Women are the victims of on-screen glamour

 Women are the victims of on-screen glamour

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Today, girls (aged 20-80), not all, but most of us, are, on average, spending a percentage of our budget, be it salary or pocket money or borrowed money or loan amount on cosmetics, makeup products, etc.

Looking beautiful has evolved into a complex but profitable industry.

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Serums, hitherto unknown to us, are now packaged into bottles that resemble infants' cough syrups.

Social media is flooded with reels from influencers suggesting the application of AB, BC, AH, HB, BH, CH, AHA, BHA, and various Alphabetically evolving serums, each claiming to address different skin concerns.

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Sunscreens were once applied by people who had prolonged exposure to sunlight, but now they are considered a daily necessity, even for those who spend most of their time indoors. The reasoning? Artificial lights in rooms are just as harmful as the sun itself. And we need to reapply them every three hours.

We are now sucked into a cycle of an ever-growing list of products we "must" buy to look YOUTHFUL and beautiful.

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There are different skincare routines for days and nights.

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let us start with the daycare routine

wash the face with a hydrating facewash consisting of aloevera+banana+orang peel and rice water++++

apply four layers of serums (for glow, acne, blemishes, wrinkles)

top it with a moisturizer, followed by a sunscreen.

Apply kajal, eyeliner, lip gloss, and lipstick.

Then dab dab some sun protection compact over it.

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for special events

top the above with

A sticky gel called primer

then a cc cream to hide blemishes

then concealer to conceal dark patches

and then a foundation, bronzer, highlighter, contour, plus ten layers of various products.

Then, crown it with a fixer spray to stop the products from melting and bleeding.

Ultimately, paint the eyelids like a canvas with eye shadow pallets from 4 different brands. It is a multi-step process involving outlines, fillers, glitters, and then blending everything to give it a natural look(how ironic)

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In the handbag, a compact mirror, lip gloss, and a hydrating spray are carried to maintain the makeup.

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A strict nightcare routine involves serums, lotions, and creams, all sold by beauty gang influencers. Fraudsters mostly.

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Please remember that influencers are paid to promote makeup products. One day, an influencer might declare a Masaba foundation excellent; the next day, another one will say that MAC products are unmatched as a foundation. The day after, her fellow influencer may claim that Charlotte Tilbury is the best.

As a result, we buy all three products, often using them just a couple of times before forgetting about them as soon as a new cream is launched.

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Influencers promoting cosmetics and creams are reimbursed a percentage of the sale amount. Don't fall into their trap.

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We should watch reels of comedians, yoga teachers, musicians, chefs. Reels of people who are achievers are experts in their domain, not reels of people selling and promoting products; the moment you notice an expert endorsing products regularly, just unfollow them and do not let them exploit your admiration for the skill in their art.

Be it a kohli or a Bachhan.

Once upon a time, people subscribed to a simple skin and haircare routine like the occasional application of haldi, malai, dahi-besan, and henna, and our biggest influencers were our dadis, mothers, and neighborhood aunties who shared their secret beauty tips with us.

The yellow saree

 The yellow saree.

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My father bought this saree for my mother 40 years ago from weavers in Gadwal somewhere in 1984 or 85.; I was around 9 or 10 when I witnessed my parents discussing the saree.

Then, he was a member of the Telugu Desam party and Zilla Parishad, chairman of Adilabad.

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I was sitting on the double cot in my parent's bedroom when my father opened his suitcase and handed over the saree to my mother.

She took it in her hands, opened and spread it on the bed; I shifted aside, making space for the beautiful saree!

My mother made a face. "Why yellow?. Why do you want me to match with the Telugu Desam party color?" she unhesitatingly asked.

Watching from the sidelines, I worried it would escalate into a heated argument.

But my father smiled gently, "It will look good on you as you have a fair complexion. I like yellow, and when you accompany me to events, you can wear this."

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My mother was not fond of the color; she draped it rarely, and it had been folded away over the years, only making rare appearances at small events.

 Now, eighteen years after my mother left us, the saree is still lying in one corner of the wardrobe, a relic of a time gone by.

