With decades of experience as India’s beauty and wellness pioneer, Shahnaz Husain has transformed countless brides and grooms into their most radiant selves. Her integrated approach blends Ayurveda, herbal care, and time-tested rituals to ensure you look and feel your best on your big day. Here, she shares her essential tips. What is the ideal pre-bridal skincare routine you recommend for glowing skin? You must begin with proper skincare first; it should include CTMPN–Cleansing, toning, moisturizing, protection, and nourishment. These are the crucial skincare steps that you should always remember. Start by cleansing your face with a mild, soap-free cleanser, then refresh your skin with a rose essence toner, suitable for all skin types. Apply a light moisturizer to lock in hydration and never skip daily SPF to shield your skin from UV damage. At night, pamper your skin with a hydrating and repairing serum to restore its natural balance. For the best results, choose gentle herbal products. With consistent care, this routine will leave your skin naturally radiant, giving you that soft, bridal-like glow. How early should a bride begin her skincare preparations before the wedding? It all depends on what procedure you are opting for. If you are looking for skin corrective procedures addressing concerns like dark spots or uneven skin tone, then it takes six months to show results. If you are opting for glowing skin procedures, then three months is ample time. Additionally, it takes time to understand and get accustomed to various procedures, and for your skin to react or accept them. To be on the safer side, six months at least. For those in a hurry, I recommend nothing less than 3 months, and they should indulge in an instant glow facial 2 weeks in advance, avoiding getting any such procedure a couple of

Wellness isn’t one-size-fits-all. While one person finds joy in running marathons, another prefers quiet meditation with incense and a cup of herbal tea. What if your approach to self-care, health, and healing could be traced back to your zodiac sign? Here’s a zodiac-based guide to aligning your wellness rituals with your sun sign’s unique energy. Aries (March 21 – April 19) Element: FireVibe: Energetic, bold, competitiveWellness Style: Action-oriented and driven, Aries thrives on intense physical activity. Think HIIT workouts, CrossFit, or competitive sports. Tip: You need to burn off excess energy, but remember to balance high-intensity routines with rest. Try yoga or guided breathing exercises to avoid burnout. Taurus (April 20 – May 20) Element: EarthVibe: Grounded, sensual, indulgentWellness Style: Taurus finds joy in slow, luxurious rituals—think spa days, nature walks, and nourishing meals. Tip: Indulgence is great, but be mindful of comfort eating. Incorporate grounding foods and create a soothing bedtime routine for deep, restful sleep. Gemini (May 21 – June 20) Element: AirVibe: Curious, communicative, restlessWellness Style: For Gemini, wellness is all about variety. You might switch between cycling, dancing, or journaling based on your mood. Tip: Focus on mental clarity. Practice breathwork or join group classes that stimulate both mind and body—like barre or Pilates. Cancer (June 21 – July 22) Element: WaterVibe: Emotional, intuitive, nurturingWellness Style: Cancer nurtures others naturally—but don’t forget to care for yourself. Warm baths, emotional check-ins, and comfort food are your go-tos. Tip: Create a “feel-good” routine with calming rituals like chamomile tea, moon journaling, or meditative cooking. Leo (July 23 – August 22) Element: FireVibe: Confident, expressive, vibrantWellness Style: Leos thrive when the spotlight is on. Group workouts, dance classes, and stylish active wear keep you motivated. Tip: Channel your high energy into movement that feels creative—like Zumba or hot yoga.

Modern lifestyles are often dominated by work, causing us to overlook essential routines that form the foundation of a healthy life. In the constant hustle whether driven by work pleasure or pressure we tend to neglect the growing importance of our well-being. As MANOGNA REDDY reminds us, taking control of our mornings is the first step toward a more balanced and fulfilling life. Enough of the hustle it’s time to prioritise yourself. Mornings offer the perfect opportunity to engage in rituals that energise and ground you for the day ahead. Begin your day with intention, and you’ll start to see meaningful and lasting changes. Do Not Snooze Waking up early grants you precious time to focus on personal health, wellness, and hygiene often the first things we sideline on a busy day. Hitting the snooze button may offer a few extra minutes of rest, but it often steals away time, leaving behind guilt and a rushed start. Embracing an early start not only adds structure to your day but also brings a sense of clarity and control that sets the tone for everything that follows. Hydrate Begin your day with a hot glass of water. This as a practice flushes out toxins from our body and helps aid digestion. You may also add lemon, ginger, or tulsi leaves depending on what suits your body best. Hydrating first thing in the morning awakens your internal system and gives a fresh kickstart to your metabolism. Exercise Give your body the movement it deserves. You don’t need a full gym session just 10 to 20 minutes of stretching, yoga, or a brisk walk can work wonders. Exercise not only strengthens your muscles but also refreshes your mind and uplifts your mood. It also helps you stay disciplined and keeps laziness at bay throughout

They say just five minutes in nature can start healing your body. At SANTANI WELLNESS Resort, Kandy, it takes even less. Tucked away in the lush hills of Sri Lanka, four hours from Colombo, this isn’t just a resort it’s a sanctuary where modern stress is gently undone by ancient wisdom. When I was invited to review Santani, I was simply expecting a luxurious break. What I received was a transformation of body, mind, and rhythm. Join SINDURI VUPPALA on her journey into one of the world’s most conscious wellness destinations.  When the invitation arrived in my inbox to review Santani Wellness Resort, I paused. The name itself intrigued me. Santani a Sanskrit word meaning “in harmony with” immediately hinted at something deeper than just another luxury spa retreat. As a journalist constantly on the move, my mind cluttered with deadlines and devices, the promise of “balance” sounded too good to be true. I needed it more than I realised. Getting to Santani isn’t a spontaneous affair. It’s a four-hour drive from Colombo airport, winding through misty hills and sleepy villages. But every mile feels like a slow unravelling of the stress that city life knots into your body. As we drove up the final stretch, literally skimming the edge of a mountain range, I rolled down the window and inhaled deeply my first real breath in weeks. The view: endless, green, alive. I didn’t know it yet, but I was already beginning to heal. We were welcomed not with cold towels or champagne flutes, but with something far rarer genuine silence. No music. No chatter. Just the soft murmur of wind through the trees and the gentle bow of a staff member who led us directly to lunch. The chef greeted us personally. “Tell me what your body feels