which flaw and get dabbin!
Green tinted concealers neutralise red zones on your face and are best used to cover-up blemishes.
Purple Concealers
Purple tinted concealers are best suited for eliminating any unwanted yellow undertones of the skin and add a natural glow to the skin, when mixed with your usual flesh-tone concealer.
Peach/Orange Concealers
Peach/Orange tinted concealers are ideal to neutralise dark circles under the eyes as they counteract the blueness and balance it out.
Yellow Concealers
Yellow tinted concealers are perfect for hiding purple or blue bruises and veins. They are great for evening out the skin and giving a bright base for your foundation.
Like this guide for using colour correcting concealers? Check out our How To and DIY sections for more such tips and tricks.
It’s never too early to start your search for the perfect coat that can actually keep you warm and stylish throughout winters. Coats are as important as your favorite pair of denims and can make or break your outfit. From sleek and refined styles to statement furry cover-ups, get ready to meet the coats that are here to get rid of your winter style woes. Prepare yourself before the temperatures start to dip and bundle up with these must have coats 2015.
1) The Cape Coat
Hitting high on the runways, cape coats are elegant and ideal for layering over turtlenecks and light sweaters. Suitable for every body type, cape coats keep you warm and fashionable at the same time.
2) The Faux-Fur Coat
A statement faux fur coat is a must have for every woman. Amazing for those grey chilly winter days, faux fur coats can be paired with warm leggings or over dresses along with knee length boots.
3) Duster Coat
Also known as ‘longline coat’, duster coats are our favourite this season. Sophisticated and versatile, duster coats make you look structured and lean without compromising on your style quotient.
4) The Robe Coat
Robe coats are a perfect blend of simplicity and chic. Look for a style that is slightly over-sized and be sure to pair it with a tailored piece underneath for a balanced look.
5) The Suede Coat
Making a comeback from the 70s is the suede trend. The rich look of the retro fabric can instantly raise your style barometer and keep you warm at the same time during those frigid wintry days.
Diwali is around the corner and we believe dressing the part is just as important as all the other rituals. So if you’re looking for Diwali outfit inspiration, we have something for you. Give the usual salwar kameez a skip and try out the hottest trend of the season – Dhoti pants.
Dhoti pants have been named after ‘Dhoti’, a traditional garment worn by men in India. But with change in style and fashion preferences, this garment has been adopted by women in an ethnic fusion form. A popular choice amongst many celebrities, designers and stylists, Dhoti pants make for a great change from the usual salwars and churidars. And if you are confused about styling it the right way, take inspiration from Bollywood’s very own fashionista, Sonam Kapoor.
Our suggestion for making Dhoti pants a successful Diwali outfit will be to pair the pants with a well-tailored top that balances out the volume at the bottom. These pants look their best in brighter colours so go ahead and experiment; however ensure that the top is of a neutral/earthy shade. Do remember to add some bling with big earrings and other accessories. We’d recommend minimal makeup but feel free to adjust it according to the occasion and your preference.
Not just tailored-tops Dhoti pants look great with tunics, crop tops and maxi tops.
Sure it’s nice to be dolled up all the time but it’s not necessary that you always look like Kim Kardashian making a red carpet appearance. For most ladies, contouring is this challengingly extreme level of makeup that is rendered both unreal and unnecessary. However, it is actually not as heavy duty a task and does not require a lot of time. Yes that’s true, you can make contouring a part of your daily regime and get that sculpted look in less than 5 minutes all the while keeping your makeup minimal. Here’s how.
The essentials
You don’t need a pro makeup kit to get that polished and sculpted look. All you need is;
1) A contouring kit that consists of the right shade of highlighter, dark contouring shade and a blusher suitable for your skin tone. You can also use your bronzer for contouring if you don’t have a contouring kit.
2) Clean contouring brush, an angled brush and a blush brush.
Steps
1) Start off by preparing your skin with your everyday moisturiser and prime your skin.
2) Foundation can be heavy for everyday use, apply BB cream or CC cream for an even skin tone and conceal blemishes or dark spots, if required.
3) Locate the hollows of your cheeks and using a clean angled brush apply your bronzer or the contouring shade under your cheek bones. Make sure that you blend the product well with the help of a contouring brush to avoid harsh lines.
