Thursday, December 18, 2025
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Start following Kiara Advani’s simple yet powerful morning ritual for glowing skin

Have you ever stopped to marvel at Kiara Advani’s radiant and flawless skin? In the exquisite glamour that is Bollywood, Kiara Advani stands out not just for her acting genius but also for her luminous and healthy skin. Amidst the overwhelming myriad of options surfaced by the beauty industry, this simple yet transformative ritual is not only a fad, but the cornerstone of her radiance.

 

The secret might be simpler than you think. It’s not a gruelling workout or a 10-step skincare routine; it’s a simple cup of warm water, with a slice of lemon in it. Kiara’s morning habit of indulging in warm water infused with the zest of fresh lemons has become a conscious choice rooted in her approach to holistic well-being. The actress recommends this refreshing elixir not only for its skin-enhancing benefits but also for the multiple benefits it has in improving your overall health and vitality.  

 

Hansa Yogendra, Director of The Yoga Institute in one of her videos on the health benefits of lemons mentioned, “Drinking one glass of lemon water every day in the morning will benefit you for a lifetime”.  Her claim can further be supported by a research published in the Journal of Science and Technology which reveals that “It is a healthy appetiser and helps to treat diseases with digestive aids. Lemon does not disclose any adverse effects, according to literature, but it is used all over the world as a traditional medicine”. Vitamin C, which is abundantly present in lemons, fights toxins and increases collagen production in the body, both of which help in treating acne as well as tightening the skin and reducing fine lines and wrinkles. While lemons are famously known for their Vitamin C component, not many people are aware of their Potassium-rich skin, which is an important mineral for nervous stimulation as well as maintaining blood pressure. Here are a few more benefits of adding lemon water to your everyday diet:- 

  • Immediately soothes muscle cramps
  • Peptin in lemons makes us feel fuller, thereby, helping in weight loss
  • Boosts immunity by stimulating the production of White Blood Cells in the body
  • Removal of kidney stones 
  • The lemon peel when infused in water for 30 minutes, activates its bioactive compounds which boost immunity and prevent our bodies from cellular damage
  • It also helps in the release of digestive enzymes which help in better absorption of nutrients

 

This simple kitchen hack has proudly made its way into the celebrity wellness circuit. Not only Kiara Advani but also Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone, Kriti Sanon, and Malaika Arora have this one drink in common at the break of dawn.

Here are 3 ways, you can incorporate the lemon water glow into your morning routine:- 

  1. Warm ginger lemon tea- Boil a glass of water with crushed ginger. When its done, squeeze a lemon into your glass and have it warm. To enjoy it in place of your morning tea, you may add a teaspoon of honey to it.

2. Ginger lemon shot – Take an inch of ginger root, and one squeezed lemon. Add enough water to blend it (3-4 tablespoons) in a blender, and have it as a morning shot.

3. Lemon-infused detox water- Cut up slices of one lemon and add it to your water bottle. Have 1-2 glasses of lemon water in the morning, and keep having the rest throughout the day. 

While lemon water offers a myriad of health benefits, it’s crucial to exercise moderation. One lemon a day is a healthy limit, and people with gastroesophageal reflux disease should be cautious about excessive lemon juice intake. As with any dietary rituals, balance is key to ensuring you enjoy the advantages without overdoing it. 

Tata Sons Infuses ₹1,500 Crore More into Tata Electronics to Expand iPhone and Semiconductor Manufacturing

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Tata Sons has infused an additional ₹1,500 crore into Tata Electronics, underlining the group’s growing commitment to electronics manufacturing and its expanding role in Apple’s global supply chain. Regulatory filings show that the fresh equity investment, made in October, takes Tata Sons’ total capital support to ₹4,500 crore over the past year.

The funding comes as Tata Electronics scales up iPhone manufacturing in India, where it has emerged as one of Apple’s largest contract producers. A significant share of its output is exported to markets such as the United States and Europe, reflecting India’s rising importance in Apple’s production strategy. Industry estimates indicate that over 70 percent of iPhones sold in the US are now made in India, with Tata Electronics playing a central role alongside Foxconn.

The filings also reveal that Tata Electronics has doubled its authorised share capital to ₹20,000 crore, signalling room for further capital infusion. While the company has not detailed the purpose of the latest investment, it has indicated that additional long term funding will be required to support ongoing business activities.

