&lt;p>Over the last decade, Yoga has witnessed a hipster transformation in the way it has been taught, accepted and practised. With the West going gaga over the age old Indian routine with celebs like Gisele Bundchen, Jennifer Lopez, Michelle Obama, Miley Cyrus and others giving it a nod, yoga has only recently caught the fancy of millennials and celebrities in India.&lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;br />
So if you want to make yoga a part of your lifestyle, whether at home or with a trainer, here are some tips from Anshuka Parwani, a celebrity fitness trainer and Instagram influencer. Parwani has been a yoga expert for over a decade and has trained a host of celebrities such as Kareena Kapoor Khan, Malaika Arora Khan, Amrita Arora, Nimrat Kaur, Sonal Chauhan, Rakul Preet and Tushaar Kapoor. With her FlyFit program, a collective training that includes Aerial Yoga and Yoga Pilates, she is creating a holistic fitness regime that empowers the mind and body alike.&lt;/p>

&lt;h2>&lt;br />
&lt;strong>How is yoga different from other fitness and workout regimens?&lt;/strong>&lt;/h2>

&lt;p>Essentially, all workouts are excellent. Yoga tends to stand out and make an impact because of the internal makeover that it gives your body. It massages the organs, eases your breathing, works on the core, and thus is a 360 degree holistic practice. Some &lt;em>asanas &lt;/em>even focus on reducing your stress levels and cure ailments. The radiant glow that you will see on someone who practices yoga regularly can rarely be achieved through any other kind of training.&lt;/p>

&lt;h2>&lt;br />
&lt;strong>Is the training routine any different for a celebrity? &lt;/strong>&lt;/h2>

&lt;p>Every student, celebrity or no celebrity, is treated the same way. However, celebrities tend to be more focused, more resilient and determined; it is very rigorous and needs work. Celebrities come with intense pressure and travelling schedules that can be super hectic and unpredictable. Yoga is something that creates a balance, keeps the individual calm and brings a sense of self. &lt;/p>

&lt;h2>&lt;br />
&lt;strong>Kareena Kapoor Khan is someone who has been in fabulous shape post her first pregnancy. Can you share what was special about her training, pre and post pregnancy?&lt;/strong>&lt;/h2>

&lt;p>Kareena was my first student and we started off with prenatal yoga, postures and practices that would evolve every month. With every changing trimester, we changed her routine and mixed it up by adding Pranayama, or other kinds of workouts. Pranayama is a great combination with yoga and it works fabulously on the body.&lt;/p>

&lt;p>Kareena was back on the mat within three weeks after her delivery and this is exactly the kind of dedication you need when you wish to attain a healthy and balanced state of mind and a good physical form. Especially, since dealing with strengthening post pregnancy is a big deal. Kareena is someone who is extremely disciplined. She will never miss a class, her focus is phenomenal and her routine does not budge from day to day. She puts in a 100%, which shows in her posture and form.&lt;/p>

&lt;h2>&lt;br />
&lt;strong>How does yoga impact the mind and the body? &lt;/strong>&lt;/h2>

&lt;p>Yoga impacts the mind just as much as the body as there is a lot of mind control involved. You need to focus on breathing techniques, there is a lot that goes into sensitising your mind on how your body functions, the way it will react and what&lt;em> asanas&lt;/em> will affect you in what way.&lt;/p>

&lt;h2>&lt;br />
&lt;strong>You also work with children who are just three-years-old! What are the challenges you face with such young yogis? &lt;/strong>&lt;/h2>

&lt;p>I personally believe that yoga should start young. I have kids coming in at the age of 2.5 who we teach &lt;em>yogasanas&lt;/em>. The whole trick is to make yoga fun for them. Teaching them fun animal poses like the cobra pose or &lt;em>bhujangasana&lt;/em>, gets them involved and keeps them engaged. Kids these days are very easily distracted and keeping their minds occupied is a big part of the deal. Teaching them to focus, getting them to understand breathing and essentially, keeping it playful and interactive, is the best way to do it.&lt;/p>

&lt;h2>&lt;br />
&lt;strong>Do you prescribe specific diets to supplement the training process? &lt;/strong>&lt;/h2>

&lt;p>Inherently someone who is a Yogi practices a Satvik diet but there has been a shift to pescetarian or veganism. It&rsquo;s important to focus on what works for you; we never prescribe weight loss that is counted with a weighing scale. I advocate fat percentage loss as you could be thin, but your fat percentage could be a massive 50 percent. For our celebrity clientele, we focus on inch loss when a movie is scheduled. For foods, I suggest having celery juice if you are someone who loves greens. Haldi or turmeric and milk is very beneficial. &lt;/p>

&lt;h2>&lt;br />
&lt;strong>What are some of the Dos and Don&rsquo;ts while practicing different styles of yoga? &lt;/strong>&lt;/h2>

&lt;p>I have always maintained that unless you have a contraindication, you should be able to do everything. Talking to a teacher will always help and doing yoga under someone&rsquo;s guidance is essential to ensure a good form. &lt;/p>

&lt;h2>&lt;br />
&lt;strong>What are some of the new age yoga techniques that you incorporate while training? &lt;/strong>&lt;/h2>

&lt;p>As long as you are sticking to your roots and doing it with integrity, I think any kind of yoga should be appreciated. However, a technique that I don&rsquo;t believe or endorse is beer yoga.&lt;/p>

&lt;h2>&lt;br />
&lt;strong>What are some of your go-to&lt;em> asanas&lt;/em> to boost metabolism, cure headaches, and deal with stress?&lt;/strong>&lt;/h2>

&lt;p>Standing on the head or &lt;em>Shirasana&lt;/em> is the king of all poses. . It immediately sends blood to the brain, stimulates the thyroid gland, and the core. The cat and cow pose (&lt;em>Marjaryasana/Bitilasana&lt;/em>)is a wonderful way to massage the shoulder stand, &lt;em>sarvangasana, halasana&lt;/em> or plough Pose also work brilliantly for the mind and body. &lt;br />
 &lt;/p>


The 'What Women Want' host practices yoga in the air and never misses a session , Anshuka Parwani, a celebrity fitness trainer, tells Zee Zest.

Check these hints from Anushka Parwani, a celebrity fitness coach. She talks about why yoga is essential for everyone and shares her views on Pranayama and yoga. 

Interview: Celebrity Fitness Trainer Anshuka Parwani | Zee Zest

What’s Kareena Kapoor Khan’s Secret Workout? We Get All The Deets From Her Yoga Trainer

Yoga

Fitness

Mental Health

&lt;p>Is the cold winter wreaking havoc with your skin? If dry and cracked skin are the enemies, then head to your pantry and get your kitchen superstars together to banish flaky skin.&lt;/p>

&lt;p> &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>1. Olive Oil &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
&ldquo;Most oils are natural moisturisers&rdquo;, says dermatologist and cosmetologist Dr Abhishek Pilani, founding member of Assure Hair/Skin & Physio Centre, Mumbai. &ldquo;If you apply an oil after a bath onto wet skin, the oil will stay on longer and have a better impact on the skin,&rdquo; he adds. Dr Apratim Goel, dermatologist and laser surgeon at Cutis Skin Studio, Mumbai further explains, &ldquo;Olive oil is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, anti-ageing antioxidants, squalene and vitamin E, and hydrates the skin well, but only topically. It is not ideal for extremely dry skin due to its low penetrating power. The first cold press olive oil is the purest form and can be applied to both face and body.&rdquo; &lt;br />
&lt;em>&lt;strong>A face pack to try at home:&lt;/strong>&lt;/em> Whip one egg with a tablespoon of olive oil. Eggs are a rich source of protein, and helps improve skin&rsquo;s elasticity and tightens pores, adding glow. Olive oil is full of antioxidants, contains Vitamin A and E, and prevents free radical damage. Keep on the face mask for 15 minutes and then wash off. &lt;/p>

&lt;p> &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>2. Oatmeal &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
Oatmeal has anti-inflammatory properties that makes it suitable for all skin types. It contains saponins, &ldquo;which is moisturising and acts as an exfoliator to remove dead skin cells,&rdquo; explains Dr Goel. &lt;br />
&lt;em>&lt;strong>A face pack to try at home:&lt;/strong>&lt;/em> In a grinder, mix a cucumber (a good moisturiser, the antioxidants delay ageing of the skin and thus keep the skin rejuvenated), almonds (its rich vitamin E content helps your complexion and the damage done by the sun), cream (hydrating agent is skin is extremely dry) or yoghurt (if you have normal skin type) and some oats. This face mask maintains the pH of your skin and helps you get supple skin. &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;img alt="avocado face pack for mositurising face pack " src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Natural-Moisturisers-to-Try-this-Winter--inside_1612363772704.jpg" style="height:608px; width:900px" />&lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>3. Avocado &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
The buttery avocado is a superfood that&rsquo;s great for your skin. &ldquo;Besides being rich in healthy omega-3 oils and several minerals, avocado&#39;s potent antioxidant properties, Glutathione, gives your skin the right kind of moisture it needs. Plus, its creamy consistency is a bonus nourishment in itself,&rdquo; explains Dr Soma Sarkar, Medical Director & Dermatologist, Skin Inn, Mumbai. &lt;br />
&lt;em>&lt;strong>A face pack to try at home:&lt;/strong>&lt;/em> Mash some avocado pulp with some yoghurt (its creamy nature further adds moisture to your skin) and leave on the mask for 10-15 minutes, then wash it off with cold water. You can apply this face pack twice a week. You could also replace yoghurt for honey, but honey could irritate the eyes, and some people may be allergic to honey. &lt;/p>

&lt;p> &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>4. Coconut Oil &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
Coconut oil is a natural moisturiser and works to clean away grime and dirt as well as help in de-tanning. &ldquo;Coconut oil has the deepest penetration power among the oils, owing to its small particles, and works on extremely dry skin,&rdquo; reasons Dr Goel. &lt;br />
&lt;em>&lt;strong>A face pack to try at home:&lt;/strong>&lt;/em> Mix raw honey (has moisturising and antibacterial properties) and cold pressed coconut oil. Keep the mask on for about 15-20 minutes till the texture softens on your face, and then rinse off with warm water. &lt;/p>

&lt;p> &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>5. Milk and yoghurt &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
&ldquo;Milk has the superpower to remove the oil-soluble impurities thanks to its fat-soluble enzyme lipase, protein-based impurities with the help of protease and dead skin cells with lactic acid,&rdquo; says Dr Goel. It&rsquo;s no surprise that Cleopatra used to bathe in milk. &ldquo;Milk is also a mild exfoliant and has anti-inflammatory properties, and is perfect for sensitive skin, while the creamy texture of yoghurt further adds moisture to the skin,&rdquo; adds Dr Sarkar. &lt;br />
&lt;em>&lt;strong>A face pack to try at home:&lt;/strong>&lt;/em> A face mask of one tablespoon probiotic yoghurt, one teaspoon raw honey (has moisturising and anti-bacterial properties) and two ripe strawberries (rich in vitamin C and salicylic acid&mdash;nutrients that brighten, lighten, and cleanse oily, acne-prone skin, creating a clean and clear complexion) should work wonders on dry skin. Let it sit for 15 minutes till the mixture settles and dries out, and then gently scrub off the face mask using warm water. &lt;/p>

&lt;p> &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>6. Papaya and Banana &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
&ldquo;Papaya is a rich source of vitamin A and the valuable proteolytic enzyme papain. The enzyme breaks down inactive proteins and eliminates dead skin cells, while vitamin A works as an antioxidant, leading to glowing skin,&rdquo; says Dr Goel. Dr Sarkar agrees and adds, &ldquo;Ripe bananas also have a rich antioxidant quotient and can be mashed and put on the face. Just be sure to use a wash cloth to wipe it off so that it doesn&rsquo;t make the skin dry.&rdquo; &lt;br />
&lt;em>&lt;strong>A face pack to try at home:&lt;/strong>&lt;/em> Papaya or bananas can be mixed with cream (great hydrating property) and used as a face mask. Use room temperature water to wash off after 10 minutes. &lt;/p>

&lt;p> &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;em>Images: Shutterstock.com&lt;/em>&lt;/p>


Look no further than your kitchen for these skin-hydrating potions

From Milk to Avocado, here's a list of foods that will protect and keep your skin and face moisturised against the winter cold.

 Foods that Save Your Skin from Winter - Zee Zest

Food for your Skin: 6 Natural Moisturisers to Try this Winter 

&lt;p>If Diwali for you is all about memories that have faded away like the days spent anticipating the Diwali holidays, upbeat family gatherings highlighted with exchange of gifts and the early morning ritual of bursting crackers and abhyangasnan&mdash;elaborate oil bath&mdash;it&rsquo;s time to revive to them all. In an era of Facetime and sugar-free laddus, if there&rsquo;s one way to get a glorious glow on your skin without raiding your neighbourhood beauty store or peeling off skin sheets, it&rsquo;s to trust your granny-approved ubtan ritual.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;br />
Our grannies were the ultimate queens of DIY beauty&mdash;no steeply-priced facials and beauty creams, their beauty potions were made from fresh ingredients from the pantry. Powdered legumes, sundried herbs, different flours, good old natural ingredients tackled most skincare woes.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;img alt="Ubtan Tomato Face Pack" src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Ubtan-tomato_1612364648099.jpg" style="height:1350px; width:900px" />&lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;br />
Turmeric for brightening and blemishes. Tomato for mattifying oily skin. Almonds for keeping those wrinkles and fine lines at bay. Neem leaves to cure the most stubborn acne. Gramflour or besan as an exfoliator for oily to combination skin. Powdered masoor dal mixed with milk as a gentle exfoliator for dry or mature skins. And we&rsquo;re just about getting started.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p> &lt;br />
AlsoRead0&lt;br />
 &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>A royal recipe for face mask &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
Mix together in full fat cow&rsquo;s milk, a few strands of saffron, soaked almond paste and a generous pinch of turmeric. This may sound like the recipe of turmeric latte but is one of the most effective masks for face to render skin that&rsquo;s soft, clean and radiant. In fact, add to this some sandalwood powder, and you have a secret that will get you glowing for the festive season. &lt;br />
In south India, a mix of legume powders, gramflour, herbs, turmeric and Kumkum oil is traditionally used as a daily exfoliating cleanser to keep the skin soft and bright. Before Holi, in north India, there is a tradition of making super nourishing &lt;em>sarson ka ubtan&lt;/em> with turmeric, chickpea flour, mustard, sesame oil, fresh cream and honey. &lt;br />
However, these super effective remedies came at a cost. They were a little messy and time-consuming, compromising on the convenience that modern skincare formulations promised. As spending time sourcing, pounding and blending the best ingredients got tougher&mdash;our time-tested beauty rituals were elbowed out.  &lt;br />
Not anymore. Desi DIYs once dismissed as rustic, pedestrian and messy, are getting ahead of the sheet masks and peel-off facials and staging a comeback of sorts! Beauty brands are curating the best of natural home remedies in easy-to-use powders&mdash;grandma-approves!  &lt;/p>

&lt;p> &lt;br />
&lt;strong>Ubtans &ndash; Ayurvedic beauty rituals &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
&ldquo;Ubtans or powdered cleansers are the world&rsquo;s oldest cosmetics. The purist Ayurvedic remedies don&rsquo;t have a mention of creams, gels or lotions, it was always formulations that are oil-based or in powder format,&rdquo; explains Arush Chopra, co-founder and CEO, Just Herbs.  &lt;br />
Ubtan is herbal cleansing powder, that can be used in dry powdered form, or mixed with water or milk to make a cleansing paste. &ldquo;Ayurveda mentions 32 ubtans and their recipes, the proportion in which herbs, roots, leaves, grains, barks, nuts and seeds should be mixed for a particular result. Ubtan is part of the 16 &lt;em>shringars &lt;/em>(16 steps to top-to-toe beautification) of bridal beauty. Different regions of the country may have a different take. Turmeric-sandalwood-saffron is one of the most ancient and popular ubtan recipes,&rdquo; adds Dr Taruna Yadav, senior Ayurveda expert at Forest Essentials .  &lt;br />
The classic &lt;em>haldi-chandan&lt;/em> ubtan was used by the royal princesses to get a pre-festive golden sheen on their skin, in pre-highlighter era. Whether you want to calm the breakouts or get rid of the tan or reduce the appearance of fine lines, this is the perfect go-to powder mask. So effective was the combination of sandalwood, saffron and turmeric that it is an integral part of Indian wedding festivities. &lt;br />
Mayoon, is a similar ritual for the muslim brides-to-be where a ubtan made from turmeric, sandalwood powder, herbs and aromatic oils is applied to their hands and face. What has changed is the ease with which you can access it. All you need to do is to reach out to our favourite ayurvedic beauty brand, and chances are that you will find there. Take your pick from Forest Essentials Sandalwood and Turmeric Body Polisher, Kama Ayurveda Suvarna Haldi Chandan Face Pack, Just Herbs Body Luster Sandal Turmeric uptan.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;br />
AlsoRead1 &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;br />
&lt;strong>Ubtans: The superheroes of Clean Beauty Movement &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
With the clean beauty movement finding support amongst conscious consumers, increasingly it&rsquo;s possible to find the beauty remedies you grew up with packed smartly and available off-the-shelves. Cruelty-free, paraben-free, sans silicones and fillers, 100% natural&mdash;these were not just words but a way of life in India till a generation ago. That&rsquo;s because Ayurveda, the traditional Indian wellness system, which literally translates to the science of life, advises you shouldn&rsquo;t put on your skin what you would not put inside your body. &lt;br />
These Ayurvedic staples are fast emerging as super heroes of the clean beauty movement as they tick all the boxes of being result-oriented, environment-friendly (no chemicals or microbeads that kill marine life) and completely naturally derived. &ldquo;These are soap-free or non-foaming cleansers, made in small batches to preserve their freshness and potency. The moment you open a Forest Essentials ubtan &ndash;whether it is Tejasvi or Soundarya or Narangi and Nagkesar &ndash; you can smell the herbs and the freshness of the ingredients. Pure, fresh, this is as good as food for skin,&rdquo; says Yadav.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;img alt="Indian Ubtan Face Pack Multani Mitti" src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_sUbtan-Multani-Mitti_1612364621502.jpg" style="height:600px; width:900px" />&lt;br />
Earlier, while ubtans or powdered face masks were a part of the niche Ayurvedic-beauty segment, now they are becoming part of mainstream brands. Sample these: Innisfree 5 Minute Green Tea Leaf Powder promises to moisturise and cool the skin; Herbivore&rsquo;s botanicals Pink Clay Mask is a gentle exfoliator for all skin types; Origins Ritualitea Matcha Revitalising Powder Face Mask claims to cleanse in a jiffy. Yadav points out that when used dry, as in case of &lt;em>udvartana &lt;/em>(an ayurvedic treatment with dry powders), it aids in reducing cellulite and overall toning of the body.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;br />
&lt;strong>Ubtans&mdash;the zero preservative solution&lt;/strong>&lt;br />
Unlike water-based beauty formulations that require preservatives, ubtans are powdered formulations with sun-dried and hand pounded ingredients. Hence no preservatives are required to stabilise the product. That these are 100 per cent natural is appealing to the new-age conscious beauty customer,&rdquo; elaborates Chopra, who believes that ubtans are the backbone of an Ayurvedic brand like his.  &lt;br />
This is not all. &ldquo;In Ayurveda, powder is supposed to be the most potent of all beauty ingredients. When you remove water from herbs and leaves, only the active ingredients remain. When extracting active ingredients from a particular herb, you can only extract 10-25 percent, whereas its 100 percent in a powdered format,&rdquo; explains Prashanthy Gurugubelli, founder of Daughter Earth, an Ayurvedic beauty brand. Daughter Earth has come up with a single botanical powdered mask formula in seven variants, namely Jamun, Brahmi, Aloe vera, Amalaki, Neem, Lemon peel and Yastimadhu (licorice) as Gurugubelli wanted to preserve the potency and purity of the ingredients. &ldquo;I wanted to give the choice to the customer to use the ingredients as they are or blend it as per their concerns.&rdquo; &lt;br />
It&rsquo;s not just the classic recipes which are getting bottled, but also unique family beauty secrets, which were handed down from mother to daughter. Deepshikha Deshmukh, founder of the brand Love Organically, delved into potent superfoods, royal beauty diaries and &lt;em>dadima&rsquo;s &lt;/em>kitchen secrets to curate a range of powder face masks to addresses skin concerns &ndash; from tanning and dehydration to acne and oily skin. A big advocate of traditional ubtans, she points out that these are not just skin-friendly but also planet-friendly. &ldquo;Unlike single-use sheet masks that end up clogging the gutters, powder face masks are easily biodegradable,&rdquo; she says.  &lt;br />
 &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>Find your perfect Ubtan &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
How do you know which one&rsquo;s for you? Check out the ingredients and match those to your skin concerns is Yadav&rsquo;s advice. Look for multitaskers. &ldquo;For radiance or glow, look for saffron, rose, sandalwood, turmeric and orange peel. Neem, Multani Mitti and Nagkesar have a purifying effect and are good for acne-prone, oily skin types. Ubtans enriched with powder of nuts, such as almonds, walnuts and pistachio nourish from within, taking care of fine lines and first signs of ageing,&rdquo; advises Dr Yadav.  &lt;br />
In Ayurveda, skin is categorised as per three doshas &ndash; vata (dry), pitta (combination) and kapha (oily) and the same ubtan will give best results if paired with the right mixing medium. &ldquo;For vata we recommend nourishing whole milk or cream, for pitta, rose water or aloe vera works very well, whereas for kapha, mixers need to be astringent in nature, such as orange or lemon juice, tomato juice and yogurt to balance the oiliness,&rdquo; adds Yadav.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p> &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;em>Images: Shutterstock.com&lt;/em>&lt;/p>


