Retropoplifestyle

Celebrate Skincare Awareness Month with Blossom Kochhar Aroma Magic

The changing weather commences skin and hair problems with it, giving you a reminder of taking care of your skin and hair. This sometimes feels like a tedious job, Aroma Magic brings the best way out to make it a smooth one. Aroma Magic not only helps in mothering your skin, hair and body but also lessens stress and pressures and moreover enhances your physical and emotional health. Dr. Blossom Kochhar recommends using skin care products to make your skin and hair feel special this skin care month. Below is a well-curated list of Blossom Kochhar aroma magic products that need to be on your monsoon cart right away!

Coffee Bean Scrub

This scrub is a super-innovative scrub which formulates exfoliates, deep cleanses, and improves circulation. The antioxidant quality regenerates new skin cells. Its benefits are revives skin, helps fight aging, reduces fine lines, and improves glow. It helps to exfoliate the skin which can prevent many skin problems.

Size: 100 ml

Price INR: 375

Hairfall Control Shampoo

It is 100% free of parabens, petrochemicals, phthalates, sulphates, toxic ingredients, artificial colouring, and fragrances. Its benefits are to cleanse the scalp to restore pH level, and to promote hair growth, increase shine and condition the hair. Shampoo cleans the scalp and keeps the hair healthy, moisturised and prevents it from drying out.

Size: 200ml

Price INR: 215

Orange Blossom Body Wash

This body wash is an all-purpose natural hair, face, and body cleanser formulated out of plant extracts, vitamins, and antioxidants. Its benefits are conditions soothe & deeply, nourishes the skin, prevents aging, heals blemishes, elevates the mood in an instant & keeps you refreshed, treats acne & relaxes the body tissue. This 3-in-1 body wash is suitable for all skin types and can be used in all seasons, all throughout the year.

Size: 220ml

Price INR: 205

PepperMint Exfol Gel

This exfoliating gel is enriched with active enzymes to deep cleanse the skin. Its benefits are treating blackhead, refreshes, and lightening the skin, hydrate skin, removes impurities blocking the pores of the skin, provides a protected shield and helps awaken the senses. Scrubbing makes the skin look cleaner as it removes dead cells, dirt, and impurities from the skin.

Size: 100 ml

Price INR: 190

Sandalwood Essential Oil

The essential oil, extracted from sandalwood, has a bright, fresh smell with a wooden base note. It is famous for its use on ceremonial occasions. Its benefits are it moisturises and purifies the skin, it is a strong antiseptic and aphrodisiac, it calms depression, nervous tension, redness, and inflammation. Sandalwood essential oil can be used as a perfume or as deodoriser.

Size: 20 ml

Price INR: 750

Organic Caster Oil

This cold pressed natural vegetable oil has powerful therapeutic properties. It is derived from the beans of the castor plan, this oil when combined with essential oils is ideal for massages. Its benefits are it gives shine and luster to hair, make skin moisturised and supple, and promotes hair growth. Natural vegetable oils are essential in keeping the body hydrated in every season. They help to maintain the pH level of the body and heal the skin keeping the natural glow.

Size: 100 ml

Price INR: 140

White Tea and Camomile Face Wash

This is the everyday pollution defence face wash. It deep cleanses the pores and helps remove impurities. Its benefits are preventing aging, and protecting the skin from free radicals, soothe and calms. Massaging face wash granules help to increase blood flow. Daily exposure to pollution also causes skin problems like wrinkles, breakdown, and aging. This is one of the reasons why we should cleanse our faces.

Size: 100 ml

Price INR: 185

Organic Olive Oil

This cold pressed natural vegetable oil is extracted from olives that deliver multiple beauty benefits. When combined with essential oils, it is ideal for head and body massages. Its benefits are moisturising dry skin, treating burns, inflammations, wounds, keeps skin firm and toned, helps repair sun damage, and strengthens hair. It helps in repairing the damage caused due to exposure to the sun.

