Author: Gurpreet Kaur

Day 2: The best of Amazon India Fashion Week Autumn Winter 2016

Day 2 of the Amazon India Fashion Week Autumn Winter 2016 kicked off with colourful yet interestingly structured pieces by designers Dhruv Kapoor, Malini Ramani, Samant Chauhan, Anita Dongre, Rajesh Pratap Singh and more! Here’s a look at the highlights.

Starting the day with a gothic twist was the label Annaikka by designer Kanika Saluja. Intricate detailing with a vintage touch made her collection stand out and actress Shriya Saran walked the ramp for the designer stealing the limelight.

Virtues by Viral, Ashish & Vikrant comprised bold colours with traditional ikat prints for men and women giving the collection a stunning ethnic look.

Next in line was Dhruv Kapoor in association with Vogue India fashion fund. Shimmer, metallic, earthy tones and fur dominated the runway for Team Kapoor making the entire line up look spectacular.

The silk route by designer Samant Chauhan was a beautiful depiction of the Rajputana art and culture. Capes, braids and a lot of red were commonly spotted at the runway taking us back in time.

Sticking to her love for tribal drapes and earthy tones was designer Malini Ramani. Embellished shirts paired with flared bottoms and structured silhouettes gave the collection a sleek look making.

Taking the earthiness ahead on the same day was Grassroot by designer Anita Dongre. A fabulous blend of prints in her nature-inspired collection proved that sustainability and fashion can go hand in hand.

Concluding the day was Rajesh Pratap Singh. Metallics, whites and dominant shades of gold left the viewers mesmerised making his collections one of the best we’ve seen at the Amazon India Fashion Week.

March 18, 2016
Neha Dhupia talks about partnering with Kiehl’s India for the Teach For India initiative

To commemorate its 5^th Anniversary in India, the cosmetic brand Kiehl’s partnered with actress Neha Dhupia and Teach For India to establish ‘Kiehl’s Gives’ – an ongoing global initiative to promote philanthropy. For the first time in India, the brand retailed a special edition of their Ultra Facial Cream – the world’s favourite moisturizer –100% net proceeds from which (up to INR 7,00,000), will go straight to Teach For India in February 2016 to educate underprivileged children across the country.

Actress Neha Dhupia was a proud partner of the collaboration and we got a chance to speak to her about the Teach for India initiative and the importance of educating young minds in India. Here’s what she had to say;

Kiehl’s, along with Teach For India and Neha Dhupia, wants to bring an end to India’s educational crisis. In India, according to Teach For India, 90% children start school, 58% drop out of primary school and only 10% finish high school and go on to study in colleges across India.

“Teach for India tirelessly works towards bridging the gaps and challenges that underprivileged children face in education. Supportive partners like Kiehl’s share our passion for improving the lives of these kids, and fostering optimism and making education a human right,” says Neha Dhupia.

The special edition designed bottle echoes with Neha Dhupia’s sentiment to “give where you live” to eliminate educational inequality in India. Purchasing 10 jars of Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream will help bring excellent education to 1 child in a Teach For India classroom for 1 year.

The vision for this vibrant bottle label has been a collaborative effort between Neha Dhupia and the children from Teach for India. Colourful butterflies take to the skies in the same manner as children live up to their full potential – charting their distinctive journeys to success and happiness.

“Kiehl’s has a long-standing heritage of working to further the cause of children. In our completion of 5 years in India, We are proud to continue this important philanthropic work with Teach For India, an effective, on-the-ground, organization built on the foundation that every child has the right to get an education and that all children deserve a future. Thank you Neha Dhupia and our Customers for helping support this wonderful cause” says Kiehl’s India General Manager Smira Bakshi.”

March 18, 2016
Day 1: The best of Amazon India Fashion Week Autumn Winter 2016

The Amazon India Fashion Week Autumn Winter 2016 opened in the capital with a bang at a brand new venue, Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium, Lodhi Road recently and we were excited to catch the action.

