Skin Care Secrets From Women Who Work Out (Almost) Every Day
As a beauty girl, I have a love-hate relationship with the gym. I love it because it's the perfect opportunity to test out all the sample-size products I've been hoarding. I hate it because sweating ruins my hair for the entire week, and I always end up with a pimple.
When I do get to a class, I find myself glaring at the instructor with envy. How does she stay so put together after 20 reps of burpees? Her ponytail is perfect, her skin is flushed but not breaking out, and her abs — ugh. That's why I went straight to my #fitspo favorites to find out what's in their gym bag beauty arsenal, from the best face wipes to the strongest antiperspirant. Now that all my fitness issues are solved, maybe I'll sign up for that SoulCycle class . . . or not.
Problem: Sweat in Your Eyes
The expert: Aleah Stander, Flywheel master instructor
Her workout beauty secret: The burning sensation you get as your face lotion begins to slide in your eyes is a horrible thing! Aleah spends hours on a Spinning bike every day and never clips in without her headband to keep sweat and hair off of her face.
Her gym bag essential: Urban Decay Naked Ultra Nourishing Lipgloss ($20)
Problem: Shiny Skin
The expert: Anna Kaiser, founder and CEO of AKT InMotion
Her workout beauty secret: So I know you're supposed to sweat in the workout class, but sweaty does not equal shiny. Anna keeps oil at bay by powdering with her favorite Chanel pressed powder ($45) before teaching a class.
Her gym bag essential: Avene Thermal Spring Water Spray ($9)
Problem: Hair in Your Face During Downward Dog
The expert: Alex Silver-Fagan, instructor at CityRow
Her workout beauty secret: Alex relies on her ponytail for cardio exercise (double secured with two no-clasp hair ties). But if she's planning to attend a yoga class, she's all about the topknot to keep her long hair from ruining the flow.
Her gym bag essential: Pacifica Island Vanilla Perfume Roll-On ($12)
Problem: Yoga Mat Acne
The expert: Bethany Lyons, founder of Lyons Den Power Yoga
Her workout beauty secret: Child's Pose is supposed to be your superzen moment, but I have problem focusing on mindful breathing when I think about all the germs lurking on the mat (gross). Bethany uses the Dr. Dennis Gross Clarifying Colloidal Sulfur Mask ($42) twice a week to clear any clogged pores and sweaty buildup.
Her gym bag essentials: Mio Gorgeous Glow Face Cream ($33)
Problem: That Sweaty, Stinky Feet Smell
The expert: Becca Pace, Group Fitness Instructor at Equinox
Her workout beauty secret: There are so many scents that we associate with the gym — and none of them are usually fragrant. Becca mixes up her own body spritz and room spray to minimize the stinky feet odor in the barre studio. The recipe: citrus and lavender essential oils mixed with water.
Her gym bag essential: Physician's Formula Glow and Mood-Boosting Blush in Warm ($12)
Problem: A Post-Workout Headache
The expert: Amanda Rey, instructor at SLT
Her workout beauty secret: Amanda keeps a bottle of peppermint essential oil in her gym bag to remedy her migraines. Just rub a drop or two on temples or the back of the neck to relieve the tension. It can also work on sore muscles!
Her gym bag essential: St. Tropez Tanning Essentials Self Tan Bronzing Lotion Face ($30)
Problem: Breakage From Too Many Ponytails
The expert: Janet Jones, founder of Vixen Workout
Her workout beauty secret: Everything's great while you're whipping your hair in dance class, but then your pony is a tangled mess by the time you get to the locker room. Janet actually prefers a braided style to prevent breakage. And if you can't resist the hair flip, push your strands back with a turban headband for added sex appeal.
Her gym bag essential: Smith's Minted Rose Lip Balm ($7)
Problem: Mascara Running Down Your Face
The expert: Tiffany Conde, instructor at XtendBarre
Her workout beauty secret: We've all heard that makeup is a big no-no when working out. Instead of wearing mascara, which will just end up all over your cheeks anyway, Tiffany relies on lash extensions from Amazing Lash. They last for weeks and you like like you're always wearing falsies.
Her gym bag essential: Acure Argan Oil Lip Balm ($4)
Problem: Greasy Post-Workout Strands
The expert: Mandi Molnar, Head Trainer at DavidBartonGym's Christopher Street location
Her workout beauty secret: We always wonder how women who work out often keep their hair in such good condition. The answer: Johnson and Johnson Baby Powder ($5). Mandi uses the newborn essential to cleanse greasy strands and avoid shampooing after every appointment with the weights.
Her gym bag essential: Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Oil-Free Cleansing Wipes ($8)
Problem: Post-Workout Pimples
The expert: Simone de la Rue, founder of Body by Simone
Her workout beauty secret: To keep acne at bay, Simone never wears foundation to the studio. She also resists the urge to touch her face while doing her dance cardio routine. The oils on your hands can spring up later as a breakout. Use a towel to clean off sweat instead. We recommend bringing something from home because, you know, germs.
Her gym bag essential: Jurlique Rosewater Balancing Mist ($34)
Problem: Looking Bright-Eyed For a 5 a.m. Workout
The expert: Tanya Becker, Cofounder and Chief Creative Officer of Physique 57
Her workout beauty secret: Tanya teaches early-morning barre classes, which means a 5 a.m. alarm on some days (snooze, please!). She erases under-eye circles with YSL Touché Éclat concealer ($41). That means Tanya is the only one looking bright-eyed in the pre-work workout.
Her gym bag essential: Mason Pearson hair brush ($105)
Problem: Supersweaty Pits
The expert: Kathleen Kulikowski, DC instructor for SoulCycle
Her workout beauty secret: There are the ladies who lightly perspire at the gym, then there are the women who leave Spin class drenched. We fall somewhere in between, but Kathleen uses Dove Men's deodorant ($9) to keep sweat under control.
Her gym bag essential: Oribe Soft Dry Conditioning Spray ($39)
Problem: You Hair's Too Short For a Topknot
The expert: Brittney Mooney, instructor at 305 Fitness
Her workout beauty secret: Brittany keeps her short bob out of the way during class by throwing her hair into a half-bun hairstyle midway through class. She'll also add a little color with a Lulu Lemon Headband ($14) or a backwards trucker hat. It just so happens that the lazy-girl look can work postgym, too.
Her gym bag essential: Clarisonic Mia ($149)
Problem: Sweaty Palms Messing With Your Planks
The expert: Brynn Putnam, founder of Refine Method
Her gym bag essential: I love working out with challenging weights. Mastering a heavy squat or crushing a kettlebell swing not only makes me feel strong physically but also mentally. However, nothing kills your confidence like slippery palms messing with your squats and dead lifts. I've found that a thin layer of antiperspirant on your hands is a less messy, nondrying alternative to traditional chalk. I'm currently digging Birchbox's new gym-friendly beauty brand, Arrow. Arrow's Protect Aluminum-Free Deodorant is compact enough to toss in my gym bag and aluminum- and alcohol-free so it doesn't feel sticky on my hands. It also has a nice, light citrus smell, which is great after a serious workout.