Size: 100 ml

Price INR: 225

Availability

Aromamagic.com and Nykaa.com

About Blossom Kochhar Aroma Magic

In 1994, to inspire society for a holistic approach to life, Dr. Blossom Kochhar, along with her husband, the late Col V Kochhar sowed their seed of faith in Blossom Kochhar Aroma Magic giving the world the healing power of nature through the best of Aromatherapy in India. The brand prides itself to be one of the pioneers of Aromatherapy products in India committed to giving people a touch of nature in a world taken over by artificiality. Today, Dr. Kochhar’s daughter, Ms. Samantha Kochhar who preserves the roots while driving the company to new heights, spearheads the company’s affairs. Currently, the Earth to Bottle 170+ signature Aromatherapy skin, hair, & wellness products are present in over 100 cities in India. All the products are 100% organic & every product is cruelty-free with eco-friendly & recyclable packing.

As the company takes from nature, it holds itself obliged to give back to nature too. It engages itself month on month in a plethora of tree plantations & conservation drives in collaboration with ‘Give Me Trees (GMT) Trust.’ With a pledge of planting at least one tree a day since 2015, the Blossom Kochhar Group has planted over 6000 trees. The company also contributes and works closely with Cankids Kidscan an NGO specialized in childhood cancer, Indian Cancer Society, and Festival of Hope. Education and skilling, that is from where Dr. Blossom Kochhar started & since then has provided free training and livelihood to economically backward youth & women, especially abled youth & widows in the last 3 decades.

Dining Experience to your Doorsteps

La Marinate, New Delhi an exclusive, gourmet catering service, offering exquisite European cuisine par excellence is set to launch very soon to bring food connoisseur cheer by offering fine dining experience within the comfort of your home.

Led by a dynamic team of food and hospitality professionals, the brand was conceptualised and co-founded in August 2021 by two restaurateurs Jasjit Singh and Sharmistha Cheema, while the culinary creations are spearheaded by a young spirited chef Aman Jaiswal, leading a young and passionate operations team trained to deliver the finest guest experiences.

Formed during Covid times, the brand’s prime focus was to offer food connoisseurs in the national capital region, a unique dining experience that could be best enjoyed at home, sans missing the feeling of eating outside.

Mr Jasjit Singh, Co Owner & Restaurant said on the occasion of the launch, “ The idea behind starting La Marinade was to create a personalized experience- to handcraft the menu to each diner’s taste. The idea is to unabashedly promote tailor-made meals and distinct flavours within a comfortable environment that happens to be the diner’s abode. Emphasis is laid on preserving the intrinsic taste, which is done by using the freshest of ingredients in all meal courses – a signature trait of the brand to give out an experience like no other.”

The brand’s service concept includes, preparing the dishes in-house but adding the elements in final touch-up required for each recipe, at the guest’s residence. This is done in order to maintain its novelty and texture. The art of plating, presentation and cutlery-crockery placement is also done by La Marinate to give diners, the mood and plush ambience of a premium restaurant. The dishes are steadily brought to the table creating an informal yet sophisticated style of dining with a zing.

The dishes in the food menus have been selected from various parts of Europe, with major influences drawn from the French and English cuisines. Marrying gourmet with traditional cooking style, La Marinate’s chefs create masterpieces on every platter.

Some of La Marinate’s savoured signature dishes are: Croquettes, Hand rolled Pastas, Avocado mousse / Chicken liver Parfait on crostini, New Zealand Lamb Chops with mashed potatoes, Pressed confit chicken and Jackfruit / chicken / pulled pork / fish / prawn Tacos.

There is something on offer for everyone. Chef Aman Jaiswal has created a range of classic and innovative dishes keeping in mind each guest requirement, as demands the brand concept. For guests seeking gluten free meals, having allergies or intolerances, can get a pre-session discussion with Chef Aman to understand their requirements and customize their meals accordingly.

Despite having a European bias in its food offering, La Marinate is open to preparing Indian, Pan-Asian and fusion cuisines on guest demand. The co-founders being owners of restaurants Tenali – The Andra Kitchen and Shibuya – Food and Bar, already have expert resources in this area.

The brand caters to all occasions ranging from festive, anniversaries birthdays et al and has a vision of becoming a household name, when it comes to choosing a personalised, gourmet catering service.

With the ongoing pandemic, La Marinate’s entire team has been fully vaccinated and follows all covid protocols to ensure the utmost safety of guests and team alike.

Experiences start from INR 1500 per head, and can serve up to a maximum batch size of 50 persons. La Marinate also caters to premium events and launches.