Ditch those sloppy skin sheets for DIY ubtans and watch your skin glow.

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&lt;p>Ask Katrina Kaif what beauty means to her. &ldquo;Confidence, being happy and joyful. Everything else is just icing on the cake,&rdquo; exclaims Kaif, who recently celebrated the first anniversary of her beauty brand Kay Beauty in partnership with beauty retail giant Nykaa. As the official brand ambassador of L&#39;Or&eacute;al at Cannes or as the leading lady in Bollywood, Kaif has managed to stay effortlessly glamorous, but never over the top with her looks. &lt;/p>

&lt;p> &lt;/p>

&lt;p>For Kaif, the business of beauty is not just a passing fling, but a long-term commitment. As a fashion inspiration to many, Kaif wanted to create a makeup line that is easy to apply and cares for the skin. Her foray into beauty is not limited to a one-off collaboration, but a more personal one, where she is involved as much in the product development and expansion of the brand, as in the promotions of Kay Beauty with her Instagram feed revealing details of new product launches, video teasers and expressing her gratitude on completing one successful year of her brand and the ever-growing Kay beauty community.  &lt;/p>

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&lt;p>Kaif&rsquo;s experience of working with the best makeup artists in India, her first-hand experience with beauty brands and the latest trends in the world of beauty has shaped the whole range at Kay Beauty&mdash; ultra-glam, long-lasting products that also care for your skin. In its debut range in 2019, Kay Beauty had launched an extensive line of eyeshadows, liners and lipsticks in comfortable crayon textures for women on-the-go and at price points that has made glamour accessible. Soon nail colours followed, and recently, a range of liquid liners and mascara were added to the existing line. For the first year celebration, the brand launched a series of Kay Beauty Matte  compacts.&lt;/p>

&lt;p> &lt;/p>

&lt;p>AlsoRead0 &lt;/p>

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&lt;p>Speaking about makeup products that don&rsquo;t harm the skin with chemicals, Kaif mentioned that Kay Beauty&rsquo;s makeup line is infused with a signature blend of chamomile and marula oil that is healthy for the skin. Though critics mentioned that Kay Beauty is no Kylie Jenner, the popularity of the line amongst millennials has silenced most.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p> &lt;/p>

&lt;p>Scroll down to find out some secrets from Katrina Kaif&rsquo;s beauty diary: &lt;/p>

&lt;p> &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>The one trick to take you from blah to wow in a jiffy &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
An important makeup trick that works for all occasions and for any kind of event is to wear some lip colour. If you have had a long day, and are feeling tired, a pop of colour on the lips is a sure-fire way to instantly brighten your face. &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;img alt="Katrina Kaif Kay Beauty" src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Katrina-Kay-beauty-inside_1612364551852.jpg" style="height:900px; width:900px" />&lt;/p>

&lt;p> &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>Beauty hacks every woman should know &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
Who needs a makeup artist to get a glamorous makeover? There are several easy and DIY beauty tutorials online that show how to ace the perfect winged eyeliner or how to nail the smokey-eyed look. Watch some of the beauty tutorials on our social media platforms where beauty bloggers and beauty influencers share tricks to enhance your features.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p> &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>Secret for a dewy, beautiful skin  &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
It&rsquo;s important to exercise four times a week. When out in the sun, make sure to wear a good sunscreen to protect your skin from the harmful UV rays. MoisturIsing your skin regularly, getting eight hours of sleep and a healthy diet always work wonders for your skin. &lt;/p>

&lt;p> &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>Beauty faux pas to avoid  &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
One beauty faux pas that can make or break your look is not wearing the right shade of foundation that matches your skin tone. It&rsquo;s important that on single application, your skin does not look white, grey or pink.   &lt;/p>

&lt;p> &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>Favourite products from Kay Beauty  &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
Lip crayon in Billboard, eye shadow crayon in Rebel and the Kay Beauty Volume and Length Mascara. One go-to makeup look involves contouring, brown shadows around the eyes and nude lips. &lt;/p>

&lt;p> &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>Best makeup lesson learnt &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
The trick lies in blending and layering the makeup&mdash;start with the lighter colours and build them up. For the lips, I go with the lightest colour, and then keep adding. I start with a lipliner to fill the lips first, then keep adding colours till you achieve the perfect shade. I trust nude lips and bold eyes-an all-time favourite look that never fails to make heads turn.   &lt;/p>

&lt;p> &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;em>Images courtesy: Katrina Kaif&lt;/em>&lt;/p>


Make a note of her personal favourites from Kay Beauty RN. 

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Katrina Kaif launches new makeup line called Kay Beauty - Zee Zest

All You Wanted to Know About Katrina Kaif and Her Beauty Secrets 

&lt;p>Actor, presenter, Roshni Chopra describes herself as design-obsessed, fashion and beauty nerd, who is always planning her next vacation and equally importantly, her next meal. A glimpse of her stunningly curated Instagram will have you fixated on the picture-perfect effortless glamour she exudes. She likes to refer to her Instagram page as a &ldquo;visual aesthetic diary of sorts.&rdquo; &lt;/p>

&lt;p>When you meet her in person, the same iridescence captivates you. A firm believer in the power of good vibes, for Chopra beauty is not skin deep. We got talking to this self-confessed &lsquo;beautiholic&rsquo; who is known for her love for natural products and brands, and her own skincare and haircare beauty decoctions. A mother of two boys, she also co-founded the fashion label &lsquo;RCDC&rsquo; along with her sister Deeya Chopra. &lt;/p>

&lt;p>AlsoRead0 &lt;/p>

&lt;p>In a freewheeling conversation about her secret to glowing skin, beauty myths, tips and make up dos and don&#39;ts, Roshni Chopra bares all, from her party essentials to her homemade face masks. &lt;/p>

&lt;h2>For parties and social gatherings, what is your signature look?  &lt;/h2>

&lt;p>Social gatherings are about celebrations; for me, it means celebrating my individuality. Instead of following trends I tend to dig out my favourite looks, restyle them, and wear a lot of colours and a little bling too.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>I&rsquo;m big on coloured eyeliners to add a pop to my look, along with a healthy dose of mascara, and a flushed look on the cheeks. I prefer highlighter sticks rather than powders. My favourite is Nudestix and the genuine glow stick from Est&eacute;e Lauder. I also love the Mary-Lou Manizer highlighter by The Balm cosmetics.  &lt;/p>

&lt;h2>What does the perfect shoot look involve? Something that you don&rsquo;t really wear daily. &lt;/h2>

&lt;p>For shoots, eyelashes go a long way. Also contouring and a very defined brow, which I never do in real life, works great with studio lights. &lt;/p>

&lt;p>AlsoRead1 &lt;/p>

&lt;h2>Since you lean more towards naturally derived beauty products, which have been your best finds? &lt;/h2>

&lt;p>I&rsquo;m loving Enn&rsquo;s Closet and Just Herbs from the homegrown brands. Internationally, I&rsquo;ve loved Versed skincare. Their products are gentle and effective.  &lt;/p>

&lt;h2>What will we find on your vanity dresser right now? &lt;/h2>

&lt;p>On my dressing table, you will always find Huda power bullet (lipstick), Drunk Elephant&rsquo;s C-Firma Day Serum and Kiehl&rsquo;s Pure Vitality Skin Renewing Cream. When it comes to fragrances, it is &lsquo;The Noir 29&rsquo; by Le Labo. I&rsquo;m also loving the Sebamed face wash and the Aveda Invati Scalp Rejuvenation Serum. &lt;/p>

&lt;h2>What is the secret to your fit body after having two kids? And any tips for mothers-to-be? &lt;/h2>

&lt;p>I believe eating right plays a significant role. My simple rule is: No carbs after 7:00 pm (I eat my dinner with my kids). One often neglects mental health and stress and its impact on weight management. I know this sounds silly but if your mind is calm and you get eight hours of sleep, it keeps you from binge eating.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>My advice to new mums-to-be will be to moisturise a lot. Oils are good for this. I&rsquo;ve used Bio-Oil and liked it quite a bit. Be careful that the stretch marks never really go once they come so the thing is to prevent that by regular oiling of the skin, especially the abdomen area. &lt;/p>

&lt;p>AlsoRead2 &lt;/p>

&lt;h2>BEAUTY QUICKIE WITH ROSHNI CHOPRA &lt;/h2>

&lt;h3>&lt;img alt="Roshni Chopra Skincare Make Up" height="527" src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Roshni-Chopra--inside_1612887992562.jpg" style="float:left" width="395" />What is your beauty product fetish? &lt;/h3>

&lt;p>Face sprays (I collect them). &lt;/p>

&lt;h3>One beauty product that you always carry&hellip; &lt;/h3>

&lt;p>Lip balm. &lt;/p>

&lt;h3>Past beauty faux pas that makes you smile now... &lt;/h3>

&lt;p>In my early TV days, I would just let them cake me up. I still shudder when I recall those days of pure ignorance!  &lt;/p>

&lt;h3>A beauty ritual you wish you could indulge in more frequently than you do&hellip; &lt;/h3>

&lt;p>Sleep! &lt;/p>

&lt;h3>What do you do to perk up a bad hair day?  &lt;/h3>

&lt;p>Braids, ponies, and hairbands.  &lt;/p>

&lt;h3>Most understated beauty product? &lt;/h3>

&lt;p>Almond oil, Vaseline, coconut oil and haldi and honey and lemon&hellip;I could go on&hellip;  &lt;/p>

&lt;h3>One product that you will always advise a friend to add in their skincare routine... &lt;/h3>

&lt;p>Try not to forget eye cream. The area under the eyes ages faster than the rest of the face. Also, the most obvious, the sunscreen&mdash;we all know this but forget it too often.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>My personal morning skincare routine is to cleanse, tone, apply vitamin c serum and then day cream followed by sunscreen. At night, I just cleanse and put on the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair for eyes and face. &lt;/p>

&lt;h2>What is the one skincare lesson you learnt in recently and would like to share? &lt;/h2>

&lt;p>Mix it up, be regular, have fun with it! Make the skincare ritual about me-time and pampering yourself. And drink lots of water!  &lt;/p>

&lt;h2>DIY beauty remedies you swear by&hellip; &lt;/h2>

&lt;p>I&rsquo;ve been using aloe on my hair. It&rsquo;s a great hair mask and really conditions the hair. Another ingredient which I use very often is turmeric. It&rsquo;s great for brightening and purifying the skin. I mix some turmeric powder with some apricot oil, honey, kaolin clay and almond meal for a nice clarifying face pack. &lt;/p>

&lt;h2>You travel a lot, and often for work, shooting and creating looks. What is the secret to your holiday skin?  &lt;/h2>

&lt;p>Holiday glow comes naturally from the happiness within! But that aside, it&rsquo;s nice to carry overnight leave in masks, hydrating face sprays and serums and lots of sunscreen because we&rsquo;re mostly outdoors on holidays! &lt;/p>

&lt;p>I also carry Moroccan oil, a scalp rejuvenator, and my Dyson Airwrap. Also, I make it point to pack a hair mask that is easy to travel with in a small package. &lt;/p>

&lt;h2>What would you recommend to women who would wish to have Instagram-ready skin while travelling?  &lt;/h2>

&lt;p>Summer Fridays makes a Jet Lag Mask which is great for hydration. I put that on before a flight. Also, the Farsali Rose Gold Elixir is great to spray on. Another favourite for hydration is the Clarins Beauty Flash Balm, it can go over or under make-up and is multipurpose.  &lt;/p>

&lt;h2>As a frequent flier, is there in-flight ritual you follow to stay looking fresh? &lt;/h2>

&lt;p>Your skin should be prepped for travel before you board a flight. I use a mask the day before I travel as well as one before I get on the plane. I also hydrate a lot by drinking plenty of water.  &lt;/p>

&lt;h2>What is your hair type and what is your haircare routine? &lt;/h2>

&lt;p>My hair has become fine over the years, it never used to be though. I oil it once a week and mask once a week and wash every three-four days.  &lt;/p>

&lt;h2>A beauty ritual that gives you an instant high&hellip; &lt;/h2>

&lt;p>It has to be face masks! I love the entire process, the ritual and feeling like I am doing something good for myself.  &lt;/p>

&lt;h2>What is on your beauty wish list?  &lt;/h2>

&lt;p>I am always on the hunt for new fragrances. &lt;/p>

&lt;h2>Which is your best spa memory? &lt;/h2>

&lt;p>One of the best spa memories was in a boutique hotel in Rajasthan. They really had the ambience and the rituals down pat. Sometimes it is not about how fancy the spa is but the attention to detail!  &lt;/p>

&lt;h2>Biggest beauty myth according to you is&hellip; &lt;/h2>

&lt;p>More is more! So untrue, girls with the simplest routines often have the best skin.  &lt;/p>

&lt;h2>Most overrated beauty tip/product? &lt;/h2>

&lt;p>All the super expensive creams. Read the ingredients and do not fall for the packaging and the hype. Your skin doesn&rsquo;t need very much, a simple cleanse and moisturising routine works well, if done consistently.&lt;/p>


The proponent for au naturel beauty shares her skincare routine, DIY beauty remedies and more.

Check out the interview with Roshni Chopra on getting glowing skin, decoding beauty hacks, beauty myths and shares her Favorite beauty products.   