At ₹62 per share, the latest equity issuance is expected to fund capital expenditure across electronics manufacturing and the company’s semiconductor ambitions. Tata Electronics reported consolidated operating income of ₹66,206 crore in FY25, a sharp rise from ₹3,752 crore in the previous year. Despite the surge in revenue, the company remains loss making, although net losses narrowed to ₹69 crore from ₹825 crore a year earlier, reflecting heavy spending on capacity expansion and integration.

Beyond smartphones, Tata Electronics is making a decisive push into semiconductors. The company has committed close to $14 billion towards building a chip fabrication plant in Gujarat and an assembly and testing facility in Assam. Earlier this month, Tata Group signed a memorandum of understanding with Intel to explore manufacturing, packaging and advanced chip solutions at these upcoming facilities.

The sustained investment highlights the Tata Group’s long term bet on advanced electronics and semiconductors, positioning India as a critical hub in global technology supply chains.

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Naturals Salons Appoints Sreeleela as Brand Ambassador to Drive Franchise Growth and Youth Connect

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Naturals Salons has appointed actor Sreeleela as its new brand ambassador as the company sharpens its focus on expansion, entrepreneurship and workforce development in India’s organised beauty services market. The association comes as the salon chain works towards an ambitious goal of enabling 1,000 franchise entrepreneurs and generating more than 15,000 stylist jobs by the end of 2026.

Founded by K Veena, Naturals operates on a franchise driven model that has helped bring structure to a largely fragmented salon industry. The company provides its partners with centralised training, technology support and standardised service protocols, allowing individual entrepreneurs to scale with consistency and quality. Over the years, the brand has steadily expanded across metropolitan cities as well as smaller towns, building a nationwide footprint.

The choice of Sreeleela reflects Naturals’ effort to deepen engagement with younger consumers. With Gen Z and millennial customers increasingly driving demand for organised beauty and wellness services, the company believes the actor’s growing presence across regional and Hindi cinema aligns well with its evolving audience profile.

Alongside the brand ambassador announcement, Naturals has rolled out a new loyalty initiative titled the Customer First Card. The programme allows members to access salon services worth ₹30,000 for an upfront payment of ₹20,000, valid for one year. The offering is available across more than 900 Naturals outlets and includes flexible EMI options, reinforcing the brand’s focus on affordability and customer retention.

As it moves closer to its four figure franchise milestone, Naturals continues to invest in training academies, digital tools and operational systems to support its partner salons. The company says these efforts are central to professionalising the beauty workforce and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities.

For Naturals, the latest appointment is part of a broader strategy to build a scalable, responsible beauty services platform rooted in India’s domestic growth potential. With expansion underway and a renewed focus on younger consumers, the salon chain is positioning itself as a key player in the country’s evolving beauty and wellness ecosystem.

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Jonathan Srour’s Habiza Hummus Lands Backing from Foodbeast Ventures

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Foodbeast has stepped into the investment game with a clear signal of intent, backing Habiza Hummus through its newly launched venture arm, Foodbeast Ventures. This marks the media company’s first-ever investment and reflects a growing trend of content platforms moving closer to the brands they help popularize.

Founded in 2023 by Jonathan Srour, Habiza has quickly carved out space in the crowded hummus category by doing something surprisingly simple. It removed seed oils and focused on taste, texture, and personality. In a category long dominated by mass produced, overly processed options, Habiza positioned itself as a cleaner, creamier, and more playful alternative.

That approach seems to be working. In less than two years, Habiza has landed distribution across major and premium retailers including Target, Erewhon, Central Market, Bristol Farms, Gelson’s, DeCicco & Sons, and Mollie Stone’s. Few new food brands scale that quickly without losing focus, which makes Foodbeast’s bet particularly interesting.

For Foodbeast, the investment is not just about capital. As a media company with a deep understanding of food culture, internet trends, and Gen Z taste preferences, it brings something many traditional investors do not. It brings cultural fluency. Foodbeast co founder Elie Ayrouth summed it up bluntly, calling Habiza what packaged hummus should have been for decades. Seed oil free, genuinely tasty, creamy, and fun.

Foodbeast Ventures appears to be designed for brands exactly like this. Brands that already resonate with consumers but need a partner who understands how food, culture, and content intersect today. For Habiza, the backing offers credibility and amplification. For Foodbeast, it is a move from storytelling to ownership.

