Thursday, January 15, 2026
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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. 

BRAVee Names Simran Balar Jain as Brand Ambassador, Tapping a 30 Million Strong Indian Women’s Intimate Wear Market

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BRAVee, a women focused support solutions brand under the House of Beauty India portfolio, has announced Bengaluru based influencer Simran Balar Jain as its new brand ambassador. The association marks a strategic move for the brand as it looks to deepen its connection with modern Indian women and bring conversations around comfort, confidence and body awareness into the mainstream.

Simran Balar Jain has built a strong digital presence through her honest and relatable content around fashion, lifestyle and self acceptance. Known for speaking openly about real body experiences and everyday challenges, she aligns closely with BRAVee’s core philosophy of creating solutions that make women feel supported, both physically and emotionally. The brand believes her voice will help normalise discussions around intimate wear and self care without discomfort or stigma.

As part of the collaboration, Simran will work with BRAVee to highlight its product range while engaging audiences on topics such as confidence, body image and daily comfort. The partnership is expected to focus on storytelling driven content that reflects real life usage rather than idealised portrayals, something that resonates strongly with today’s digital consumers.

BRAVee operates as a sub brand within House of Beauty India, a portfolio known for addressing niche yet important needs within the personal care and beauty space. With this appointment, BRAVee aims to strengthen its positioning as a supportive companion for women across different body types and life stages.

The collaboration also reflects a broader shift in brand ambassador choices, where authenticity and relatability are valued as much as reach. By choosing Simran Balar Jain, BRAVee signals its intent to build trust led narratives and foster a community that prioritises comfort, confidence and honest conversations around women’s wellbeing.

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On-Demand Beauty Startup Dazzl Raises $3.2 Million in Seed Funding Led by Stellaris Ventures

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Bengaluru-based beauty and wellness startup Dazzl has secured USD 3.2 million in a seed funding round, marking a strong vote of confidence in its rapid-response, at-home service model. The investment was led by Stellaris Venture Partners, with participation from a cohort of prominent founders and operators including Ritesh Agarwal, Maninder Gulati, Abhinav Sinha, Sameer Brij Verma and Abhishek Bansal.

The fresh capital will be channelled towards expanding and refining Dazzl’s hyperlocal operations in Bengaluru, where the company is testing a quick commerce approach to everyday beauty and wellness needs. Unlike traditional salon or appointment-led platforms, Dazzl is built around speed and frequency, offering services such as blow-dries, head massages and pedicures at customers’ homes within minutes of placing an order.

Founded by Komal Solanki and Ashish Bajpai, Dazzl is positioning itself at the intersection of convenience, consistency and affordability. The company operates a vertically integrated model, overseeing professional sourcing, training, scheduling and service delivery. This structure, the founders say, allows tighter control over quality while enabling rapid fulfilment across dense urban clusters.

According to the company, the funding will be used to validate its core consumer proposition, strengthen unit economics in select neighbourhoods and build repeatable playbooks for demand generation and operations. Investments are also planned in technology infrastructure and training systems to ensure service reliability as volumes scale.

Over the next 12 months, Dazzl aims to deepen its footprint across key micro-markets in Bengaluru, closely tracking repeat usage and customer retention before rolling out to additional cities. The focus will remain on high-frequency, everyday use cases rather than occasion-driven services, a strategy designed to build habit and predictable demand.

With urban consumers increasingly prioritising convenience and time efficiency, investors believe on-demand personal care is poised for growth. Dazzl’s early bet on speed-led beauty services places it among a new wave of startups attempting to reimagine how essential services are delivered in India’s largest cities.

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India’s Pet Care Market Shifts Beyond Food as Premium Nutrition, Grooming and Wellness Drive Growth

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India’s pet care industry is undergoing a fundamental shift, moving well beyond basic food and accessories into a more comprehensive ecosystem built around nutrition, services and preventive wellness. What was once a functional category is now being shaped by urban consumers who increasingly view pets as family members rather than possessions.

Industry estimates peg India’s pet care spending at about USD 3.6 billion in 2024, nearly double the size recorded five years ago. Growth projections vary, but the direction is clear. The market is widely expected to cross USD 7 billion by 2028, with long-term estimates placing it as high as USD 25 billion by the early 2030s. Analysts broadly agree on a sustained growth trajectory of around 20 percent annually, driven by rising adoption, premium consumption and the gradual formalisation of retail.

This expansion is rooted in changing household behaviour. Redseer data suggests nearly 32 million Indian households owned pets in 2024, up from 26 million in 2019. While overall penetration remains low at about 10 percent, urban centres are witnessing a sharp shift toward higher spending per pet. Smaller dog breeds, growing cat adoption and an increase in multi-pet households are influencing demand patterns, particularly among young professionals and women.