Diners in Delhi, NCR are in for an indulgence with not only an array of chef d’oeuvres delicately handcrafted across diverse palates but also with the best hygiene and food safety measures.

Bhumika Sharma presents ‘ZOYA’

A homage to traditional embroideries, ZOYA exemplifies drama and glamour in the ultra modern way. Today it is the millennial bride and the Gen Z woman who drives the sensibilities behind how Indian couture is styled. It has changed dramatically over the years, women want a fresh take on Indian couture. Much like the women of this generation Zoya adds in a new perspective with respect to traditional weaves and patterns with a contemporary touch.

Bhumika sharma couture has always had a feel for the pulse of new age shoppers – their requirements become inspiration for new collections.The latest collection of modern silhouettes is where traditional embroideries meet contemporary design. Each silhouette tells a different story, it defines understated glamour in the most authentic way. The patterns are intricately embroidered over evergreen shades to enhance the sheer finesse of craftsmanship.

Quote from Bhumika Sharma

“I feel unstated glamour is a power statement. I believe minimalism is graceful and my collection is all about intricate traditional embroideries crafted into contemporary and cutting edge design for gen Z brides and bridesmaids.”

www.bhumikasharma.in,

Thoughtful gifts for grandparents

A grandparent’s presence is truly a blessing in one’s life. Whether there’s a little one in the family or a young adult, the grandparent-grandchild bond is pure, second to none feeling. They definitely deserve to show appreciation for the wisdom and joy that they shower on us.

Here is a list of thoughtful gifts for your grandparents that you can surprise them with to get a huge smile on their faces.

Creating old memories:

The best way to collect and preserve all our beautiful memories is to click a still and freeze the moment forever. Gifting a customized photo album from Vistaprint to your grandparents is traditional, and no matter how old you get, photographs keep the age-old memories fresh. As a cherry on the top, you can also personalize the cover of this photo album. So why not take grandparent-grandchild’s bond to a next level by adding photographs and organizing them in a customized photo album. The customized albums range starts at Rs. 580/- and available in various sizes. Available at: https://www.vistaprint.in/

Relishing childhood:

Go Desi is a popular homegrown packaged food brand inspired by Indian flavors and formats. They have a variety of products in different Indian flavours like Tangy Imli, Kaccha Aam, Real Aam and Khatta Nimbu, etc. Go Desi is known for their quirky and special gift boxes. You can choose from varied Desi gift boxes available on their website. They also sell on Amazon and Flipkart. Order from – https://godesi.in/collections/desi-gifts

The healthy way to breathe easy :

gO2 therapy is the second generation of high-purity (99%+) portable Oxygen can, which is highly useful in our day-to-day life situations like pollution & emergencies. gO2 therapy portable oxygen cans not only come in handy for high altitude sickness treatment, but they can also be used to perform oxygen therapy at home to help the body fight the ill-effects of the city’s pollution and increase mental & physical health. It helps the grandparents breathe easy, maintaining their oxygen levels. Order from- https://go2-therapy.com/

Pamper them with some ayurveda love:

Upakarma Ayurveda being India’s leading Ayurvedic brands brings exquisite Ayurvedic formulation of pure shilajit with gold dust. The product is enriched with Swarna Vang and Gold Vark that makes it a magnificent health supplement for body, mind and lifestyle. It is majorly used to enhance strength and stamina. The addition of gold dust gives the product a touch of royalty and would make a great gift for your grandparents for amazing health benefits. Order from- https://upakarma.com/product/shilajit-gold-dust-20g/

Top Airport Looks to Rock This Season

After over a year of rescheduling travel plans and social events, airport appearances make a return this season, to take the fashion game a notch higher, as India slowly goes back to its pre-COVID phase. From classic and minimalistic to chic and trendy, and everything in between, we have you covered with our curation of some interesting airport looks by home-grown designer labels.

Elegant Shirt Dress with a Tailored Collar

AND’s cool blue shirt dress is a perfect fashion statement for a travel day. Whether it is the tailored collar, flowy pattern, matching belt and button details, or the comfortable fabric, this dress is an ideal choice to tackle the airport shenanigans, while looking stylish.

Archana Shah’s kurta-pants combination amps up the fashion game with a splash of effervescence and abstractness. The netted pattern on the sleeves and pants adds a funky twist to the Indo-Western attire.

