From the sauna to the ice bath: how contrast therapy inspires our beauty routines to help us welcome summer with confidence
This spring 2026, a ritual from the Nordic countries is making its way into beauty routines: contrast therapy. The concept—alternating between intense heat and intense cold—is now inspiring people far beyond Parisian spas and reshaping the way we approach skincare, makeup, and hairstyling as summer approaches.
Contrast Therapy: A Philosophy of Heat and Cold
The concept is simple: combining the benefits of the sauna with those of a cold plunge, or ice bath. In Paris, places like Sant Roch, Re-Set Club, and Octane now offer this ritual rooted in Nordic traditions. Jenny Becam, a medical biologist who worked on the Re-Set Club project, explains that the sauna acts on the nervous system with a relaxing effect, as the heat helps lower cortisol, known as the stress hormone.
Cold, on the other hand, is quite invigorating. It also reduces inflammation. Combining the two techniques is also said to improve athletic recovery.
This interplay of contrasts directly inspires the beauty world. So, as summer approaches, we have fun alternating between refreshing textures and sun-kissed trends, both on our faces and in our hair.
“Brown, in all its shades, evokes warmth and golden light; it enhances every skin tone without ever looking artificial.” — Harold James, Global Makeup Artist at L’Oréal Paris
Warm Sensation: Cultivating a Sun-Kissed Glow
To achieve a sun-kissed glow, as if you’ve just returned from the beach, self-tanning drops are your best bet for a healthy-looking complexion. Lighter and more versatile than traditional self-tanners, they nourish the skin over the long term. Biotherm’s Bronze Drops gradually brighten the skin and replenish it with vitamins.
Dior offers its Solar Drops—shimmering and moisturizing—that work their magic in just one hour. Enriched with Pro Tan Technology, they give the face a stunningly natural-looking tan. Nuxe, for its part, has introduced its Self-Tanning Serum, plumping pearls made of hyaluronic acid that deepen the tan slightly with each application.
Drunk Elephant pushes the boundaries of innovation with D-Bronzi, droplets infused with virgin marula oil and blackcurrant seed oil. They give the skin a sun-kissed glow while helping it fight off environmental stressors.
Succumb to the shades of brown
Brown defines the eyes more softly than black, enhances a tan, and subtly highlights the lips. Harold James, global makeup artist for L’Oréal Paris, notes that for fair skin tones, soft browns—slightly rosy or taupe—are best. For medium skin tones, experiment with warm shades like caramel or terracotta. Those with dark skin can dare to try deep browns, intense chocolate, or even metallic shades to catch the light.
To embrace this trend, go for a sun-kissed look by applying the product to areas naturally exposed to the sun: the temples, the bridge of the nose, and the cheekbones. On the eyelids, blend well to soften the color. For the lips, a sheer look is key: according to the expert, it’s better to dab the product on with your finger rather than drawing a too-sharp outline.
Hair Trends: From Sun-Kissed Highlights to Sleek, Glossy Styles
To make hair shine, balayage remains a sure bet at the salon. Lorraine Charbonnier, a Franck Provost trainer, explains that the idea is to recreate a natural lightening effect, like at the end of summer. For blondes, beige or honey highlights are preferred. For brunettes, we warm up the hair with caramel or hazelnut shades.
Blondes can also opt for Sunny Baby, a highly customizable technique created by Raphaël Perrier. The lengths are gradually lightened, while the roots retain more depth. At home, Lazartigue’s Spray Sunlight—designed for blonde to chestnut-colored hair—creates that “just back from vacation” effect with its notes of orange blossom, warm vanilla, and honey.
In contrast to this sunny vibe, the slick look is also making a statement on sunny days. This style, seen at the latest Fashion Week at Rick Owens, Junya Watanabe, and Chanel, features ultra-sleek hair with a mirror-like finish. Hairstylist David Lucas points out that the slick look gives an immediate impression of freshness and caters to a desire for a clean, minimalist silhouette.
- Apply the slick to clean, thoroughly detangled hair, using a smoothing base
- Apply a small amount of styling product, working it in carefully and gradually as you comb through your hair
- Use a light-hold hairspray, such as René Furterer’s Spray Végétal, on the roots
- Finish with a touch of shine along the lengths, such as Carita’s Fluide 14
- Rock the slick look during the day with a style that focuses on the roots and features movement through the lengths
Cooling sensation: the ice cube effect on the skin
When temperatures rise, we turn to water-based formulas: gels, gel-creams, and icy textures. These products stimulate circulation, brighten the complexion, tighten pores, and reduce redness. They also provide a firming effect similar to that of cryotherapy.
Clarins has launched its Cryo-Flash Anti-Aging Cream Mask, which lowers skin temperature by 4 °C for a lifting effect. Garnier’s Sorbet Cream line focuses on a “shot of freshness,” with products tailored to specific concerns: lack of radiance, dehydration, or blemishes. At Thalgo, the Flash Rehydrating Stick instantly releases a formula based on seawater enriched with micro-exploded algae.
There are tools that help extend this effect at home. Facial massage rollers, which are placed in the freezer, are designed to reduce puffiness, firm the skin, and soothe redness. Among them are the Glaçon-Ice Roller by Doré and the Rouleau Cryo by Aime.
Fresh Makeup and Fragrances Go Head-to-Head: Warm vs. Cool
For Elsa Durrens, a Chanel makeup artist, summer calls for adapting your routine to the realities of the season. The skin sweats more, so we use lightweight skincare formulas with corrective properties. For the complexion, a serum-like texture such as Sublimage, Chanel’s L’Essence de Teint, is ideal.
The trend also features pearlescent and iridescent shades prominently. Highlighter is applied very lightly to the cheekbones and bridge of the nose, or in small dabs on the eyelids to catch the light. For the lips, the glossy effect is achieved with oils and balms, some of which have a minty scent to create a plumping sensation that combines shine with a refreshing feel, such as Lierac’s Lip Gloss Repulpant Glow Refresh or Kosas’ Lip Pulse Glassy Lip Plumper.
This hot-and-cold concept, directly derived from contrast therapy, is also reflected in the choice of fragrances. Certain fragrances create the illusion of a splash of ice-cold water: Metal Lavender by Matière Première evokes the coolness of metal, Orange Méditerranée by Armani/Privé plays on the brightness of citrus, and Eau de Grey Vetiver by Tom Ford offers a woody freshness. In contrast, Louis Vuitton’s Ambre Levant captures the atmosphere of the golden hour through a blend of amber and oud spiced with cinnamon. For Dior Paradise, Francis Kurkdjian combined almond, mandarin, and tonka bean, drawing inspiration from the orchard at the Château de la Colle Noire in the South. Maison Margiela’s Chasing Sunsets, meanwhile, evokes a getaway to Ipanema through notes of tuberose and sandalwood.
This olfactory duel perfectly captures the spirit of “contrast therapy” as applied to beauty: choosing between freshness and sensuality—or better yet, playing with both depending on the time of day and your mood.
