As Eid approaches, salons across Oman are preparing for a surge in bookings as clients seek beauty treatments in anticipation of the holiday celebrations. This year’s trends emphasize natural, fresh looks that combine practicality with a polished appearance, accommodating the long days of family visits and social gatherings typical of the occasion.
At Waw Beauty Lounge in Al Khuwair, founder Asila Mardas al Harthy highlighted skincare as a primary focus, particularly given Muscat’s hot and dry climate. She noted that many clients prioritize achieving glowing, bright skin to counteract the effects of sun exposure, heat, and dryness, which can leave skin looking uneven or tired. Popular facial treatments at the lounge include options targeting acne and oily skin, deep cleansing, and specialized therapies aimed at restoring a healthy and luminous complexion.
Hair care trends ahead of Eid show a preference for natural styles rather than dramatic changes. Maintenance remains key, with root touch-ups, trims, highlights, and conditioning treatments topping the list of services requested. Al Harthy observed that clients tend to favor subtle enhancements over elaborate hairstyles, with natural waves being particularly sought after for their effortless look.
Nail art continues to be an important component of Eid preparations. Traditional French manicures and classic colors such as bright red, maroon, baby pink, and off-white remain favorites. However, there is also a growing interest in more creative nail designs, including cat eye effects, ombre styles, chrome finishes, and 3D nail art. Waw Beauty Lounge’s nail specialist offers a variety of these intricate options alongside conventional polish choices.
Typical appointments booked before the Eid season frequently include manicures and pedicures featuring whitening or paraffin treatments, facials, hair root coloring, trims, and nail extensions with simple or French tip designs. One notable facial treatment offered by the salon is the “Detoxygen” procedure, which focuses on deep pore cleansing to achieve a radiant glow.
Al Harthy advises clients to approach skincare as an ongoing regimen rather than a quick fix before special occasions. She emphasized the importance of treating the scalp in addition to hair ends, warning that neglecting scalp hygiene can affect hair volume, freshness, and styling longevity. Other common missteps before Eid include scheduling keratin or protein treatments too close to the event, applying acrylic or gel nails on weak natural nails without proper care, using dark polish on damaged nails, and aggressive cuticle trimming.
To ensure beauty looks withstand the demands of Eid, particularly in Muscat’s climate characterized by heat, humidity, and frequent transitions between indoor and outdoor environments, Al Harthy recommends practical styling measures. These include using anti-humidity hair sprays, minimizing face-touching, scheduling hair treatments several days prior, arranging eyebrow or threading appointments two to three days before Eid, and booking nails one to two days ahead. She also suggests carrying a compact touch-up kit with powder and hydrating mist to maintain freshness throughout the day.
For Al Harthy, the ideal Eid appearance balances simplicity and elegance: clean nails, healthy and glowing hair, and bright, revitalized skin.
