Monday, February 9, 2026
Home Blog

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. 

Invogue Secures ₹2 Crore Funding on Shark Tank India to Accelerate Shapewear Expansion

0

Bengaluru based shapewear startup Invogue has raised ₹2 crore on Shark Tank India Season 5, marking its first external funding since launch and setting the stage for its next phase of growth. The two year old brand, founded in 2023 by entrepreneur Maadhav Saxena and later joined by co founder Ragini, is building a portfolio of performance led shapewear designed for Indian body types and everyday wear needs.

Invogue entered the market at a time when organised players in shapewear were still limited in India. The company focused on fit, fabric engineering and compression performance while keeping customer acquisition costs in check. Since inception, the brand has served over 80,000 customers across India, catering to use cases spanning ethnic outfits and western silhouettes.

The ₹2 crore investment was made by Aman Gupta on the show. The capital will be deployed to strengthen supply chain capacity, widen the product range and support distribution across digital channels and physical retail touchpoints. The founders said the funding will also be used to build deeper manufacturing partnerships and improve inventory planning as volumes scale.

Invogue plans to expand beyond core shapewear into sculpted bras, innerwear, tummy tuckers and swimwear over the coming quarters. The company is also preparing to build an omnichannel presence, with pilots planned across select offline formats alongside its existing online sales channels. As part of its brand building push, Invogue recently partnered with Malaika Arora for a digital campaign aimed at increasing awareness among urban women shoppers.

Industry observers note that demand for functional innerwear and shapewear in India is rising as consumers seek comfort driven solutions that work across long workdays and social settings. With fresh capital in hand, Invogue is positioning itself to scale in a category that remains fragmented and under penetrated.

The founders said the focus in the next phase will remain on product performance and customer feedback led design, as the brand looks to grow from a niche shapewear label into a broader foundation wear player across categories.

Advertisement

Myntra Appoints Former Google Leader Pramod Adiddam as CTO to Strengthen Tech Roadmap

0

Myntra has named Pramod Adiddam as its new Chief Technology Officer, bringing in a seasoned global technology leader to steer the platform’s engineering and digital architecture as the business scales its fashion, beauty and lifestyle marketplace in India. The appointment comes at a time when the company is deepening its focus on platform reliability, faster innovation cycles and sharper personalisation across customer touchpoints.

In his new role, Adiddam will lead Myntra’s end to end technology charter, covering core commerce systems, data platforms, cloud infrastructure and emerging technology initiatives. The company said his mandate includes strengthening platform resilience to handle peak traffic, improving speed to market for new features and building capabilities that support expanding seller, creator and brand ecosystems.

Adiddam brings over 20 years of experience in building large consumer internet platforms. Prior to joining Myntra, he held senior engineering leadership roles at Google and Instacart, where he worked on high scale marketplace systems, platform engineering and product innovation across multiple geographies. His career includes designing systems that support millions of daily users, managing global teams and driving technology programs linked to revenue growth and customer engagement.

Myntra said the leadership addition adds depth to its technical bench as the platform continues to invest in personalisation, discovery tools and creator led commerce. The company has been expanding its technology investments to support rapid category growth, especially in beauty, which has emerged as one of its fastest growing verticals.

Commenting on the appointment, Myntra CEO Nandita Sinha said the platform’s ability to deliver a smooth and reliable shopping experience at scale is closely tied to the strength of its technology foundations. She added that Adiddam’s experience in running global consumer platforms will support Myntra’s next phase of growth.

Adiddam will report to the CEO and work closely with product, data and business teams to advance Myntra’s long term technology priorities.

Advertisement

Dr. Doodley Raises ₹30 Crore to Expand 24×7 Pet Hospitals Across Tier I Cities

0

Bengaluru based pet healthcare startup Dr. Doodley has secured ₹30 crore in pre Series A funding to accelerate the rollout of its hospital network and deepen clinical capabilities as demand for organised veterinary care rises in urban India. The round includes ₹20 crore in equity and ₹10 crore in debt. Equity investment was led by V3 Ventures, with participation from Campus Fund and the Thackersey Family Office. The round also saw backing from angel investors Yatin Shah and Karan Bhagat of 360 ONE Wealth, along with Gautam Dalmia, managing director of Dalmia Bharat Group.

Founded in 2023 by Utsav Bisaria and Yash Jayprakash Ladda, Dr. Doodley operates a hybrid care model that combines vet at home services with round the clock multispecialty hospitals. The company currently runs three facilities in Bengaluru at Jayanagar, Yelahanka and Whitefield, supported by a team of about 35 veterinarians. Its hospitals offer diagnostics such as X ray, ultrasound and blood tests, along with surgery and inpatient care backed by continuous monitoring. Clinical protocols are standardised across centres, with specialist access in surgery, gynaecology and internal medicine.