In line with Couche’s prêt collection of luxurious garments, this sacramento green ensemble is a blend of chic style and timeless appeal. The classic overcoat paired with the crop top and pants adds to the modern-day fashion sensibilities of this attire, which exudes comfort.

The striped leather dress by Devina Juneja is a voguish fusion of classic and contemporary. The centre slit combined with the funky black designs stand out among the formal elements of the dress and make the look apt for airport appearances and travel.

Vacation season has officially kicked off and there’s no better way to flaunt your holiday vibe than by giving your airport style a twist with this sensuous, peppy and straight-out-of-a-holiday look by Flirtatious. This teal outfit is the best antidote for beating all the stress and work blues with a dash of oomph and sizzle.

Global Desi’s Tiffany blue, one-piece attire adds a rather alluring appeal to a semi-casual look, with its chic fabric, centre slit and a matching belt. With this one, you certainly don’t have much to worry about your ease and comfort while dealing with all the airport formalities.

The traditional ensemble by Gulaabo Jaipur is quite the look for the airport, with its vibrant patterns, chic fabric and subdued elegance. The net dupatta and the white base of the kurta and the pants, combined with a gold border, lends a refreshing appeal to this look, which reeks of femininity and traditional class.

House of Fett’s sage green crop top and palazzo pants is your answer to “tell me you’re ready for a holiday without telling me you’re ready for a holiday”. While the V-neckline and the oversized sleeves add a funky appeal, the plain, loose pants balance the vibe of the look.

A Trendy Appeal with Kurta-Styled T-Shirt and Off-White Trousers

Nail that minimalistic prêt look while dropping fashion goals with Kunal Anil Tanna’s meritorious combination of a gold-striped, kurta-styled T-shirt and plain trousers, which is sure to attract many an eyeball.

The pink and blue, Anarkali suit by Neha Chopra is a treat to the eyes, and this flowy Indian attire is sure to enliven the airport landscape with its spark and vibrancy. The floral designs on the dupatta only add to the charm and of this feminine ensemble.

The blue, floral designs against a white backdrop lend a sophisticated and refreshing charm to Prints by Radhika’s kurta and pants combination. The loose, flowy pattern of the kurta and the sharp neckline give an edge to the Indo-Western look of the attire, which spells comfort.

Ridhi Mehra’s semi-traditional attire oozes dapperness and luxury in equal measure. Whether it is the sharp cuts, premium-quality fabric or the classic colour palette, every element of the ensemble reflects a royal vibe and is sure to guarantee a fair share of attention at an airport.

Quirky Duo of Blazer and Pants with a Surprise

Vedika M’s classic, multi-shade attire is a classic portrayal of formal and informal elements, while putting together an exclusive look comprising blazer and loose pants. Let this unique creation leave a lasting impression around an airport, as you revel in the comfort of its plush fabric and abstract designs.

From Dubai to India- Satiate your Sugar Cravings with Protein Bakeshop’s Healthy Truffles!

A brand certified to satiate the sweet tooth, Protein Bakeshop brings forth nutritious snacks disguised in decadent dessert flavours. Striving to keep consumer’s insulin and fat levels under control, the store guarantees guilt free indulgences ideal to delve into each time one meets with a sugar craving. Made with a handful of ingredients such as almonds, almond flour, bananas, cashew nuts, organic peanut butter, chia seeds, cinnamon, coconuts, coconut oil, walnuts, flax seeds, 70% dark chocolate, dates, whey protein and honey; the products are gluten free, grain free, preservative free, diabetic friendly, natural,vegetarian, keto-friendly, free of added sugar and chemicals.

Founded in 2013, Rashi Choudhary:Founder and Chief-Celebrity Nutritionist in India and USA formulates recipes, reinventing iconic flavours within revolutionary products while Saad Umerani: Cofounder & Chief Executive Officer founded Protein Bakeshop materialised his vision to make healthy eating fun and accessible to everyone around the world. Bringing a common goal to life, the duo created soulmates for the tastebuds and health alike.

A Few Favorite Flavors

Almond Butter Truffle
Coconut Truffle
Dark Chocolate Truffle
Peanut Butter Truffle
Hazelnut Truffle
Cashew Caramel Truffle

Winners of 2nd Edition of “NEXA PRESENTS THE SPOTLIGHT”

After the success of the first ‘NEXA presents The Spotlight’ last season, FDCI x Lakmé Fashion Week announce the winners of the 2^nd edition of its one-of-a-kind program.