Pet food continues to account for the bulk of industry value, estimated at 70 to 80 percent, but growth is increasingly led by premium and specialised diets. Clean-label products, functional nutrition and subscription-based buying are becoming common, with monthly spends rising steadily across metros.

Beyond food, services are emerging as a key growth engine. Grooming, boarding and veterinary services are seeing faster expansion than product categories, supported by mobile formats and organised chains. Preventive healthcare, including supplements and clinical nutrition, remains nascent but is gaining traction as awareness improves.

As the market matures, industry players believe the next phase of scale will be driven by trust, education and integrated offerings, signalling a shift from price-led growth to credibility-led expansion.

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McDonald’s India Offers Free Fries to Inked Voters Across Mumbai and Pune on Polling Day

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McDonald’s India, operated by Westlife Foodworld across West and South India, is marking the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation elections with a voter-focused initiative across Mumbai and Pune. On January 15, 2026, customers who cast their vote and choose to dine in at select McDonald’s outlets will be offered complimentary regular fries as a small acknowledgement of civic participation.

The initiative will run across 161 McDonald’s restaurants in the two cities and is limited to dine-in orders only. As per the company, the offer will be available to the first 200 customers at each participating outlet who can show proof of voting in the form of an inked finger. The move is designed to coincide strictly with polling day and will not be extended beyond January 15.

Westlife Foodworld said the campaign is aimed at recognising everyday civic actions rather than driving short-term promotions. By linking a familiar post-election ritual with a simple in-store experience, the company is seeking to engage consumers at a moment that already carries social significance. The brand has previously rolled out location and occasion-led campaigns around festivals, sports events and cultural moments to deepen local relevance.

Mumbai and Pune together form one of the company’s largest operating clusters, both in terms of store count and footfall contribution. The scale of the initiative reflects the importance of these markets to McDonald’s India’s dine-in business, which continues to see steady recovery alongside delivery-led growth.

While the offer does not require any minimum spend beyond a standard dine-in order, the limited cap per store keeps the focus on participation rather than volume-driven incentives. Company executives indicated that such initiatives align with Westlife Foodworld’s broader effort to remain visible in community-led moments without straying from its core value proposition.

The campaign positions McDonald’s India as a brand that acknowledges local civic milestones while staying grounded in everyday consumer interactions. On polling day, the inked finger becomes not just a marker of democratic participation, but also a small reason to pause, sit down and share a meal.

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Samantha Ruth Prabhu Backed Secret Alchemist Attracts Unilever Ventures and DSG Consumer Partners in 27.1 Crore Raise

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Samantha Ruth Prabhu backed fragrance brand Secret Alchemist has raised 3 million dollars, about Rs 27.1 crore, in a seed funding round led by Unilever Ventures, the venture capital arm of FMCG major Hindustan Unilever. The round also saw participation from DSG Consumer Partners and included a mix of primary and secondary investments.

The funding marks a key milestone for the D2C beauty and personal care startup, which positions itself as a clean perfume brand rooted in Indian aromatherapy and traditional perfumery practices. Secret Alchemist plans to use the fresh capital to expand its fragrance portfolio, strengthen research and development, and build a deeper leadership and core operations team.

Founded in 2021 by Ankita Thadani and Akash Valia, Secret Alchemist began as an aromatherapy and essential oils focused wellness brand. The company later pivoted entirely to perfumes, aiming to bring ingredient led fragrances to a younger, digitally native audience. Actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu joined the brand as a cofounder last year, helping sharpen its consumer appeal and visibility in an increasingly crowded fragrance market.

India’s perfume and personal care segment has seen a surge in D2C brands over the past few years, driven by rising disposable incomes, premiumisation, and growing interest in clean and conscious products. Secret Alchemist is betting on this shift by blending modern fragrance creation with Indian sensibilities, rather than following purely Western scent profiles.

With backing from a global consumer goods major and a clear focus on product depth, Secret Alchemist is now looking to scale thoughtfully. The brand’s next phase will likely focus on innovation, distribution expansion, and carving out a distinct identity in India’s fast growing premium fragrance space.

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MPearlRock Acquires The Good Crisp Company to Strengthen Better-For-You Snacks Portfolio

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MPearlRock Acquires The Good Crisp Company to Strengthen Better-For-You Snacks Portfolio

MPearlRock, the strategic investment platform backed by MidOcean Partners and US grocery major Kroger, has acquired a majority stake in The Good Crisp Company, marking another high-profile bet on the fast-growing better-for-you snacking segment. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Founded in 2015 by entrepreneur Matt Parry, The Good Crisp Company has built a distinctive position in the salty snacks category by reimagining classic crisps with simpler ingredients and a cleaner nutritional profile. The brand is best known for its stacked potato crisps, which are positioned as alternatives to traditional chips while avoiding artificial flavours, colours and preservatives.

