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5 Essential Post-Gym Beauty Hacks

Get from red and sweaty to work-ready ASAP.

It’s 8.30am, you have to be in work in 30 minutes, you’re dripping with sweat, there’s a 12-deep queue for the showers and only one working hairdryer. Don’t panic! We all know this post-class stress of getting yourself work-ready in record time. Morning workouts are all fun and games until you burst into the office with dripping hair, a beetroot face and your new Zara shirt sticking to your sweat. But it doesn’t have to be like this. A few simple beauty hacks will transform your post-class routine into a serene and calming experience. Follow these simple tips and you’ll glide to work looking glowy, refined and stress-free.

'For when you've got a bit more getting-ready time, check out these celeb beauty hacks:'

1. Keep it calm

VH1

One of the hardest things to shake after a workout is the redness in your face. If you’ve worked really hard in spinning or HIIT class, your heart will be racing, your blood will be pumping, and it’s going to show on your face. No amount of concealer or foundation can keep it at bay, and it can genuinely last for ages after your class. The best hack to counter this is a simple calming spray: a cooling mist that you spray on your face and wait for the magic to happen. Our favourite is the Dermalogica Ultracalming Mist – it’s hydrating and tackles skin sensitivity, perfect for after a sweatfest.

2. Braid it up

Parkwood

If you’re on a tight schedule, it’s going to be basically impossible to nail that salon-standard blow dry after you shower – that’s if you even win the battle of the communal hairdryers. So the best option might be to opt for an up-do. Simple braids will help you look infinitely more put-together than a messy bun or wonky ponytail. Braids and plaits are definitely having a moment, and although they are a staple look for summer festivals, you can easily make them look sleek and professional. If you never mastered the French plait in primary school and can’t comprehend the physics of a fishtail braid, there are plenty of YouTube tutorials you can watch. Do your revision, get practising and you’ll be whipping out complex styles in no time at all.

3. Go glowy

Dermablend

When it comes to makeup, it can be tricky getting the balance right after a workout. When you’re still a bit sweaty, powdered make up like bronzer and compact foundation can stick to your skin, so you won’t get that even finish. The best way to tackle this is to accentuate the dewiness of your post-workout skin and opt for a creamy base layer and a dewy highlighter for your cheekbones. For the base, a hydrating BB cream or tinted moisturiser will work with your skin to make sure you’re looking radiant and luminous.

4. Keep dry

And we don’t mean towelling off after a shower – we’re talking armpits. There’s something about a morning workout followed by a hectic commute that seems to triple our sweat production. It’s not unheard of to be sitting at your desk at lunchtime, still feeling damp under the arms. It’s not a pleasant feeling, and for people with sensitive skin, all that sweating can cause some serious irritation. After a workout, make sure you choose a heavy-duty deodorant that focuses on dryness and protecting your skin. Overly floral or heavily scented sprays can feel nice in the short-term, but won’t necessarily provide long-lasting relief. We love the Vichy soothing roll-on – it’s non-sticky and fragrance-free.

5. Double-up

Yevbel

When you’re running from spinning, to the office, to uni, to happy hour – you really need to streamline your gym bag. It’s just not feasible to cart your entire supply of beauty products around with you, so you need to make some smart decisions to keep your transformation efficient. Our favourite hack is to choose products that can do more than one thing. A lip stain that’s also a cheek tint, a highlighter that doubles as eye shadow – doubling up allows you to bring half the products and helps you get ready in half the time. Does it get any simpler than Vaseline? Grab a pot of the Vaseline rosy lip balm, and don’t be afraid to use a dot as a blush or even as a glossy eye shadow.

'Words by Natalie Morris'

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