If this first deal is any indication, Foodbeast Ventures is positioning itself as a serious player in modern CPG, one that bets on products built as much on taste as on cultural relevance.

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L Catterton Acquires Stake in Haldiram, Partners to Accelerate Global Expansion of Indian Snacks Giant

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Global consumer focused investment firm L Catterton has entered into a strategic partnership with Haldiram, acquiring a stake in India’s largest snacks and packaged foods company. While financial details of the transaction were not disclosed, the investment underscores growing global investor confidence in India’s branded food sector and Haldiram’s long term growth potential.

L Catterton, which manages around $39 billion in equity capital worldwide, said the partnership is aimed at strengthening Haldiram’s leadership in the domestic market while accelerating its international expansion. The firm believes Haldiram’s strong brand equity, deep distribution network and consistent performance provide a solid foundation for global scale up.

Earlier in the year, Haldiram had attracted investments from Temasek, Alpha Wave Global and Abu Dhabi based International Holding Company. Though the company did not reveal valuation details at the time, industry sources pegged the transaction at nearly $10 billion, making it one of the largest valuations ever achieved by an Indian packaged food business.

L Catterton’s India operations are led by Sanjiv Mehta, former CEO and Managing Director of Hindustan Unilever, who now serves as Executive Chairman of the firm in the country. According to the company, Mehta’s experience in building consumer brands and navigating complex markets will play a key role in shaping Haldiram’s next phase of growth.

The partnership is expected to focus on several strategic priorities, including brand building, product innovation, supply chain and distribution optimisation, talent development and geographic expansion. A key objective will be positioning Haldiram as a global brand rooted in Indian food culture, catering to both diaspora and international consumers.

L Catterton has a strong track record in the packaged foods and snacking category, with investments across brands such as Kettle Foods, Ferrara Candy Company, Kodiak, Little Moons and Plum Organics, among others.

Founded in 1937 as a small sweets and namkeen shop in Bikaner by Ganga Bhishen Agarwal, Haldiram has grown into a global food powerhouse, with products sold in more than 80 countries. In April 2025, the packaged snacks businesses of Haldiram Snacks and Haldiram Foods International were merged to create Haldiram Snacks Food, consolidating operations under a single entity.

With L Catterton joining its cap table, Haldiram is poised to deepen its presence at home while taking a sharper push into international markets.

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Horlicks Rebrands as Lifestyle Nutrition Brand, Shifts Focus to Superfoods and Everyday Wellness

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Horlicks, one of India’s most recognisable nutrition brands, has embarked on a significant repositioning exercise as it looks to align with changing consumer expectations around health, wellness and preventive nutrition. Long associated with childhood growth and family nourishment, the brand is now reshaping itself as a lifestyle focused nutrition offering aimed at everyday wellness and active living.

The refreshed identity introduces a contemporary visual language, simplified packaging and a renewed emphasis on functional ingredients. The move reflects a broader shift in India’s nutrition landscape, where consumers are increasingly prioritising long term health outcomes over basic calorie intake. Demand for foods that support immunity, sustained energy, digestion and mental well being has risen steadily across urban and semi urban markets, prompting legacy brands to rethink their role.

As part of the overhaul, Horlicks is expected to spotlight nutrient rich ingredients commonly associated with superfoods. These include millets, turmeric, ashwagandha, antioxidants, plant based proteins and gut supportive nutrients. The intent is to move beyond the traditional perception of a malted drink and position the brand as a daily nutrition companion suited to fast paced lifestyles.

Company executives indicate that the transformation goes beyond aesthetics. The brand is recalibrating its product development strategy to address the needs of young adults, working professionals and fitness aware consumers, segments that are increasingly driving growth in the health and wellness category. Industry estimates suggest that the premium nutrition and preventive health segment in India has been growing at double digit rates since the pandemic.

Horlicks is also expected to expand its presence across new formats over time. While the classic powdered beverage remains part of the portfolio, the brand is exploring opportunities in ready to drink options, fortified foods and convenient nutrition formats that cater to on the go consumption.

With competition intensifying from both global players and homegrown wellness brands, the repositioning is aimed at ensuring long term relevance. By blending its legacy of trust with a sharper focus on modern nutrition science, Horlicks is seeking to secure a place in India’s evolving lifestyle health ecosystem while staying connected to its roots.