Over the past decade, the company has scaled steadily across international markets. Its products are now sold through more than 20,000 retail doors spanning the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. Distribution includes major grocery chains, natural food retailers and select mass-market outlets, reflecting broad consumer acceptance beyond niche health channels.

The acquisition brings together MPearlRock’s consumer investing playbook with Kroger’s deep retail insights and MidOcean Partners’ experience in scaling branded food businesses. Industry observers expect the partnership to focus on expanding production capacity, widening distribution and accelerating new product development as demand for healthier snack options continues to rise globally.

The Good Crisp Company has previously attracted a diverse set of strategic and financial backers. Its investor roster includes Belgian bakery group Lotus Bakeries, along with Beliade, Clover Vitality, Goat Rodeo Capital and RCV Frontline. These investors are understood to have supported the brand’s international expansion and category innovation efforts.

The global better-for-you snacks market has seen heightened deal activity over the past few years, driven by shifting consumer preferences toward lower-ingredient, functional and permissibly indulgent products. With MPearlRock’s backing, The Good Crisp Company is expected to sharpen its focus on scale while preserving the product quality and brand identity that have fuelled its growth so far.

The transaction underscores continued investor confidence in differentiated snack brands that can bridge mainstream appeal and health-led positioning across multiple geographies.

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RSPL’s Namaste India Charts Faster Growth Path for 2026 on Strong Dairy Demand and Wider Reach

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RSPL Group’s dairy brand Namaste India is stepping into 2026 with an aggressive expansion plan, building on steady double-digit growth and a rapidly widening footprint across northern and eastern India. Over the past two to three years, the brand has posted average annual growth of around 15 percent, supported by rising consumption of organised dairy products and stronger penetration beyond large cities into semi-urban and rural markets.

Namaste India has positioned itself as a mass premium dairy brand with a broad portfolio that spans everyday staples and value-added products. Its range includes fresh milk across multiple fat variants, curd in pouch and cup formats, chhach, flavoured and plain lassi, paneer, butter, ghee, fresh cream, milkshakes, flavoured milk, UHT milk, dairy whitener and ice cream. This depth allows the brand to cater to both daily household needs and convenience-led consumption.

Milk remains the backbone of the business. Annual sales have crossed 200 million litres, with Namaste India supplying dairy products to more than 10 lakh households every day. This scale is underpinned by a strong distribution network of over 1,000 distributors and access to nearly 1.5 lakh retail outlets, giving the brand deep reach across general trade, with growing presence in select modern trade and institutional channels.

Geographically, Namaste India has built a solid base across Uttar Pradesh, Delhi NCR, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Jammu and Kashmir and Assam. Cities such as Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Delhi, Noida and Ghaziabad form key urban anchors, while rural distribution continues to be a major growth driver. Bihar and neighbouring markets have emerged as high-momentum regions, prompting the company to prioritise further expansion there in 2026.

As part of its next phase, the brand plans to invest in strengthening supply chains, upgrading quality and cold-chain infrastructure, and introducing more value-added and convenience-focused dairy products tailored to regional tastes. RSPL Group also plans to expand the Namaste India workforce by about 20 percent over the coming years, alongside new distribution partnerships and brand-led initiatives scheduled for early 2026. The strategy reflects a clear focus on scaling responsibly while reinforcing trust, affordability and consistent quality in everyday dairy consumption.

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Kwality Expands Breakfast Portfolio with India’s First Cranberry and Jaggery Muesli Launch

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Pagariya Food Products Pvt. Ltd. has expanded its breakfast cereal portfolio with the launch of two new muesli variants under its Kwality brand, introducing what it claims are category-first products in the Indian market. The company has rolled out Kwality Cranberry Muesli and Kwality Jaggery Muesli, aimed at consumers seeking functional nutrition with clean-label ingredients.

The launch comes as Indian households show growing interest in healthier breakfast options that balance taste, convenience and ingredient transparency. According to industry estimates, the health-focused breakfast cereal segment has been expanding steadily, driven by urban consumers and rising awareness around sugar reduction and whole grains.

Kwality Cranberry Muesli marks the brand’s entry into superfruit-led cereals. The product combines cranberries with a mix of fruits, nuts and seeds, supported by a base of millets, brown rice and oats. To strengthen its positioning, Pagariya Food Products has entered into a collaboration with the US Cranberry Association to promote awareness around cranberry-based nutrition in India. Cranberries are widely associated with antioxidant properties and are increasingly finding acceptance in global health food formulations.