Designer Varun Bahl opened the 27^th edition of Amazon India Fashion Week with his collection titled “Nocturn”. The models walked the runway donning jackets and dresses with floral motifs and embellishments in earthy shades setting the right tone for the onset of autumn. The hair and makeup was kept simple with strong highlights on the face representing sheer beauty just like the collection itself.

Hands down, the most stunning collection from the first day of the fashion extravaganza belonged to designer duo Shantanu and Nikhil. Their collection titled ‘The Last Walk’ had just the right touch of the Victorian vibe with capes, gowns and dresses in dominant shades of beige, white and red. What made the collection so special was the extraordinary attention paid to details in terms of draping, pleating and layering.

Pieces from designer duo Hemant and Nandita’s collection are sure to add the ‘it’ factor to your winter wardrobe. Jackets, pleated skirts, ruffled dresses all paired with thigh-high lace up boots welcomed the statement trends for fall. The colour palette introduced shades of red, blue, beige and a surprisingly refreshing orange to an otherwise earthy winter collection.

Concluding the first day of Amazon India Fashion Week Autumn Winter 2016 was designer Gaurav Gupta’s collection titled ‘Melt’ that addressed the importance of climate change and global warming. He even borrowed the colour palette from the effects of global warming starting from flaming orange, blazing dark blue moving towards coal black and the grey from the ashes.

March 17, 2016
10 rules to get a perfect pout #LipstickCommandments

Lipstick is that one magical tool out of all your makeup products which can bring your makeup game up or drastically down. In fact, you can take over the world with just red lips and no makeup on. But with lipstick, comes the pout… Even selfies look incomplete without a perfect pout. So, take a look at these lipstick commandments and follow these 10 beauty rules which can help you get a perfect pout.

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#1 Start with well exfoliated lips: Gently exfoliate any dry skin by lightly rubbing your lips with a damp washcloth, followed by a moisturising lip balm.

#2 Know your formulae: Matte lips can be long-lasting but may dry your lips out, whereas, creamy formulae are hydrating but may not last for a longer time. Choose wisely.

#3 Use lip pencil for color intensity: Lining your lips neutralizes the natural color of your lips so the lipstick will be more opaque and closer to the color in the lipstick tube.

#4 Lipstick brush will help lipstick last longer: Take your time to apply the lipstick with a brush before stepping out of the house so you don’t need to touch it up.

#5 Blot the right way: Blot in between applications by gently pressing a tissue to your lips. Don’t put the tissue in between lips and press down because that will make your lipstick wear off unevenly.

#6 Don’t get lipstick on your teeth: Put your index finger in your mouth, gently close your lips around it and then pull it out. This will take off the lipstick from the inner edges of your lips so it won’t wind up on your teeth.

#7 Enhance your cupid’s bow with a highlighter: With a brush or your finger, dab a small amount of highlighter on your cupid’s bow to help draw attention to this pretty part of your mouth.

#8 Top it off with gloss: The shine will help make your pout look even more plump. If you don’t like the sticky feeling, just use a nude lipstick at the center of your lips for a similar effect.

#9 Don’t be afraid to go nude: The most flattering nude lipstick is one shade deeper than your skin tone. Women having fair complexion should try a hue with a hint of pink and those with olive or dark skin should reach to sandy beige color.

#10 There really is a red for everyone: To find the best hue for you, follow these guidelines; fair skin looks best with a bold red lips, medium skin-tone looks flattering by an orangy-red color, whereas, dark skin looks amazing in burgundy red.

March 17, 2016
Grid: Your ultimate guide to the new fashion trend of Spring 2016

Ginghams were a dominant trend for a larger part of 2015 and almost everybody was seen in gingham shirts, gingham pants, gingham overcoats… basically everything gingham. But this year, gingham has been swapped by the new fashion trend of Spring 2016 which is, embrace yourselves, grid. No, we are not talking about something tech-related! Grid is the new gingham and we’d love to say that it looks nothing but classy and sophisticated.

This trend is so versatile that you can wear it to almost everywhere. It’s perfectly appropriate for work, a day out with your girlies, family occasions or even a night out with your partner. Want a better picture of this new fashion trend? We’ve got you covered. Take a look at these pictures by Shantea and get some style inspiration on how to style them.