The fresh capital will be used to expand hospital capacity and prepare for entry into new markets. Over the next year, Dr. Doodley plans to open four more hospitals in Bellandur, Indiranagar, Rajajinagar and North Bengaluru, taking the network to seven facilities. The company aims to treat more than 100,000 pets during this period and grow its veterinary team to over 100 doctors.

The startup also plans to introduce 30 minute vet at home services and roll out a flat ₹10,000 surgery pricing model across procedures. Over the past year, Dr. Doodley said it handled more than 30,000 pet consultations and performed over 1,000 surgeries. The company operates in a fast growing pet care market alongside organised players such as Wiggles, Supertails, Vetic and Petzzco.

Advertisement

Luckin Coffee Debuts Premium Origin Flagship in Shenzhen as China’s Coffee Rivalry Heats Up

0

Luckin Coffee has opened its first premium Origin flagship store in Shenzhen, stepping into higher priced specialty coffee and taking direct aim at Starbucks’ Reserve format as competition sharpens in China’s urban café market. The launch marks a clear shift for Luckin, which built scale through compact, app led outlets known for low priced drinks and fast delivery.

The two level flagship sits in one of Shenzhen’s busiest commercial districts near the Hong Kong border. Unlike Luckin’s usual pricing of roughly one to two dollars for core beverages, the new store offers a curated menu of specialty brews such as pour over and cold brew, positioned for customers willing to pay more for sourcing stories and in store experience.

Luckin said the Origin concept focuses on traceable beans and brewing methods. The flagship highlights coffee sourced from Brazil, Ethiopia and Yunnan in southwest China, reflecting a growing interest among Chinese consumers in origin specific flavours. Early social media posts from local platforms show long queues during the soft launch period in late January, with reported wait times stretching beyond an hour, pointing to strong initial curiosity around the premium format.

The move comes as China’s coffee market grows more crowded. Starbucks set the tone for premium café experiences with its Reserve Roastery in Shanghai in 2017, but faces sustained pressure from fast expanding domestic chains and boutique cafés. Luckin reported revenue of about $1.55 billion for the quarter ended September 30, 2025, up nearly 48 percent year on year, underlining its scale advantage. The company crossed the 29,000 store mark globally by the end of September and has positioned the Shenzhen opening as part of its milestone march toward 30,000 outlets.

Starbucks, which runs just over 8,000 stores in China, is reshaping its local business through a proposed stake sale to Boyu Capital, valuing its China unit at roughly $13 billion including future licensing income.

By pairing premium storytelling with its vast retail footprint, Luckin is signalling an ambition to compete across price tiers. If the Shenzhen model delivers steady volumes, similar flagships are likely to follow in Shanghai, Beijing and other large cities, adding pressure on established premium players to defend both share and brand loyalty.

Advertisement

Zappfresh Enters Frozen Veg Snacks With Meevaa Foods, Targets Delhi NCR Rollout From Feb 9

0

Delhi NCR based meat and seafood delivery platform Zappfresh is widening its footprint beyond fresh proteins with the launch of Meevaa Foods, a new brand focused on frozen vegetarian snacks. The move signals a push into the ready to eat and ready to cook segment as the company builds a broader packaged foods portfolio alongside its core meat business.

The first phase of the rollout will begin in Delhi NCR from February 9, with Mumbai and Bengaluru slated to follow from March 1. Zappfresh said the frozen range will be available across online channels and select retail partners, aimed at urban consumers seeking convenient meal options for everyday consumption and quick home cooking.

As part of the expansion plan, the company has set aside ₹10 crore to scale its frozen foods vertical over the next two to three years. The investment will be directed towards product development, cold chain strengthening, distribution reach and brand building in priority metros.

Meevaa Foods will debut with a pilot portfolio of 12 vegetarian frozen products, including staples such as samosas, momos, kebabs and patties. The company plans to refresh and widen the range every quarter, adding new formats based on early sales data, repeat rates and consumer feedback from launch markets.

Zappfresh expects the frozen foods business to serve both domestic demand and overseas channels over time. The company estimates that imports and exports could account for 15 to 20 percent of frozen volumes as the category scales, driven by demand from international marketplaces and diaspora focused retailers.

