Here’s How To Sweat-Proof Makeup

Exercising takes enough energy and attention. You don’t want to be worrying about whether you’re going to be looking like a splotchy-faced racoon after your workout. Here are some tips to help keep your makeup from melting.

We’ll split them into two categories: basic tips to make your daily makeup routine more durable and industrial-strength pointers for the times when you really need things to stay put.

Be hard-wearing everyday

It’s best to use more durable products for day-to-day wearing, most importantly: eyeliner, concealer and foundation.

Lock in your eyes

Setting your eyeliner with an eyeshadow over the top will lock your eyeliner into place. If your eye makeup tends to smudge underneath your lower lash line or on your lid, try applying a translucent powder to that area.

Industrial-strength sweat-proof pointers

Apply Mehron Skin Prep Pro (aka, No Sweat) with a cotton ball and allow it to dry before putting on your makeup. Skin Prep Pro is a clear liquid that acts as an antiperspirant for your face. It kind of feels like you’re just applying a skin astringent or toner but it makes a big difference. Use waterproof mascara but make sure you remove your eye makeup with a waterproof eye makeup remover every time you wear it. Sleeping in your mascara can be damaging to your eyelashes.

Waterproof your eyes

A very long-wearing eyebrow product is the Anastasia Brow Pen. You’ll want to apply it in little strokes, almost like you’re drawing little eyebrow hairs, so it looks more natural. For this final step you’ll still want to end with a makeup setting spray, but a different kind.

If you’re in need of incredibly long-wearing makeup, Ben Nye Final Seal is like hairspray for your face. Hold the Final Seal about 8-10in from your face and do a light spray on the left side from forehead to chin, kind of spraying in a vertical line. Then do one spray down the center of your face, then the right side. You just want a light spray, don’t saturate. Allow it to dry and repeat if needed.

Master the mid-workout clean-ups

Working up a sweat is good and healthy for you, so don’t skimp on your workout just for the sake of your makeup. If you do feel a little sweat bead up and you reach for a towel, remember to press lightly. Don’t do an aggressive rub like when you’re done washing your face and you’re trying to thoroughly dry it.

Exercising will give some people a lively, rosy glow. If that rosy glow becomes more like a beetroot color, then you may want to freshen up quickly before heading out. This step will take 30 seconds at most and will make all the difference. Apply a little bit of foundation to the needed places – most commonly the forehead and around the nose.

I tend to skip the cheek area because I love the look of naturally flushed cheeks when the rest of my face is a normal color. Try the Bobbi Brown Face Touch Up Stick. It’s super fast to use and doesn’t add any bulk to your purse since it’s about the size of a skinny chapstick.

Find beauty advice and more in every issue of TRAIN for HER magazine.