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3. 30°C in the Shade: Reinventing Summer Beauty Routines

When the heat intensifies and humidity sets in, our beauty reflexes shift. Lighter makeup, unruly hair, more sensitive skin—summer imposes its own rules. Around the world, bodies adapt, rituals evolve and beauty reinvents itself.

When the thermometer climbs past 30°C and humidity settles in, our entire relationship to beauty gets turned on its head. Routines become lighter, gestures more instinctive—and more sincere. Gone are the heavily made-up looks, the perfectly sleek hairstyles, the thick layers of product suffocating the skin. Summer tells the truth: sweat, frizz, shine. And maybe that’s not such a bad thing?

We stop faking it (or at least fake it differently). Products melt, hair expands, clothes cling. So we adapt. Makeup becomes minimal, skin pleads to be left alone and hair lives its own life. No panic—this isn’t about neglect, just finding a version of yourself that breathes a little easier.

Summer changes everything. In dry regions, skin tightens, lips crack. In humid climates—like Lebanon—it’s a different story: curls running wild, makeup sliding off, fabrics sticking. Instead of resisting, we change strategy. Blowouts give way to loose buns. Hair straighteners are tucked away. We reach for lightweight hair oils, easy braids—or just let our hair be. Volume is no longer the enemy, it becomes a signature.

And skin? It does what it can. It sweats, it shines—and that’s normal. Sweat isn’t shameful, it’s just the body doing its job. Of course, that calls for a few adjustments: more frequent cleansing, fresher textures, targeted skincare. Nothing drastic, just a heat-smart routine.

Less Control, More Sensation

In the meticulously coded world of beauty, the famous “glow” has taken center stage—that healthy, subtle radiance, perfectly curated. But let’s not kid ourselves: the glow seen in photo shoots isn’t the glow of real life. It’s an effect, not actual sweat. A staged vitality, often created under studio lights.

And yet, heat isn’t always the enemy. In spas across the globe—from Nordic saunas to Eastern hammams—heat is used to relax, purify, release. These rituals prove it’s possible to live with heat differently: to move with it instead of against it. The key, once again, is comfort.

In summer, everything simplifies. Makeup goes sheer, skincare becomes sensory. We favor gel textures, mists, lightweight hydrating formulas. Foundation gives way to tinted SPF cream. Lipstick becomes balm. Fragrance leans greener, more subtle. It’s not a regression, it’s a different aesthetic: one of effective minimalism, where sensation takes precedence over performance.

Even clothing joins in: natural fabrics, flowing cuts, airy silhouettes. The goal? Let the body breathe. No rules, no lectures, just a simple truth: when it’s hot, we do things differently.