4) Using a fluffy blush brush, apply blusher on the apples of your cheeks and buff it into your skin until it looks natural.
5) Complete your look by adding a little bit of mascara and lip gloss and you’re good to go!
You can watch the whole 5 minute everyday contouring makeup tutorial here.
Peace is the way forward for both India and Pakistan, two nations that are politically divided but habitually so united that the similarities never fail to amaze anybody. And to highlight the solidarity between the common people of both the countries, Mumbai-based Ram Subramanian started a campaign called Profile for Peace.
The 36-year old “artivist” as he calls himself, was startled when he heard about a renowned Pakistani artist being banned from performing in India by the Shiv Sena in Mumbai. To voice his opinion against these actions he resorted to social media and posted the following picture with the heart-touching note, urging people to change their profile pictures in support.
No prizes for guessing, the campaign went viral overnight on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, with thousands of Indians and Pakistanis changing their profile pictures with the love note. Take a look at these pictures in support of the Profile for Peace campaign.
With the navaratras coming to an end we embrace ourselves for the victory of good over evil. And as much as we love the fact that evil loses in the end of the battle, we must make our peace with the fact that they coexist, at least in real life. And keeping that in mind we’ve put together this list of Ramayana characters that we encounter in life almost everyday. Here’s a list of ten types of friends we all have and their Ramayana counterparts. Take a look.
The two day extravaganza of the 11th edition of the Blenders Pride Fashion Tour 2015 presented a transcending collaboration between designers and musicians showcasing their creative inspirations and fine influences. Bringing out the finest ‘col.lab.orations’, the tour commenced on 17th and 18th of October at the prime location Leela Ambience, Gurgaon. The audience witnessed a blend of tradition and glamour with exquisite detailing, rich legacy and magnificent music. Here’s everything you need to know about the Blenders Pride Fashion Tour 2015.
The first day of the Blenders Pride Fashion tour witnessed a collaboration between couturier Anju Modi, Eros International and Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Bajirao Mastani’. Inspired by the unique, timeless and rich legacy highlighting the history of Bajirao, the collection was a fusion of traditional Marathi outfits and authentic Persian costumes. Bringing the era to life was actor Deepika Padukone, walking the ramp donning the final creation by the designer.
The second day at the Blenders Pride Fashion Tour 2015 kicked off with designers Abraham & Thakore’s collection ‘The Sustainability Project’. Taking inspiration from the recycled remnants of cotton, silk, hooks and buttons (collectively known as Kantha), the ensembles marked influences of exquisite detailing and classic garment shapes for a timeless Indian wardrobe. The designer duo recreated a unique collection of silhouettes with antique brocades, sequins, laces in shades of ivory, charcoal, coffee, plum etc.
Also showcasing his collection on the second day was Designer Rahul Mishra. His collection ‘The Village’ was a contemporary story of the natural coexistence of nature and mankind. Epitomising elegance with distinguished craftsmanship, the collection was a blend of trench dresses, jackets, trousers, sheer skirts in shades of white, nude, black and violet handcrafted to perfection. Making models dance to the beats of jazz-and-blues influenced electronica was Madboy/Mink, whose music made everybody groove. With actor Neha Dhupia as showstopper, the show was a complete delight to the eyes.
It’s that time of the year again! Nothing gets us into the spirit of Halloween more than dressing up and we all know that choosing the right Halloween costume can be an intimidating task. If you still haven’t decided what to wear on Halloween then fret no more! We’ve got the right video for you to help you get some Halloween costume ideas.
Mode.com has always been great with creating short videos unveiling trends changing over the past centuries and they never stop surprising us. This time they are back with another 100 year video showcasing 100 years of Halloween costume trends in three minutes. Let’s revisit spooky witches from 1915 to papier-mâché Mickey Mouse from 1935 to Kim Kardashian’s 2015 paper magazine cover. Take a look.
1. Express your love for horrifying papier-mâché masks
2. The wicked witch of the west
3. Spooky Mickey Mouse
4. The sexy devil in you
5. The wild west approach
6. The sassy Catwoman
7. Scary Raggedy Ann
8. The Greek Goddess
9. Wonder who that is?
10. Oops I did it again.. Thankyou Britney Spears
11. And the Papermag cover beauty
Got more Halloween costume ideas? Share it with us in the comments below.