Naushad Ali of label Naushad Ali and the label SWGT were declared winners after a competitive selection process.

Participating designers presented their collections along with the idea and concept of their fashion film through a virtual presentation to an esteemed jury of industry experts. The winning designers have been given a gratification to shoot and create their fashion film which will be showcased at FDCI X Lakmé Fashion Week in October 2021.

The jury that was part of the selection process comprised Shashank Srivastava – Senior Executive Director, Marketing and Sales, Maruti Suzuki India Limited; Ram Suresh Akella – Executive Director, Marketing, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, Sunil Sethi – Chairman of FDCI, Jaspreet Chandok – Head, RISE Fashion & Lifestyle, Raghavendra Rathore – Fashion Designer, Rooshad Shroff – Architect & Interior Designer and Priyanka Khanna – Fashion Features Director, Vogue India.

The winners were chosen from among nine shortlisted designers – Alan Alexander Kaleekal for his label Kaleekal; Santanu Das for his label MAKU Textiles; Naushad Ali for his label Naushad Ali; Resham Karamchandani for her label Pot Plant; Sreejith Jeevan for his label Rouka; Salita Nanda for her label Salita Nanda; Riddhi for her label Studio Medium and SWGT. Each of the designers were given the task to interpret the theme ‘Euphoria’ in line with NEXA’s ‘create, inspire’ ethos in their submissions.

Commenting on the initiative Shashank Srivastava – Senior Executive Director, Marketing and Sales, Maruti Suzuki India Limited said,

“At NEXA, we believe in constantly evolving in our journey of providing world class lifestyle experiences and technology to our customers. Through the 2^nd edition of ‘NEXA presents The Spotlight’ we endeavour to bring to fore the most creative minds in the fashion industry, which resonates with our core philosophy of ‘Create. Inspire’. We’ve been overwhelmed with the innovative concepts received from all the finalists and are delighted for Naushad Ali and SWGT for emerging as the winners. Both their creative inspirations are about journeys, and we look forward to help them bring their creativity and innovation to life through this association”.

Naushad Ali’s winning presentation is all about seeking answers to a new path. Called ‘Getting out there- A ride through the dawn’ it’s a story of a free-spirited girl who is breaking all the ground rules. It essentially is a road to oneself, a drive towards dawn. A path where the comfort and power of NEXA opens the door to new thoughts and ideas. With his SS/FW’21 collection, the 34-year-old designer from Pondicherry has re-interpreted Indian weaving techniques, brought multi-coloured bold strokes of Jamdani in textured cotton, largescale irregular checks, and variegated stripes in a plethora of natural colours.

SWGT’s winning presentation takes inspiration from Shweta Gupta’s childhood experiences and local histories of Almora, where the 34-year-old designer was brought up. Her label SWGT reflects the connection between the mountains, people and its culture where the muse is personified as a seeker, wanderer, gatherer and thinker. Her collection this season depicts the folds of mountains and waterfalls around us, and the techniques used while creating her ensembles are inspired by the cuts of the Himalayan Ranges. The Chanderi textiles from Central India used to create her pieces are a derivative of the play of light with these mighty forms.

Jaspreet Chandok – Head, RISE Fashion & Lifestyle said,

“We at FDCI x Lakme Fashion Week believe that the new and emerging crop of designers have the power to define the future of fashion. And the second edition of ‘NEXA presents The Spotlight’ showcases our commitment towards providing them a platform to showcase their work. Each of the shortlisted designers had stellar creations and I would like to congratulate each one of them. For the first time, we have selected two designers as the winners for ‘NEXA Presents The Spotlight’ and are extremely excited to see what Naushad Ali and SWGT will create for their audience.”

Korea Tourism Organization brings Korea to Indian homes through KXperience

In tune with the flourishing Korean wave in India, Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) has collaborated with multiple brands for a series of virtual Korean experiences, along with the social media contest and special offers on Korean products for the Indian travelers and hallyu fans. With the current prevailing travel restrictions due to the pandemic, KTO decided to step forward and get Korea to its Indian audience. Starting from 17^th September 2021, the event aims to create an experience that can be enjoyed by the travel seekers and Korea lovers until 15^th November.