With this entry, Zappfresh is positioning itself in a fast growing segment where convenience foods are gaining traction across urban households. The company believes frozen snacks offer a natural extension to its cold chain capabilities and processing infrastructure, allowing it to build a parallel revenue stream while reducing dependence on fresh meat categories. The brand said its near term focus will remain on execution in the three launch cities before expanding to additional markets.

Advertisement

Zero Sugar, Big Ambitions: Chini Kum Raises ₹1 Crore Pre Seed to Take on India’s Beverage Giants

0

Chini Kum has stepped into India’s crowded beverage space with a clear pitch and fresh backing. The zero sugar beverage startup has raised ₹1 crore in pre seed funding as it begins scaling its presence across the country. The brand is positioning itself as an alternative for consumers who want flavour without the baggage of refined sugar, a segment that is slowly but steadily gaining ground in urban India.

The funding will be used to expand Chini Kum’s product range and distribution, with a strong focus on drinks sweetened using natural alternatives like stevia and monk fruit. Alongside this, the company is also developing gut health focused beverages, tapping into the growing interest around digestion, clean labels and functional nutrition. While this category has seen interest globally, it is still relatively early in India, giving young brands room to experiment and build loyal audiences.

India’s beverage market has traditionally been dominated by high sugar carbonated drinks and fruit based options with added sweeteners. However, rising awareness around diabetes, obesity and lifestyle related issues has pushed many consumers to rethink daily choices. Chini Kum appears to be betting on this shift, aiming to make zero sugar drinks feel less clinical and more enjoyable for everyday consumption.

The startup plans to use the fresh capital to strengthen sourcing, improve formulations and widen availability both online and offline. Early efforts are also expected to go into brand building, as standing out in the beverage aisle requires more than just good ingredients.

With pre seed funding in place, Chini Kum is now entering a critical phase where execution will matter as much as the idea itself. If the brand can balance taste, pricing and trust, it could carve out a meaningful niche in India’s evolving non sugary beverage market.

Advertisement

The Sleep Company Appoints Udhaya Shankar M as CHRO to Lead People Strategy During Expansion

0

The Sleep Company has named Udhaya Shankar M as its Chief Human Resources Officer as the Bengaluru headquartered sleep solutions brand strengthens leadership to support its nationwide expansion. The appointment comes at a time when the company is scaling its retail network, supply chain operations and corporate teams across multiple cities.

Udhaya brings more than 17 years of experience across retail and consumer businesses, with a track record of building large teams, streamlining people processes and aligning workforce strategy with growth plans. In his previous role as Head of HR Operations at Metro Brands Ltd, he worked closely with leadership teams to strengthen talent systems across stores, warehouses and head office functions. His work there focused on hiring at scale, improving frontline engagement, building leadership pipelines and embedding technology across HR operations.

At The Sleep Company, he will oversee talent acquisition, learning and development, rewards, performance management and organisational design. The mandate includes building a strong employer brand in a competitive retail talent market, improving employee experience across physical stores and fulfilment centres, and creating leadership depth as the company expands its footprint.

The company said the role will also focus on strengthening internal capability for rapid store openings, last mile operations and omnichannel growth. As organised mattress and sleep solutions retail gathers pace in India, the brand is adding capacity across functions such as sales, operations, manufacturing support and digital commerce.

Commenting on the appointment, co founder Priyanka Salot said the company is investing in leadership that can build scalable people systems and ensure consistency as the organisation grows. She added that Udhaya’s experience in running HR for large retail networks and his focus on technology led processes will help the company improve efficiency while keeping employee engagement at the centre.

Udhaya is expected to work closely with the founding team and business heads to shape organisation structure, manage workforce planning and support long term growth plans. His appointment signals The Sleep Company’s intent to professionalise people practices as it moves into its next phase of scale.

Advertisement

Cantabil Retail Q3 Results: Net Profit Hits ₹45.1 Crore as Revenue Climbs 19%

0

Cantabil Retail India Ltd posted its strongest quarterly showing in the December quarter of FY26, reporting record profit and healthy operating gains as store productivity and margins improved across markets. The company’s revenue from operations rose 19 percent year on year to ₹264.4 crore, compared with ₹222.6 crore in the same period last year, reflecting steady demand across categories and higher throughput at existing stores.

Operating performance improved sharply during the quarter. EBITDA grew 31 percent to ₹95.2 crore, supported by tighter cost control and better operating leverage. EBITDA margin expanded to 36 percent from 32.6 percent a year earlier. Profit after tax also climbed 31 percent year on year to ₹45.1 crore, lifting PAT margin to 17.1 percent from 15.4 percent in the year ago quarter.