If your mom ever gave you castor oil as a kid and you decided to never use it again in your life, you wasted some golden words of wisdom. We do understand that castor oil isn’t very pleasing for your sense of smell but did you know that it is high in unsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E, proteins, and minerals? And not only is it good for your hair but also your skin, your stomach, feet and much more. Here are all the benefits of castor oil you need to know now and how to use it properly.
How to use castor oil?
Castor oil is very thick in consistency and hence is best when mixed with thinner oil such as jojoba oil or even baby oil if that makes you more comfortable.
Mixing it with a different oil doesn’t just make it smell better, it makes the oil very easy to apply. You may also mix both the castor oil and your preferred oil (like jojoba for me) in a container and keep the container immersed in warm water. The heat from the water makes the mixture more fluid and gives the best results.
Benefits of castor oil
1) Healthy skin
Castor oil has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties which makes it very useful in fighting bacteria that cause acne and scarring. Not only does it dry out your acne, it also helps in healing discoloration. But but BUT, do not use castor oil straight as it is on your skin. Mix it with jojoba oil for best results on your skin.
One of the most widely recognised benefits of castor oil is that it encourages hair growth. If hair breakage is your nightmare then just apply a little bit of castor oil to your scalp for about twenty to thirty minutes daily and see the results for yourself. Not just your scalp, you may use castor oil for thicker brows and lashes as well but make sure you don’t get any oil in your eyes.
Again, remember that it’s best used with another oil.
Castor oil is a natural laxative and aids digestion especially for people with constipation issues. Castor oil if taken orally (only as directed by your doctor) is broken down in the intestine which makes the intestines move and helps in easing constipation.
If you have a dry and itchy scalp, just rub a little bit of castor oil to it and see the results. Not only do its anti-fungal properties help in fighting the dandruff, the oil also provides the much needed moisture to your scalp to keep further dandruff at bay.
Rubbing castor oil on to sore joints or achy muscles helps relieve pain. It’s best to mix castor oil with turmeric and apply on to the affected area to let the therapeutic properties do the magic.
Like these benefits of castor oil? If you want us to write about any other products or remedies, do mention in the comments below and we’d be happy to try the product and give our reviews.
Listen up all you shopaholics! We know how eagerly you all waited for the first H&M store in India and now are probably going gaga overspending (just kidding, even we believe that shopping is like investing money) but hold on! We’ve got major news for you… H&M is just not it. Delhi’s Select City Walk mall is all set to give us two less reasons to shop abroad by introducing two more high street fashion brands Massimo Dutti and Aeropostale.
Yes, you heard it right! Aeropostale and Massimo Dutti set to set shop in Delhi. Get ready to feed your fashion hunger as the Aeropostale store is all set to open next to the Gap store in the mall on November 7th this year, in partnership with Arvind Lifestyle Brands. The company is also expected to open 15 standalone stores next year, as reported by The Economic Times.
Move away Zara, your first cousin is here. Yes that’s right! For those of you not aware, Spanish premium brand Massimo Dutti is also owned by Inditex’s SA, who is better known for its brand Zara. Although the date hasn’t been confirmed but reportedly the company is preparing to launch their first store in New Delhi, India in January next year.
Not just Aeropostale and Massimo Dutti set to set shop in Delhi, high street fashion brands like Abercrombie & Fitch and Topshop are also working on launching their standalone stores in India very soon. Let’s just say it’s only getting bigger and better as Delhi is becoming a hub for many international fashion brands, a treat for all the fashion lovers.
The 26th edition of the India Fashion Week came to a close in the capital recently and there’s so much that happened at the 5-days extravaganza. It’s true that the biggest highlights of every fashion week are the designers and their collections that are sported on the runway by models, but hey, street style fashion plays an equally important role!
Spotted giving everyone major style inspirations were many bloggers, buyers, editors and fashion lovers at the Amazon India Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2016. Bright colours, floral and geometric prints, fringes and oxford shoes were a few things that dominated the street fashion. Take a look at the best of street style spotted at the Amazon India Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2016.
Sneakers, loafers and oxford shoes paired with shift dresses, maxi dresses, shorts and skirts were a common sight on each day. Making it our personal favourite for autumn/winter 2015, this style is definitely here to stay.
