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Do You Wear Makeup to the Gym or to Exercise Classes?

March 2nd, 2012 by Karen 47 Comments

To the home gym, otherwise known as my tabby cat’s break room, I don’t, but to places with people and/or mirrors, I do. I’ll usually fill in my brows, pat a little concealer beneath my eyes, and curl my lashes.

And when I’m feeling extra ambitious, I’ll treat my lashes to a few coats of waterproof mascara and slick a gloss on my lips. 🙂

How about you? What’s your take on gym makeup? Do you or don’t you?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

P.S.

Do You Wear Makeup to the Gym or to Exercise Classes? / Originally published March 2nd, 2012

There are 47 comments on this post. Leave yours.

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Comments

  1. Antonia at Swedish Love Affair says

    March 2nd, 2012 at 10:32 am

    I swim, so no:) But afterwards I often do!

    Reply
  2. Alyssa says

    March 2nd, 2012 at 10:34 am

    I do wear some makeup (never on my eyes, though) because I get super-red on my cheeks –the only downside to having natural “blush”.

    Reply
  3. BelleNoirBride says

    March 2nd, 2012 at 10:56 am

    I do, although I wish I didn’t, I can’t leave the house without concealer, mascara and filling in my eyebrows, and that includes the gym!

    Reply
  4. Wendy says

    March 2nd, 2012 at 10:58 am

    I don’t leave the house without foundation, and that includes going to the gym!

    Reply
  5. Sunny @ Mostly Sunny says

    March 2nd, 2012 at 10:59 am

    I go jogging in the neighborhood, but usually I have my brows filled and some lip balm (it’s more for practical reason than aesthetic) and that’s it!

    Reply
  6. Christina says

    March 2nd, 2012 at 11:05 am

    I do wear some mascara, but that’s about it :)!

    Reply
  7. Kate says

    March 2nd, 2012 at 11:12 am

    I do because I usually go to the gym straight after work and then I wash my face when I’m done my workout.

    Reply
  8. caitlin says

    March 2nd, 2012 at 11:22 am

    brows+concealer+balm/gloss ✓ ☺

    Reply
    • Yelena says

      March 2nd, 2012 at 12:18 pm

      same here. i dont do mascara and all that cuz i dont want it to run but brows , concealer and balm are a must!

      Reply
  9. DLAOKC says

    March 2nd, 2012 at 11:38 am

    Nope – but I go at 5am to the Y. I even teach a yoga class two days a week sans-mascara, but it’s dark in there! I do brush my teeth for them, though!

    Reply
  10. Nina says

    March 2nd, 2012 at 11:39 am

    i dont! if i go on the morning, im totally bare faced. in the evening, i always have some makeup remover wipes and clean my fave before i start.

    Reply
  11. Monique says

    March 2nd, 2012 at 11:39 am

    Most of the time, I have class directly after or before going to the gym so I have makeup on. But I won’t specifically apply it to go to the gym if I’m coming home right after

    Reply
  12. Anitacska says

    March 2nd, 2012 at 11:42 am

    It depends on whether I go for a run first thing or after dropping the children off at school. First thing = no, after dropping off = full face. 😉

    Reply
  13. pk says

    March 2nd, 2012 at 11:42 am

    i don’t. i think a gym is for working out but my gf wears full on makeup. i guess personal preference? though i’m afraid of clogged pores!

    Reply
    • Diana says

      March 3rd, 2012 at 2:12 pm

      Ditto about the clogged pores!

      Reply
  14. DanaJae says

    March 2nd, 2012 at 11:53 am

    This is one of my all time favorite pictures of you. I remember when you first posted it I ran out to get myself one of these sports bras but they didn’t have this awesome pattern anymore 🙁 All the same great pic, keep up the good look gurl! lol

    Reply
  15. Honeyj says

    March 2nd, 2012 at 12:11 pm

    I only do because I wear makeup to work, and then go to the gym after work!

    If I go in the morning before work, then hell no!

    Reply
  16. Tracy says

    March 2nd, 2012 at 12:25 pm

    Nope. Never-at home or if I go to a gym. Can’t stand the feel of makeup melting in my face!

    Reply
  17. Angelclarice says

    March 2nd, 2012 at 12:36 pm

    Yes I do, I go to work out right after work so I don’t feel like taking all my make up off before.