Roshni Chopra Shares Secrets to Her Glowing Skin and Make Up Tips – Zee Zest 

Roshni Chopra Shows You How to Glow Like a Pro for Your Next Party 

Beauty

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Bollywood

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&lt;p>Is the cold winter wreaking havoc with your skin? If dry and cracked skin are the enemies, then head to your pantry and get your superstars together to banish flaky skin. &lt;/p>

&lt;p> &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>1. Olive Oil &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
&ldquo;Most oils are natural moisturisers&rdquo;, says dermatologist and cosmetologist Dr Abhishek Pilani, founding member of Assure Hair/Skin & Physio Centre, Mumbai. &ldquo;If you apply an oil after a bath onto wet skin, the oil will stay on longer and have a better impact on the skin,&rdquo; he adds. Dr Apratim Goel, dermatologist and laser surgeon at Cutis Skin Studio, Mumbai further explains, &ldquo;Olive oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, anti-ageing antioxidants, squalene and vitamin E, and hydrates the skin well, but only topically. It is not ideal for extremely dry skin due to its low penetrating power. The first cold press olive oil is the purest form and can be applied to both face and body.&rdquo; &lt;br />
&lt;em>&lt;strong>A face pack to try at home:&lt;/strong>&lt;/em> Whip one egg with a tablespoon of olive oil. Eggs are a rich source of protein, and helps improve skin&rsquo;s elasticity and tightens pores, adding glow. Olive oil is full of anti-oxidants, contains Vitamin A and E, and prevents free radical damage. Keep on the face mask for 15 minutes and then wash off. &lt;/p>

&lt;p> &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>2. Oatmeal &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
Oatmeal has anti-inflammatory goodness that makes it suitable for all skin types. It contains saponins, &ldquo;is moisturising and acts as an exfoliator to remove dead skin cells,&rdquo; explains Dr Goel. &lt;br />
&lt;em>&lt;strong>A face pack to try at home:&lt;/strong>&lt;/em> In a grinder, mix a cucumber (a good moisturiser, the antioxidants delay ageing of the skin and thus keep the skin rejuvenated), almonds (its rich vitamin E content helps your complexion and the damage done by the sun), cream (hydrating agent is skin is extremely dry) or yoghurt (if you have normal skin type) and some oats. This face mask maintains the pH of your skin and helps you get supple skin. &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;img alt="avocado face pack for mositurising face pack " src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Natural-Moisturisers-to-Try-this-Winter--inside_1612363772704.jpg" style="height:608px; width:900px" />&lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>3. Avocado &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
The buttery avocado is a superfood that&rsquo;s perfect for your skin. &ldquo;Besides being rich in healthy omega-3 oils and several minerals, avocados potent antioxidant Glutathione properties gives your skin the right kind of moisture it needs. Plus, its creamy consistency is a bonus nourishment in itself,&rdquo; explains Dr Soma Sarkar Medical Director & Dermatologist, Skin Inn, Mumbai. &lt;br />
&lt;em>&lt;strong>A face pack to try at home:&lt;/strong>&lt;/em> Mash some avocado pulp with some yoghurt (its creamy nature further adds moisture to your skin) and leave on the mask for 10-15 minutes, then wash it off with cold water. You can apply this face pack twice a week. You could also replace yoghurt for honey, but honey could irritate the eyes, and some people may be allergic to honey. &lt;/p>

&lt;p> &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>4. Coconut Oil &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
Coconut oil is a natural moisturiser and works to clean away grime and dirt as well as help in de-tanning. &ldquo;Coconut oil has the deepest penetration power among the oils, owing to its small particles, and works on extremely dry skin,&rdquo; reasons Dr Goel. &lt;br />
&lt;em>&lt;strong>A face pack to try at home:&lt;/strong>&lt;/em> Mix raw honey (has moisturising and antibacterial properties) and cold pressed coconut oil. Keep the mask on for about 15-20 minutes till the texture softens on your face, and then rinse off with warm water. &lt;/p>

&lt;p> &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>5. Milk and yoghurt &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
&ldquo;Milk has the superpower to remove the oil-soluble impurities thanks to its fat-soluble enzyme lipase, protein-based impurities with the help of protease and dead skin cells with lactic acid,&rdquo; says Dr Goel. It&rsquo;s no surprise that Cleopatra used to bathe in milk. &ldquo;Milk is also a mild exfoliant and has anti-inflammatory properties, and is perfect for sensitive skin, while the creamy texture of yoghurt further adds moisture to the skin,&rdquo; adds Dr Sarkar. &lt;br />
&lt;em>&lt;strong>A face pack to try at home:&lt;/strong>&lt;/em> A face mask of one tablespoon probiotic yoghurt, one teaspoon raw honey (has moisturising and anti-bacterial properties) and two ripe strawberries (rich in vitamin C and salicylic acid&mdash;nutrients that brighten, lighten, and cleanse oily, acne-prone skin, creating a clean and clear complexion) should work wonders on dry skin. Let it sit for 15 minutes till the mixture settles and dries out, and then gently scrub off the face mask using warm water. &lt;/p>

&lt;p> &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>6. Papaya and Banana &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
&ldquo;Papaya is a rich source of vitamin A and the valuable proteolytic enzyme papain. The enzyme breaks down inactive proteins and eliminates dead skin cells, while vitamin A works as an antioxidant, leading to glowing skin,&rdquo; says Dr Goel. Dr Sarkar agrees and adds, &ldquo;Ripe bananas also have a rich antioxidant quotient and can be mashed and put on the face. Just be sure to use a wash cloth to wipe it off so that it doesn&rsquo;t render the skin dry.&rdquo; &lt;br />
&lt;em>&lt;strong>A face pack to try at home:&lt;/strong>&lt;/em> Papaya or bananas can be mixed with cream (great hydrating property) and used as a face mask. Use room temperature water to wash off after 10 minutes. &lt;/p>

&lt;p> &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;em>Images: Shutterstock.com&lt;/em>&lt;/p>


&lt;p>Ask Katrina Kaif what beauty means to her. &ldquo;Confidence, being happy and joyful. Everything else is just icing on the cake,&rdquo; exclaims Kaif, who launched her makeup line in association with beauty retail giant Nykaa. As the official brand ambassador of L&#39;Or&eacute;al at Cannes or as the leading lady in Bollywood, Kaif has managed to stay effortlessly glamorous, but never over the top with her looks. &lt;/p>

&lt;p> &lt;/p>

&lt;p>For Kaif, who will next be seen in Rohit Shetty&rsquo;s Suryavanshi, the business of beauty is not just a passing fling, but a long-term commitment. As a fashion inspiration to many, Kaif wanted to create a makeup line that is easy to apply and cares for the skin. Her foray into beauty is not limited to a one-off collaboration, but she is taking the role of an entrepreneur seriously, and has been involved as much in the product development and expansion of the brand, as in the promotions of Kay Beauty with her Instagram feed revealing details such as the artwork, logo, video teasers and more.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p> &lt;/p>

&lt;p>Kaif&rsquo;s experience of working with the best makeup artists in India, her first-hand experience with beauty brands and the latest trends in the world of beauty has shaped the whole range at Kay Beauty&mdash; ultra-glam, long-lasting products that also care for your skin. In its debut range in 2019, Kay Beauty had launched an extensive line of eyeshadows, liners and lipsticks in comfortable crayon textures for women on-the-go and at price points that has made glamour accessible. Soon nail colours followed, and recently, a range of liquid liners and mascara were added to the existing line, all within a span of less than six months.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p> &lt;/p>

&lt;p>AlsoRead0 &lt;/p>

&lt;p> &lt;/p>

&lt;p>In a recent media meet, Kaif mentioned that fans of Kay Beauty can next expect a line of foundations best suited for Indian skin tones. What more?  The fashion and beauty diva did not deny the possibility of venturing into skincare products. Speaking about makeup products that don&rsquo;t harm the skin with chemicals, Kaif mentioned that Kay Beauty&rsquo;s makeup line is infused with a signature blend of chamomile and marula oil that is healthy for the skin. Though critics mentioned that Kay Beauty is no Kylie Jenner, the popularity of the line amongst millennials has silenced most.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p> &lt;/p>

&lt;p>Scroll down to find out some secrets from Katrina Kaif&rsquo;s beauty diary: &lt;/p>

&lt;p> &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>The one trick to take you from blah to wow in a jiffy &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
An important makeup trick that works for all occasions and for any kind of event is to wear some lip colour. If you have had a long day, and are feeling tired, a pop of colour on the lips is a sure-fire way to instantly brighten your face. &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;img alt="Katrina Kaif Kay Beauty" src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Katrina-Kay-beauty-inside_1612364551852.jpg" style="height:900px; width:900px" />&lt;/p>

&lt;p> &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>Beauty hacks every woman should know &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
Who needs a makeup artist to get a glamorous makeover? There are several easy and DIY beauty tutorials online that show how to ace the perfect winged eyeliner or how to nail the smokey-eyed look. Watch some of the beauty tutorials on our social media platforms where beauty bloggers and beauty influencers share tricks to enhance your features.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p> &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>Secret for a dewy, beautiful skin  &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
It&rsquo;s important to exercise four times a week. When out in the sun, make sure to wear a good sunscreen to protect your skin from the harmful UV rays. MoisturIsing your skin regularly, getting eight hours of sleep and a healthy diet always work wonders for your skin. &lt;/p>

&lt;p> &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>Beauty faux pas to avoid  &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
One beauty faux pas that can make or break your look is not wearing the right shade of foundation that matches your skin tone. It&rsquo;s important that on single application, your skin does not look white, grey or pink.   &lt;/p>

&lt;p> &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>Favourite products from Kay Beauty  &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
Lip crayon in Billboard, eye shadow crayon in Rebel and the Kay Beauty Volume and Length Mascara. One go-to makeup look involves contouring, brown shadows around the eyes and nude lips. &lt;/p>

&lt;p> &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>Best makeup lesson learnt &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
The trick lies in blending and layering the makeup&mdash;start with the lighter colours and build them up. For the lips, I go with the lightest colour, and then keep adding. I start with a lipliner to fill the lips first, then keep adding colours till you achieve the perfect shade. I trust nude lips and bold eyes-an all-time favourite look that never fails to make heads turn.   &lt;/p>

&lt;p> &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;em>Images courtesy: Katrina Kaif&lt;/em>&lt;/p>


All You Wanted to Know About Entrepreneur Katrina Kaif and Her Beauty Secrets 

Style

Makeup

&lt;p>Actor, presenter, Roshni Chopra describes herself as design-obsessed, fashion and beauty nerd, who is always planning her next vacation and equally importantly, her next meal. A glimpse of her stunningly curated Instagram will have you fixated on the picture-perfect effortless glamour she exudes. She likes to refer to her Instagram page as a “visual aesthetic diary of sorts.” &lt;/p>&lt;p>When you meet her in person, the same iridescence captivates you. A firm believer in the power of good vibes, for Chopra beauty is not skin deep. We got talking to this self-confessed ‘beautiholic’ who is known for her love for natural products and brands, and her own skincare and haircare beauty decoctions. A mother of two boys, she also co-founded the fashion label ‘RCDC’ along with her sister Deeya Chopra. &lt;/p>&lt;p>AlsoRead0 &lt;/p>&lt;p>In a freewheeling conversation about her secret to glowing skin, beauty myths, tips and make up dos and don'ts, Roshni Chopra bares all, from her party essentials to her homemade face masks. &lt;/p>&lt;h2>For parties and social gatherings, what is your signature look?  &lt;/h2>&lt;p>Social gatherings are about celebrations; for me, it means celebrating my individuality. Instead of following trends I tend to dig out my favourite looks, restyle them, and wear a lot of colours and a little bling too.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>I’m big on coloured eyeliners to add a pop to my look, along with a healthy dose of mascara, and a flushed look on the cheeks. I prefer highlighter sticks rather than powders. My favourite is Nudestix and the genuine glow stick from Estée Lauder. I also love the Mary-Lou Manizer highlighter by The Balm cosmetics.  &lt;/p>&lt;h2>What does the perfect shoot look involve? Something that you don’t really wear daily. &lt;/h2>&lt;p>For shoots, eyelashes go a long way. Also contouring and a very defined brow, which I never do in real life, works great with studio lights. &lt;/p>&lt;p>AlsoRead1 &lt;/p>&lt;h2>Since you lean more towards naturally derived beauty products, which have been your best finds? &lt;/h2>&lt;p>I’m loving Enn’s Closet and Just Herbs from the homegrown brands. Internationally, I’ve loved Versed skincare. Their products are gentle and effective.  &lt;/p>&lt;h2>What will we find on your vanity dresser right now? &lt;/h2>&lt;p>On my dressing table, you will always find Huda power bullet (lipstick), Drunk Elephant’s C-Firma Day Serum and Kiehl’s Pure Vitality Skin Renewing Cream. When it comes to fragrances, it is ‘The Noir 29’ by Le Labo. I’m also loving the Sebamed face wash and the Aveda Invati Scalp Rejuvenation Serum. &lt;/p>&lt;h2>What is the secret to your fit body after having two kids? And any tips for mothers-to-be? &lt;/h2>&lt;p>I believe eating right plays a significant role. My simple rule is: No carbs after 7:00 pm (I eat my dinner with my kids). One often neglects mental health and stress and its impact on weight management. I know this sounds silly but if your mind is calm and you get eight hours of sleep, it keeps you from binge eating.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>My advice to new mums-to-be will be to moisturise a lot. Oils are good for this. I’ve used Bio-Oil and liked it quite a bit. Be careful that the stretch marks never really go once they come so the thing is to prevent that by regular oiling of the skin, especially the abdomen area. &lt;/p>&lt;p>AlsoRead2 &lt;/p>&lt;hr>&lt;h2>BEAUTY QUICKIE WITH ROSHNI CHOPRA &lt;/h2>&lt;figure class="image image-style-align-left image_resized" style="width:50%;">&lt;img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Roshni-Chopra--inside_1612887992562.jpg" alt="Roshni Chopra Skincare Make Up">&lt;/figure>&lt;h4>What is your beauty product fetish? &lt;/h4>&lt;p>Face sprays (I collect them). &lt;/p>&lt;h4>One beauty product that you always carry… &lt;/h4>&lt;p>Lip balm. &lt;/p>&lt;h4>Past beauty faux pas that makes you smile now... &lt;/h4>&lt;p>In my early TV days, I would just let them cake me up. I still shudder when I recall those days of pure ignorance!  &lt;/p>&lt;h4>A beauty ritual you wish you could indulge in more frequently than you do… &lt;/h4>&lt;p>Sleep! &lt;/p>&lt;h4>What do you do to perk up a bad hair day?  &lt;/h4>&lt;p>Braids, ponies, and hairbands.  &lt;/p>&lt;h4>Most understated beauty product? &lt;/h4>&lt;p>Almond oil, Vaseline, coconut oil and haldi and honey and lemon…I could go on…  &lt;/p>&lt;h4>One product that you will always advise a friend to add in their skincare routine... &lt;/h4>&lt;p>Try not to forget eye cream. The area under the eyes ages faster than the rest of the face. Also, the most obvious, the sunscreen—we all know this but forget it too often.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>My personal morning skincare routine is to cleanse, tone, apply vitamin c serum and then day cream followed by sunscreen. At night, I just cleanse and put on the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair for eyes and face. &lt;/p>&lt;hr>&lt;h2>What is the one skincare lesson you learnt in recently and would like to share? &lt;/h2>&lt;p>Mix it up, be regular, have fun with it! Make the skincare ritual about me-time and pampering yourself. And drink lots of water!  &lt;/p>&lt;h2>DIY beauty remedies you swear by… &lt;/h2>&lt;p>I’ve been using aloe on my hair. It’s a great hair mask and really conditions the hair. Another ingredient which I use very often is turmeric. It’s great for brightening and purifying the skin. I mix some turmeric powder with some apricot oil, honey, kaolin clay and almond meal for a nice clarifying face pack. &lt;/p>&lt;h2>You travel a lot, and often for work, shooting and creating looks. What is the secret to your holiday skin?  &lt;/h2>&lt;p>Holiday glow comes naturally from the happiness within! But that aside, it’s nice to carry overnight leave in masks, hydrating face sprays and serums and lots of sunscreen because we’re mostly outdoors on holidays! &lt;/p>&lt;p>I also carry Moroccan oil, a scalp rejuvenator, and my Dyson Airwrap. Also, I make it point to pack a hair mask that is easy to travel with in a small package. &lt;/p>&lt;h2>What would you recommend to women who would wish to have Instagram-ready skin while travelling?  &lt;/h2>&lt;p>Summer Fridays makes a Jet Lag Mask which is great for hydration. I put that on before a flight. Also, the Farsali Rose Gold Elixir is great to spray on. Another favourite for hydration is the Clarins Beauty Flash Balm, it can go over or under make-up and is multipurpose.  &lt;/p>&lt;h2>As a frequent flier, is there in-flight ritual you follow to stay looking fresh? &lt;/h2>&lt;p>Your skin should be prepped for travel before you board a flight. I use a mask the day before I travel as well as one before I get on the plane. I also hydrate a lot by drinking plenty of water.  &lt;/p>&lt;h2>What is your hair type and what is your haircare routine? &lt;/h2>&lt;p>My hair has become fine over the years, it never used to be though. I oil it once a week and mask once a week and wash every three-four days.  &lt;/p>&lt;h2>A beauty ritual that gives you an instant high… &lt;/h2>&lt;p>It has to be face masks! I love the entire process, the ritual and feeling like I am doing something good for myself.  &lt;/p>&lt;h2>What is on your beauty wish list?  &lt;/h2>&lt;p>I am always on the hunt for new fragrances. &lt;/p>&lt;h2>Which is your best spa memory? &lt;/h2>&lt;p>One of the best spa memories was in a boutique hotel in Rajasthan. They really had the ambience and the rituals down pat. Sometimes it is not about how fancy the spa is but the attention to detail!  &lt;/p>&lt;h2>Biggest beauty myth according to you is… &lt;/h2>&lt;p>More is more! So untrue, girls with the simplest routines often have the best skin.  &lt;/p>&lt;h2>Most overrated beauty tip/product? &lt;/h2>&lt;p>All the super expensive creams. Read the ingredients and do not fall for the packaging and the hype. Your skin doesn’t need very much, a simple cleanse and moisturising routine works well, if done consistently.&lt;/p>

<p>If you can only think of Cardi B and Nicki Minaj when you think of rap, you need to know about these Indian female rappers, who are carving a niche for themselves with their swag and struggle in the male-dominant industry. </p><p>The existing literature on the Indian hip-hop movement will offer you a bleak and fragmented view of its history; one that excludes women out of its ambit. So, if you Google about the history of hip-hop in India, the search is likely to throw up names of non-resident Indian male artistes, like Apache Indian, Bohemia and Baba Sehgal. The first mention of an Indian woman in the hip-hop industry comes with Taran Kaur Dhillon aka Hard Kaur, who came to the fore with her wildly popular single <i>Ek Glassy</i> in 2007 and which went onto top the UK charts for that year.  </p><p>For many, Hard Kaur is the OG trailblazer, and as she tells us herself, “The first one to do it.” But when compared to contemporary female rappers in India – who have used their art to address burning issues around colour-prejudice and women’s rights – Hard Kaur’s music pales. For all it does is encourage you to drink, do bhangra or “Move Your Body.”  </p><p>AlsoRead0</p><p>That is not to say that Hard Kaur has not played an essential role. The playback singer, actress and rapper shares, “When I started, I was the only female hip-hop artiste, and it was much harder for me. Women always get treated as second class citizens. We are intelligent and talented, but the reason why we aren’t given opportunities is because if we are, we’ll kick everyone’s a#$.” So, in a way, artistes like her, Baba Sehgal, Apache Indian, Raftaar and Badshah – however banal and reminiscent of American hip-hop artistes of the ’90s and 2000s, who ruled MTV with their songs about riches and babes – paved the way for Indian hip-hop artistes by creating interest in Hindi-English hip-hop.   </p><h3>A change in the scene </h3><p>Then, came Divine and Naezy, two of the most famous rappers in the current Indian hip-hop scene, who – with their hard-hitting, vernacular lyrics and gully rap – helped shift focus to Desi Hip Hop, with the “scene” being further propelled when director Zoya Akhtar decided to make a Bollywood film on gully rappers who rose to fame from Mumbai’s slums. </p><p>Deepa Unnikrishnan, a Mumbai based indie female rapper, better known as Dee MC, who has garnered a lot of support in the industry and has featured briefly in the Ranveer Singh-and Alia Bhatt-starrer film, reveals that despite being well-known in the underground hip-hop movement in Mumbai, things only began looking up for her, after Gully Boy. “I am considered one of the front runners of underground hip-hop in India, and yet, I haven’t been approached by a label to date,” Dee MC laments.  </p><p>Dee MC recently released her new album, Dee=MC², and has used social reform as a subject in her songs, such as with Rang, for the video for which she tied up with online make-up retail brand, Nykaa. The bilingual number, with Hindi and English lyrics, addresses dark-skin prejudice in India, pulls no punches and goes like: <i>Tan ko mere kuch aisa dikhaya/ Kaali hoon main iska ehsaas dilaya/ Karti bhi kya umar bas thi panch/ Rangeen thi duniya par main lagti daag.  </i></p><p>Similarly, Mahima Dayal Mathur, a trained Hindustani classical vocalist, who goes by the moniker Bawari Basanti, isn’t an out-an-out hip-hop artiste, but sings about contemporary women in India. “I feel like there is a lot of resentment inside me from the deep-seated patriarchy that exists in our country. That is something that no movie will put a disclaimer for, no man will sing about, and no woman should ignore,” she says, adding that most of her new work will be about the idea of independence and protest.” </p><p>Like Mathur, Dee MC began classical training as a Bharatnatyam dancer at the age of five. She forayed into hip-hop culture through dance, until she, “Gradually began paying attention to the lyrics.” As someone who wrote poetry in school and danced, she says, “Rhythm came naturally to her, but struggled to find female artistes that weren’t mainstream.” </p><p>AlsoRead1</p><h3>The road to discovery </h3><p>Discovery, despite the undeniably growing intrigue in homegrown hip-hop artistes, continues to be an issue for female rappers in India. Trained in Carnatic, Bengaluru-based rapper Siri Narayan, or Siri (no, not Apple’s intelligent virtual assistant) sings in Kannada and English. Siri garnered renown after collaborating with TVF for the web-series Girlyapa’s anthem, <i>Tu Bas Naach</i> and also featured in a song called Shuffle with Varun Dhawan. Highlighting the issues of discovery and representation vis-à-vis hip-hop in India and women, Siri says that many of the issues in this regard are the same as it would be in any field that is predominated by men. But particularly, “The problem with hip-hop in India is that most of the consumers are male, too. And even when I am performing, it's mostly men.”  </p><p>Siri believes that being a feminist rapper isn’t simply about having feminist content or lyrics. “For me, it’s not necessary to put feminist themes directly in my music. I also like working with women in the industry and co-creating a product by having female professionals behind the scenes, or behind the camera,” she shares. This comes through in Siri’s first video for the song, Live It, which showcases a bunch of girls having fun. “It doesn’t always have to mean something,” she asserts.  </p><h3><i>Mummy, main Gully Girl </i></h3><p>Despite all odds, however, both mainstream Indian female rappers like Hard Kaur and Rajakumari and indie artistes like Dee MC, Siri and Mc Manmeet Kaur have managed to carve a niche (and an audience) for themselves. But this success was not without initial pushback from the family.  </p><p>“They all understand it now, but sometimes my mom’s like, ‘Okay, what’s happening?’ And then, at other times, she’s curious about my projects and proud. So, she takes turns, because I think it's a cognitive dissonance for her and my career choice confuses her. My dad however is very supportive," Siri shares.  </p><p>For Dee MC, too, things kicked off on a shaky note. “I was a chartered accountant (CA) and once I discovered the hip-hop community in Mumbai, it became very clear to me that I cannot sit in a cubicle or do a 9-to-5. So, the most difficult bit was breaking the news about me quitting CA to my parents . But me doing hip-hop is something that happened naturally and gradually until I was suddenly going for international tours to the UK and Canada. I feel that they couldn’t envision the future that we saw. Five years ago, no one understood why a bunch of people were going crazy about taking hip-hop forward in India, but now, they do.” </p><p>Yes, they do. Atta girls! </p>