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Quick Home-Services Startup Pronto in Talks to Raise $25 Million at $100 Million Valuation

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Quick home services startup Pronto is in discussions to raise about $25 million in a new funding round that would value the company at nearly $100 million, according to people familiar with the matter. The proposed round is expected to include participation from Epiq Capital as a new investor, along with existing backers Glade Brook Capital, General Catalyst and Bain Capital, who are looking to maintain their ownership in the company.

The talks come amid growing investor interest in startups offering 10 to 15 minute home services, a segment that has seen rapid capital inflows over the past year. Pronto’s fundraise follows closely on the heels of rival Snabbit’s recent $30 million round, which valued that company at around $180 million, highlighting intensifying competition in the space.

Founded with a vertically integrated operating model, Pronto manages worker sourcing, training and deployment in house rather than functioning as a pure marketplace. This approach has required heavy upfront investment but has allowed the company to scale operations quickly while maintaining tighter control over service quality.

Pronto has raised capital multiple times over the past two years. In August, it secured $11 million from General Catalyst, Glade Brook Capital and Bain Capital to expand into more metro markets and strengthen its operational backbone. Earlier, a $2 million round led by Bain Capital helped the company build its initial hub and spoke network and training systems in Gurugram.

At the time of its Series A, Pronto was processing between 1,000 and 2,000 orders daily. That figure has since climbed to roughly 6,000 orders a day, with the company now operating across seven cities. The scale up underscores rising urban demand for instant home services such as cleaning, repairs and basic maintenance.

The company recently moved its headquarters to Bengaluru, shifting its technology, product and data teams to the city while keeping some operations and customer support functions in Gurugram. The relocation mirrors a broader trend among fast growing consumer tech startups seeking access to deeper talent pools.

If completed, the new funding round would give Pronto additional capital to expand into more cities, strengthen its technology stack and invest further in workforce training as competition in the instant services market continues to heat up.

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Cumin Co Targets ₹100 Crore ARR by FY26, Bets on D2C Growth and Enamel Cookware Innovation

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Premium cookware brand Cumin Co is charting an aggressive growth path, aiming to scale to ₹100 crore in annual recurring revenue by FY26, backed by a strong direct to consumer strategy and a focused push on enamel based innovation. The company, which recently raised $1.5 million in funding, is prioritising manufacturing expansion, research driven product development and brand education as it looks to build long term leadership in the premium cookware segment.

Founded by Niharika Joshi and Udit L., Cumin Co has positioned itself at the intersection of performance, safety and durability. The fresh capital is being channelled into strengthening production capabilities and improving supply chain resilience, alongside deeper investments in material science and research. The founders say this approach allows the brand to scale steadily without compromising on product integrity.

At present, Cumin Co’s own website remains its primary growth engine, contributing significantly to both revenue and customer engagement. The company is also expanding selectively across online marketplaces to improve reach, while exploring curated offline partnerships to increase accessibility. Physical retail, including experiential formats, is under evaluation as cookware remains a touch and feel category where in store interaction can influence purchase decisions.

Beyond near term revenue goals, the company is working towards establishing category leadership by FY30. Marketing spends remain disciplined, with influencer collaborations accounting for a small share of the overall budget. Instead, the focus is on targeted partnerships with creators who drive genuine purchase consideration.

Technology and consumer data play a central role in shaping decisions across product design, pricing and inventory planning. Insights from customer behaviour inform everything from ergonomics and material choices to aesthetics and cooking use cases.

Cumin Co sees significant headroom for growth in enamel cookware, a category still limited by low awareness rather than lack of demand. The brand believes education around safety, longevity and value will be key to wider adoption.

Sustainability, according to the founders, is embedded in the product philosophy. By designing long lasting cookware made from safe materials, the company aims to reduce waste and encourage mindful consumption as it scales its presence in India’s premium kitchenware market.

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Lucira Targets Rs 100 Crore Milestone as Founder Bets Big on Offline Jewellery Stores

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Lucira is charting an ambitious growth journey as it sets its sights on becoming a Rs 100 crore brand within the next three years. The jewellery brand, which started as a digital first venture, is now placing a strong bet on physical retail as it looks to build scale, trust, and long term profitability in a competitive market.

The company plans to open between eight and ten offline stores across major Indian cities by FY26. This move reflects a clear understanding of how jewellery buying works in India, where customers still value touch, feel, and in person assurance before making a purchase. While Lucira began online, offline channels already contribute nearly 85 percent of its overall revenue, underlining the importance of brick and mortar presence for the brand.