    ♥ Claire ♥

    AngelClarice Beauty and Wellness Site http://angelclarice.blogspot.com/

    Email ♣ angel.clarice@gmail.com

    Reply
  18. kac2ru says

    March 2nd, 2012 at 12:42 pm

    I love your make up in this photo!!! what are you wearing??? such beautiful cheeks!

    Reply
  19. Tiera says

    March 2nd, 2012 at 12:54 pm

    Not usually. But I keep a brown waterproof eyeliner and waterproof mascara in my gym bag just in case. I should probably throw a brow pencil in there, too. Plus I always have a tinted lip balm with me at all times. I make sure to put some one before the gym since my lips get extra dry during a workout.

    Reply
  20. Stephanie R says

    March 2nd, 2012 at 12:59 pm

    If I’m doing zumba first thing in the morning, no. If I’m doing dance class in the evening or strength training at home, yes, because I’ve put it on in the morning. If I’m just going to wash my face and get in the shower after, why not just take the makeup then?

    Reply
  21. Doreen says

    March 2nd, 2012 at 1:22 pm

    Yes I do! Hellooo cute guy in yoga class. I usually put on some concealer and fill in my brows to make me look awake but if I have time I’ll use Bare Study paint pot, mascara, and purple eyeliner.

    Reply
  22. Julia says

    March 2nd, 2012 at 1:31 pm

    Hello! I swim 5 days a week, but I also go to the gym a few times a week. I typically wear a small amount of makeup, usually concealer and a white eye pencil on my waterline and inner corner to highlight my eyes. I read an article about how you can get painful bumps (not acne), if you wear any face makeup, because it traps dirt, oil and sweat in your pores. Thanks (:

    Reply
  23. lexi says

    March 2nd, 2012 at 1:47 pm

    I cannot leave the house without my eyebrows filled in and lip balm or very sheer gloss. So yes, I do wear makeup to the gym on the weekends. During the week, I work out during my lunchbreak so yeah, I’m in my makeup often at the gym. On those particular days, I try to apply my makeup with a very light hand.

    Reply
  24. Elly says

    March 2nd, 2012 at 1:58 pm

    I usually go to the gym in the evening after work and I wear makeup because I have it already on. In the “gym days” I use mineral foundation instead of liquid, I used to wear liquid foundation and it transferred on the towel, I had this white towel with brown spots on it!
    If I go on sunday morning, however, I don’t wear any makeup, I let my skin “breath”

    Reply
  25. Lori says

    March 2nd, 2012 at 2:00 pm

    Karen! You look gorg in this shot, what rate you wearing on your face? And kisses to my beautiful Tabs, too!!!!

    xo, lori

    Reply
    • Lori says

      March 2nd, 2012 at 2:01 pm

      are not rate! haha!

      Reply
  26. lizzie says

    March 2nd, 2012 at 2:31 pm

    no way….i take kick boxing, extreme ballet, and jog on the treadmill. i sweat like a crazy person. no make up on earth can stand up. i would have to agree though Karen your make up is lovely in the posted pic. if that could hold up during my workouts i’d wear it. i also don’t like the way other women look after class with their make up all smeared and dripping. ick. not pretty.

    Reply
  27. Chelsea says

    March 2nd, 2012 at 2:47 pm

    I always always fill in my brows, because they’re pretty sparse. I also wear mascara (lately the CoverGirl LashBlast 24 Hour kind… this stuff DOES NOT BUDGE, and I sweat more than most. Hell, I took a bath wearing this stuff and it didn’t move).

    My skin is basically so pale that I’m see through, so I get really really red, but I don’t usually wear foundation there.

    Reply
  28. Laurie says

    March 2nd, 2012 at 3:34 pm

    No, that’s way too much effort at 5 am and I’m not getting up earlier. I’d just sweat it off anyway.

    Reply
  29. megan says

    March 2nd, 2012 at 4:03 pm

    Only if I go after work and forget to bring wipes. I don’t put on makeup just to go to gym….I’m gonna sweat it off anyway!!

    Reply
  30. J says

    March 2nd, 2012 at 4:30 pm

    EW! No. Sorry, but it’s gross. I go to the gym with the intention of sweating. I don’t understand how you could possibly 1) not break out and 2) not feel totally disgusting if you’re actually sweating! And if you have to wipe your face, doesn’t everything get all orange?

    Reply
  31. Kajal Couture says

    March 2nd, 2012 at 4:30 pm

    No, unless I go after doing something else, like going to work or running errands. I see some older women at the gym with a FULL face of makeup, like bright pink lipstick and all, and I just don’t understand it.