All you need to know about fearless female rappers in India and what it takes to be heard. 

If you ask someone about the most famous rappers in India today, chances are that most people will mention Hard Kaur, Dee MC & Mahima Dayal Mathur. Click here to know more about them. 

Female rappers who changed the hip-hop scene in India - Zee Zest

Will The Real Gully Girl Please Stand Up! 

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&lt;p>Is the cold winter wreaking havoc with your skin? If dry and cracked skin are the enemies, then head to your pantry and get your kitchen superstars together to banish flaky skin.&lt;/p>&lt;h3>1. Olive Oil &lt;/h3>&lt;p>“Most oils are natural moisturisers”, says dermatologist and cosmetologist Dr Abhishek Pilani, founding member of Assure Hair/Skin & Physio Centre, Mumbai. “If you apply an oil after a bath onto wet skin, the oil will stay on longer and have a better impact on the skin,” he adds. Dr Apratim Goel, dermatologist and laser surgeon at Cutis Skin Studio, Mumbai further explains, “Olive oil is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, anti-ageing antioxidants, squalene and vitamin E, and hydrates the skin well, but only topically. It is not ideal for extremely dry skin due to its low penetrating power. The first cold press olive oil is the purest form and can be applied to both face and body.” &lt;/p>&lt;h4>A face pack to try at home:&lt;/h4>&lt;p> Whip one egg with a tablespoon of olive oil. Eggs are a rich source of protein, and helps improve skin’s elasticity and tightens pores, adding glow. Olive oil is full of antioxidants, contains Vitamin A and E, and prevents free radical damage. Keep on the face mask for 15 minutes and then wash off. &lt;/p>&lt;h3>2. Oatmeal &lt;/h3>&lt;p>Oatmeal has anti-inflammatory properties that makes it suitable for all skin types. It contains saponins, “which is moisturising and acts as an exfoliator to remove dead skin cells,” explains Dr Goel. &lt;/p>&lt;h4>A face pack to try at home: &lt;/h4>&lt;p>In a grinder, mix a cucumber (a good moisturiser, the antioxidants delay ageing of the skin and thus keep the skin rejuvenated), almonds (its rich vitamin E content helps your complexion and the damage done by the sun), cream (hydrating agent is skin is extremely dry) or yoghurt (if you have normal skin type) and some oats. This face mask maintains the pH of your skin and helps you get supple skin. &lt;/p>&lt;figure class="image image_resized" style="width:900px;">&lt;img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Natural-Moisturisers-to-Try-this-Winter--inside_1612363772704.jpg" alt="avocado face pack for mositurising face pack ">&lt;/figure>&lt;h3>3. Avocado &lt;/h3>&lt;p>The buttery avocado is a superfood that’s great for your skin. “Besides being rich in healthy omega-3 oils and several minerals, avocado's potent antioxidant properties, Glutathione, gives your skin the right kind of moisture it needs. Plus, its creamy consistency is a bonus nourishment in itself,” explains Dr Soma Sarkar, Medical Director & Dermatologist, Skin Inn, Mumbai. &lt;/p>&lt;h4>A face pack to try at home: &lt;/h4>&lt;p>Mash some avocado pulp with some yoghurt (its creamy nature further adds moisture to your skin) and leave on the mask for 10-15 minutes, then wash it off with cold water. You can apply this face pack twice a week. You could also replace yoghurt for honey, but honey could irritate the eyes, and some people may be allergic to honey. &lt;/p>&lt;h3>4. Coconut Oil &lt;/h3>&lt;p>Coconut oil is a natural moisturiser and works to clean away grime and dirt as well as help in de-tanning. “Coconut oil has the deepest penetration power among the oils, owing to its small particles, and works on extremely dry skin,” reasons Dr Goel. &lt;/p>&lt;h4>A face pack to try at home:&lt;/h4>&lt;p>Mix raw honey (has moisturising and antibacterial properties) and cold pressed coconut oil. Keep the mask on for about 15-20 minutes till the texture softens on your face, and then rinse off with warm water. &lt;/p>&lt;h3>5. Milk and yoghurt &lt;/h3>&lt;p>“Milk has the superpower to remove the oil-soluble impurities thanks to its fat-soluble enzyme lipase, protein-based impurities with the help of protease and dead skin cells with lactic acid,” says Dr Goel. It’s no surprise that Cleopatra used to bathe in milk. “Milk is also a mild exfoliant and has anti-inflammatory properties, and is perfect for sensitive skin, while the creamy texture of yoghurt further adds moisture to the skin,” adds Dr Sarkar. &lt;/p>&lt;h4>A face pack to try at home:&lt;/h4>&lt;figure class="image">&lt;img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Yogurt-and-Strawberry-FaceMask--inside_1614249821878.jpg">&lt;/figure>&lt;p>A face mask of one tablespoon probiotic yoghurt, one teaspoon raw honey (has moisturising and anti-bacterial properties) and two ripe strawberries (rich in vitamin C and salicylic acid—nutrients that brighten, lighten, and cleanse oily, acne-prone skin, creating a clean and clear complexion) should work wonders on dry skin. Let it sit for 15 minutes till the mixture settles and dries out, and then gently scrub off the face mask using warm water. &lt;/p>&lt;h3>6. Papaya and Banana &lt;/h3>&lt;p>“Papaya is a rich source of vitamin A and the valuable proteolytic enzyme papain. The enzyme breaks down inactive proteins and eliminates dead skin cells, while vitamin A works as an antioxidant, leading to glowing skin,” says Dr Goel. Dr Sarkar agrees and adds, “Ripe bananas also have a rich antioxidant quotient and can be mashed and put on the face. Just be sure to use a wash cloth to wipe it off so that it doesn’t make the skin dry.” &lt;/p>&lt;h4>A face pack to try at home: &lt;/h4>&lt;p>Papaya or bananas can be mixed with cream (great hydrating property) and used as a face mask. Use room temperature water to wash off after 10 minutes. &lt;/p>

&lt;p>Ask Katrina Kaif what beauty means to her. “Confidence, being happy and joyful. Everything else is just icing on the cake,” exclaims Kaif, who recently celebrated the first anniversary of her beauty brand Kay Beauty in partnership with beauty retail giant Nykaa. As the official brand ambassador of L'Oréal at Cannes or as the leading lady in Bollywood, Kaif has managed to stay effortlessly glamorous, but never over the top with her looks. &lt;/p>&lt;p>For Kaif, the business of beauty is not just a passing fling, but a long-term commitment. As a fashion inspiration to many, Kaif wanted to create a makeup line that is easy to apply and cares for the skin. Her foray into beauty is not limited to a one-off collaboration, but a more personal one, where she is involved as much in the product development and expansion of the brand, as in the promotions of Kay Beauty with her Instagram feed revealing details of new product launches, video teasers and expressing her gratitude on completing one successful year of her brand and the ever-growing Kay beauty community.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>Kaif’s experience of working with the best makeup artists in India, her first-hand experience with beauty brands and the latest trends in the world of beauty has shaped the whole range at Kay Beauty— ultra-glam, long-lasting products that also care for your skin. In its debut range in 2019, Kay Beauty had launched an extensive line of eyeshadows, liners and lipsticks in comfortable crayon textures for women on-the-go and at price points that has made glamour accessible. Soon nail colours followed, and recently, a range of liquid liners and mascara were added to the existing line. For the first year celebration, the brand launched a series of Kay Beauty Matte  compacts.&lt;/p>&lt;p>AlsoRead0 &lt;/p>&lt;p>Speaking about makeup products that don’t harm the skin with chemicals, Kaif mentioned that Kay Beauty’s makeup line is infused with a signature blend of chamomile and marula oil that is healthy for the skin. Though critics mentioned that Kay Beauty is no Kylie Jenner, the popularity of the line amongst millennials has silenced most.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>Scroll down to find out some secrets from Katrina Kaif’s beauty diary: &lt;/p>&lt;h3>The one trick to take you from blah to wow in a jiffy &lt;/h3>&lt;p>An important makeup trick that works for all occasions and for any kind of event is to wear some lip colour. If you have had a long day, and are feeling tired, a pop of colour on the lips is a sure-fire way to instantly brighten your face. &lt;/p>&lt;figure class="image image_resized" style="width:900px;">&lt;img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Katrina-Kay-beauty-inside_1612364551852.jpg" alt="Katrina Kaif Kay Beauty">&lt;/figure>&lt;h3>Beauty hacks every woman should know &lt;/h3>&lt;p>Who needs a makeup artist to get a glamorous makeover? There are several easy and DIY beauty tutorials online that show how to ace the perfect winged eyeliner or how to nail the smokey-eyed look. Watch some of the beauty tutorials on our social media platforms where beauty bloggers and beauty influencers share tricks to enhance your features.  &lt;/p>&lt;h3>Secret for a dewy, beautiful skin  &lt;/h3>&lt;p>It’s important to exercise four times a week. When out in the sun, make sure to wear a good sunscreen to protect your skin from the harmful UV rays. Moisturising your skin regularly, getting eight hours of sleep and a healthy diet always work wonders for your skin. &lt;/p>&lt;h3>Beauty faux pas to avoid  &lt;/h3>&lt;p> &lt;/p>&lt;figure class="image image-style-align-right image_resized" style="width:21.69%;">&lt;img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Soft-Nude-katrina_1614246077804.png">&lt;figcaption>Soft Nude Blush&lt;/figcaption>&lt;/figure>&lt;p>One beauty faux pas that can make or break your look is not wearing the right shade of foundation that matches your skin tone. It’s important that on single application, your skin does not look white, grey or pink.   &lt;/p>&lt;h3>Favourite products from Kay Beauty  &lt;/h3>&lt;p>Lip crayon in Billboard, eye shadow crayon in Rebel and the Kay Beauty Volume and Length Mascara. One go-to makeup look involves contouring, brown shadows around the eyes and nude lips. &lt;/p>&lt;h3>Best makeup lesson learnt &lt;/h3>&lt;p>The trick lies in blending and layering the makeup—start with the lighter colours and build them up. For the lips, I go with the lightest colour, and then keep adding. I start with a lipliner to fill the lips first, then keep adding colours till you achieve the perfect shade. I trust nude lips and bold eyes-an all-time favourite look that never fails to make heads turn.   &lt;/p>

