Who even decided stretch marks are imperfections that we should fight, hide, and prevent? It obviously wasn’t Chrissy Teigen, who shared that she finds her stretchies to be totally NBD. And at least one artist, given that she uses the skin marks as her canvas for sparkly works of Instagram art.
Sara Shakeel—who grew a large following for her imaginative pieces (like this one)—has recently been posting a new series of images on Instagram—and the result is a veritable self-love movement. Shakeel added glitter into photos to outline women’s stretch marks, thus reimagining the feature thats all too often considered a flaw into something incredibly empowering and beautiful.
Whether using gold glitter or a bluish-green mermaid color, her artwork aims to help women see their bodies in a whole new light—one that’s super shiny—because Shakeel wanted to fill her “stripes” with something pretty.
“I was quite scared of uploading it. I am a Pakistani-based artist, and talking about stretch marks or even making art out of it is not something you talk about on a regular basis.” —Sara Shakeel
“I still remember that feeling of making those glitter stretch marks, and I was quite scared of uploading it,” she told Cosmopolitan. “I am a Pakistani-based artist and talking about stretch marks or even making art out of it is not something you talk about on a regular basis.”
But because she bravely followed through, Shakeel has gifted so many women a jolt of glitter-fueled empowerment—and she says this is only the beginning of her series.
See her shimmery reimagining of this body “flaw,” below.
The stars are your friends with benefits today. Love planet Venus enters sizzling Aries very early in the morning, making us so thirsty that every stranger in the supermarket looks like a snack. And with open-minded Jupiter stationing direct in talkative Gemini, your daily horoscope is oozing lust. We’re in for the long haul with this hella hot cosmic situationship because an upcoming Venus retrograde will keep this relational planet in Aries until June. Now is the time to find healthy ways to express your desires and to get practice for the weeks and months ahead.
Your annual Venus visitation starts today, Aries, and it’s gonna be one hell of a stay. The love planet is in your sign through the end of the month, then turns retrograde in March, leaves, and then returns in April through June. Basically, expect many ups, downs, twists, and turns in your relationships and sex life. Major side note: Venus also rules beauty, so book that salon visit and feel no guilt about your next Sephora haul.
Taurus
April 20–May 20
Your planetary ruler Venus slides into your dream zone today, invigorating your fantasy life. This brings a whole new awareness of what’s going on deep in your subconscious regarding love and lust, Taurus. If anything has dampened your libido lately, this is one way to light it up again—by letting your mind wander.
Gemini
May 21–June 20
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The planet in charge of love and beauty moves into your eleventh house of groups today, Gemini, just as lucky Jupiter stations direct in your very own sign. Call your besties because this is a super social and gregarious moment. If you’re too busy to get together, at least put some plans on the calendar.
Cancer
June 21–July 22
Alluring Venus enters your tenth house of career today, ushering in one of the most lucrative phases of the year for you, Cancer. This can help you magnetize money as people may want to hire you. It can also heighten your professional status, pulling higher-ups into your orbit.
Leo
July 23–August 22
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With the love planet moving into Aries, your sister fire sign, it’s about to get deliciously hot up in here, Leo. And with Venus spending an unusually long period of time in your ninth house of new experiences, you might find yourself longing for adventure. Whether you find it on a trip abroad, through a course, or by reading tons of books, it’s time to explore the world.
Virgo
August 23–September 22
The planet of love and beauty shifts into your eighth house of transformation and desire today, and she’s going to tell an intense story about your sex life over the coming months, Virgo. Use this to get in deeper touch with what you truly want from a partner—current or future—and take it seriously. This is about going beyond the performative and dipping into authentic pleasure.
Libra
September 23–October 22
Your planetary ruler moves into your relationship zone today, Libra, initiating one of the most important phases of the year for your partnerships. With Venus now in your seventh house, leaving in March and returning in April, you’ll explore and excavate your relational patterns. Try to get ahead of it by tuning into your feelings right now.
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Scorpio
October 23–November 21
The planet of attraction enters your work and wellness zone for an extended visit today, Scorpio. Venus moves into your sixth house, where she’ll bring more beauty and ease to your day-to-day life (and possibly a little flirtation at the office). You may even develop a crush on a colleague in the next few months.
Sagittarius
November 22–December 21
Venus, generator of beauty and romance, steps into your fifth house of pleasure today, Sagittarius. Not only will this sweet planet spend an inordinate amount of time in your sister fire sign for the next few months, but she’ll also heat up your sex life. Both single and involved Saggies are about to experience a whole lotta love.
