August slows just enough to catch your breath. Six women—mothers, entrepreneurs, influencers and fashion insiders—share how they actually use that pause in this Soigné edit. Nights wind down with a candle and a five-minute face massage—Guerlain Abeille Royale Youth Watery Oil—and a soft vanilla haze from Phlur. One mum of two resets the week with matcha, Pilates, and a Your Bagsy bag pull for the month ahead. In London, another lets mornings go unplanned after a run of shoots. Here’s what they have to say:
Khulood Mohammed
“I like to take things slow for a bit before life picks up again. My favorite way to unwind is with a quiet breakfast at a hidden spot, just me, the morning, and a chance to reset. I always try to fit in as many beach days as possible, the ocean and its smell really help clear my mind. I’ll usually listen to some throwback music, nothing crazy, just something that keeps me calm. I also spend a lot of time reading, journaling, and disconnecting from my phone. At night I like to light a candle & apply my Guerlain Abeille Royale Youth Watery Oil Serum, and take a few minutes to massage my face. It’s not only relaxing, but it’s also improved my skin, and now my makeup sits so much better. I also have to smell like vanilla, so I drench myself in Vanilla Skin by Phlur, it’s the perfect cozy scent. Even though I’m heading back to work, knowing I can come back to my night rituals makes it all feel easier.”
Farah Syed Shah
“As summer winds down, I carve out quiet moments to reset before the rhythm picks up again. As a mom of two, I cherish this in-between season, and events —spending quality time with my kids while mentally shifting gears into Q4. Mornings are my ritual: matcha, Pilates, and mapping out what’s next. I start by curating my wardrobe for the month ahead with Your Bagsy, selecting a few bold bags that reflect the mood of our upcoming events. Whether it’s Brunch or a soft wellness gathering, I find clarity in planning the details and dreaming up what’s to come. It’s also when I start laying the creative groundwork for our Q4 calendar with the Bagsy Team—pairing fashion with feeling and building experiences that leave a mark.”
Jasmin Omar
“As summer comes to an end, I find myself craving moments of stillness before busy schedules return. I like to take time for slow mornings at home in London. Working as a model and content creator, I’m constantly switching between being in front of the camera and behind the scenes—thinking about light, mood, styling, and storytelling. After a season full of travels, exciting projects, and shoots I use this time to pause, reflect, and re-centre. I wind down by spending more time offline and letting my days be a bit quieter and less planned. It feels good to recharge and gather new energy and inspiration for what’s coming next.”
Malaecah Malik
“As summer winds down, I ease back into routine with slower days and intentional self-care. Love getting a fresh set of nails, booking frequent maderotherapy sessions, infrared saunas and returning to Pilates – all set to Justin Bieber playing in the background on repeat. It’s my way of recharging after all the summer energy, indulgence and spending. I also travel back home to Pakistan to spend quality time with family before life gets busy again – a way to pause, reflect and realign, preparing for the season ahead.”
Sara Coelho Ansari
“As summer draws to a close, I see this time as a quiet new beginning. While most people are away during the peak holiday weeks, I tend to stay where I am. I find it hard to relax when everything is crowded, so I avoid the busiest moments. Instead, I take advantage of the calm that settles over Paris in August. With the city nearly empty, I rediscover its rhythm at a slower pace, less noise, more presence, and space to reflect. Sometimes I travel to Morocco or Portugal, the countries of my heritage. These trips bring me back to childhood summers spent visiting family, and they help me reconnect with who I am. For me, the end of summer is not a break it’s a moment to realign, to breathe, and to set the tone for the season ahead.”
Zainab Malik
“I love taking a little time to reset before life gets busy again. My go-to ritual is slow mornings at home—lighting my favorite candle (I adore anything from Diptyque to Jo Malone), brewing a strong cup of tea, and putting on a mellow playlist, usually a mix of slow jamz or old-school rnb. I’ll spend time journaling and planning my week ahead, which helps clear my mind. Skincare is also a big part of how I unwind—I’ll treat myself to a hydrating mask and really take my time with my evening routine. If I’m craving a change of scenery, a walk around my community is my therapy. It’s simple, but these small moments recharge me and help me feel ready to embrace the new season ahead.”
This article originally appears in Soigné Middle East’s second biannual print issue.