&lt;p>If Diwali for you is all about memories that have faded away like the days spent anticipating the Diwali holidays, upbeat family gatherings highlighted with exchange of gifts and the early morning ritual of bursting crackers and abhyangasnan—elaborate oil bath—it’s time to revive to them all. In an era of Facetime and sugar-free laddus, if there’s one way to get a glorious glow on your skin without raiding your neighbourhood beauty store or peeling off skin sheets, it’s to trust your granny-approved ubtan ritual.  &lt;/p>&lt;figure class="image image_resized image-style-align-left" style="width:50%;">&lt;img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Ubtan-tomato_1612364648099.jpg" alt="Ubtan Tomato Face Pack">&lt;/figure>&lt;p>Our grannies were the ultimate queens of DIY beauty—no steeply-priced facials and beauty creams, their beauty potions were made from fresh ingredients from the pantry. Powdered legumes, sundried herbs, different flours, good old natural ingredients tackled most skincare woes.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>Turmeric for brightening and blemishes. Tomato for mattifying oily skin. Almonds for keeping those wrinkles and fine lines at bay. Neem leaves to cure the most stubborn acne. Gramflour or besan as an exfoliator for oily to combination skin. Powdered masoor dal mixed with milk as a gentle exfoliator for dry or mature skins. And we’re just about getting started.  &lt;/p>&lt;p> &lt;/p>&lt;h3>A royal recipe for face mask&lt;/h3>&lt;p>Mix together in full fat cow’s milk, a few strands of saffron, soaked almond paste and a generous pinch of turmeric. This may sound like the recipe of turmeric latte but is one of the most effective masks for face to render skin that’s soft, clean and radiant. In fact, add to this some sandalwood powder, and you have a secret that will get you glowing for the festive season. &lt;/p>&lt;p>In south India, a mix of legume powders, gramflour, herbs, turmeric and Kumkum oil is traditionally used as a daily exfoliating cleanser to keep the skin soft and bright. Before Holi, in north India, there is a tradition of making super nourishing &lt;i>sarson ka ubtan&lt;/i> with turmeric, chickpea flour, mustard, sesame oil, fresh cream and honey. &lt;br>However, these super effective remedies came at a cost. They were a little messy and time-consuming, compromising on the convenience that modern skincare formulations promised. As spending time sourcing, pounding and blending the best ingredients got tougher—our time-tested beauty rituals were elbowed out.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>Not anymore. Desi DIYs once dismissed as rustic, pedestrian and messy, are getting ahead of the sheet masks and peel-off facials and staging a comeback of sorts! Beauty brands are curating the best of natural home remedies in easy-to-use powders—grandma-approves!  &lt;/p>&lt;p>AlsoRead0&lt;/p>&lt;h3>Ubtans – Ayurvedic beauty rituals &lt;/h3>&lt;p>“Ubtans or powdered cleansers are the world’s oldest cosmetics. The purist Ayurvedic remedies don’t have a mention of creams, gels or lotions, it was always formulations that are oil-based or in powder format,” explains Arush Chopra, co-founder and CEO, Just Herbs.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>Ubtan is herbal cleansing powder, that can be used in dry powdered form, or mixed with water or milk to make a cleansing paste. “Ayurveda mentions 32 ubtans and their recipes, the proportion in which herbs, roots, leaves, grains, barks, nuts and seeds should be mixed for a particular result. Ubtan is part of the 16 &lt;i>shringars &lt;/i>(16 steps to top-to-toe beautification) of bridal beauty. Different regions of the country may have a different take. Turmeric-sandalwood-saffron is one of the most ancient and popular ubtan recipes,” adds Dr Taruna Yadav, senior Ayurveda expert at Forest Essentials.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>The classic &lt;i>haldi-chandan&lt;/i> ubtan was used by the royal princesses to get a pre-festive golden sheen on their skin, in pre-highlighter era. Whether you want to calm the breakouts or get rid of the tan or reduce the appearance of fine lines, this is the perfect go-to powder mask. So effective was the combination of sandalwood, saffron and turmeric that it is an integral part of Indian wedding festivities. &lt;/p>&lt;p>Mayoon, is a similar ritual for the muslim brides-to-be where a ubtan made from turmeric, sandalwood powder, herbs and aromatic oils is applied to their hands and face. What has changed is the ease with which you can access it. All you need to do is to reach out to our favourite ayurvedic beauty brand, and chances are that you will find there. Take your pick from Forest Essentials Sandalwood and Turmeric Body Polisher, Kama Ayurveda Suvarna Haldi Chandan Face Pack, Just Herbs Body Luster Sandal Turmeric uptan.  &lt;/p>&lt;h3>Ubtans: The superheroes of Clean Beauty Movement &lt;/h3>&lt;p>With the clean beauty movement finding support amongst conscious consumers, increasingly it’s possible to find the beauty remedies you grew up with packed smartly and available off-the-shelves. Cruelty-free, paraben-free, sans silicones and fillers, 100% natural—these were not just words but a way of life in India till a generation ago. That’s because Ayurveda, the traditional Indian wellness system, which literally translates to the science of life, advises you shouldn’t put on your skin what you would not put inside your body. &lt;/p>&lt;p>These Ayurvedic staples are fast emerging as super heroes of the clean beauty movement as they tick all the boxes of being result-oriented, environment-friendly (no chemicals or microbeads that kill marine life) and completely naturally derived. “These are soap-free or non-foaming cleansers, made in small batches to preserve their freshness and potency. The moment you open a Forest Essentials ubtan –whether it is Tejasvi or Soundarya or Narangi and Nagkesar – you can smell the herbs and the freshness of the ingredients. Pure, fresh, this is as good as food for skin,” says Yadav.  &lt;/p>&lt;figure class="image image_resized" style="width:900px;">&lt;img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_sUbtan-Multani-Mitti_1612364621502.jpg" alt="Indian Ubtan Face Pack Multani Mitti">&lt;/figure>&lt;p>Earlier, while ubtans or powdered face masks were a part of the niche Ayurvedic-beauty segment, now they are becoming part of mainstream brands. Sample these: Innisfree 5 Minute Green Tea Leaf Powder promises to moisturise and cool the skin; Herbivore’s botanicals Pink Clay Mask is a gentle exfoliator for all skin types; Origins Ritualitea Matcha Revitalising Powder Face Mask claims to cleanse in a jiffy. Yadav points out that when used dry, as in case of &lt;i>udvartana &lt;/i>(an ayurvedic treatment with dry powders), it aids in reducing cellulite and overall toning of the body.  &lt;/p>&lt;h3>Ubtans—the zero preservative solution&lt;/h3>&lt;p>Unlike water-based beauty formulations that require preservatives, ubtans are powdered formulations with sun-dried and hand pounded ingredients. Hence no preservatives are required to stabilise the product. That these are 100 per cent natural is appealing to the new-age conscious beauty customer,” elaborates Chopra, who believes that ubtans are the backbone of an Ayurvedic brand like his.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>This is not all. “In Ayurveda, powder is supposed to be the most potent of all beauty ingredients. When you remove water from herbs and leaves, only the active ingredients remain. When extracting active ingredients from a particular herb, you can only extract 10-25 percent, whereas its 100 percent in a powdered format,” explains Prashanthy Gurugubelli, founder of Daughter Earth, an Ayurvedic beauty brand. Daughter Earth has come up with a single botanical powdered mask formula in seven variants, namely Jamun, Brahmi, Aloe vera, Amalaki, Neem, Lemon peel and Yastimadhu (licorice) as Gurugubelli wanted to preserve the potency and purity of the ingredients. “I wanted to give the choice to the customer to use the ingredients as they are or blend it as per their concerns.” &lt;/p>&lt;p>It’s not just the classic recipes which are getting bottled, but also unique family beauty secrets, which were handed down from mother to daughter. Deepshikha Deshmukh, founder of the brand Love Organically, delved into potent superfoods, royal beauty diaries and &lt;i>dadima’s &lt;/i>kitchen secrets to curate a range of powder face masks to addresses skin concerns – from tanning and dehydration to acne and oily skin. A big advocate of traditional ubtans, she points out that these are not just skin-friendly but also planet-friendly. “Unlike single-use sheet masks that end up clogging the gutters, powder face masks are easily biodegradable,” she says.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>AlsoRead1 &lt;/p>&lt;h3>Find your perfect Ubtan &lt;/h3>&lt;p>How do you know which one’s for you? Check out the ingredients and match those to your skin concerns is Yadav’s advice. Look for multitaskers. “For radiance or glow, look for saffron, rose, sandalwood, turmeric and orange peel. Neem, Multani Mitti and Nagkesar have a purifying effect and are good for acne-prone, oily skin types. Ubtans enriched with powder of nuts, such as almonds, walnuts and pistachio nourish from within, taking care of fine lines and first signs of ageing,” advises Dr Yadav.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>In Ayurveda, skin is categorised as per three doshas – vata (dry), pitta (combination) and kapha (oily) and the same ubtan will give best results if paired with the right mixing medium. “For vata we recommend nourishing whole milk or cream, for pitta, rose water or aloe vera works very well, whereas for kapha, mixers need to be astringent in nature, such as orange or lemon juice, tomato juice and yogurt to balance the oiliness,” adds Yadav.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>If you can only think of Cardi B and Nicki Minaj when you think of rap, you need to know about these Indian female rappers, who are carving a niche for themselves with their swag and struggle in the male-dominant industry. &lt;/p>&lt;p>The existing literature on the Indian hip-hop movement will offer you a bleak and fragmented view of its history; one that excludes women out of its ambit. So, if you Google about the history of hip-hop in India, the search is likely to throw up names of non-resident Indian male artistes, like Apache Indian, Bohemia and Baba Sehgal. The first mention of an Indian woman in the hip-hop industry comes with Taran Kaur Dhillon aka Hard Kaur, who came to the fore with her wildly popular single &lt;i>Ek Glassy&lt;/i> in 2007 and which went onto top the UK charts for that year.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>For many, Hard Kaur is the OG trailblazer, and as she tells us herself, “The first one to do it.” But when compared to contemporary female rappers in India – who have used their art to address burning issues around colour-prejudice and women’s rights – Hard Kaur’s music pales. For all it does is encourage you to drink, do bhangra or “Move Your Body.”  &lt;/p>&lt;p>AlsoRead0&lt;/p>&lt;p>That is not to say that Hard Kaur has not played an essential role. The playback singer, actress and rapper shares, “When I started, I was the only female hip-hop artiste, and it was much harder for me. Women always get treated as second class citizens. We are intelligent and talented, but the reason why we aren’t given opportunities is because if we are, we’ll kick everyone’s a#$.” So, in a way, artistes like her, Baba Sehgal, Apache Indian, Raftaar and Badshah – however banal and reminiscent of American hip-hop artistes of the ’90s and 2000s, who ruled MTV with their songs about riches and babes – paved the way for Indian hip-hop artistes by creating interest in Hindi-English hip-hop.   &lt;/p>&lt;h3>A change in the scene &lt;/h3>&lt;p>Then, came Divine and Naezy, two of the most famous rappers in the current Indian hip-hop scene, who – with their hard-hitting, vernacular lyrics and gully rap – helped shift focus to Desi Hip Hop, with the “scene” being further propelled when director Zoya Akhtar decided to make a Bollywood film on gully rappers who rose to fame from Mumbai’s slums. &lt;/p>&lt;p>Deepa Unnikrishnan, a Mumbai based indie female rapper, better known as Dee MC, who has garnered a lot of support in the industry and has featured briefly in the Ranveer Singh-and Alia Bhatt-starrer film, reveals that despite being well-known in the underground hip-hop movement in Mumbai, things only began looking up for her, after Gully Boy. “I am considered one of the front runners of underground hip-hop in India, and yet, I haven’t been approached by a label to date,” Dee MC laments.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>Dee MC recently released her new album, Dee=MC², and has used social reform as a subject in her songs, such as with Rang, for the video for which she tied up with online make-up retail brand, Nykaa. The bilingual number, with Hindi and English lyrics, addresses dark-skin prejudice in India, pulls no punches and goes like: &lt;i>Tan ko mere kuch aisa dikhaya/ Kaali hoon main iska ehsaas dilaya/ Karti bhi kya umar bas thi panch/ Rangeen thi duniya par main lagti daag.  &lt;/i>&lt;/p>&lt;p>Similarly, Mahima Dayal Mathur, a trained Hindustani classical vocalist, who goes by the moniker Bawari Basanti, isn’t an out-an-out hip-hop artiste, but sings about contemporary women in India. “I feel like there is a lot of resentment inside me from the deep-seated patriarchy that exists in our country. That is something that no movie will put a disclaimer for, no man will sing about, and no woman should ignore,” she says, adding that most of her new work will be about the idea of independence and protest.” &lt;/p>&lt;p>Like Mathur, Dee MC began classical training as a Bharatnatyam dancer at the age of five. She forayed into hip-hop culture through dance, until she, “Gradually began paying attention to the lyrics.” As someone who wrote poetry in school and danced, she says, “Rhythm came naturally to her, but struggled to find female artistes that weren’t mainstream.” &lt;/p>&lt;p>AlsoRead1&lt;/p>&lt;h3>The road to discovery &lt;/h3>&lt;p>Discovery, despite the undeniably growing intrigue in homegrown hip-hop artistes, continues to be an issue for female rappers in India. Trained in Carnatic, Bengaluru-based rapper Siri Narayan, or Siri (no, not Apple’s intelligent virtual assistant) sings in Kannada and English. Siri garnered renown after collaborating with TVF for the web-series Girlyapa’s anthem, &lt;i>Tu Bas Naach&lt;/i> and also featured in a song called Shuffle with Varun Dhawan. Highlighting the issues of discovery and representation vis-à-vis hip-hop in India and women, Siri says that many of the issues in this regard are the same as it would be in any field that is predominated by men. But particularly, “The problem with hip-hop in India is that most of the consumers are male, too. And even when I am performing, it's mostly men.”  &lt;/p>&lt;p>Siri believes that being a feminist rapper isn’t simply about having feminist content or lyrics. “For me, it’s not necessary to put feminist themes directly in my music. I also like working with women in the industry and co-creating a product by having female professionals behind the scenes, or behind the camera,” she shares. This comes through in Siri’s first video for the song, Live It, which showcases a bunch of girls having fun. “It doesn’t always have to mean something,” she asserts.  &lt;/p>&lt;h3>&lt;i>Mummy, main Gully Girl &lt;/i>&lt;/h3>&lt;p>Despite all odds, however, both mainstream Indian female rappers like Hard Kaur and Rajakumari and indie artistes like Dee MC, Siri and Mc Manmeet Kaur have managed to carve a niche (and an audience) for themselves. But this success was not without initial pushback from the family.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>“They all understand it now, but sometimes my mom’s like, ‘Okay, what’s happening?’ And then, at other times, she’s curious about my projects and proud. So, she takes turns, because I think it's a cognitive dissonance for her and my career choice confuses her. My dad however is very supportive," Siri shares.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>For Dee MC, too, things kicked off on a shaky note. “I was a chartered accountant (CA) and once I discovered the hip-hop community in Mumbai, it became very clear to me that I cannot sit in a cubicle or do a 9-to-5. So, the most difficult bit was breaking the news about me quitting CA to my parents . But me doing hip-hop is something that happened naturally and gradually until I was suddenly going for international tours to the UK and Canada. I feel that they couldn’t envision the future that we saw. Five years ago, no one understood why a bunch of people were going crazy about taking hip-hop forward in India, but now, they do.” &lt;/p>&lt;p>Yes, they do. Atta girls! &lt;/p>

&lt;p>Here’s a frothy coffee trend to shake you out off that self-quarantine-induced slumber and a much-needed caffeine fix to get through the day. All with three simple ingredients from your pantry, and some muscle power. While the world discovered Dalgona coffee during the COVID-19 pandemic – the beaten latte of sorts that took the internet by storm – for Indians, Dalgona is regular beaten coffee that we make when friends are over. The origin of this coffee is shrouded by ambiguity, in that, some claim that Dalgona coffee rose to fame after a South Korean actor, Jung Il-woo, made it popular on his TV show, &lt;i>Pyunstorang&lt;/i>, having discovered it in Macau; while others, attribute Dalgona’s popularity to a South Korean YouTube channel.&lt;/p>&lt;p>However, Dalgona Coffee’s Wikipedia page says that its genesis lies in India’s &lt;i>phenti hui coffee&lt;/i>, or basically our jugaad-version of Cappuccino from yore, where we vigorously whip sugar and instant coffee powder to form a foamy, creamy mix and top it up with hot milk. Dalgona turns&lt;i> phenti hui coffee&lt;/i> on its head, quite literally, with the coffee foam on top, and the milk under. The other difference is that Dalgona coffee, unlike &lt;i>phenti hui coffee&lt;/i>, makes use of chilled milk. A perfect recipe for Indian summers! &lt;/p>&lt;p>Dalgona coffee went viral once it reached TikTok, where #dalgonacoffee has up to 9M views and subsequently, on Instagram, where the same hashtag has garnered close to 88K hits. Fueled by the combined forces of coronavirus-inflicted social distancing, home quarantine and mass boredom, which is kept everyone hooked to their screens, Dalgona coffee topped the charts with its indulgent popularity.&lt;/p>&lt;p> &lt;/p>&lt;figure class="image image_resized image-style-align-left" style="width:50%;">&lt;img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Dalgona-inside_1612298262184.jpg" alt="DIY Dalgona Coffee viral">&lt;figcaption>© Unsplash&lt;/figcaption>&lt;/figure>&lt;p>Rizwan Amlani, CEO of DOPE Coffee, reiterates this, “From what I’ve understood about this coffee, it’s similar to our &lt;i>phenti hui coffee&lt;/i>, which we’ve been drinking in the Indian subcontinent for a long time. However, it owes its huge burst of fame to the inimitable K Pop’s love for all things beautiful.” Amlani adds that the coffee derives its name from an eponymous Korean sponge-cake-like candy. “Since both, instant coffee and milk, are whipped up into a fluffy froth, it’s a pretty fitting name. Now, with the work-from-home routine keeping so many people indoors, everyone’s open to experimenting and posting their version online. The perfect recipe for a trend,” he shares.&lt;/p>&lt;p>Adding to this, blogger and food expert , Nikhil Merchant, says, “I am actually quite thrilled with this trend. It caught steam in India when social media users realised that it’s our very own &lt;i>phenti hui coffee&lt;/i>, which we all grew up making and drinking as teens. This has a skewed outcome on those who already know about the technique vis-à-vis the younger generation, who are first discovering it on TikTok and then realising that it is our own desi version!” &lt;/p>&lt;p>Wait, is this another case of Haldi Doodh travelling to the West and returning with a dash of maple syrup to become 'Turmeric Latte?' Hmm, sounds like that. But there’s no point dismissing Dalgona coffee, for as Merchant rightly puts it, “What is there not to like about it? Dalgona coffee looks pretty and social media is all about visual appeal. Plus, it tastes so darn good that its natural for people to go into a tizzy.” &lt;/p>&lt;p>Try out these two recipes for a chilled cuppa of Dalgona.&lt;/p>&lt;h3>Phenti Hui Dalgona by Nikhil Merchant  &lt;/h3>&lt;h4>Ingredients &lt;/h4>&lt;p>1 tbsp instant coffee&lt;br>1 tbsp white sugar&lt;br>1 tbsp hot water&lt;br>200 ml unsweetened vanilla almond milk  &lt;br>2 to 3 cubes of ice  &lt;/p>&lt;h4>Method  &lt;/h4>&lt;ol>&lt;li>In a large bowl, mix the instant coffee with sugar and hot water. Traditionally, one would take a spoon or a fork, and go to town whisking this like you would beat an egg. The chemical reactions to the sugar-hot water and coffee along with the infusion of air would start thickening the concoction. A good 10 minutes of whipping is required. Or, you can use an electric whisk, which takes 2 minutes.&lt;/li>&lt;li>Fill a cup with the ice cubes and pour the almond milk on it.&lt;/li>&lt;li>Top it up with the whipped coffee and orange zest, and you have yourself a delicious chilled beverage.&lt;/li>&lt;/ol>&lt;p>Tip: For a sugar-free version, replace the white sugar with monk sugar. You can also replace the milk with your choice of dairy.  &lt;/p>&lt;h3>Dalgona Doped by Rizwan Amlani  &lt;/h3>&lt;h4>Ingredients &lt;/h4>&lt;p>150 ml of cold brew concentrate&lt;br>75 ml of almond milk &lt;br>2 tbsp jaggery powder&lt;br>8 cubes of ice &lt;/p>&lt;h4>Method &lt;/h4>&lt;ol>&lt;li>To make cold brew concentrate, all you need to do is steep some fresh roasted coarse ground coffee in water for 12-18 hours. Use a 1:10 ratio to keep it simple and strong. 100 grams of coffee: 1000 ml of water. It’s that easy!&lt;/li>&lt;li>Let the mixing begin! Drop the jaggery powder into the cold brew concentrate and mix until dissolved completely.&lt;/li>&lt;li>Volume Up. Using the hand foamer, whip up the almond milk for about 1-2 minutes until it doubles in volume. Keep the foamer as low in the mixer as you can; bringing it to the top will cause lots of bubbles!&lt;/li>&lt;li>Drop 6-8 ice cubes into a glass (if you have a highball, that works best). Pour in the coffee-jaggery mix and slowly layer in the milk foam.&lt;/li>&lt;li>Sip It! And, we’re done. BRB enjoying our coffee.&lt;/li>&lt;/ol>&lt;p> Tip: Prep the cold brew concentrate overnight in a large batch and you’ll be sorted all week. &lt;/p>

Whip up this viral coffee at home and let us know what you think.

Tracing the roots of the #dalgonacoffeechallenge , plus a recipe for Dalgona Coffee. 

How to make dalgona coffee at home | Food | Zee Zest

Hot Off The Internet: Dalgona Or Phenti Hui Coffee? 