March 17, 2016
How to cut your hair in long bob

Long bob, or lob, as it is commonly referred to, is the biggest hair trend right now. Neither long nor short but somewhat blunt and just above the shoulders, this haircut looks flattering for a variety of different face shapes, hair textures and complexions. In simple words, lob is a universal, classic and a very versatile haircut. So, if you are also somebody who would love to rock this chic haircut then grab a pair of scissors and learn how to cut your hair in long bob. With this step by step tutorial by PatryJordan, you can cut your hair in long bob and if you already have a bob cut, you can maintain your locks on your own.

#1 Start off by detangling your damp hair and part your hair as you normally do.

#2 Tie your hair in a low ponytail with an elastic and slide it down a little bit. Make sure it’s tight and secure.

#3 Tie another elastic tightly below the first one, slide it down and this will act as your guideline to cut the desired length of your hair.

#4 Put your finger behind your ear and loosen up that section of your hair slightly. Now, carefully cut your hair across in a straight line. Work in little sections so you don’t end up cutting more hair than you want to.

#5 Release your hair from the elastics, comb it thoroughly and bring them in front.

#6 To finish it off, smooth your hair down and use your finger as a guide to cut a diagonal line. Keep doing this until your hair looks even.

#7 Blow dry your hair and you’re done.

March 16, 2016
DIY: Make any glossy lipstick matte

Thanks to Kylie Jenner, matte lips are a huge trend right now and are out to add that touch of sophistication to your overall look. If you’re rocking a perfect statement lip, be it bold red or classic nude, you can get away with everything from dirty hair to less-than-flawless skin. Not only does it look gorgeous and sexy but it also lasts for a long time.

Our recommending matte lips as the new big thing doesn’t mean that we are suggesting you spend extra money on those uber-expensive matte lipsticks. You can actually make any lipstick go from glossy to matte sitting right at home. Yes, you heard it right. You must have a lot of lipsticks in beautiful shades but since they are not matte, they are just hanging in the back of your dressing table drawer. It’s time to bring them out and give them the ultimate matte finish.

All you need to do is use your makeup setting powder and you can make any glossy lipstick matte. This trick works amazingly well mostly because this won’t make your lips dry and patchy. Try this DIY hack by Hannah Leigh and make any glossy lipstick matte in simply no time.

Tips:

#1 Prep your lips first with a moisturised lip balm before going for matte lips.

#2 You may use baby powder, if you don’t have makeup setting powder.

Follow the steps below:

Step1: Use a lip liner similar to the colour of your lipstick (or a shade close to your lipstick) and fill in your lips.

Step2: Apply the lipstick all over your lips as you normally do.

Step3: Dip your makeup brush into the powder and using patting motion, dab it onto your lips.

You will see the powder will absorb all the moisture and you will end up with beautiful matte lips.

March 11, 2016
7 uber-legit reasons why you should definitely start working out in your late twenties (if you don’t already)

It’s a very common fact that working out is extremely crucial for the human body. And this post is for all those lazy asses out there who are in their mid/late twenties and still believe in chilling at home or going out in their free time.

For those of you who think about making the most out of life, a balanced daily routine is something that needs to be worked upon. The point to be noted here is that working out is a lot more than losing that extra fat on your body and being fit AF! And for the same reason, here’s a list of reasons why you should be working out on a regular basis, especially if you are in your late twenties.

#1 Working out is a great stress buster

Life’s gotten just a tad-bit serious for you now, and you have just started to realise how you’ve been swamped with one responsibility and the other. This process will only multiply with work and family, only to make you realise that stress is something you just can’t avoid from time to time! Go for a run if not the gym, or join a sport. There are plenty of options out there that’ll help you keep your mind off the unnecessary stress and let you be at peace at the end of the day.

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#2 It makes you more active

Of course it does. Although working out drains your energy temporarily but hey, in the long run it makes you all the more active and energised through the day. Once it becomes a habit, you’ll see for yourself. That feeling of being lethargic in between the day would start to seem like a faint memory.