The event is designed as a perfect Korean escapade comprising of K-Food, K-Pop, K-Beauty, K-Drama and Korean product discount offers.

The K-Pop experience is a collaboration between KTO and AleXa, the rising K-Pop star from Korea and Shraey Khanna, a renowned dancer, choreographer, and singer from India. The Korean artist will be seen showcasing signature Korean dance moves where in return Shraey will be seen mirroring the Korean vibes with a dash of Bollywood nuance to it.

The K-Food experience will feature a well-known Bollywood female actor taking up the challenge of cooking delicious Korean meal in the popular OTT web series Star vs Food on Discovery+.

The K-Beauty experience in collaboration with Innisfree, an eco-friendly makeup brand from the beautiful Jeju Island in South Korea will showcase some Korean skincare tips in the masterclass.

The K-Drama, as it says it all, will show the unescapable Korean drama obsession taking over India especially in the lives of popular influencers who come from different walks of life like fashion, beauty, food, and entertainment.

The four KXperience elements: K-Pop, K-Food, K-Beauty and K-Drama will boil down to a pan-India social media contest– The K Challenge, which will be hosted on www.kxperience.bookmyshow.com powered by BookMyShow, India’s leading entertainment destination. BookMyShow has conceptualized, designed and executed the entire microsite for the challenge. The consumers would need to recreate their own versions inspired by the KXperience elements and upload the content on their social media channels with the event hashtags. Exciting gifts like Samsung phones, tablets and KTO special KXperience box awaits the winners.

In addition to these series of virtual experiences, to meet the Indian masses’ demands for a Korean lifestyle taste, KTO has also collaborated with Korikart.com and CulturaGo offering special discounts on Korean products and online culture courses. Furthermore, a much-anticipated virtual tour is in the pipeline for KTO.

Commenting on the announcement Mr. Young-Geul Choi, Director, Korea Tourism Organization, New Delhi office, said,

“We have noticed the increasing trend for Hallyu wave in India, especially during the pandemic, when K-Drama, K-Food and K-pop engaged many Indians. So, we thought of coming up with a series of events which could keep Indian travelers and Hallyu lovers connected with Korea, till the time travel restrictions are lifted and they are able to travel to the destination. With the KXperience project and our collaboration with multiple brands, we wish to bring Korea to comfort of Indian homes.”

Talking about the association with KTO, AleXa, a K-pop artist from Korea said,

“As a Korean artist I am pleased to collaborate with KTO to bring me closer to my fans in India. I love dancing and partnering with Shraey Khanna for a dance-off was an absolute pleasure. I have been observing the fondness for Korean culture in India and cannot wait to virtually connect with them.”

Keiko Bang, the Founder and CEO at Millenasia commented on this association,

“We’re so thrilled to partner with KTO for this unique and innovative KXperience on BookMyShow. We think that the combination of Shraey Khanna and AleXa in particular is powerful and dynamic because they’re both such excellent dancers. Over the past few years, India has become the 6th largest country based on the amount of time spent per month on K-pop. In fact, Korean audiences have always admired the dancers in Bollywood movies, and are starting to understand that both Korea and India share a tradition and love for song and dance. We look forward to more K-pop and Bollywood concerts and events in India once the worst of COVID-19 has passed.”

“I am thrilled with my collaboration with KTO in bringing the Korean culture to the Indian audience. As an artist, I have always tried to do everything possible to bring the Indian audience close to different dance cultures. My dance-off video with one of the most loved artists from Korea, AleXa is going to showcase both cultures with a bit of twist. Can’t wait for the Indian audience to see the amalgamation of these two beautiful cultures,” added Shraey Khanna, Dancer, Singer and Choreographer, India.

Korea Tourism Organization has left no stone unturned when it comes to offering the best to its audience. With this project, they are aiming to come closer to its Indian patrons and bring together the best of both lifestyles.

