This topic tends to get people a bit fired up. There are generally a lot of 'sure isn't there enough pressure on women already!?' type comments. So let me explain.
About nine weeks ago, I joined a gym. I'm not even slightly athletic, I'm not a 'gym person', and even as I write this, I'm thinking about having mashed potato (with added cream) for dinner. People start exercising for different reasons, and even though I can certainly stand to get physically healthier, I started an exercise program in order to work out frustration.
At the moment, I'm coming to terms with the illness of a very close family member, and I felt like I had excess anger and energy that I needed a healthy outlet for. It was either randomly punch someone in the face in Tesco, or go lift some weights and sweat. So I chose the latter.
But since I was already feeling quite vulnerable, and am literally terrified of gyms, the idea of going in for the first few times - all doughy limbed and red faced, seemed too much. On a bad day, a little bit of makeup gives me a boost, so if that extra bit of vulnerability is putting you off getting into the gym, don't let it.
Here are some really basic things you can do with makeup when you're going to the gym. They won't look like makeup, but they might just make you a little bit braver.
- Sure a bit of concealer might help!
Sometimes, when you have a complexion that makes you look as though you've been dredged out of a river, a touch of concealer is all that's needed to make you look fresh and awake. On horrendous (or menstrual) skin mornings when I know I should really go and exercise, but feel a bit too exposed to walk in the door with my chin spot on show, I'll pop a bit of Seventeen Stay Time Concealer (€5.99) on any blemishes and under my eyes, and I'll feel more ready for the day. It will look like skin, and not makeup.
- No Smudges Please
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If you feel halfway to the grave without mascara, then there's nothing at all wrong with popping some on before you head to the gym. Just be sure to opt for a smudge-proof (rather than a waterproof) formulation, which is most resistant to sweat. Bobbi Brown No Smudge Mascara (€26) is a really good one.
- The Dreaded Dry Mouth
A lip balm is more a necessity than a beautifier at the gym. As I've learned over the last few weeks, intensive exercise - the grunty, squinty kind - will dry out your mouth and lips, leaving them feeling really uncomfortable. I slather on plenty of a good lip balm before starting. Bog Standard Lip Butter (£5.95) is my current favourite, and has a very sheer tint which I quite like!
- Brows, Always Brows
With a touch of brow mascara, a face looks immediately less alien and exhausted. Clinique Just Browsing Brush-On Styling Mousse (€20) is a new brow option from Clinique. It sports the cutest little brush known to man, but I like it because the blonder shade contains no red at all. Use any brow mascara you have lying about, or none; whatever makes you feel good!
If you apply a thin layer of concealer to your skin, you'll be surprised to find that some of it will still be on your face once you've finished exercising. More importantly, though, you won't care. I was shocked to find that I feel physically and mentally better after strenuous exercise, and always leave the gym feeling more confident than when I walked in. Red skin doesn't make me feel quite as vulnerable on the way out the door!
Just remember the following - no one at the gym is looking at you, and everyone - even the biggest, buffest people - had a first day. After a few trips, you might start feeling that you can leave the concealer at home and head in bare faced. Or you might not. Whatever helps you is the best thing to do so do whatever suits YOU.
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How do you feel about makeup and the gym? Am I the only one who can feel overexposed? Share your thoughts in the comments.