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#3 Talking about memory, working out boosts it too

Your body becomes active and in turn so does your brain! With regular workouts, the human brain receives more energy and oxygen therefore making it function much better than the usual. Who knows, maybe one day you’d end up remembering your girlfriend’s birthday too!

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#4 It gives your self-confidence a big high

Well, that’s a self-explanatory fact. Once you become fit, you start loving yourself even more and that gives your self-confidence a major boost. Especially when you do start working out in your late twenties, your body transforms in unimaginable ways and you’re ready to kick some a**. JK. Don’t. Just be happy with the fact that you feel more confident than you ever have.

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#5 You get more immune to random diseases

You body obviously becomes healthier than before and you get more conscious about what you eat. It all leads to you becoming more immune to basic flu and random diseases. Though a regular workout doesn’t wipe away the fact that you cannot get sick, but the probability decreases in a substantial manner!

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#6 You start looking younger and better

If you start working out in your late twenties, boy oh boy, not just you, but your friends and family too will start appreciating the fact that you look better, younger and fitter. And hey, that’s the right time to impress your significant other with something new on you whilst taking the matters of life more seriously (if you know what we’re talking about here 😉 ).

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#7 You become a happier person

Everybody loves to be around happy people. If you’re a happy person already, imagine being that multiplied by ten! With all the points taken into consideration above, you won’t need a reason to be happy in life. So again, it’s never too late to start working out! Give yourself that chance and you’d know how wonderful life could be for you.

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PS – It’s a fact that 80% of the people who join a fitness program quit in the first three weeks. Don’t be that lazy sloth. Stick to it.

March 10, 2016
DIY: Hair Accessories Organiser

Hello ladies… If you have got a lot of hair ties or hair clips and you find them everywhere except your dressing table (where you need them) this DIY tutorial is for you. Learn how to make your own hair accessories organiser using paper towel roll. Try this super easy and fun DIY tutorial and organise your hair accessories in place but make sure you find all of them first *wink wink*.

Are you ready? Let’s get to it.

Follow these steps:

March 10, 2016
5 heel hacks every girl should know

Girls love shoes, especially heels and yes, they are worth the pain. Heels have the magical power to make women feel confident and dressy but not without a price. From blisters to paining feet, we simply accept the side effects of wearing heels. Girls, these heel hacks by Chriselle Lim are for you so you don’t have to suffer for style.

#1 Stretch your shoes by freezing

Fill a plastic bag with water and insert it into the toe box of your shoes. Put the shoes into the freezer overnight (yes, really). As the water freezes, the plastic bags will expand and stretch out your shoes.

#2 Relieve tension with surgical tape/doctor tape

Tape your third and fourth toe together using medical tape. This helps take pressure off the ball of the foot. (Fact: There’s a nerve right between third and fourth toe and taping both of these toes together minimises strain.)

#3 Prevent slippage with sandpaper

New shoes, no traction? A simple trick for extra grip: Gently sand the soles of your new heels for better traction. We repeat, gently. Don’t end up scraping the red off the soles of your Louboutins.

#4 Clear gel deodorant can help prevent blisters

Blisters are the worst and can make walking in heels impossible, prevent them by using gel deodorants. Rub a little bit of it on the back of your heels to prevent blisters. A little piece of advice: you may use lip balm as well if you don’t have gel deodorant.

#5 Use foot cushions to reduce pain

Slip a pair of gel insoles into your high heels to maximise comfort. It makes a world of difference.

Stay Chic

March 8, 2016
Here’s why everyone needs a bit of GENES by Lecoanet Hemant in their wardrobes

Designer Hemant Sagar recently hosted a preview of their label GENES – Lecoanet Hemant’s spring summer’16 collection and the event was an extravagant affair. The collection is a perfect mix of swinging sixties and the glorious seventies and every piece has a story to tell.

Hemant Sagar: The vibe like now, we got inspired by the iconic 60s and the spring 70s; a little bit of bell botts, the attitude of mixing past and present, mixing times that we know of parents, music that we know was only of vinyl and now it’s all digital. We’ve kinda jumped a generation, and the generation in between is what we’re looking at.