Partner Comments on Collaborations:

Mr. Doyoul Lee, Director- Innisfree India and General Manager – AmorePacific India said, “We at Innisfree are extremely excited to be a part of KXperience and collaboration with Korea Tourism Organization and Bookmyshow.com. I think it will a completely different and unique experience for Indian audience and who are into Korean culture, pop, beauty, drama, food etc. Viewers can learn lot of beauty techniques in the K-beauty session by Innisfree. Since its the onset of festive season in India, I hope the tips and tricks of K-beauty session comes handy for you all. I hope you all can enjoy this vibrant KKulture experience from the comfort of your home.”

“We are excited to partner with Korea Tourism Organization for season 2 of one of our most appreciated shows- Star vs Food. The association is a result of the synergy between both the brands where we want to build a deep connection with Korean culture to give Indian audiences an immersive experience. The two Asian countries are similar to each other in certain aspects; like quality food is extremely important in both cultures. This common philosophy fits in seamlessly as Discovery Network has a long-standing history in travel and food-related content integrating different cultures.” said Shaun Nanjappa Chendira, Head of Advertising, Sales, South Asia, Discovery Inc.

Commenting on the collaboration Anil Makhija, COO – Live Entertainment & Venues, BookMyShow said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Korea Tourism Organization to bring the taste of Korean culture to millions of Indians. As the K-wave craze continues to swell in India, we are thrilled to extend this unique experience to our customers and give them an opportunity to witness renowned artists across Korea through compelling categories hosted on the microsite. BookMyShow’s unmatched capabilities of data analytics, consumer insights and a loyal base of millions of entertainment-loving users along with KTO’s great understanding of the cultural ethos, make this partnership a perfect fit.”

Mr. Seo Young-Doo, Founder Koriakart said, “We are so excited to associate with KTO for KXperience – Virtual Show. Observing the rise of K-wave passion everywhere in India, we brought Korean food, Cosmetics and Home Living products to be match with K-wave to make more strong appeal among Indian community, who love to explore more about Korea. Indian community admire Korean Food & Cosmetics, we will be connecting with them virtually with this platform, this is our privilege to be part of this once in a lifetime experience. We are eagerly waiting for the day to mix K-wave with Indian society.”

Mr. Stewart Brown, CEO, CulturaGo said, “CulturaGo is delighted to be a part of KTO India’s KXperience project to offer Indians the opportunity to learn about Korean culture. Through increasing the Indian market’s awareness and appreciation for Korean culture, we plan to increase the number of Indians who travel to South Korea in the future (be it to study, work, or for leisure) and equip these travellers with the insight needed to unlock a more enjoyable and meaningful experience exploring this fascinating part of the world.”

About Korea Tourism Organization (KTO):

Established in May 2008, Korea Tourism Organization’s New Delhi Office is the branch office of KTO that handles all travel-related information. It encourages Indian Outbound travelers to visit Korea, organizes familiarization trips for the travel industry and media personnel, and participate in key trade and tourism fairs. It also organizes consumer-related activities, roadshows, seminars, and workshops. The core focus areas are Media and Promotions, Product Training, Product Development & Co-Marketing with outbound tour operators and collaboration with Indian brands, whilst the main objective of KTO is to market South Korea’s multi-faceted appeal as a premier tourist destination to India and its neighboring countries.

Website link: www.visitkorea.or.kr

Platinum jewellery pieces from Platinum Evara

With the special occasion of Daughter’s Day coming up on 26^th September 2021, choose from a range of exquisitely crafted platinum jewellery from ‘PLATINUM EVARA’. The pieces range from statement platinum rings, intricately designed platinum necklaces, and even stunning essential jewellery like earrings and bracelets.

Billions of years ago a meteorite crash left behind remnants of precious white metal – ‘Platinum’! Born of the stars, platinum is found in extremely limited quantities on Earth and is 30 times rarer than gold, adding a whole new dimension of exclusivity to this precious metal. Rarity, strength, endurance are key attributes that this metal is known for and make it the perfect match for the young women of today. These are the qualities that have held us in good stead through these trying times and young women mirror them.

The range of platinum jewellery pieces from Platinum Guild India (PGI)’s PLATINUM EVARA takes inspiration from the cosmic phenomenon of a supernova, the explosion of a star, creating bright, all-encompassing, brimming sources of energy. Not very different from the modern woman of today, who in her own way is a source of energy, positivity, and possibilities. The design palette is a mix of facets, disruptive lines and frames that create an illusion of volume. Along with defining edges, enveloping, and refracting forms. Angular, edgy, and yet dimensionally fluid with circular forms, curves and grooves, each design in the collection is a fitting homage to a woman who rises with grace, every single time. The pieces range from statement platinum rings, intricately designed platinum necklaces, and even stunning essential jewellery like earrings and bracelets.