For the nine months ended December 31, 2025, Cantabil reported revenue of ₹599.1 crore, up 20 percent from the corresponding period last year. EBITDA for the period rose 27 percent to ₹186.2 crore, while profit after tax increased 27 percent to ₹66.5 crore. The company recorded same store sales growth of 6.3 percent over the nine month period, pointing to consistent traction at mature locations.

Management attributed the performance to a combination of improved footfalls, better sell through across price points and operating efficiencies. The company said easing tax pressures and stable consumer sentiment supported discretionary spending in key markets during the quarter.

Cantabil operates 646 exclusive brand outlets across India with a total retail area of about 8.82 lakh square feet. The retailer plans to continue adding stores in high potential clusters while investing in product refresh cycles and in store experience to lift conversion and average ticket sizes. The company expects its expansion pipeline and focus on operational discipline to support growth momentum through the next fiscal.

Advertisement

Willie’s Remedy+ Raises $15 Million in Series A to Scale Retail Expansion After Rapid Sales Surge

0

Fast-growing beverage label Willie’s Remedy+ has secured $15 million in a Series A funding round led by global growth investor Left Lane Capital, with participation from Second Sight Ventures. The capital raise comes less than a year after the brand’s market debut and follows a sharp acceleration in sales and retail distribution.

The functional beverage brand, developed as a partnership between JuneShine Brands and musician Willie Nelson, has crossed 400,000 bottles sold within its first year of operations. The company reports an annualised revenue run rate of $80 million, a pace that places it among the faster-scaling entrants in the better-for-you drinks segment. Industry observers note that the early traction reflects strong demand for non-alcoholic and functional beverage formats, particularly among younger urban consumers.

Willie’s Remedy+ has begun expanding its offline footprint, with a recent rollout at Total Wine & More marking its entry into one of the largest specialty beverage retail chains in the United States. The company plans to deepen its retail presence over the coming quarters by tapping JuneShine Brands’ established wholesaler relationships and three tier distribution network, which spans on-premise and off-premise channels across multiple states.

The fresh funding will be used to widen distribution, support inventory build-up and invest in brand visibility at retail. The company is also expected to allocate capital towards strengthening its supply chain and accelerating market entry into additional regions where JuneShine already has operating scale.

Left Lane Capital said the investment reflects confidence in Willie’s Remedy+ ability to build a national footprint in a crowded beverage market, supported by strong early demand and a differentiated brand partnership. Second Sight Ventures noted that the brand’s early momentum in retail, combined with JuneShine’s route to market, provides a clear pathway to rapid scale.

With distribution widening and capital in hand, Willie’s Remedy+ is now positioning itself to compete more aggressively for shelf space in the fast-growing functional beverage category, where established players and new entrants are both racing to capture consumer attention.

Advertisement

Wipro Enterprises Names Anita Bhat Zutshi as CFO to Lead Finance, IT and Legal Strategy

0

Bengaluru: Wipro Enterprises has appointed Anita Bhat Zutshi as its Chief Financial Officer, bringing in a seasoned global finance leader to steer financial strategy, governance, technology oversight and legal functions across the group’s two core businesses. The appointment comes at a time when Wipro Enterprises is scaling its consumer and engineering portfolios and sharpening its focus on operational discipline and long term growth.

In her new role, Zutshi will oversee finance, IT and legal strategy for Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting, which spans home care, personal care, lighting, seating and foods, as well as Wipro Infrastructure Engineering. The latter operates across hydraulic and automation solutions, aerospace components, water treatment systems, additive manufacturing and electronic materials, a segment added recently to the portfolio.

Zutshi joins Wipro Enterprises after leading the global finance function for Unilever’s ice cream business, a division with annual revenues of about €8 billion and operations across 76 countries. During her tenure, she played a central role in strengthening business performance and designing a value creation framework. She also guided the financial and operational separation of the ice cream business from Unilever, a complex transition involving systems, governance and capital planning across multiple markets.

Her professional journey began in 1995 at Hindustan Unilever, where she built deep experience in business partnering, financial stewardship and core finance functions. In 2014, she became the first woman to serve as Vice President Finance at HUL, overseeing the home and personal care portfolio. She later moved into global leadership roles, including CFO for Unilever’s North Africa, Middle East, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine and Belarus cluster, managing finance strategy across diverse regulatory and market environments.

At Wipro Enterprises, Zutshi is expected to focus on strengthening capital allocation, driving efficiency across business units and building robust governance frameworks to support expansion across consumer and industrial categories. The company said her global operating experience and track record of managing complex transformations would be valuable as it deepens its presence in both domestic and international markets.

Advertisement