Make-up to the gym? Hey, we don't judge you. You never know who you'll run in to. You might even bag a hot date with that personal trainer you've been eyeing up... You can thank us later.
PRE-GYM: With summer suddenly looming over us, it’s time for our wintry habits of curling up on the sofa binge-eating chocolate (while binge-watching Netflix) is switched up for gruelling sessions at the gym. Though we may feel tired and unready to leave the comfort of our bed, it doesn’t mean we have to look it...
Face:
Go for an oil-free base to let your skin breathe while you get your sweat on. Oil-based products will trap the sweat under your makeup, which can cause it to smudge and slide around, and you could end up with more blemishes than you went in with. Try to avoid foundations and go for a lighter consistency with sheer coverage. We love the Urban Decay Naked Skin BB Cream, £23.50
Eyes:
The embarrassing case of panda-eyes is a real concern when mixing eye make-up with spinning or hot yoga. Celebrity make-up artist Amanda Shackleton recommends using an eyelash curler, followed by a quick and light application of waterproof mascara. The Chanel Le Volume de Chanel Waterproof Mascara, £25 has a sweat and water resistant formula to get you through your session sans the panda eyes.
Lips:
It’s not ideal to have a full pout at the gym, so leave your lipstick at home. Instead, keep your pucker moisturised with a hint of colour that won’t fade or smudge. Revlon ColourBurst Lacquer Balm, £7.99 offers the perfect pick-me-up and keeps your lips soft and smooth with its shea, mango and coconut butter formula.
POST-GYM: Your gym bag is pushed for space, and you’re pushed for time. The tomato-red flush, paired with sweat overload, has got to go before you step out to work/drinks/the real world where people can actually see you. Here are the ultimate steps you need to go from gym to win.
Face:
First things first – cleanse the sweat, make-up and oil away. We recommend something that’s quick and efficient, such as the Clarins One-Step Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser with Orange Extract, £20.50. Remove make-up and impurities, cleanse and scrub away dead skin in one go to reveal soft and luminous skin.
Body:
Taking care of your body while in a public changing room surrounded by wondering eyes can be a bit of a nightmare. Enter a moisturiser and shower gel hybrid to save you from potential towel-dropping and flashing your bits. The award-winning L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil, £18, transforms into a lavish foam when in contact with water, giving you satin-like skin and a refreshing clean finish.
Hair:
Your usually flawless locks are probably looking more like a mangled dog’s mane after a heavy work out, so to get them back to looking somewhat acceptable, you need a good wash and some va-va-voom. The Ojon Rare Blend Moisture-Rich Cleansing Conditioner, £18.50, saves you time with its 2-in-1 nourishing formula which eliminates impurities without stripping or weighing hair down. Pair with the label.m Texturising Volume Spray, £12.95, a spray that gives you the benefits of both dry shampoo and the hold of hairspray for instant root lift.
Make-up:
For a quick fix, find some versatile products so you can be in and out as quickly as possible. The Nars Luminous Weightless Foundation, £32, will provide you with long-lasting coverage without feeling too heavy on your skin. For your eyes, use By Terry Ombre Blackster, £29, an easy-to-apply cream shadow stick with adhesive polymers that provide a colour-fixing effect. For lips and cheeks, double up with BECCA Cosmetics Beach Tint, £20, a versatile make-up bag staple.