I know for a lot of women, not wearing makeup outside of the house isn’t a big deal, but for me it was. The thought of going anywhere “in public” without makeup on horrified me. Not because I think I’m an ugly beast without it—but because I am so used to leaving the house with my hair and makeup done—polished, as I like to call it. It’s a routine, a way of life and makes me feel good about myself.
I realize women everyday go to the gym, to work and to fancy dinners without any makeup on, but that’s not me, never has been. So, you can imagine it was really out of my comfort zone to leave my house without going through my typical tried-and-true routine. I felt naked.
I thought I would feel really awkward without my makeup on—but to be honest with you, I somehow just stopped caring. Sure I poked fun at the fact that I never leave my house without it, and of course I still wouldn’t make it an everyday thing—but when I’m at the gym, I’m so focused on my workout that it just doesn’t matter what I look like then. I’m sweating and burning and pushing myself really hard—and I’m proud of that…and the last thing I want to think about is what I look like with my hair pulled back, sweating and no makeup on. I’m more focused on the burn I feel in my abs and the “oh my gosh I need water” feeling.
I know this is completely corny, but at first, it was a big deal for me to get comfortable with just leaving my house without at least the teeniest bit of makeup on…but somehow that seemed less ridiculous than applying makeup at 5:40 a.m. to go to the gym.
To my lovely readers— Do you wear makeup to the gym? If you’re a regular makeup wearer, what did it take for you to get comfortable without it in select situations?
I still wear makeup if I have an evening workout (the same makeup I had applied in the morning), but if it’s an early a.m. workout, the makeup just isn’t happening.
Here is the outfit I wore today. More black, I know. But I’m trying to show more outfits with pants…so without further ado…
Faux-Fur Trim Vest- Charlotte Russe
Pants- Express Editor
Shoes- Aldo
xoxo,
Veronika.
When I used to be a regular gym goer, I never wore makeup go the gym. Eye makeup (even waterproof) tends to smear on me, and I figure I look better without than looking like I've got 2 black eyes.
I tend to think of wearing make up to the gym as a waste of make up. If you're going at the end of the day and already have it on, that's one thing. But to get up in the morning, put it on, go work out, come home, shower (and presumably wash my face, because not washing my face after all that sweating just sounds absolutely vile to me) and put it on AGAIN just means you'll be using more make up and have to buy freshies sooner than you would otherwise.
So, if nothing else Veronika, chalk it up to being frugal!
I agree with Michele. I think putting on make-up only to sweat and wipe it all off is kind of a waste. I tend to sweat A LOT when working out, so I always try and use make-up removal towelletes with me so my face doesn't break out (which it usually will if I work out with make-up on). I'm not comfortable leaving the house without make-up on either but my face feels dirty when I work out with it on!
I confess I used to wear a little bit of makeup (just to cover up blemishes) and lip gloss when I go to the gym. I really, really hate going somewhere without makeup on. I feel like I'm not put together without makeup.
I workout with a trainer at home every morning now and I don't wear makeup anymore. I guess there's just something about going out somewhere and makeup. It's hard to explain but I just have to have makeup on when I go somewhere.
This looks stunning! And I don't wear make-up to work out either!
Kristina J.
michelle- i completely understand and can relate— Mornings at the gym are the only time i really go makeup free unless i'm just going to be at home all day.
Hi! When I used to work at the hospital I would go to the gym right after my 12 hr night shift so the only make up I would have on is the stuff I put on for work. Like you, I rarely (if ever) go out without any make up on but when I'm heading over to the gym I don't see the point in getting dolled up. I'm not going there to impress anyone I'm going to sweat and work out. So no I do not put make up on.
Danyelle
P.s. I love your blog!!
thanks danyelle 🙂
This past summer i did a boot camp at my gym and didn't wear makeup. I actually just brushed my teeth and didn't even wash my face because I did my whole face routine when I showered/ got ready after the gym. Good for you though for doing morning workouts! It's harder when the weather gets colder , too!
Aw I know what you mean about not wearing makeup when you're used to wearing it everyday. Haha I commend you on waking up so early every morning. If I were to wake up that early, I would definitely not have time to put on makeup 😉
No way, I can't wear makeup to the gym. It's so uncomfortable to me – sweating with all that makeup on. And I'm a regular makeup wearer, too. I just can't do it. I feel better if I have a naked face at the gym. :o)
Hello when I got to the gym is for train and last thing that I have in my mind is the makeup .