    Reply
  32. Stacey says

    March 2nd, 2012 at 4:36 pm

    When i go before work, i’m sans anything on my face. If I have a big blemish or something, i’ll dust some mineral makeup just on the red spots but that’s it. It get’s all sweated off anyway!

    Reply
  33. Becca says

    March 2nd, 2012 at 5:15 pm

    I personally find it silly to apply a full face of makeup before working out-regardless of whether I work out at home or at the gym. I think I am much more comfortable now to where I don’t care anymore if people see me without makeup (2 years ago, I would have NEVER left my house-even to run to the mailbox-without some form of makeup on). I think it’s nice to look natural and “human” sometimes. I just feel like there are other, more important things that I should be worrying about besides if someone glimpsed me stopping by the grocery store without foundation on. For another thing, exercise is all about making your body strong and feel good and sweating the toxins out of your body. So why cover your face up with a layer of makeup? Plus you risk clogged pores and breakouts. I just don’t think it’s necessary or worth it. No one is going to think “god, that girl on the treadmill next to me looks like crap while she’s running-why isn’t she wearing makeup?” lol

    Reply
  34. frckls says

    March 2nd, 2012 at 7:04 pm

    Hmmm. Well. I’ve never left home without my Tarte SO TM and/or Lucy Minerals foundation (each holds up amazingly well through anything), fill in my brows (my brows are genetically PA-THE-TIC they’re almost non-existent), and lipbalm. But sometimes i feel like adding waterproof mascara (Kiss Me Heroine Make Frame & Curl Mascara – they almost like permanent fake lashes) very lightly and a stain. But that’s the furthest I go.

    Reply
  35. Sehar says

    March 2nd, 2012 at 9:03 pm

    Plz let me know what makeup are you wearing here also the blusher you are wearing looks awsome!!!

    Reply
  36. Marian says

    March 2nd, 2012 at 10:00 pm

    I don’t wear makeup when I workout either at home or at the gym or pool.

    Reply
  37. Tiffany says

    March 2nd, 2012 at 10:11 pm

    If I’m going to gym, I leave on the makeup or I just don’t have any on that day! Thier is a lot of time where I don’t any makeup at all!

    Reply
  38. artemis says

    March 3rd, 2012 at 6:04 am

    omg, that make-up looks so hot on you 😀
    pretty lipgloss and eyeliner

    Reply
  39. mill says

    March 3rd, 2012 at 8:02 am

    mascara, eyeliner, concealer, thats it!
    i dont like going without any at all but i dont want to look too cakey and made up! this makeup is beautiful on you, by the way, karen

    Reply
  40. Marie says

    March 3rd, 2012 at 3:39 pm

    I don’t wear make-up when I work out, ever. I’ll be a sweaty mess by the end, so I’d rather just go all natural.

    Reply
  41. Charmie Stryker says

    March 3rd, 2012 at 4:19 pm

    Love your blog =) I’m a fan of working out but not a fan of sweaty make up! Check out Rae cosmetics, its all natural sweat and heat resistant. Perfect for active lifestyles

    Reply
  42. Naj says

    March 4th, 2012 at 6:37 am

    If it’s just for a jog around the block, I don’t. But if I were to go to the gym, then I’d only fill in my brows and put on some tinted lipbalm. 😀

    Reply
  43. GG says

    March 4th, 2012 at 9:22 am

    I like to swipe on the Sephora 247 Eyeliner Pencil in Brown on my lid and lower lashline (stays on through workouts), eyeliner and mascara, fill in my brows, and add lipbalm topped with a sticky lipgloss so my lips don’t dry out.

    Reply
  44. Katie says

    March 4th, 2012 at 1:27 pm

    Didn’t used to, but now that I am in my late-40’s, I find I look and feel better with a light wash of color on my face, and I feel like my skin is protected from the dry winter air here in the NE. The idea is to brighten up without looking overly made up–no heavy foundation or lipstick here. I brush on a little nude eyeshadow, tinted moisturizer w/ SPF (a must for outdoor workouts)–Bobbi Brown’s Oil-Free is great and doesn’t budge–and gives just enough coverage–so you don’t look like your wearing heavy foundation, but your skin looks better. Then a swipe of a brightening pink or coral lipgloss, and I’m good to go!

    Reply

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