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Today,  I draped it for the first time, still feeling the warmness of her presence as though receiving her blessings in the touch of the fabric.

It is not just about the saree —but the memories woven into its threads. The saree had seen my mother's journey and my father's love for her, and now it is becoming a part of my life.

Draping it today felt like embracing her presence and blessings on a day like Karwa Chauth.

Unlike my mother's generation, who had smaller wardrobes and simpler lives, We have closets overflowing with clothes, but few items carry the importance of emotions like this yellow saree.

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I often tell my husband that we are like nomadic tribes. We were born in one place, raised in another, attended college in another city, married, and then moved to a different city. Finally, our work has brought us to an entirely new geographical location.

We have been gathering a bit of everything from every place we lived. The best part about us is that we are flexible and ready to adapt, accept, and evolve. We enjoy the exposure to different cities, cultures, languages, foods, and customs.

I cannot understand people who resist learning a new language(like in Karnataka). It is a blessing to experience so much newness in life.

Exploring ethnic festivities, listening to the folklore behind each of them, and understanding the reasons and logic behind each celebration is a choice we made long ago. I believe that the more I know, the happier my atma becomes.

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One beautiful festivity I am introduced to in the quest for newness is Karwa Chauth and the emotion behind its celebration. 

Fasting for the long life of the person we want to spend the rest of our life with; how beautiful is that?

There are no ifs and buts when praying for your loved ones. No reason, no logic, can deter me because nothing rewards like faith. If we have faith in anything, it will return to us with the gifts we seek. Trust in it and see the results for yourself.

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This old yellow saree, once barely worn, is now a bridge to the many lives I  lived in the spaces between then and now.

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Thank you, Mithila and Daman, for having me over and integrating me into your culture.

Thanks to all the fantastic friends who helped me feel at home .

Do send me all the pictures dear sakhis, I will save them for posterity!

Rumblings as the 49th birthday celebrations come to an end.

 Rumblings as the 49th birthday celebrations come to an end.

7th September 2024. 8.45pm.

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I naturally fall in love with idols, but this one is special.

Liberty to design and improvise is a powerful feeling.

It's a godly feeling.

The son taught me from scratch the process of idol making! I failed, failed again and then succeeded in giving shape to bappa!

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Every design(each of us are) is perfect and has a purpose; finding our spot, fitting into his scheme to tessellate in his jigsaw puzzle, is the challenge.

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I was born during Ganesh Utsav celebrations, and today, my Ganesha and I are sharing the birthday!

Happy happy!

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My mom left this planet two days short of her 49th birthday; hence, psychologically the 49th birthday is a landmark for me.

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Stepping into the 50th year feels special because the other side of 50 makes one mature, intelligent, powerful and independent.

It is empowering to have the backing of 49 years of wisdom, which is my proprietary and built on my mistakes and suffering.

Strangely, yesterday's pain and mistakes have become today's learning and tomorrow's wisdom.

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Blessed to have a loving family, friends and colleagues.

Each one of them made me feel special, totally submerged under love and care, immense gratitude now and forever.

The surprise party was a surprise indeed!

Thank you is an incomplete expression!

Let us all stay strong and healthy for my 50th birthday in 2025

The preparations have begun for the same!

Mehandi, I think, acts like an ex!

 Mehandi, I think, acts like an ex!

When it's freshly applied, just like when one is still in a relationship, it demands attention. It's beautiful, even intoxicating, but it binds you, limiting your freedom. With every little movement, one is reminded of its presence.

And when the time comes to wash it off (break up), it's not as simple as wiping it away. So much like parting ways with someone you loved, it leaves behind its mark. The bright and vibrant stain reminds you of the good times, of the days when things felt new and full of promise. You see it every time you look at your hands; even though it's fading, it's still there. Lingering. Holding on.

It's a constant reminder of what you thought might last forever. But as it dulls, you come to terms with its departure. Each day, the color lightens, and so does its weight.

And then one day, just like that, it's gone.

That's when you know—you're ready. Ready for a new beginning, fresh mehandi, a new story, and the future. The old has faded, leaving only memories, and your palms and life are again free to be adorned with something new.

#karwachauthspecial

#mehndi #2024