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&lt;p>For the desi turmeric latte guzzling and makhana snacking #VSCO girl, the perfect wedding comes with shades of green. Not the seven sins variety, but an environmentally-friendly wedding that seals the biggest day of your life with love for Mother earth too.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>The big fat Indian wedding is a dream for every Indian girl who has grown up on a steady diet of blingy Bollywood rom-com. But the hottest trend, right now, is to have an eco-friendly wedding, which despite being extravagant is also mindful.  &lt;br />
 &lt;br />
Compostable confetti, seed paper cards, potted plants and vintage Cadillacs, we have rounded up expert advice on how to plan an eco-friendly wedding in an era of over-consumption and wastefulness. Try one or all of these small changes to make a big impact on your wedding day. &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>Going green with food &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
From carefully choosing eco-friendly cutlery to reducing food wastage at your wedding buffet, , a green wedding is one where you are conscious of food consumption, while minimising waste. &lt;/p>

&lt;p>Look for wedding caterers who focus on local, sustainable, and seasonal cuisine. Chef Sidney Dcunha, Executive Chef, Conrad Pune says, &ldquo;From using fresh organic produce from local farms in Pune to eco-friendly bamboo or coconut cutlery, we have stopped using plastic in all forms and are moving to paper as a substitute.&rdquo; That said, using porcelain and other reusable crockery continues to be an evergreen and ever-so-elegant option for an eco-friendly wedding. Another suggestion he gives is to associate with NGO&rsquo;s and orphanages where the untouched excess food can be donated. &lt;/p>

&lt;p>AlsoRead0&lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>Dig out family heirlooms &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
If Kareena Kapoor Khan could wear her mother-in-law, Sharmila Tagore Pataudi&rsquo;s heirloom sharara on her wedding, so can you. Upcycle your silken threads or heirloom pieces to give them a new lease of life!  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>Rather than splashing out big bucks on designer wear that you will wear once in your lifetime, repurpose some of the exquisite couture owned by your parents or grandparents. The same applies to jewellery; nothing better than precious vintage  baubles which are passed down from one generation to another to add a touch of timeless elegance to your wedding trousseau.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;img alt="sustainable wedding green wedding heirloom jewellery" src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Go-Green-Wedding-Heirloom-Jewellery_1612345722676.jpg" style="height:600px; width:900px" />&lt;/p>

&lt;p>If you&rsquo;ve rummaged through your mother&rsquo;s closets and found nothing suitable to wear for your wedding or reception, Chaithanya Ganesha, CEO and Director of Bangalore-based eco-friendly wedding planner Panigrahana, suggests that you can rent clothes and jewellery from several new-age fashion rental websites or pick separates to mix and match with what&rsquo;s in your closet.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>From being budget-friendly to saving you the hassle of hunting for the perfect outfit, companies such as Stage3, The Stylease, Rent It Bae and Flyrobe offer several options and packages to choose your designer togs for D-Day. What more? They also offer curated looks from bespoke designer wear along with trails and alterations to make your selection process smooth.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>If you want to buy something new, then try and find local brands which are eco-friendly, naturally dyed, handmade, and that support artisan communities, says Nilma Dileepan of Bangalore-based green wedding and event Design Company, With Love, Nilma. &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>An E-vite or seed paper invitation&lt;/strong> &lt;br />
In the digital age, a beautifully designed e-vite followed by a personal phone call or visit are socially acceptable when it comes to wedding invitations. But if you do want to send out invites the traditional way, then choose recycled paper or seed paper which can be later be replanted by wetting the green wedding invitations and throwing them in the soil. Also make sure to use only vegetable dyes for printing.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>An animal-free wedding &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
The groom comes astride a horse and for pomp and show, a couple of elephants amble on in the background for a baarat is a commonplace sight. But like royalty, these are anachronisms in modern day times. Rather than continuing these outdated practices, Ganesha recommends you to hire a vintage car or a fancy bike, all decked up with bells and whistles, and rev up to the mandap in style. &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>4 R&rsquo;s of wedding d&eacute;cor &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
When it comes to d&eacute;cor, Dileepan suggests picking elegant set-ups rather than blingy throwaways. Bring in the &lsquo;grammable chalkboard and cutesy mason jars, which can be reused. She recommends to reuse drapes, lighting, wooden d&eacute;cor and furniture, rather than build new iron thrones.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>Reduce the use of flowers, which should be locally sourced. Rather than using cut flowers for bouquets or garlands, you can use flower pots at the venue, especially as centerpieces on tables. She also recommends donating flowers to NGOs or organisations that use them to make holi colours or agarbattis. Check out companies like Phool and Green Wave.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>Recycling is a must post the wedding: the flowers and wasted food can be composted or given to a bio-gas plant.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>And finally, refuse anything that is not eco-friendly, after all it is your wedding and you can choose what you want!  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>Location, location, location &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
Rather than running helter-skelter from one venue in the city to another, a single venue will not only reduce your carbon footprint, but also enable you to save on expenses for the d&eacute;cor. Work with the location itself; if its outdoors, try and fit tables under the shade.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>Choose great weather for your eco-friendly wedding, thus you can enjoy the outdoors and reduce your carbon footprint, without the air-conditioning or heating in full blast.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>You&rsquo;ll score a big win if you host a function during the day, scoring big on the natural light for photographs and reducing the gas-guzzling generators.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>Get rid of plastic &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
Those pesky plastic bottles have created mountains of waste in our cities and are threatening to choke our oceans. Choose glass bottles instead and keep steel or glass tumblers to cut down on your plastic-footprint.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>The party favours &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
You&rsquo;re grateful for your bestie in California for having swung half way around the world to be a part of your wedding. So, how can you not gift her a wedding favour? For the travelling crew, a potted plant and seeds will not be practical, so think of something edible, such as mithai from a local halwai or recycled stationery.  &lt;/p>

&lt;p>A growing number of brides also choose to donate to their favourite charity instead of giving away favours. An elegantly tacked up sign board announcing the same will be much appreciated. &lt;/p>

&lt;p>AlsoRead1&lt;/p>

&lt;p>&lt;strong>Go easy on the photo albums &lt;/strong>&lt;br />
Yes, we know you want this day to be well documented. But there is no need for fifteen albums of each of your wedding functions and 1000s of printed images in this wired world. One wedding album for the couple is sufficient, and you can enjoy all your pictures saved on the cloud, they&rsquo;re just a swipe away. &lt;/p>

&lt;p>A small simple wedding by the beach. Or a quiet ceremony in the temple. Your big day should be exactly as you dreamed, and there is nothing more than being surrounded by your loved ones for this occasion. But you can choose how big or small you want it to be. And how gentle you want to be with the Mother Nature which gives so much to you, including infinite love.  &lt;/p>


Let the D-Day of your life be eco-friendly. We show you how...

Throwing an environmentally friendly wedding does not mean you have to do away the dreams of a grand wedding. Zee Zest got in touch with specialists to show you 9 simple ways to have a green wedding. 

How to plan an eco-friendly wedding | Zee Zest

9 Easy Peasy Ways to Go Green at Your Wedding  

&lt;p>Scrolling down contenders of the Word of the Year title by Oxford Dictionary, in the last decade, scarcely scores any confidence in modern day living. Consider these words: climate emergency, climate crisis, eco-anxiety, ecocide and global heating, to name a few. It’s enough to make any VSCO girl scream and discard her bamboo toothbrush, run straight for the hills. But worry not, we speak to experts who help us embrace slow living and a sustainable lifestyle in the first year of the new decade, one doable step at a time. &lt;/p>&lt;h3>Going Farm-To-Fork Gracefully &lt;/h3>&lt;p>The Netflix documentary Game Changers threw the spotlight on the latest edible movement of going plant-based. But whether you are a meat eater, flexitarian, pescatarian or vegan, there are habits that will help you embrace a holistic diet going ahead. We speak to Delhi-based Radhika Khandelwal, Chef-Owner at Fig & Maple and Ivy & Bean, who shares some insights: “The coming decade promises to be one where people will be more conscious about what they eat, how they eat it, and where they procure what they eat from.” &lt;/p>&lt;h4>1. Grow your own produce&lt;/h4>&lt;p>So what if you don’t have a lovely garden? Use your kitchen window sill or balcony for herbs or spices for a bit of home farming. Think lettuce, chillies, spinach, carrots, even beetroots, and herbs such as oregano, basil and parsley. Then you can season your cauliflower and vegan cheese pizza with herbs and tomatoes plucked straight from your flower pots. &lt;/p>&lt;h4>2. Swap a mainstream ingredient&lt;/h4>&lt;p>An easy food swap (like rice or wheat) with an ingredient that's more diverse (like millet, barley, or buckwheat). This will help you stave off possible allergies due to GMOs, and eat locally grown, ethnic produce while supporting marginal farmers. As far as possible, try and choose organic, non-GMO grains.  &lt;/p>&lt;h4>3. Source produce consciously&lt;/h4>&lt;p>Elbow your way to the local farmers’ market that are sprouting up across Indian cities to choose  from the beautiful, knobbly irregular-shaped produce that is fresh and straight from the soil without sweating over the airmiles. It’s time to ditch the perfectly shaped and polished veggies in supermarkets. Don’t forget to carry your own shopping bag with you! &lt;/p>&lt;h4>4. Preserve food&lt;/h4>&lt;p>According to John-Hopkins medicine, there is a very pertinent connection between the mind and the gut. Rather than guzzling down probiotics, why not chomp on gut friendly foods? Khandelwal recommends using techniques like pickling, fermenting, jamming, etc., to get all the good microbes in your tummy doing their bit. &lt;/p>&lt;h4>5. Eat the rainbow!&lt;/h4>&lt;p> “A diverse diet is good for the body and good for the planet!” says Khandelwal. Add generous servings of fruits and vegetables across the colour spectrum on your plate, giving you different vitamins, minerals and fibre, while being low in fat and calories. &lt;/p>&lt;p>AlsoRead0 &lt;/p>&lt;h3>Travelling Responsibly &lt;/h3>&lt;p>Tourism is known to leave a big, fat indelible footprint across earth. But it doesn’t have to be that way. A lot of tourists are becoming aware about their carbon footprint and environmental impact. In fact, reports state that around 38 per cent of Indians will adopt slow travel this year.  &lt;br>Shivya Nath, Author, Blogger and Founder of The Shooing Star, and responsible traveller, set out on her first solo trip in 2011. “In the age of over tourism and in the midst of a climate crisis, responsible tourism is not just a pressing need to protect the incredible natural and cultural heritage of our world, but is also the only way we can still find authentic experiences, engage meaningfully with locals and savour the pristine beauty (or what remains of it) on our planet,” says Nath. &lt;/p>&lt;h4>6. Expand the travel narrative&lt;/h4>&lt;p>We need to transform our guide-book driven travel narrative and embrace something experiential. “We need to expand travel to experiences that stimulate us and move away from the peer pressure of seeing or doing something just because it’s marketed as THE thing to do,” she says. So, the next time you decide a holiday, look at a food experience, the art, the music and culture of a region, rather than vying for a selfie at the ‘in’ spot. &lt;/p>&lt;h4>7. Go off season or choose countries off the beaten track&lt;/h4>&lt;p> Avoid being one of the sweaty hoard of tourists that arrives at a tourist destination during peak season when countless others descend as well. Shimla’s water crisis two years ago is a scary reminder of tourism’s negative impact on a destination. “The most practical tip to fix this imbalance is to prioritise countries or regions where locals are still genuinely curious to meet travellers, and can still reap the positive benefits of tourism,” says Nath. &lt;/p>&lt;h4>8. Opt for eco-friendly, local-run accommodations&lt;/h4>&lt;p>Nath, who has stayed in tiny boutique gems such as The Secret Garden in Goa and Sarmoli in Uttarakhand says, “Staying at eco-friendly homes has enabled me to experience the local culture beyond the tourist track, immerse myself in nature, interact with locals doing meaningful work in the area and gain an understanding of the unique circumstances of the people I’m visiting.” &lt;/p>&lt;h4>9. Walk, cycle or take public transport&lt;/h4>&lt;figure class="image image-style-align-left">&lt;img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Slow-Living-inside-1_1612345798858.jpg" alt="Slow Living Slow Travel Cycling">&lt;/figure>&lt;p>While you can be awfully tempted to jump in the next Uber when you’re on vacation, Nath recommends you slow down and smell the roses, enjoy scenic locales and reduce your carbon footprint. This is the most immersive way to discover a new city. &lt;/p>&lt;h3>Building a Sustainable Home&lt;/h3>&lt;p>Our homes are sanctuaries in a world plagued by busy-ness. In the times of Marie Kondo, a clutter-free home not only keeps good energy flowing, it frees up resources for you to spend on something much more valuable: experiences. Jenny Pinto, Founder of Oorjaa, a design studio that handcrafts sustainable materials into lighting solutions, tells us how to go green at home and incorporate sustainable living practices.  &lt;/p>&lt;h4>10. Be mindful of your purchases&lt;/h4>&lt;p>“Do I really need this?” Pinto asks you to question every purchase, however enticing—home theatre, laptop, cooking stove, and wine cooler. She advises the same restraint when you want to throw something away. “Many things can be recycled, repurposed or restored creatively,” she says. Dispose rubble and household items properly. Rubble can be used to landscape the gardens, or even something innovative like building a feature wall.  &lt;/p>&lt;h4>11. An intelligent home design &lt;/h4>&lt;p>Living within four walls can be restrictive, so if you have the privilege to build or reconstruct your own home, Pinto advises you to design an energy efficient home. Account for ventilation to reduce the use of an AC. Bring in natural light into your home through windows. Add solar heaters and switch to LED bulbs. And finally, add a composting system and use water saving devices in your home.  &lt;/p>&lt;h3>In the Pink of Health&lt;/h3>&lt;p>With stress, lifestyle diseases and depression on the rise, the popularity of holistic healing and wellness is understandable. Managing stress through yoga, meditation and pranayama, and turning inwards can enrich your outer world faster than any blingy bauble. Dr. Hansaji Jayadeva Yogendra, Director, The Yoga Institute, the world’s oldest yoga organisation, tells us to make changes slowly, rather than suddenly and based on the latest fads in glossies. She says, “Always follow what your body is comfortable with. Yoga says to be with yourself, understand yourself. Observe which food suits you and which doesn’t, which routine suits you and which doesn’t and make your life accordingly.” &lt;/p>&lt;figure class="image image_resized" style="width:900px;">&lt;img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Slow-Living-inside-2_1612345816286.jpg" alt="Slow Living Yoga ">&lt;/figure>&lt;h4>12. Eat home-cooked and fresh food&lt;/h4>&lt;p>Focus on ‘Ahar’ eating four times a day, she says. Food needs to be enjoyed, without skipping any meal (breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner). Drink liquids while eating and focus your awareness not only on what you are eating, but also how much.  &lt;/p>&lt;h4>13. Rest and Recreation with a dose of discipline&lt;/h4>&lt;p>A healthy dose of ‘Achar’ or discipline is essential in modern day living where you laze around in the bed past noon on the weekends, or binge watch Netflix the whole day in PJs. “Discipline solves half your problems,” she explains. Add to that some ‘Vihar’ or rest and recreation, says Jayadeva Yogendra, whether it is sports thrice a week, a good stretch with yoga, or a refreshing walk in the neighbourhood park.  &lt;/p>&lt;h4>14. Food for thought&lt;/h4>&lt;p>Think positive thoughts, remain calm and composed in every situation for a balanced state of mind. Meditate. Sit with yourself alone each day for some time, analyse where you are and where you want to go and work towards your goal.  &lt;/p>&lt;h3>Embracing Clean Beauty&lt;/h3>&lt;p>With pictures for the ‘gram and social media having exploded to the stratosphere, naturally looking good is paramount. But in our polluted cities, is there a gentler way of looking good without another layer of chemicals? DIY masks, face scrubs and other grandmother’s recipes are soaring in popularity, so before you reach for the turmeric latte, slather some of the fresh tuber on your face. &lt;/p>&lt;h4>15. Protect your skin with layers&lt;/h4>&lt;p>“Pollution is the biggest aggressor of skin issues that causes inflammation, damages collagen, disrupts the skin barrier, and consequently accelerates ageing,” says Nandeeta Manchandaa, the founder of Enn's Closet. Therefore, it’s important to create a protective layer with a toner, serum, moisturiser, and sunscreen to form a barely-there yet efficient barrier between the pollutants and skin. Manchandaa recommends people switch to natural, safe and chemical free products, so that the harmful ingredients don’t penetrate into the bloodstream and cause harm in the long run.  &lt;/p>&lt;h4>16. Embrace ancient tools&lt;/h4>&lt;p>Whether it is a kansa massage wand, a jade roller or Gua-sha, there are ample traditional beauty tools you can add to your arsenal to give you skin a lift, without resorting to invasive, painful procedures. “These tools offer a holistic approach to beauty and wellness, firmly rooted in their respective cultures. This traditional system believes in prevention and daily tending, helping in regular detox to prevent the onset of disease” says Rajni Ohri, founder of Ohria Ayurveda, which has created the Tridoshic Kansa skin massage wand for clean beauty warriors. &lt;/p>&lt;h4>17. Substitute chemicals with DIY&lt;/h4>&lt;p>Instead of slathering on a body wash with micro beads, use a gram flour and masoor dal ubtan. In place of chemical filled shampoos, use a mixture of &lt;i>amla, reetha&lt;/i> and &lt;i>shikakhai&lt;/i>. Eschew moisturisers, and rather slather on some body oil. The internet is full of granny’s beauty tips, so log on to glean wisdom from our ancestors, with proper precaution.  &lt;/p>&lt;h3>Consume Fashion Responsibly&lt;/h3>&lt;p>The $2.5 trillion fashion industry is touted as the second most polluting industry in the world, accounting for more than eight per cent of the global climate impact, more than the airline and shipping sector. So, before you click on the buy button for your next fast fashion purchase, stop and think of how you’re impacting the planet.  &lt;/p>&lt;h4>18. Embrace smaller, slow fashion labels&lt;/h4>&lt;p>Buy slow fashion labels, which follow ethical practices and are gentle on earth. However, balance consumption by deliberating over every purchase. And if you buy one, give two pre-loved clothes away. “Being conscious of your consumption and buying lesser but better makes you want to automatically pick up clothing that has a story behind it, because you know it’s going to be in your wardrobe for a long time” says Natasha Tyagi Sachdeva, founder and Head of Design and Creatives, Taaka Clothing. &lt;/p>&lt;h4>19. Host clothes and accessories swapping parties&lt;/h4>&lt;p>When you don’t want to repeat an outfit (blame it on social media!), rather than discard it or stuff it at the back of your cupboard, host a clothes swapping party, where you and your friends and siblings can refresh their wardrobes, while it being easy on the pocket, says Tanya Jain, founder of slow fashion label, Pasithea. &lt;/p>&lt;h4>20. Refresh your old clothes&lt;/h4>&lt;p>Give a new lease of life to old clothes says Tyagi Sachdeva, who adds small badges or hand embroiders small hearts, stars or contrast stitch-lines on her old clothes to give them a wee pop. “I also love getting my clothes re-dyed to give them a new life,” says the designer, who also rushes to the &lt;i>darzi &lt;/i>to patch clothes together to remake them with patches or repurpose them.  &lt;/p>

Slow down, take a moment, learn from ancient wisdom 

From buying from local Farmers' Markets to thinking twice before making any purchase, let the new decade be about being conscious and slow living. 