The second launch, Kwality Jaggery Muesli, is targeted at consumers looking to cut down on refined sugar. Instead of added sugar, the product is naturally sweetened with jaggery and blended with multigrains, seeds and fruits. Jaggery continues to see renewed interest as a traditional sweetener linked to digestion and immunity, especially among health-conscious buyers.

Company leadership said the new products reflect a broader shift in consumer preferences. Dheeraj Jain, Director at Pagariya Food Products, noted that shoppers are increasingly seeking ingredients with clear functional benefits and traceable sourcing, pushing brands to innovate beyond conventional cereal formats.

The new muesli variants will be distributed across modern trade stores, quick commerce platforms and major e-commerce marketplaces across India. Pagariya Food Products currently has a presence in more than 25 Indian states and exports to over 42 international markets, including the US, Middle East and Southeast Asia.

With these additions, Kwality is strengthening its position in the wellness breakfast segment, blending global ingredients with familiar Indian elements to cater to evolving dietary habits.

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Reliance Industries Allocates RCPL Stake to Global Investors, Signals Strategic Play for Consumer Goods Arm

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Reliance Industries has completed the first major equity allocation in its newly carved out fast moving consumer goods business, Reliance Consumer Products Ltd, marking a decisive step in separating its consumer brands from the retail engine.

According to regulatory filings with the Registrar of Companies, Reliance has allotted equity in RCPL to 13 entities backed by global financial investors, including TPG, Qatar Investment Authority, KKR, Silver Lake, GIC and Mubadala. Together, these investors now hold 16.45 percent in RCPL, while Reliance Industries retains the remaining 83.55 percent stake.

The share allotment was executed on December 2, a day after RCPL was formally demerged from Reliance Retail Ventures and became a direct subsidiary of Reliance Industries. Shares were issued at a face value of Rs 10 with a premium of Rs 0.88 per share. Following the transaction, RCPL’s paid up share capital rose sharply from Rs 6 lakh to Rs 3,505.62 crore.

To support the equity issuance and future capital needs, RCPL has also increased its authorised share capital to Rs 10,000 crore. The ownership structure mirrors that of Reliance Retail Ventures, where the same set of institutional investors already hold minority stakes.

Market observers view the move as more than a routine internal restructuring. Analysts point out that carving out a clean, investor backed FMCG entity could position RCPL for strategic partnerships or even a separate public listing in the future. The filings note that consumer goods require a different operating focus, capital profile and investor base compared to large scale retail.

RCPL now owns the entire FMCG portfolio previously housed within the retail business. This includes Campa Cola, currently the company’s highest selling brand, along with staples label Independence and legacy names such as Velvette and Ravalgaon, which are being reintroduced in updated formats.

With the consumer products arm now ring fenced, Reliance appears to be laying the groundwork for sharper execution and independent growth in one of India’s most competitive FMCG markets.

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Uday Kotak’s Family Office USK Capital Makes First Overseas Bet with Go Raw Acquisition

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USK Capital, the family office of banker and investor Uday Kotak, has made its first overseas acquisition with the purchase of a controlling stake in US-based healthy snacking company Go Raw, marking a notable step in its global investment strategy.

The transaction was executed through one of USK Capital’s operating entities under the overseas direct investment route. While the firm did not disclose the financial terms, the deal involved the acquisition of a majority interest in Freeland Foods LLC, the parent company of the Go Raw brand. Existing shareholders, including middle-market private equity firm Juggernaut Capital Partners and other early-stage investors, exited their holdings as part of the transaction.

Founded in the United States, Go Raw has built a strong presence in the natural and health-focused food segment, with products centred on sprouted and minimally processed ingredients. The brand has steadily expanded its retail footprint across major grocery and specialty food chains, benefiting from rising consumer demand for clean-label and plant-based snacks.

USK Capital said the investment aligns with broader global shifts toward healthier eating habits, particularly in mature markets such as the US where wellness-led food categories continue to outpace conventional packaged foods. According to industry data, the US health snacks market has been growing at a high single-digit rate, driven by changing dietary preferences, increased awareness around nutrition, and greater shelf space for better-for-you brands.

Commenting on the acquisition, Venkat Subramanian, Chief Investment Officer at USK Capital, said the family office sees long-term potential in brands that combine strong consumer trust with scalable distribution. He noted that Go Raw’s consistent growth trajectory and expanding retail reach made it an attractive entry point into the global food and wellness space.

The acquisition signals a shift for USK Capital, which has largely focused on domestic investments until now. By stepping into the US consumer market, the family office joins a growing number of Indian investors looking beyond home markets to tap into established global consumption trends.

Going forward, USK Capital is expected to work closely with Go Raw’s management to support the brand’s next phase of growth, including product innovation, supply chain strengthening, and deeper market penetration in North America.

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