I'm not even gonna lie, I don't think I will ever go ANYWHERE without at least foundation on. If I'm going to the gym first thing in the morning, I won't bother with eye makeup, but my skin tone is splotchy and dull without at least a little makeup. I'll always take a second and cover up the bags under my eyes and even out my skin tone before going anywhere at all. It only takes a second and it's not a lot of makeup. It might seem vain, but trust me, you don't want to see this face naked! Gym or not 😉
Oh, no way do I wear makeup to the gym or when I run or any physical activity. I like to sweat up a storm when I workout and I see it as a waste of makeup for myself. On the other hand- I think if there was a special dude or something I wanted to see at the gym, I'd wear SOME makeup. lol. Perhaps mascara and eyeliner at least.
The one time I Do wear some makeup to workout is when I run races. There are lots of photos being taken so I usually slap on some mascara and eyeliner and tinted mousiturizer. No foundation.
V – I have totally been in your shoes. My husband and all his friends go M-W-F at 6am. It's almost like a social scene…so whenever I go, I feel compelled to throw on eyeliner. My H doesnt know that I do this, b/c I know that he would think it was very, very silly. I have seriously considered changing to a gym that isn't so much about appearance. I would love an all girls gym.
I could never wear make-up to the gym. I'm such a heavy sweater it would be a mess.
I also have a thing about not having hair on face or neck when I run. I have this crazy pulled back hairstyle with a bunch of clips and elastics I use just for working out. I'm too focused on my workout to care what other people think.
If I run or go to the gym or Zumba after work, I usually go with makeup on – I end up showering and washing it off afterwards but don't remove the makeup beforehand. And I'll admit – I put on makeup for my 5K. I wanted to have some pictures of my first race and wanted to look alive. My eyes are fairly small and tend to look tired without at least mascara.
If I get up and go in the morning, nope, I don't bother – I'm just going to wash it off afterwards and don't want to waste the makeup or clog up my skin unnecessarily. That said, I don't like to be seen with raging blemishes or puffy, tired eyes, so some days it's easier than others to "let" myself go out in public that way. So good for you for getting past that mental block!! 🙂
You are so gorgeous I'm sure you still look polished without makeup/hair done! When I got lasik surgery this year I couldnt wear ANY make up for 2+ weeks after surgery. The first few days were really hard, I felt so naked at work and was reluctant to make evening plans. After a few days though it felt really liberating! I embraced the "natural" look and now I let myself go makeup less on the weekends.
I think it's smart to not bother with makeup for morning workouts. I sweat enough that makeup is just a mess! If I already have it on (for a noon or evening run) I don't bother to wash it off, but I probably should because I end up with smeared or dripping eye makeup anyhow. I like the black outfit!
I don’t think it’s really good to put makeup on your face if you just plan to sweat through it anyway. If go early in the morning, I really don’t think about it. Try just putting on a baseball cap and some lip gloss. That’s what I do. If I am going later in the day (on weekend) and want to appear a little more alive, I will throw on a coat of mascara. I don’t really see anyone at my gym wearing makeup in the early morning, only after work! I can see why if you’re not used to it, it would be hard, though.
i guess im the only that can say i still wear makeup to the gym! not foundation or blush, but I do wear mascara and clear lipgloss, i can sweat, jump around, do zumba and what not, but my mascara always looks the same, if you're wondering, it's called Falsies by Maybelline, waterproof of course, and my carmex lipbalm and on top of that I wear my nyx smokey look lipgloss
I enjoy wearing makeup, and wear it everywhere I go, except for the gym. I used to be lazy and not wash my face after a day of work, before a workout. But now I always wash my face because when I sweat, I want my face to be clean and not clog up my pores with makeup. If I ever feel self conscious about not having makeup on, I just wear a hat to the gym. I'd much rather go make up free for a workout, than have to wear extra makeup later to cover up a zit.
It's so funny because I'm the opposite.. I used to never wear make-up except to fancy dinners and important places, and over time I've gotten more and more in the habit of wearing make-up even out grocery shopping or walking the dog at 10 pm. Mostly because not dressing pretty and wearing make-up and looking "polished" as you put it was making me feel frumpy and unattractive. You may tease yourself about never leaving home without make-up but I've always admired and wished I was more like the polished girls like you!
That being said, I don't think I'll ever wear make-up in the gym, though if I'm working out outside I definitely wear sunscreen. Not because I think wearing make-up while working out is wrong, but I'm afraid of it running off while I sweat. I see lots of girls with make-up on working out and I don't really think anything of it (besides some envy of their lack of sweatiness, hehe!)