20 Ideas for Slow Living, Clean Eating and Conscious Travel - Zee Zest

20 Ideas to Live Slow, Eat Clean and Travel Consciously in the New Decade

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&lt;p>Far away from the mass-produced and overly sweet bars by iconic brands in India, a bunch of homegrown craft chocolate makers are carving out their identity with high-quality cacao, a wide palate of unique flavours, small batches and loads of passion. Focused on transparency and sustainability, bean-to-bar is a long, arduous process where these chocolate makers use locally-sourced raw cacao beans that are roasted, winnowed and ground, in a controlled environment to transform into a delectable chocolate bar. These chocolate bars are also infused with local, seasonal ingredients to create concoctions that speak for themselves. Dark chocolate with bhut jholokia chilli and Himalayan pink salt, a zero-sugar milk chocolate with glazed ginger and vegan dark chocolate with black sesame – you’ll be amazed how much they can do with regional and local ingredients.&lt;/p>&lt;p>The bean-to-bar movement in India goes back to 2014. It was kick-started by two brands, Naviluna (then Earth Loaf) in Mysore and Mason & Co. in Puducherry. In the new decade, we are at 15 (and counting) such chocolate makers who are dedicated to producing good-quality and preservative-free chocolate for all ages. &lt;/p>&lt;p>AlsoRead1&lt;/p>&lt;p>Here, we bring to you our pick of the best craft chocolate brands in the country. &lt;/p>&lt;h3>1. Pascati &lt;/h3>&lt;figure class="media">&lt;oembed url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CLGvIZXp3nR/">&lt;/oembed>&lt;/figure>&lt;p>India’s first USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) certified organic and fairtrade compliant chocolate maker, Pascati was founded by restaurant manager-turned-chocolatier and entrepreneur Devansh Asher. Asher’s tryst with chocolate began in early 2014 and curious to know more, he enrolled himself in a three-month online chocolate-making course. After a year of polishing his skills, experimenting with flavours and delving deeper into the Indian cacao, he launched Pascati in 2015. Social responsibility is at the core of everything Pascati does. The brand sources its beans from farmer’s collectives in Kerala’s Idukki and Malabar regions, which means livelihood for 2000+ farmers, and, over the last five years, has developed 14 different types of chocolate. &lt;/p>&lt;p>&lt;i>Must try: Saffron pistachio dark &lt;/i>&lt;/p>&lt;p>&lt;i>Where to buy: www.pascati.com &lt;/i>&lt;/p>&lt;h3>2. Mason & Co. &lt;/h3>&lt;figure class="media">&lt;oembed url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CFytgoxp68E/">&lt;/oembed>&lt;/figure>&lt;p>Organic, vegan and raw, this single-origin chocolate brand was founded in Auroville, Puducherry by Jane Mason and Fabien Bontems, a lawyer and a sound engineer, respectively. It began in 2014, when Mason, a vegan, saw a dearth of good chocolate brands in the country. Mason and Bontems started by making small batches for themselves at home and assessing the flavour and quality of local cacao beans. Soon, their chocolate became popular among friends and family, which eventually motivated the duo to go from a home lab to an artisan factory and launch Mason & Co. They have an all-women team (except Bontems) who work with beans sourced from certified organic farms in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to make chocolate bars that are free of preservatives and emulsifiers. Mason & Co. products come wrapped in elegant cardboard boxes with a coloured band that denotes flavour. Espresso dark chocolate, natural coconut milk and dark chocolate with peanut butter are a few of the flavours on offer here. &lt;/p>&lt;p>&lt;i>Must try: Black Sesame and Raisin Dark Chocolate &lt;/i>&lt;/p>&lt;p>&lt;i>Where to buy: www.masonchocolate.com&lt;/i>&lt;/p>&lt;h3>3. Naviluna &lt;/h3>&lt;figure class="media">&lt;oembed url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CKxa7DkJ4up/">&lt;/oembed>&lt;/figure>&lt;p>Formerly known as Earth Loaf, Naviluna is one of the pioneers of craft chocolate in India. It is helmed by British mixologists-turned-entrepreneurs David Belo and Angelika Anangnostou. The bean-to-bar chocolate brand was founded in 2012 and it focuses on keeping it as raw and simple as possible -- they neither roast their single-origin cacao beans nor add butter to their chocolate. The duo believes the lack of roasting preserves its natural benefits and adds a distinct flavour profile to the final product. Just like most bean-to-bar brands, Naviluna’s chocolates are small batch and features offbeat flavour combinations such as jackfruit and black pepper, red capsicum and chilli, and Blue Tokai coffee and pineapple.&lt;/p>&lt;p>&lt;i>Must try: Gondhoraj and Apricot Bar &lt;/i>&lt;/p>&lt;p>&lt;i>Where to buy: naviluna.in&lt;/i>&lt;/p>&lt;h3>4. Soklet &lt;/h3>&lt;figure class="media">&lt;oembed url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CCsn8TbpAdI/">&lt;/oembed>&lt;/figure>&lt;p>Soklet takes the bean-to-bar concept a notch higher by growing their own cacao beans. It is owned by brothers-in-law Karthikeyan Palanisamy and Harish Manoj Kumar and the entire process, from breeding cacao trees to chocolate making and packaging, takes place at their set-up located on the foothills of the Anamalai Hills in Pollachi, Tamil Nadu. Soklet's offerings, including dark and milk varieties paired with interesting ingredients such as hibiscus, desi rabdi and spice, come wrapped in an equally interesting packaging that is inspired by Kanjeevaram sari borders. The founding duo also sells cooking chocolate made from their plantation's beans under the brand name Regal Chocolate.&lt;/p>&lt;p>&lt;i>Must try: 70% dark chocolate with Bhot Jolokia chilli and Himalayan pink salt &lt;/i>&lt;/p>&lt;p>&lt;i>Where to buy: soklet.in&lt;/i> &lt;/p>&lt;h3>5. Kocoatrait &lt;/h3>&lt;figure class="media">&lt;oembed url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CGp5efap8mj/">&lt;/oembed>&lt;/figure>&lt;p>In 2014, when L Nitin Chordia went on a study trip to Belgium, he realised the potential of Indian cacao beans. At the same time, he also got introduced to the concept of bean-to-bar chocolate. Once back, he spent approximately five years educating enthusiasts about the entire process of chocolate-making until he was ready to launch Kocoatrait. Started in October 2019, Kocoatrait is for people who want to binge on quality chocolate but also save the environment. The brand claims to be a zero-waste product, meaning its packaging is made using eco-friendly materials like cotton waste and cacao shells. Most of their products are vegan and are sweetened using khandsari sugar from Uttar Pradesh. Apart from chocolate bars, they also sell bon bons, cocoa powder and cocoa nibs. Apart from chocolate bars, they also sell bon bons, cocoa powder and cocoa nibs. &lt;/p>&lt;p>&lt;i>Must try: Coconut and Cinnamon Chocolate &lt;/i>&lt;/p>&lt;p>&lt;i>Where to buy: cocoatrait.com&lt;/i>&lt;/p>

These craft chocolate makers are creating concoctions that speak for themselves.

Here is a list of bean to bar chocolate brands in India that you must try. 

Best Artisanal Chocolate Brands in India | Food | Zee Zest

Bean-To-Bar Chocolates that are Raising the Bar in India

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<p>For the desi turmeric latte guzzling and makhana snacking #VSCO girl, the perfect wedding comes with shades of green. Not the seven sins variety, but an environmentally-friendly wedding that seals the biggest day of your life with love for Mother earth too.  </p><p>The big fat Indian wedding is a dream for every Indian girl who has grown up on a steady diet of blingy Bollywood rom-com. But the hottest trend, right now, is to have an eco-friendly wedding, which despite being extravagant is also mindful.  </p><p>Compostable confetti, seed paper cards, potted plants and vintage Cadillacs, we have rounded up expert advice on how to plan an eco-friendly wedding in an era of over-consumption and wastefulness. Try one or all of these small changes to make a big impact on your wedding day. </p><h3>1. Going green with food </h3><p>From carefully choosing eco-friendly cutlery to reducing food wastage at your wedding buffet, , a green wedding is one where you are conscious of food consumption, while minimising waste. </p><p>Look for wedding caterers who focus on local, sustainable, and seasonal cuisine. Chef Sidney Dcunha, Executive Chef, Conrad Pune says, “From using fresh organic produce from local farms in Pune to eco-friendly bamboo or coconut cutlery, we have stopped using plastic in all forms and are moving to paper as a substitute.” That said, using porcelain and other reusable crockery continues to be an evergreen and ever-so-elegant option for an eco-friendly wedding. Another suggestion he gives is to associate with NGO’s and orphanages where the untouched excess food can be donated. </p><p>AlsoRead0</p><h3>2. Dig out family heirlooms </h3><p>If Kareena Kapoor Khan could wear her mother-in-law, Sharmila Tagore Pataudi’s heirloom sharara on her wedding, so can you. Upcycle your silken threads or heirloom pieces to give them a new lease of life!  </p><p>Rather than splashing out big bucks on designer wear that you will wear once in your lifetime, repurpose some of the exquisite couture owned by your parents or grandparents. The same applies to jewellery; nothing better than precious vintage  baubles which are passed down from one generation to another to add a touch of timeless elegance to your wedding trousseau.  </p><p> </p><figure class="image"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Go-Green-Wedding-Heirloom-Jewellery_1612345722676.jpg" alt="sustainable wedding green wedding heirloom jewellery"></figure><p>If you’ve rummaged through your mother’s closets and found nothing suitable to wear for your wedding or reception, Chaithanya Ganesha, CEO and Director of Bangalore-based eco-friendly wedding planner Panigrahana, suggests that you can rent clothes and jewellery from several new-age fashion rental websites or pick separates to mix and match with what’s in your closet.  </p><p>From being budget-friendly to saving you the hassle of hunting for the perfect outfit, companies such as Stage3, The Stylease, Rent It Bae and Flyrobe offer several options and packages to choose your designer togs for D-Day. What more? They also offer curated looks from bespoke designer wear along with trails and alterations to make your selection process smooth.  </p><p>If you want to buy something new, then try and find local brands which are eco-friendly, naturally dyed, handmade, and that support artisan communities, says Nilma Dileepan of Bangalore-based green wedding and event Design Company, With Love, Nilma. </p><h3>3. An E-vite or seed paper invitation</h3><p>In the digital age, a beautifully designed e-vite followed by a personal phone call or visit are socially acceptable when it comes to wedding invitations. But if you do want to send out invites the traditional way, then choose recycled paper or seed paper which can be later be replanted by wetting the green wedding invitations and throwing them in the soil. Also make sure to use only vegetable dyes for printing.  </p><h3>4. An animal-free wedding </h3><p>The groom comes astride a horse and for pomp and show, a couple of elephants amble on in the background for a baarat is a commonplace sight. But like royalty, these are anachronisms in modern day times. Rather than continuing these outdated practices, Ganesha recommends you to hire a vintage car or a fancy bike, all decked up with bells and whistles, and rev up to the mandap in style. </p><h3>5. 4 R’s of wedding décor </h3><p>When it comes to décor, Dileepan suggests picking elegant set-ups rather than blingy throwaways. Bring in the ‘grammable chalkboard and cutesy mason jars, which can be reused. She recommends to reuse drapes, lighting, wooden décor and furniture, rather than build new iron thrones.  </p><p>Reduce the use of flowers, which should be locally sourced. Rather than using cut flowers for bouquets or garlands, you can use flower pots at the venue, especially as centerpieces on tables. She also recommends donating flowers to NGOs or organisations that use them to make holi colours or agarbattis. Check out companies like Phool and Green Wave.  </p><p>Recycling is a must post the wedding: the flowers and wasted food can be composted or given to a bio-gas plant.  </p><p>And finally, refuse anything that is not eco-friendly, after all it is your wedding and you can choose what you want!  </p><h3>6. Location, location, location </h3><p>Rather than running helter-skelter from one venue in the city to another, a single venue will not only reduce your carbon footprint, but also enable you to save on expenses for the décor. Work with the location itself; if its outdoors, try and fit tables under the shade.  </p><p>Choose great weather for your eco-friendly wedding, thus you can enjoy the outdoors and reduce your carbon footprint, without the air-conditioning or heating in full blast.  </p><p>You’ll score a big win if you host a function during the day, scoring big on the natural light for photographs and reducing the gas-guzzling generators.  </p><h3>7. Get rid of plastic </h3><p>Those pesky plastic bottles have created mountains of waste in our cities and are threatening to choke our oceans. Choose glass bottles instead and keep steel or glass tumblers to cut down on your plastic-footprint.  </p><h3>8. The party favours </h3><p>You’re grateful for your bestie in California for having swung half way around the world to be a part of your wedding. So, how can you not gift her a wedding favour? For the travelling crew, a potted plant and seeds will not be practical, so think of something edible, such as mithai from a local halwai or recycled stationery.  </p><p>A growing number of brides also choose to donate to their favourite charity instead of giving away favours. An elegantly tacked up sign board announcing the same will be much appreciated. </p><p>AlsoRead1</p><h3>9. Go easy on the photo albums </h3><p>Yes, we know you want this day to be well documented. But there is no need for fifteen albums of each of your wedding functions and 1000s of printed images in this wired world. One wedding album for the couple is sufficient, and you can enjoy all your pictures saved on the cloud, they’re just a swipe away. </p><p>A small simple wedding by the beach. Or a quiet ceremony in the temple. Your big day should be exactly as you dreamed, and there is nothing more than being surrounded by your loved ones for this occasion. But you can choose how big or small you want it to be. And how gentle you want to be with the Mother Nature which gives so much to you, including infinite love.  </p>

Throwing an environmentally friendly wedding does not mean you have to do away the dreams of a grand wedding. Zee Zest got specialists to show you 9 ways to have a green wedding. 

How to plan an eco-friendly wedding - Zee Zest

Wedding

From choosing the right kind of equipment to utilising your furniture, here's your guide to stay in shape during lockdown.

How to set up a home gym during lockdown, read zeezest.com  

Interview With Dr Mickey Mehta| Zee Zest   

Mickey Mehta Helps You Set Up A Home Gym You'll Actually Want To Work Out In 

Mumbai or NY, if you are fed up of living in small houses, bookmark these clever tips to open out your home and make it look bigger than it is.

Adding neutral colours and mirrors, letting natural light in and using smart storage options will make your home less cramped. For more such stories, read Zeezest.com

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Mental health practitioners are here to help combat the various issues we are collectively dealing with during the pandemic.

Mental health practitioners Asees Chadha and Varkha Chulani address various mental health issues we are collectively dealing with during the pandemic. Read ZeeZest.com

How to take care of my mental health in the pandemic | Covid 19 | Zee Zest

COVID-19: The Mental Health Guide For All 

<p>If you are still struggling to enforce a disciplined work from home routine and be productive while juggling multiple responsibilities at home, fret not. With the Covid-19 vaccine still a distant dream away, you may find yourself in a prolonged work-from-home situation. For the longest time, and for most corporate employees, work from home was been a perk that topped the work-life wish list, considering it comes with freedom and minus the soul-crushing commute and without managers or co-workers hanging over your head. </p><p>But the long-term risk of WFH burnout is real. </p><p>While the Coronavirus outbreak has led offices to function from home, there are several challenges that are making it less fun than one had imagined. Many of us are perhaps finding it difficult to maintain a work-life balance with this new routine, often slipping into chill mode without notice, and then, working ourselves to the ground to overcompensate. This affects productivity, and eventually, our mental health.   </p><p>It makes one wonder – perhaps freelancers are better equipped for this? So, we spoke to 8 at-home professionals, who have been acing the work-from-home game for years, to share their mantras on working from home. </p><h3>1. Set Ground Rules </h3><p>It’s easier to get distracted  when you’re working from home because you’re more accessible to friends and family, shares Mumbai-based author and food blogger, Kalyan Karmakar. Whether it’s family members having a random discussion, relatives/friends calling in to check on you, pets creating a ruckus and/or delivery people.  </p><p>“Self-discipline is key. So, you need to set a few boundaries. Set your working hours and inform your family members about it to ensure they don’t disturb you during that time. Also, avoid attending casual calls, as they can affect the focus,” Karmakar explains, adding that it’s okay to take calls that are urgent, but one must return to their task immediately so that their schedule doesn’t go for a toss. </p><h3>2. Self-Discipline is Key </h3><p>“There’s a sense of freedom which comes with working from home. Since you don’t have hours to clock in, you may get into a comfort zone. But by getting, lackadaisical you’ll soon be behind all deadlines,” cautions Magandeep Singh, a sommelier, writer and columnist. To combat this, he suggests you understand your work schedule and set a routine. However, this need not be according to a traditional 9-to-5 schedule. “I work in the food and drinks space, where meetings can happen at any time of the day. So, if I know I have one in the evening, I complete all other tasks in the first half of the day. This way,  I can dedicate the second half of my day to meetings, without stressing out about pending work.” </p><p>Another important thing that Singh points out is to remember to wrap up on time so your work life doesn’t bleed into your personal one. </p><p>AlsoRead0</p><h3>3. Create a Designated Workspace </h3><p>Working from home doesn’t mean cosying up in bed or on the couch with your laptop. Neeti Mehra, Founder and CEO, Beej Living, a sustainability-forward consultancy, believes  designating an uncluttered part of your house as the workspace helps. “My mantra is to create a pleasing workspace by setting it up with work-related odds and ends. Such as my notepad, electronic devices I’ll be using and a light snack,” reveals Mehra, adding that she also changes out of her pyjamas for work.  </p><h3>4. Make a To-Do List  </h3><p>Independent communications consultant Rachna Raichandani swears by to-do lists, for household chores and work.  “When you tick off these tasks from the list, it feels good,” she tells us, adding that it also  provides you the opportunity to look back and self-evaluate.  </p><figure class="image image_resized" style="width:900px;"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Ways-to-manage-WFH-inside_1612360416402.jpg" alt="Manage Work For Home Better To-Do notes"></figure><h3>5. Start Your Day Slowly </h3><p>Waking up at 8:59 am and getting to work at 9 am, is a big no-no. “Remember the commute time? You need a little buffer to begin your day,” shares freelance journalist Phorum Dalal. “I like to enjoy two cups of black coffee in the balcony while soaking in some Vitamin D. During this time, I listen to a lift-me-up song and scroll through motivating memes and quotes on Instagram.” After a light breakfast and shower, she settles at her designated work area to begin the day. </p><p>AlsoRead1</p><h3>6. Eat a Live Frog </h3><p>Like Raichandani, Dalal too creates a to-do list. But when it comes to completing her tasks, she goes by what celebrated American author Mark Twain once popularly said – “If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning". Dalal advises you to tackle the toughest task of the day head-on straight and first thing in the morning, so the rest of the day can flow easily.  </p><h3>7. Get Dressed </h3><p>“I’m not saying you suit up but try not to sit it your pyjamas to work from home,” suggests Raichandani, adding that taking this tiny effort helps one prepare mentally. “Staying in your pyjamas is bound to make you feel  lethargic,” she opines. Plus, you’re also prepared for unannounced video calls. <br>However, Dalal begs to differ. “One  of the advantages of working from home is that you don’t need to dress up or put on make-up. So, if you’re comfortable working in your pyjamas, that’s totally fine,” she says.  </p><h3>8. Don’t Forget Household Chores </h3><p>Anirudh Menon, co-founder Mesa Branding and Advertising, has been working from home since 2017. Menon advises you to chalk out time for your household chores, too. “If you start pushing/ignoring other commitments, they are bound to pile up.” Imagine washing the entire day’s dishes at midnight, when you could have binge-watched a favourite show. Or, realising you’ve run out of groceries late in the day because you pushed it for a client call. </p><p>AlsoRead2</p><h3>9. Cultivate Healthier Habits </h3><p>From unmindfully consuming alluring  snacks to skipping meals, WFH can throw up unique challenges that go on to affect one’s health. To keep them at bay, Mehra recommends walking around the house or stretching in intervals. She also advises snacking on fruits and drinking <i>nimbu paani</i>. </p><h3>10. Stay Connected </h3><p>“I am a sucker for the written word. So, I write to my peers  and friends every once in a while to discuss developments in their work-life and the challenges they are facing. And to also share a light moment, which helps keep the morale high,” Dalal shares, suggesting taking a few moments in between work to reach out to your near and dear ones. </p><h3>11. Don’t Sleep it Off </h3><p>Spending more time at home can disrupt your sleep routine and affect your health and productivity. Shweta Shinde, a freelance fashion stylist and founder of the clothing brand, Label Poshaaq, advises strongly against dozing off intermittently or spending the entire night indulging in a movie marathon “Don’t fall into the trap of believing you have all the time in the world. Your job as a remote worker, even though temporary, or as an entrepreneur, requires reliability and smart work. To make that happen, you need to be awake,” she asserts.  </p><h3>12. Take Short Breaks</h3><p>“It’s important to finish tasks on time, but equally vital to take short breaks, too,” shares Ashwin Rajagopalan, content strategist and cultural intelligence expert from Bengaluru. Catch up on your favourite show or social media updates while you’re eating lunch. “Don’t be too hard on yourself. At the same time, don’t get carried away,” he says.  </p><p>Be that as it may, the truth is, everyone has a different learning curve and their own clocks. Coronavirus is not just a novel virus but has also created novel situations for us. Be it learning to cook  with less or understanding how to work from home, we’re all figuring this pandemic as we go. In the meantime, we hope these tips help. Tomorrow is a new day! </p>

 We asked freelance professionals and at-home entrepreneurs their tips and tricks to stay focused and productive 

We asked freelancers and at-home entrepreneurs their tips and tricks to stay focused and productive.   

