I’d like to begin this post by maintaining that I really don’t care that much what I look like when I am working out.  The fact that I have gotten out of bed or off from work and sidelined any excuses that I might have had for not working out that day is a freaking miracle, so don’t tell me that I have to look cute and put on a bunch of makeup too!  I have just begun working out again after not doing it since…um…when did I find out I was pregnant with my now 1 year old…um…probably a year before that! Anyway.  I committed to doing a 5k this July, so I figured I needed to start so that I don’t wake up the morning after the 5k without the ability to move.  I am 3 weeks in of running the trails in my neighborhood, but I am considering starting to work out at the gym.

Running in my neighborhood, I pretty much roll out of bed, put on my sports bra, and ear phones, and get out the door (side note: I’m pretty proud of myself because in 3 weeks I haven’t hit snooze once)!  I get back home just in time to greet my husband as he fumbles around the kitchen trying to warm some milk for our crying toddler who wakes up at 6:30 AM like clock work.  If I remember to brush my teeth before I head out is a “win” let alone thinking about putting on any makeup.  HOWEVER going to the gym sans makeup may be a different story for some of you.  At the gym I am a member of, there is a 100% chance that I am going to see someone that I know, it never fails.  For this reason it might be appropriate to have a little somethin’, somethin’ on makeup-wise while I work out at the gym.  I would also like to preface these tips by saying, I am in no way an advocate of full on makeup at the gym.  If you see someone with a full face of makeup at the gym, then they are not there to work out! For today’s look I solicited the help of real live beauty expert, Carmen Graham of Lynette Silhouettes and 1-third of My Natural Sistas, on Easy Steps For Effortless Gym Makeup.

Before

So here’s what we’re workin’ with

MAC Mineralize Concealer
MAC Sheerstone Shimmer Blush
Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade
Bareminerals Marvelous Moxie Lip Gloss
Christian Dior Diorshow Blackout Waterproof Mascara
Slay All Day Setting Spray

1. Conceal Around Your Eyes

Concealing around your eyes simply relives any dark circles and makes you look a little fresher pre-workout.  As you can see a little dab will do ya!  Carmen applied concealer both under the eyes and on the eyelid and blended with a MAC application brush.  For this tutorial we purposely avoided high sweat areas (my forehead is where I sweat most…there and under-boob sweat but that doesn’t apply here, hee!)  If you know you sweat more in certain areas on your face avoid putting makeup there.

2. Get Those Brows In Check

For all things eyebrows, Carmen is the brow queen.  Seriously, check it out here.  For this effortless gym look Carmen tamed my brows fast by first brushing with an eyebrow brush and finishing by filling in the brow with a few strokes of the dipbrow pomade.  Carmen lives by the “brow code” that the eyebrows are what frame your face. If you don’t do anything else, do the brows!

3. Get Those Lashes In Formation

If I was stranded on an island and only could have one makeup item it would be mascara for sure! This is a simple, quick enhancement that anyone can do!  Of course we used waterproof mascara with sweating in mind.

4. Blush Please!

Add a little color to those cheeks!  Especially on my skin where I typically don’t get red faced during workouts.  A little blush goes a long way to looking awake for me.

5. Gloss it

Gloss those lips girl!  Lipstick my be a little too much while you are getting in that work out, so keep it light with some gloss.  I know when I am doing cardio especially my lips tend to get dry.  Having on gloss helps me to keep dryness and cracked lips at bay.

6. The Finishing Touch

And finally, finish the look with setting spray.  Carmen introduced me to the Slay All Day setting spay and I have to say, as I went through my day, my makeup stayed put.  This stuff is great!

After

Easy, right!  Carmen was so great to work with, even when her big, beautiful, natural hair got in the way of most of the shots!  For more tutorials from Carmen check her out on YouTube and for an excellent tutorial on waterproof makeup perfect for the summer, pool, or gym check out her video here.