Here are a few jewellery pieces from PLATINUM EVARA and what they signify for the modern women of today, ideal to celebrate our daughters!

Breaking away from their path and starting all over again, these diamond-studded platinum arcs signify a woman’s courage to step away from what’s familiar and doesn’t align with her values. It represents the way she upholds everything she believes in, even if at times that means letting go of a path that doesn’t feel true to her.

Staying rooted yet branching out seamlessly, these leaves emerge from a diamond-studded stem. These earrings mimic the modern woman’s journey of moving towards new horizons while staying centered in courage.

Symbols resilience, these diamond-studded squares represent a woman’s compassion in testing times. The band moving through them signifies the way she steers through every bend in the road.

Held together by a platinum band, the two contrasting triangles portray yin and yang – reflecting the way the woman of today holds herself together through the good times and bad. The diamond-studded hexagonal motifs opening up reflect how she emerges stronger from it all, ready to take anything on.

How can a genetic test guide you towards a customised diet?

By Amol Naikawadi, Preventive Healthcare Specialist & JMD Indus Health Plus

It is long clear that every person’s physical and biological response to the kind of food they’re consuming will not always be similar. The dominant reason for the same is our genetic constitution. Now, you might wonder how our DNA can determine whether one likes Neem juice compared to a New York baked blueberry cheesecake? In your opinion, you might think everyone will prefer the latter, but no, some will choose the beverage over the dessert. Let us help you through that.

The genetic make-up of two individuals is never the same, hence the variations in response. We know that we need a balanced diet with essential macro and micronutrients for proper functioning and development. But when it comes to aspects such as stamina, weight loss, metabolism, tolerance, and preference for different types of food, the response will differ based on our genotype.

Nutrigenetics, an emerging field in science, is the study of how genes influence our nutrition. By the day, it is gaining more prominence to understand how receptive our body is to nutrients.

Taste and food preferences, metabolism rate, are some of the factors our genes control. For example, genetic variants in the TAS2R38 gene impacts whether one finds phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) in cauliflower, wine, and pepper bitter or tasteless.

A genetic test is a perfect guide to understand one’s ideal diet and nutritional needs. The test can help provide information on the following:

Micronutrients (Vitamin and mineral) deficiency – The report tells one about their genetic tendency for various vitamin deficiencies and possible health hazards that might arise from it.
Response to macronutrients (proteins, fats, carbohydrates, fibres, etc.)- Depending on the genotype, some people with high carbohydrate intake gain more weight than others. In contrast, others may lose weight from high fibre intake. At the same time, some people tend to benefit more in terms of weight maintenance from increased protein ingestion.
Salt intake and blood pressure sensitivity– Higher consumption of salt and how the blood pressure responds to it is partially determined by genetics. It may lead to increased blood pressure for some people, whereas others might be indifferent to it.
Bitter and sweet taste preference– Genetics is also the reason behind your taste preferences. High sensitivity to bitterness may make you avoid food such as black coffee. If you have a sweet tooth, you will have a more increased need to eat sugary foods and vice versa.
Satiety– the feeling of fullness for long hours post a meal. Due to genetic variations, people might eat more without feeling satisfied, while another group may feel full from just a small amount of food which may impact their weight.
Snacking– Need to eat frequently in between meals. Genes also determine whether you crave to munch on something between meals throughout the day. People who snack extensively have higher chances of gaining weight depending on their genes.
Bone mineral density (BMD) measures bone minerals present in a particular volume of bone tissues. Along with genetics, factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, medications, intake of bone minerals (Calcium & phosphorous), alcohol consumption determine the BMD of a person.
Apart from the above-listed factors, a genetic test can also share your response to Green tea intake and if you have the gene marked for weight loss from its consumption, caffeine metabolism, a genetic tendency for food sensitivities like lactose intolerance, amongst many more.

Hence, a DNA-based diet is one of the best ways to understand your body’s needs. Thus, all in all, the test will help an individual structure and personalise their diet, weight loss/muscle building regime, or fitness reasonably.

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