Summer has a reputation for being the season of spontaneity. It’s supposed to be the time of year when you say yes to last-minute beach trips, rooftop drinks that turn into dinner, and random texts that start with, “what are you doing in 20 minutes?” In theory, we’re all living our own carefree rom-com montage from June through August. In reality? A lot of us are sitting on our beds staring at our closets, debating whether we’re willing to spend the next hour getting ready.
I’ve definitely been guilty of it. Not because I didn’t want to go somewhere, but because I didn’t feel ready to go. Maybe my legs weren’t shaved, maybe my hair was doing that thing where no amount of styling could save it, or maybe I had a breakout that made me want to cancel every social interaction on my calendar for the next week. And poof! Suddenly, a casual invite felt like it required a full check-list before saying “yes.”
And it turns out I’m far from alone. New survey data from SEV Laser found that 62 percent of women want to be more spontaneous. However, only 30 percent feel satisfied with how they actually spend their summers. Even more telling, 74 percent said they would go out more if getting ready took less time. The result is what we’re dubbing the “Spontaneity Gap.” AKA, the growing disconnect between wanting to embrace more experiences and feeling prepared enough to say yes to them.
Sound all too familiar? Read on for why beauty standards may be quietly getting in the way of our summer plans—and how to reclaim some of that spontaneous energy with a low-maintenance routine.
What Is The Spontaneity Gap?
It all stems from the societal beauty expectations put on women. According to SEV Laser’s survey, one in three people have canceled summer plans because they didn’t feel “beauty ready.” And even more concerning, more than 40 percent say it happens at least once a month. While that may sound surprising at first, it makes sense when you consider how much preparation has become tied to modern culture.
The “Spontaneity Gap” is driven by a few startling realities*:
- 74% of women would go out more if getting ready took less time
- 62% of women want to be more spontaneous, but only 30% are happy with how they spend their summer
- 1 in 3 people have canceled summer plans entirely because they didn’t feel “beauty ready”
*According to new survey data from SEV Laser
Somewhere along the way, getting ready stopped being a quick touch-up and became an event in itself. There’s skincare, haircare, body care, makeup, nails, self-tanning, grooming, and whatever viral beauty hack TikTok convinced us we needed this week. As beauty lovers become more informed, routines have become increasingly layered—and sometimes, overwhelming.
“I think the average consumer is more educated than ever before, which is a great thing,” says Elle Medico, co-founder and stylist at UMI Salon. “But that knowledge can backfire when it becomes overwhelming. If you’re working with 30 products across your face and hair, that’s bound to cause confusion.”
Summer can amplify that pressure—causing the “Spontaneity Gap.” Suddenly, there’s an expectation to have glossy hair, glowing skin, smooth legs, perfect beach waves, and a healthy tan all at once. So really, it’s no wonder so many women find themselves subconsciously evaluating whether a plan is worth the effort before they commit.
How To Be More Spontaneous
Ironically, the secret to being more spontaneous often starts with doing less. As Karen Behnke, founder of Beauty Crush Skincare, puts it, “Summer is about taking advantage of last-minute dinners, pool days, concerts, and weekends away. The easier your routine is, the easier it is to be spontaneous.”
In simple terms, instead of creating longer routines in pursuit of perfection, simplifying the process helps getting ready feel like a quick pit stop rather than a second job.
For me, that meant letting go of the idea that every social plan required my absolute best beauty day. I stopped treating random Tuesday drinks like a red-carpet event. Sometimes a slicked-back bun, a little concealer, and a cute outfit are enough. And honestly? Nobody has ever canceled plans with me because my blowout wasn’t fresh.
“Summer is about taking advantage of last-minute dinners, pool days, concerts, and weekends away. The easier your routine is, the easier it is to be spontaneous.”
Medico recommends finding products that multitask—like one that smooths flyaways and adds shine in a pinch—to simplify routines. Things like letting your hair air-dry naturally and adding a few polished pieces around the face afterward rather than committing to a full styling session every time you leave the house can really make a world of difference.
Behnke agrees that streamlined routines create more freedom. “Consumers have been taught that more steps equal better results, but that’s not always true,” she says. “When our skin looks healthy and radiant, we naturally feel more confident and ready to face the world.”
Most importantly, I’ve learned that spontaneity isn’t about being perfectly prepared. It’s about trusting that you’re allowed to participate in your life as you are. The beach doesn’t care if your legs are freshly shaved. Your friends aren’t inspecting your roots at brunch. And that last-minute invitation could end up being the highlight of your summer if you stop waiting for the perfect version of yourself to show up first.
Low-Maintenance Summer Beauty Routines
Simplify Your Beauty Routine with Multi-Use Products
If the goal is to be more spontaneous, your beauty routine should work with your schedule—not against it. One of the easiest ways to reclaim time is by prioritizing products and habits that pull double (or even triple) duty. Think tinted SPF that combines skincare, sun protection, and light coverage in one step or cream blushes that work on both cheeks and lips. My favorites are Tower 28 BeachPlease Cream Blush and Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Lip + Cheek Glow Blush Stick.
READ: All of the Glow, None of the Hassle: These Beauty Products Were Made for Lazy Girls
Ditch the Blowout for Low-Maintenance Hair
Hair is another area where simplifying can make a huge difference. That’s why Medico recommends focusing on low-maintenance styles that don’t require starting from scratch every time you leave the house. “My biggest piece of advice for anyone who wants to feel put together with less maintenance is to let hair air-dry completely,” she says. “Once it’s dry, you can always add polish later with a loose wave over the front pieces, and you’ll be grateful to skip the 30-minute blowout grind.”
Plus, keeping a multitasking product in your bag can make last-minute plans feel a lot less intimidating. I love products like R+Co Centerpiece 10-in-1 Conditioning Spray for quick touch-ups throughout the day. A few spritzes help tame frizz, add hydration, smooth flyaways, and refresh hair without requiring a full restyle. It’s perfect for those moments when a casual after-work drink suddenly turns into dinner, and you need a little extra polish on the go.
The same goes for skincare. Rather than piling on endless products, Behnke encourages minimalist skincare steps. “Consumers have been taught that more steps equal better results, but that’s not always true,” she says. The easier your routine is to maintain, the less likely it is to stand between you and a spontaneous yes.
Cut Down on Grooming Friction
And yes, laser hair removal deserves a mention here too. No one needs smooth legs or a perfectly maintained bikini line to enjoy summer. But if body hair upkeep is one of the things that makes you hesitate before saying yes to a beach day, pool party, or last-minute weekend getaway, reducing that maintenance can remove a surprising amount of friction.
According to SEV Laser, laser hair removal can save the equivalent of roughly 50 days spent shaving and waxing over a decade. More importantly, it eliminates the mental checklist that so many of us run through before leaving the house. Instead of wondering whether you have time to shave before heading to the beach, you’re already ready to go. In many ways, that is what spontaneity is all about.
All in all, the beauty routines that support spontaneity aren’t necessarily the shortest; they’re the smartest. The less time you spend managing dozens of products and steps, the easier it becomes to say yes when a friend texts, “want to grab a drink?” and actually be out the door 15 minutes later.
Alyssa Rotunno, Contributing Writer
Alyssa Rotunno is a NYC-based writer with a focus on beauty, fashion, shopping, travel, and culture. Her work has appeared in Real Simple, InStyle, Travel+Leisure, Parade, and other national outlets, where she brings a sharp, timely lens to the products, places, and trends worth knowing. She’s endlessly curious about what people are talking about—and loves connecting the dots between trends, products, and real life.
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