Lucira’s strategy goes beyond just adding stores. The focus is on building an omnichannel model where online discovery and offline experience work together seamlessly. Customers may browse collections digitally, but complete their purchases in store, or vice versa. This integrated approach is helping the brand improve conversion rates while keeping customer acquisition costs under control.

To support its expansion plans, Lucira has raised Rs 45 crore in funding. The capital will be used to strengthen retail infrastructure, invest in brand building, and refine supply chain operations. With careful store selection, controlled inventory, and a sharp focus on margins, the company aims to scale without compromising profitability.

As consumer preferences evolve and organised jewellery retail continues to grow, Lucira’s shift toward a balanced online and offline presence could position it well for the next phase of growth. If executed with discipline, the brand’s Rs 100 crore goal may arrive sooner than expected.

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Ranveer Singh Backed SuperYou Bags 7 Million Dollars as V3 Ventures and Zerodha’s Rainmatter Double Down on India’s Protein Boom

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SuperYou, the protein and wellness brand co founded by actor Ranveer Singh and entrepreneur Nikunj Bansal, has raised 7 million dollars in a fresh funding round led by V3 Ventures and Rainmatter. The round marks another strong vote of confidence in the young startup that is trying to make everyday nutrition more accessible and mainstream for Indian consumers.

The funding comes about a year after SuperYou raised capital from Zerodha founders Nikhil and Nithin Kamath, a move that had already put the brand firmly on the startup radar. With this latest round, SuperYou plans to deepen its presence across categories like protein bars, shakes, and functional foods, while also expanding its distribution footprint both online and offline.

SuperYou entered the market with a clear pitch. High quality protein does not need to feel intimidating, boring, or restricted to hardcore fitness enthusiasts. The brand has focused on clean labels, familiar Indian flavours, and easy to consume formats, aiming to appeal to a wider audience that includes first time protein users.

Ranveer Singh’s involvement has helped the brand cut through clutter in a crowded nutrition space, but the company’s early traction has largely come from product adoption and repeat customers. Industry observers note that SuperYou has benefited from growing awareness around fitness, protein intake, and preventive health, especially among younger urban consumers.

The fresh capital will be used to invest in product innovation, brand building, and strengthening supply chain capabilities. As competition in the protein and wellness segment continues to intensify, SuperYou is betting on strong branding combined with credible nutrition to scale sustainably.

With backing from prominent investors and a clear consumer focused approach, SuperYou appears well positioned to build a lasting presence in India’s fast evolving health and wellness market.

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Right4Paws Raises ₹14 Crore in Series A Funding, Plans EU Exports and Manufacturing Scale-Up

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Premium pet nutrition brand Right4Paws has raised ₹14 crore in a Series A funding round as it steps up investments in manufacturing, product development and international expansion. The round was backed by a group of high net worth individuals and advised by UAE based Three Pins Capital Ltd, marking one of the larger early stage raises in India’s fast growing pet care segment.

Right4Paws operates as the consumer brand of Pet Prakalp India, a Coimbatore headquartered pet care company that anchors research, innovation and manufacturing for the business. The fresh capital will be deployed to significantly scale production capacity, with the company planning to increase monthly input processing from about 30 tonnes to nearly 120 tonnes. This fourfold expansion is expected to support rising domestic demand while preparing the business for overseas markets.

Among its key priorities is entry into the European Union, which the company is targeting for 2026. To support this push, Right4Paws plans to strengthen internal capabilities, onboard specialised talent and build systems aligned with global quality and compliance standards.

The company also intends to broaden its portfolio by launching new products across functional nutrition and life stage specific categories. Distribution expansion across Indian markets is another focus area as the brand looks to improve reach and availability among urban and emerging pet owning households.

India’s dog food market is currently estimated at around ₹5,000 crore and is growing at nearly 20 percent annually, driven by increasing pet adoption and a shift towards packaged, nutritionally balanced food. With more than 40 million companion animals in the country, demand for premium and natural pet nutrition has been rising steadily.

Founded by Dhanu Roy and co led by Sameer Achan, Right4Paws positions itself at the intersection of whole food nutrition and modern convenience. Its formulations are developed in collaboration with veterinary nutritionists in the United Kingdom and are designed to align with the digestive systems of pets.

The company says its long term goal is to build a science led, natural pet food brand from India with relevance in global markets, starting with Europe.

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