While some women chose to rock the sneaker trend at the Amazon India Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2016, we spotted many fashionistas flaunting the fringe trend with fringed bags, skirts and shorts.
Many trendy show goers also gave major wardrobe inspiration by wearing jumpsuits and overall’s.
Adding a twist to ethnic wear were many fashion forward ladies presenting sarees draped in unusual ways.
Not just women, we spotted many dapper dudes donning a fusion of Indian and western outfits, pairing dhotis and jodhpuri pants with blazers was a complete stand out!
Beards are still a huge trend amongst guys and they’re only getting with time. We spotted many ‘Movember’ men flaunting their beards and suits in different prints and textures probably prepping themselves for the ‘no shave november’!
The last day of the Amazon India Fashion Week Spring Summer’16 was a grand affair with designers showcasing collections for almost all occasions ranging from a bright sunny day to a big fat Indian wedding. What’s more, the finale had 16 of India’s finest designers paying an ode to the Benarasi weave and its evolution through the years. Take a look.
The last day of the Amazon India Fashion Week Spring Summer’16 kicked off with designers Debarun, Ankita Chaudhry and Tanieya Khanuja showcasing their summer collections. While designers Ankita Chaudhry and Tanieya Khanuja opted for crisp silhouettes and summer layering, designer Debarun chose flowy silhouettes in bold prints to complete his collection.
Presenting a rather soothing collection inspired by tulips was designer Dolly J with clean cuts in pastels, floral prints and just the right touch of tangy orange. Rocking feather print on the runway was designer Kommal Sood’s collection with dresses, jumpsuits and gowns in shades of brown, grey and beige along with an added touch of bling.
Fusing androgyny with shimmer and graphic prints was designer Prashant Verma’s breathtaking collection. A perfect representation of power dressing, his lineup was a treat to the eyes. Siddartha Tytler’s bridal collection had an outfit for everyone attending a wedding including menswear making it an absolute delight.
The grand finale of the event was nothing short of ‘grand’ quite literally with 16 of India’s most celebrated designers paying an ode to the Benarasi weave. Titled ‘Born in Benaras’, the lineup showcased the evolution of the ‘Benarasi’ weave through many years in the world of fashion. Participating designers included JJ Valaya, Manish Arora, Sabyasachi, Tarun Tahiliani and many more.
The fourth day of the Amazon India Fashion Week Spring Summer 16 turned the ramp into a party for the most part. Collections by designers Aneeth Arora for Pero, Gauri and Nainika, Malini Ramani and Rohit Gandhi & Rahul Khanna were the main highlights of the day. Here’s everything you need to know.
The fourth day of the Amazon India Fashion Week Spring Summer 16 commenced with a show rewarding budding talent in the industry in collaboration with Elle. Titled as ‘The First Cut Designers’, the show included lineups by Sonali Pamnani, Vyshnavi, Shreya Oza, Moutushi & Rituraj, Aditi Dhar and Suman B.
Crisp and architecturally-structured outfits completed designer Dhruv Kapur’s collection for his label ‘DRVV’. Designer Ragini Ahuja showcased her collection of loungewear in her usual fabulously oversized outfits including some denim pieces that we just couldn’t get our eyes off. Continuing the denim trend for the summer was the designer duo Shani Himanshu and Smita Singh Rahtore for their label ‘Eleven Eleven’. Oversized shirts, dresses, jackets and pants mostly in denims were prevalent throughout their collection.
The label ‘lovebirds’ took layering to new heights with clean cut garments made from Indian fabrics in shades of blue, white and beige. Bringing the disco era back on the ramp was designer Malini Ramani with models strutting down in bodysuits, resort sarees and some 70’s disco bling. Designer duo Gauri and Nainika turned to old Hollywood with puff sleeves and flowy gowns in brighter summer pastels for their lineup.
Aneeth Arora had quite the slumber party on the runway for her label ‘Pero’ with shift dresses, pants and jackets in cool summer fabrics. Concluding the fourth day of the event was the designer duo Rohit Gandhi & Rahul Khanna with their young and edgy collection in geometric patterns. Newbie Athiya Shetty walked the ramp as the showstopper in a beautiful yet sensual avatar for them.
