It’s already August — and hasn’t it been wonderful summer? It’s hot, it’s humid, but when the temperature finally drops, the nights promise us infinity. There’s no point in complaining about the overheated days. Instead, we should count our blessings now, because before we know it, the cold season will come again, and we’ll be scurrying through the streets bundled up in what seems like everything we own. At least now, we could even bathe, naked, in a moonlit lake, pondering life over a cold glass of beer or wine. With meteor showers lighting up the night sky, life feels a lot more relaxed. I love this special atmosphere. Everything sparkles.

I don’t know how you handle the heat, but when the temperatures go up, I automatically use fewer cosmetic products, since the combination of sun, sweat and dry dusty air makes my skin break out more easily.

Let’s start with my pro-tip of the month, the Universal Mask by Dr. Alkaitis. I’ve recommended this product once before, and can’t help but to do it again. This mask is the holy grail of skin masks, making my skin instantly forget the 8 hours it spent being blasted by the sun. I usually mix the powdered mask with some raw honey and a bit of filtered water, ensuring that the active ingredients such as the algae and the grass juices not only get activated, but also stay moist. In addition, honey adds an anti-inflammatory boost to the mask. If you want to find out more about raw honey’s amazing properties, go here. The mask not only soothes the skin almost immediately, but also provides it with tons of moisture, making it an invaluable treatment for more damaged skin. For me, it’s the perfect ending to a hot summer’s day.

At least once a week, before applying the mask, I exfoliate my skin with Kimberly Sayer’s almond lavender face scrub. The mixture is incredibly gentile to the skin, while at the same time exfoliating it thoroughly, leaving you with a fresh glow. The scrub mainly caught my attention because it contains both almonds and lavender; the combination makes for a lovely fragrance.

And don’t forget, summer isn’t summer without painted toenails. In the winter, no one can see your creative embellishments, but during the summer months a splash of color on your toes can do wonders to enhance your outfit. NCLA Laquer created, for this purpose alone, the Swim Club Collection. I instantly fell in love with Take a Dip. Combine with a classy black bathing suit, and you’ll look as smooth as Romy Schneider in the classic movie Swimmingpool.

To ensure that my hair doesn’t suffer too much from the harsh combination of sun, salt water and chlorine, I tend to my locks with the Rose Serum by Less is More after each dip, which nourishes the hair. This might be the first summer ever that I don’t look like Ronia the Robber’s Daughter, but like a well-styled (albeit blond) Arielle instead. Two thumbs up for Less is More in my book.

I hope you’ve had a wonderful summer so far. Take the time to drive to the seaside or even a nearby lake, and enjoy the wonders of doing absolutely nothing.

What are your own tips and tricks to keep well-maintained in the hot summer sun? Share your thoughts in the comments below and like, pin or regram this article.