Lately, I’ve noticed more and more women wearing makeup to the gym—likely the effect of wanting to appear Instagram-ready at any given moment. As someone who’s struggled with blemish-prone skin most of my life, I can understand not feeling comfortable going completely bare-faced in public. Still, the thought of sweating beneath layers of heavy foundation inspires a visceral reaction that makes me want to scrub my face clean.
So what’s the answer? What if you head straight to the office after your morning sweat session and don’t have time to apply a full face? What if you have a few stress-induced spots and feel self-conscious au naturel? Is it really that bad to work out in makeup?
As a yoga instructor, I put my skin through the wringer: Heat, sweat, you name it! But it just so happens that I’m a granola-eating, nature-loving yogi who also loves the glamour of makeup. I do believe that when it comes to beauty, it’s more important to feel good than to look good, but with the right products, a girl can have both, right?
Let's kick things off with one crucial rule of thumb. If you decide to hit the gym wearing makeup, it’s best to remove it immediately after your workout and then reapply. And always—always—make sure to reapply your sunscreen.
I’ve curated a list of some of my favorite noncomedogenic, non-irritating products with the staying power to withstand an intense sweat. Trust me. Your mascara won’t budge if you need to dash from the gym to happy hour.
Consumers understand the importance of sun protection now more than ever, so most foundations and tinted creams have built-in SPF. However, consider layering some added protection under your makeup. You can never be too careful when it comes to harmful UV exposure! It’s hard to find makeup with an SPF over 30, and you probably won’t apply enough to provide full protection without a separate sunscreen.I love Supergoop’s Everyday Sunscreen for, well, everyday. Not only is it oil-free and noncomedogenic, but this lightweight formula is also ultra-moisturizing, fast-absorbing, and made with natural extracts of citrus, basil, and bois de rose.
I recently fell in love with It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream With SPF 50+. There’s a reason this miracle cream has won countless awards! Despite the lengthy ingredient list, it’s noncomedogenic (so great for acne-prone skin) while boasting anti-aging benefits and a flawless full-coverage finish that lasts hours.If you prefer a sheer, light-to-medium coverage, try Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint or CliniqueFit Workout Makeup. Both offer subtle, natural coverage and are engineered to not clog pores or cause breakouts.
Before discovering It Cosmetics' wondrous CC cream, I first tried the brand's best-selling Bye-Bye Under Eye Full Coverage Anti-Aging Waterproof Concealer. A little bit goes a long way with this highly pigmented formula. It is best applied using your fingertips so that the warmth of your hands causes it to melt into your skin for a seamless finish. Once applied, this concealer does not budge, crease, or crack.
Laura Mercier’s Mineral Powder is a great option for those who dislike liquid foundation. It’s an oil-free, noncomedogenic loose powder that offers the finish of a buildable sheer-to-medium-coverage foundation without the heavy feeling on your skin. This lightweight powder blurs imperfections to create a “soft-focus” effect that will last all day.
Nars bronzer in Laguna is another personal favorite that performs double duty. The shade is universally flattering. It can be dusted all over for a healthy, sun-kissed look or you can opt to build the coverage for subtle contouring.
Dior’s iconic Diorshow mascara is known to produce dramatic results. This might be a controversial choice for daytime, but it’s my all-time favorite waterproof mascara. It delivers full, fluttery lashes that can survive a dip in the pool without a single smear.
If you don’t have time for anything else, grooming your brows with Glossier’s Boy Brow will help you appear polished in under 60 seconds! Its creamy formula thickens brows, locking them in place with a flexible hold that never flakes. The tiny wand is great for sculpting your ideal shape.
To really keep your makeup looking fresh, don’t forget to use a finishing spray to lock everything into place. Laura Geller’s Spackle Mist can be applied before makeup to prime your skin or after to set your look. It has great lasting power, but you can mist it on throughout the day for a quick refresh.Next up: The cozy winter activewear trend we're loving right now.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used in the place of advice of your physician or other medical professionals. You should always consult with your doctor or healthcare provider first with any health-related questions.