Capricorn
December 22–January 19
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The planet of love and beauty shifts into your fourth house of domestic affairs, Capricorn. This is just the start of a sweet phase for your home and family that might bring some unexpected developments over the next few months. The prettier your surroundings, the better. For now, enjoy the cozy vibe and consider doing a bit of redecorating.
Aquarius
January 20–February 18
With Venus entering your third house of communication today, your conversational style could get a lot softer and sweeter, Aquarius. This doesn’t mean that your words will have less intention or sway, but it does give you the rizz you need to be extra convincing. Use these powers liberally and for good.
Pisces
February 19–March 20
The planet of love and beauty leaves your sign today, but not for long. Venus will be back in Pisces by late March, but for now, she’s filling up the coffers of your money zone. Use these sweet and ample powers to increase your financial reach: people probably want to invest in you right now.
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Your daily horoscope is here to remind you that words are spells. With communication maven Mercury in Aquarius making a friendly trine to lucky Jupiter in chatty Gemini, it’s time to walk your talk. And because bold, badass Jupiter is waking up from its long retrograde late tonight (and early in the morning), you can build even more buzz for your message: this Monday was made for saying what you mean so that your stated (or written) intentions come to life. Whether you create a business plan, write a journal entry, or text a friend, make sure the universe hears your plans.
With a powerful alignment between Mercury in your communal zone and Jupiter in your third house of talking and thinking, your dreams come true when you share them with the group chat. This is one of your best Mondays for networking in a long while, Aries, so get busy wowing the crowd.
Taurus
April 20–May 20
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The planet of conversation is in your career zone and high-fiving Jupiter in your financial zone, which is just about as good as it sounds, Taurus. Talking about how much money you want to make from a professional project and mapping out your plans could be fortunate for you today.
Gemini
May 21–June 20
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You’ve been hosting the planet of luck in your own sign since last May, and today your planetary ruler Mercury is hugging it out with the planet of luck. This couldn’t be better news for you, Gemini, especially because Jupiter’s retrograde ends tonight, setting you free to seize the day and make the next five months incredibly auspicious.
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Cancer
June 21–July 22
Communication planet Mercury is in your eighth house of desire, and today it gets chummy with Jupiter in your dream zone, Cancer. This can turn up your fantasies, making you nostalgic for past lovers and sending you into reveries about current (or wished-for) lovers. And the fringe benefit is that your wishes might just be the stars’ command this time.
Leo
July 23–August 22
With Mercury in your relationship zone palling around with Jupiter in your social zone, this is an excellent day for chatting with both friends and lovers, Leo. Whether you’re dropping into the group chat to share something silly or significant, or whispering a sweet nothing into your bae’s ear, what you say has extra resonance.
Virgo
August 23–September 22
Your planetary ruler Mercury is hanging out in your work and wellness zone, currently kickin’ it with lucky Jupiter in your tenth house—AKA, your status sector. This is one of the most fabulous moments of the month for your career, Virgo. If you want to take a professional project to the next level, talk or write about it today.
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Libra
September 23–October 22
With Mercury in your love zone flirting with Jupiter in your house of spiritual adventure, you may be inspired to share your biggest, most out-there ideas with a lover or long-term partner. If you’ve dreamt of a romantic vacation with bae during 2025, this is the moment to say it out loud, Libra.
Scorpio
October 23–November 21
The communication planet is in your home zone making googly eyes at audacious Jupiter in your sexuality sector, Scorpio. This is a moment to state your desire and say it loud and proud to your live-in lover or someone that you’d like to come over, stat.
Sagittarius
November 22–December 21
Now that Mercury is in your communication zone sending a friendly shoutout to your ruler Jupiter in your relationship zone, it’s time to have that important conversation with your partner, Sagittarius. Or, just say I love you. If you’re single and searching, talking, or writing about what you want, you can make your wishes come true IRL.
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Capricorn
December 22–January 19
The planet in charge of talking, thinking, and texting is in your second house of finances in a friendly position vis-à-vis Jupiter in your work zone. In short, this is excellent news for all things career and money-related, Capricorn. It’s ideal for asking for a raise, discussing budgets, chatting about a coveted future purchase, or just dropping that pretty item directly in a cart.
Aquarius
January 20–February 18
As Mercury in your sign winks at lucky Jupiter in your love zone today, talking about your desires feels good and gets results, Aquarius. This is a confidence boost and an aphrodisiac, and the more you share, the easier it might get for you to ask what you want from a lover.
Pisces
February 19–March 20
With chatty Mercury in your dream zone beaming at the planet of good fortune in your fourth house of domestic affairs, this is a beautiful moment for manifestation, Pisces, especially when it comes to your family and home. You might find that talking about events and issues from your past is easier right now, and quite healing.
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