12 Easy Ways to Manage Work from Home - Zee Zest

Struggling With WFH? 12 Easy Ways to Manage Work from Home  

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&lt;p>For the desi turmeric latte guzzling and makhana snacking #VSCO girl, the perfect wedding comes with shades of green. Not the seven sins variety, but an environmentally-friendly wedding that seals the biggest day of your life with love for Mother earth too.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>The big fat Indian wedding is a dream for every Indian girl who has grown up on a steady diet of blingy Bollywood rom-com. But the hottest trend, right now, is to have an eco-friendly wedding, which despite being extravagant is also mindful.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>Compostable confetti, seed paper cards, potted plants and vintage Cadillacs, we have rounded up expert advice on how to plan an eco-friendly wedding in an era of over-consumption and wastefulness. Try one or all of these small changes to make a big impact on your wedding day. &lt;/p>&lt;h3>1. Going green with food &lt;/h3>&lt;p>From carefully choosing eco-friendly cutlery to reducing food wastage at your wedding buffet, , a green wedding is one where you are conscious of food consumption, while minimising waste. &lt;/p>&lt;p>Look for wedding caterers who focus on local, sustainable, and seasonal cuisine. Chef Sidney Dcunha, Executive Chef, Conrad Pune says, “From using fresh organic produce from local farms in Pune to eco-friendly bamboo or coconut cutlery, we have stopped using plastic in all forms and are moving to paper as a substitute.” That said, using porcelain and other reusable crockery continues to be an evergreen and ever-so-elegant option for an eco-friendly wedding. Another suggestion he gives is to associate with NGO’s and orphanages where the untouched excess food can be donated. &lt;/p>&lt;p>AlsoRead0&lt;/p>&lt;h3>2. Dig out family heirlooms &lt;/h3>&lt;p>If Kareena Kapoor Khan could wear her mother-in-law, Sharmila Tagore Pataudi’s heirloom sharara on her wedding, so can you. Upcycle your silken threads or heirloom pieces to give them a new lease of life!  &lt;/p>&lt;p>Rather than splashing out big bucks on designer wear that you will wear once in your lifetime, repurpose some of the exquisite couture owned by your parents or grandparents. The same applies to jewellery; nothing better than precious vintage  baubles which are passed down from one generation to another to add a touch of timeless elegance to your wedding trousseau.  &lt;/p>&lt;p> &lt;/p>&lt;figure class="image">&lt;img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Go-Green-Wedding-Heirloom-Jewellery_1612345722676.jpg" alt="sustainable wedding green wedding heirloom jewellery">&lt;/figure>&lt;p>If you’ve rummaged through your mother’s closets and found nothing suitable to wear for your wedding or reception, Chaithanya Ganesha, CEO and Director of Bangalore-based eco-friendly wedding planner Panigrahana, suggests that you can rent clothes and jewellery from several new-age fashion rental websites or pick separates to mix and match with what’s in your closet.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>From being budget-friendly to saving you the hassle of hunting for the perfect outfit, companies such as Stage3, The Stylease, Rent It Bae and Flyrobe offer several options and packages to choose your designer togs for D-Day. What more? They also offer curated looks from bespoke designer wear along with trails and alterations to make your selection process smooth.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>If you want to buy something new, then try and find local brands which are eco-friendly, naturally dyed, handmade, and that support artisan communities, says Nilma Dileepan of Bangalore-based green wedding and event Design Company, With Love, Nilma. &lt;/p>&lt;h3>3. An E-vite or seed paper invitation&lt;/h3>&lt;p>In the digital age, a beautifully designed e-vite followed by a personal phone call or visit are socially acceptable when it comes to wedding invitations. But if you do want to send out invites the traditional way, then choose recycled paper or seed paper which can be later be replanted by wetting the green wedding invitations and throwing them in the soil. Also make sure to use only vegetable dyes for printing.  &lt;/p>&lt;h3>4. An animal-free wedding &lt;/h3>&lt;p>The groom comes astride a horse and for pomp and show, a couple of elephants amble on in the background for a baarat is a commonplace sight. But like royalty, these are anachronisms in modern day times. Rather than continuing these outdated practices, Ganesha recommends you to hire a vintage car or a fancy bike, all decked up with bells and whistles, and rev up to the mandap in style. &lt;/p>&lt;h3>5. 4 R’s of wedding décor &lt;/h3>&lt;p>When it comes to décor, Dileepan suggests picking elegant set-ups rather than blingy throwaways. Bring in the ‘grammable chalkboard and cutesy mason jars, which can be reused. She recommends to reuse drapes, lighting, wooden décor and furniture, rather than build new iron thrones.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>Reduce the use of flowers, which should be locally sourced. Rather than using cut flowers for bouquets or garlands, you can use flower pots at the venue, especially as centerpieces on tables. She also recommends donating flowers to NGOs or organisations that use them to make holi colours or agarbattis. Check out companies like Phool and Green Wave.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>Recycling is a must post the wedding: the flowers and wasted food can be composted or given to a bio-gas plant.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>And finally, refuse anything that is not eco-friendly, after all it is your wedding and you can choose what you want!  &lt;/p>&lt;h3>6. Location, location, location &lt;/h3>&lt;p>Rather than running helter-skelter from one venue in the city to another, a single venue will not only reduce your carbon footprint, but also enable you to save on expenses for the décor. Work with the location itself; if its outdoors, try and fit tables under the shade.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>Choose great weather for your eco-friendly wedding, thus you can enjoy the outdoors and reduce your carbon footprint, without the air-conditioning or heating in full blast.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>You’ll score a big win if you host a function during the day, scoring big on the natural light for photographs and reducing the gas-guzzling generators.  &lt;/p>&lt;h3>7. Get rid of plastic &lt;/h3>&lt;p>Those pesky plastic bottles have created mountains of waste in our cities and are threatening to choke our oceans. Choose glass bottles instead and keep steel or glass tumblers to cut down on your plastic-footprint.  &lt;/p>&lt;h3>8. The party favours &lt;/h3>&lt;p>You’re grateful for your bestie in California for having swung half way around the world to be a part of your wedding. So, how can you not gift her a wedding favour? For the travelling crew, a potted plant and seeds will not be practical, so think of something edible, such as mithai from a local halwai or recycled stationery.  &lt;/p>&lt;p>A growing number of brides also choose to donate to their favourite charity instead of giving away favours. An elegantly tacked up sign board announcing the same will be much appreciated. &lt;/p>&lt;p>AlsoRead1&lt;/p>&lt;h3>9. Go easy on the photo albums &lt;/h3>&lt;p>Yes, we know you want this day to be well documented. But there is no need for fifteen albums of each of your wedding functions and 1000s of printed images in this wired world. One wedding album for the couple is sufficient, and you can enjoy all your pictures saved on the cloud, they’re just a swipe away. &lt;/p>&lt;p>A small simple wedding by the beach. Or a quiet ceremony in the temple. Your big day should be exactly as you dreamed, and there is nothing more than being surrounded by your loved ones for this occasion. But you can choose how big or small you want it to be. And how gentle you want to be with the Mother Nature which gives so much to you, including infinite love.  &lt;/p>

<p>Scrolling down contenders of the Word of the Year title by Oxford Dictionary, in the last decade, scarcely scores any confidence in modern day living. Consider these words: climate emergency, climate crisis, eco-anxiety, ecocide and global heating, to name a few. It’s enough to make any VSCO girl scream and discard her bamboo toothbrush, run straight for the hills. But worry not, we speak to experts who help us embrace slow living and a sustainable lifestyle in the first year of the new decade, one doable step at a time. </p><h3>Going Farm-To-Fork Gracefully </h3><p>The Netflix documentary Game Changers threw the spotlight on the latest edible movement of going plant-based. But whether you are a meat eater, flexitarian, pescatarian or vegan, there are habits that will help you embrace a holistic diet going ahead. We speak to Delhi-based Radhika Khandelwal, Chef-Owner at Fig & Maple and Ivy & Bean, who shares some insights: “The coming decade promises to be one where people will be more conscious about what they eat, how they eat it, and where they procure what they eat from.” </p><h4>1. Grow your own produce</h4><p>So what if you don’t have a lovely garden? Use your kitchen window sill or balcony for herbs or spices for a bit of home farming. Think lettuce, chillies, spinach, carrots, even beetroots, and herbs such as oregano, basil and parsley. Then you can season your cauliflower and vegan cheese pizza with herbs and tomatoes plucked straight from your flower pots. </p><h4>2. Swap a mainstream ingredient</h4><p>An easy food swap (like rice or wheat) with an ingredient that's more diverse (like millet, barley, or buckwheat). This will help you stave off possible allergies due to GMOs, and eat locally grown, ethnic produce while supporting marginal farmers. As far as possible, try and choose organic, non-GMO grains.  </p><h4>3. Source produce consciously</h4><p>Elbow your way to the local farmers’ market that are sprouting up across Indian cities to choose  from the beautiful, knobbly irregular-shaped produce that is fresh and straight from the soil without sweating over the airmiles. It’s time to ditch the perfectly shaped and polished veggies in supermarkets. Don’t forget to carry your own shopping bag with you! </p><h4>4. Preserve food</h4><p>According to John-Hopkins medicine, there is a very pertinent connection between the mind and the gut. Rather than guzzling down probiotics, why not chomp on gut friendly foods? Khandelwal recommends using techniques like pickling, fermenting, jamming, etc., to get all the good microbes in your tummy doing their bit. </p><h4>5. Eat the rainbow!</h4><p> “A diverse diet is good for the body and good for the planet!” says Khandelwal. Add generous servings of fruits and vegetables across the colour spectrum on your plate, giving you different vitamins, minerals and fibre, while being low in fat and calories. </p><p>AlsoRead0 </p><h3>Travelling Responsibly </h3><p>Tourism is known to leave a big, fat indelible footprint across earth. But it doesn’t have to be that way. A lot of tourists are becoming aware about their carbon footprint and environmental impact. In fact, reports state that around 38 per cent of Indians will adopt slow travel this year.  <br>Shivya Nath, Author, Blogger and Founder of The Shooing Star, and responsible traveller, set out on her first solo trip in 2011. “In the age of over tourism and in the midst of a climate crisis, responsible tourism is not just a pressing need to protect the incredible natural and cultural heritage of our world, but is also the only way we can still find authentic experiences, engage meaningfully with locals and savour the pristine beauty (or what remains of it) on our planet,” says Nath. </p><h4>6. Expand the travel narrative</h4><p>We need to transform our guide-book driven travel narrative and embrace something experiential. “We need to expand travel to experiences that stimulate us and move away from the peer pressure of seeing or doing something just because it’s marketed as THE thing to do,” she says. So, the next time you decide a holiday, look at a food experience, the art, the music and culture of a region, rather than vying for a selfie at the ‘in’ spot. </p><h4>7. Go off season or choose countries off the beaten track</h4><p> Avoid being one of the sweaty hoard of tourists that arrives at a tourist destination during peak season when countless others descend as well. Shimla’s water crisis two years ago is a scary reminder of tourism’s negative impact on a destination. “The most practical tip to fix this imbalance is to prioritise countries or regions where locals are still genuinely curious to meet travellers, and can still reap the positive benefits of tourism,” says Nath. </p><h4>8. Opt for eco-friendly, local-run accommodations</h4><p>Nath, who has stayed in tiny boutique gems such as The Secret Garden in Goa and Sarmoli in Uttarakhand says, “Staying at eco-friendly homes has enabled me to experience the local culture beyond the tourist track, immerse myself in nature, interact with locals doing meaningful work in the area and gain an understanding of the unique circumstances of the people I’m visiting.” </p><h4>9. Walk, cycle or take public transport</h4><figure class="image image-style-align-left"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Slow-Living-inside-1_1612345798858.jpg" alt="Slow Living Slow Travel Cycling"></figure><p>While you can be awfully tempted to jump in the next Uber when you’re on vacation, Nath recommends you slow down and smell the roses, enjoy scenic locales and reduce your carbon footprint. This is the most immersive way to discover a new city. </p><h3>Building a Sustainable Home</h3><p>Our homes are sanctuaries in a world plagued by busy-ness. In the times of Marie Kondo, a clutter-free home not only keeps good energy flowing, it frees up resources for you to spend on something much more valuable: experiences. Jenny Pinto, Founder of Oorjaa, a design studio that handcrafts sustainable materials into lighting solutions, tells us how to go green at home and incorporate sustainable living practices.  </p><h4>10. Be mindful of your purchases</h4><p>“Do I really need this?” Pinto asks you to question every purchase, however enticing—home theatre, laptop, cooking stove, and wine cooler. She advises the same restraint when you want to throw something away. “Many things can be recycled, repurposed or restored creatively,” she says. Dispose rubble and household items properly. Rubble can be used to landscape the gardens, or even something innovative like building a feature wall.  </p><h4>11. An intelligent home design </h4><p>Living within four walls can be restrictive, so if you have the privilege to build or reconstruct your own home, Pinto advises you to design an energy efficient home. Account for ventilation to reduce the use of an AC. Bring in natural light into your home through windows. Add solar heaters and switch to LED bulbs. And finally, add a composting system and use water saving devices in your home.  </p><h3>In the Pink of Health</h3><p>With stress, lifestyle diseases and depression on the rise, the popularity of holistic healing and wellness is understandable. Managing stress through yoga, meditation and pranayama, and turning inwards can enrich your outer world faster than any blingy bauble. Dr. Hansaji Jayadeva Yogendra, Director, The Yoga Institute, the world’s oldest yoga organisation, tells us to make changes slowly, rather than suddenly and based on the latest fads in glossies. She says, “Always follow what your body is comfortable with. Yoga says to be with yourself, understand yourself. Observe which food suits you and which doesn’t, which routine suits you and which doesn’t and make your life accordingly.” </p><figure class="image image_resized" style="width:900px;"><img src="https://assets.zeezest.com/images/PROD_Slow-Living-inside-2_1612345816286.jpg" alt="Slow Living Yoga "></figure><h4>12. Eat home-cooked and fresh food</h4><p>Focus on ‘Ahar’ eating four times a day, she says. Food needs to be enjoyed, without skipping any meal (breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner). Drink liquids while eating and focus your awareness not only on what you are eating, but also how much.  </p><h4>13. Rest and Recreation with a dose of discipline</h4><p>A healthy dose of ‘Achar’ or discipline is essential in modern day living where you laze around in the bed past noon on the weekends, or binge watch Netflix the whole day in PJs. “Discipline solves half your problems,” she explains. Add to that some ‘Vihar’ or rest and recreation, says Jayadeva Yogendra, whether it is sports thrice a week, a good stretch with yoga, or a refreshing walk in the neighbourhood park.  </p><h4>14. Food for thought</h4><p>Think positive thoughts, remain calm and composed in every situation for a balanced state of mind. Meditate. Sit with yourself alone each day for some time, analyse where you are and where you want to go and work towards your goal.  </p><h3>Embracing Clean Beauty</h3><p>With pictures for the ‘gram and social media having exploded to the stratosphere, naturally looking good is paramount. But in our polluted cities, is there a gentler way of looking good without another layer of chemicals? DIY masks, face scrubs and other grandmother’s recipes are soaring in popularity, so before you reach for the turmeric latte, slather some of the fresh tuber on your face. </p><h4>15. Protect your skin with layers</h4><p>“Pollution is the biggest aggressor of skin issues that causes inflammation, damages collagen, disrupts the skin barrier, and consequently accelerates ageing,” says Nandeeta Manchandaa, the founder of Enn's Closet. Therefore, it’s important to create a protective layer with a toner, serum, moisturiser, and sunscreen to form a barely-there yet efficient barrier between the pollutants and skin. Manchandaa recommends people switch to natural, safe and chemical free products, so that the harmful ingredients don’t penetrate into the bloodstream and cause harm in the long run.  </p><h4>16. Embrace ancient tools</h4><p>Whether it is a kansa massage wand, a jade roller or Gua-sha, there are ample traditional beauty tools you can add to your arsenal to give you skin a lift, without resorting to invasive, painful procedures. “These tools offer a holistic approach to beauty and wellness, firmly rooted in their respective cultures. This traditional system believes in prevention and daily tending, helping in regular detox to prevent the onset of disease” says Rajni Ohri, founder of Ohria Ayurveda, which has created the Tridoshic Kansa skin massage wand for clean beauty warriors. </p><h4>17. Substitute chemicals with DIY</h4><p>Instead of slathering on a body wash with micro beads, use a gram flour and masoor dal ubtan. In place of chemical filled shampoos, use a mixture of <i>amla, reetha</i> and <i>shikakhai</i>. Eschew moisturisers, and rather slather on some body oil. The internet is full of granny’s beauty tips, so log on to glean wisdom from our ancestors, with proper precaution.  </p><h3>Consume Fashion Responsibly</h3><p>The $2.5 trillion fashion industry is touted as the second most polluting industry in the world, accounting for more than eight per cent of the global climate impact, more than the airline and shipping sector. So, before you click on the buy button for your next fast fashion purchase, stop and think of how you’re impacting the planet.  </p><h4>18. Embrace smaller, slow fashion labels</h4><p>Buy slow fashion labels, which follow ethical practices and are gentle on earth. However, balance consumption by deliberating over every purchase. And if you buy one, give two pre-loved clothes away. “Being conscious of your consumption and buying lesser but better makes you want to automatically pick up clothing that has a story behind it, because you know it’s going to be in your wardrobe for a long time” says Natasha Tyagi Sachdeva, founder and Head of Design and Creatives, Taaka Clothing. </p><h4>19. Host clothes and accessories swapping parties</h4><p>When you don’t want to repeat an outfit (blame it on social media!), rather than discard it or stuff it at the back of your cupboard, host a clothes swapping party, where you and your friends and siblings can refresh their wardrobes, while it being easy on the pocket, says Tanya Jain, founder of slow fashion label, Pasithea. </p><h4>20. Refresh your old clothes</h4><p>Give a new lease of life to old clothes says Tyagi Sachdeva, who adds small badges or hand embroiders small hearts, stars or contrast stitch-lines on her old clothes to give them a wee pop. “I also love getting my clothes re-dyed to give them a new life,” says the designer, who also rushes to the <i>darzi </i>to patch clothes together to remake them with patches or repurpose them.  </p>