GENES by Lecoanet Hemant is the perfect representation of the urbanism that the people of India look for today. The label doesn’t cater to dressy occasions but in fact offers a whole lot of choices for one to dress up every day.

Hemant Sagar: We don’t actually cater to the very dressy occasions, we think that daily life has enough challenge to be dressed up also. We’re talking about daily chic…. so modern dressing is something different than sloppy dressing. It’s not just that you’re going to the office so you can be anyhow you still have your career to dress for so that’s what we’re talking about. Urban professionals living in Delhi today and making it happen for themselves.

March 4, 2016
We bet every engineer in the country can relate to these engineering stereotypes

March 3, 2016
We bet every engineer in the country can relate to these engineering stereotypes

The recently concluded annual fest of the prestigious BITS Pilani College, Goa campus, witnessed a large gathering making it a grand affair. Known by the name ‘Quark’, the fest was held at BITS Pilani’s Goa campus and we happened to encounter a lot of talented minds over the period of 3 days from the various courses of engineering programmes.

On our conversation with them about engineering stereotypes, here’s everything they had to say. Take a look.

March 3, 2016
DIY: Shape your eyebrows at home. No tweezing required!

Eyebrows are a very important part of framing one’s face and which is why they should always be on fleek. You might not always have an extra minute to go to the beauty salon and get your eyebrows done, so it’s always better to know how to shape your eyebrows at home. Take a look at these useful tips on getting the ideal eyebrow shape and how to fill them so you look your best no matter what.

How to get the ideal eyebrow shape?

#1 Look straight into a mirror and hold a makeup brush against one nostril. The point where the line comes in contact with your brow is where the eyebrows should start.

#2 Get the right arch by angling the makeup brush to the outer edge of the iris of your eye. The spot where the brush hits the eyebrow is where the top of the arch should be, about three-quarters of the way out.

#3 Angle your makeup brush up from the nostril so that it lines up with the outer corner of the eye. The eyebrow should end at the point where the brush hits the eyebrow.

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And if filling in the eyebrows has always been confusing for you, here’s a solution! KaushalBeauty is here to help you with this.

Take a look at these steps to fill in your eyebrows:

First, comb your brow hair thoroughly in the natural hair growth direction with a spoolie or an old mascara wand after cleaning it properly.

Now, outline your eyebrows using brow gel and an angled brush. Making short strokes, draw the line at the base of the eyebrow and follow through the tail. And then, repeat this on the top part of your eyebrow. Take your time when working through the arch of the brow.

Fill in the gap between the lines and make sure you use less product at the starting end of your eyebrow to give it a gradient finish.

Use the spoolie again to distribute the product evenly and feather out the edges so it looks more soft and natural.

You may apply concealer both under and above the eyebrows to correct the mistakes (if any). This also helps the line of the eyebrow be precise.

Complete the rest of your face and you’re done.

February 26, 2016
Sanjay Dutt released from jail; and here’s the first thing he did as a free man!

Bollywood actor and producer Sanjay Dutt walked out as a free man on the morning of 25^th February 2016 after serving a 42-months sentence out of the five years of imprisonment in Yerawada Jail, Pune. The 56-year old actor served his period in jail first in 2007-08 where he was locked up for 18 months. On completion of a total number of 42 months of imprisonment in 2016, Dutt was declared free on the account of good behavior during his term.

On the occasion of his release, here’s a video by ANI News where Baba saluted the National Flag and kissed the ground as he walked out from the jail.

WATCH: Actor Sanjay Dutt released from Pune’s Yerwada Central Jail in the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts casehttps://t.co/Rt5kH3VD4I

— ANI (@ANI_news) February 25, 2016

His wife Manyata, along with kids Iqra and Shahraan and close friends including director Rajkumar Hirani were present outside the jail to greet him. His fans also expressed their happiness with these small messages outside his house.

Sharing few words with the media, Baba said, “There is no easy walk to freedom, my friends.”

After landing in Mumbai from Pune, Sanjay Dutt went straight to Siddhivinayak temple and then to Bada Kabristan to seek blessings at his mother’s grave.

We wish you Good luck, Sir!

February 25, 2016