Easy post-workout beauty tips

Before you exercise

Long-wear deodorant or antiperspirant products are a great option. Secret Clinical Waterproof (formulated for night-before application) is a good choice for those who work out in a gym, pool or humid outdoor weather ($11, 45 g). Degree Expert Protection has “motion activated freshness” for 48-hour odour control ($3, 48 g).

For skin, Nivea Extra Nourishing Body Milk with almond oil helps prevent dryness and provides hydration that lasts for over 24 hours ($9, 400 mL). Some of us keep a pack of face wipes in our gym totes-they work in a pinch as body wipes to whisk the sweat off if you don’t have time to shower. Our pick: Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes for sensitive skin ($11, 25 wipes).

Applying waterproof mascara pre-workout is also a good idea. Estée Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Waterproof Mascara is fortified with panthenol to keep lashes supple while giving them lift and volume ($29, 8 mL). And, of course, it stays put.

The hair challenge

Here’s a tip from a Best Health editor for when you’ve worked up a sweat but are in a hurry: Throw your hair into a ponytail or bun and wash just your bangs. Keep a stash handy of protective elastics and bobby pins-try Stylize’s Jelly silicone elastics ($6, 14 per pack) and meant-to-be-noticed Glitter bobby pins ($6, 48 per pack).

The same editor often twists her long hair up and tucks it under a baseball cap before her daily run. That keeps her cool, and-bonus-when she takes her hat off, her hair falls into waves. Take it one step further: Apply a dollop of a finishing cream to dried hair to give polish-like John Frieda Frizz-Ease Secret Weapon Finishing Crème ($10, 115 mL).

For swimmers, Kiehl’s All-Sport Every Day Shampoo is a gentle formula for those who wash their hair frequently, even if it isn’t actually dirty ($23, 250 mL).

Stock your gym bag with beauty minis

Watch for travel-size or mini versions of your favourite beauty items. Micellar waters are ideal for sweeping grime and sweat off the face post-gym. Bioderma offers travel-size bottles; shown is Bioderma Sébium for combination or oily skin ($7, 100 mL).

We also like M.A.C minis: Fix+, a mineral- and vitamin-infused facial spray with skin-calming green tea, camomile and cucumber ($12, 30 mL) and Green Gel cleanser ($12, 30 mL).

BTW: A few of us at Best Health regularly check those drugstore bins for selections of mini shampoos and conditioners, shower gels and body lotions, which are also great to toss into gym bags.

Go for face-cooling sensations after a workout

Olay Total Effects Moisturizer Plus Cooling Hydration is a lightweight oil-free moisturizer with mint extract ($29, 50 mL). L’Occitane en Provence à L’Huile Essentielle et Eau D’Angelique Bio face toner ($25, 200 mL) and eye roll-on ($28, 10 mL) both have super-hydrating organic angelica water from the stems of the angelica flower, which grows in dry conditions in the south of France.

For a portable touch-up, Sephora Collection 8Hr Wear Mattifying Compact Foundation, in 24 shades (shown, bottom left, is #30 Sand), evens out skin tone and blocks shine ($27, 8.9 mL). Clinique Redness Solutions Instant Relief Mineral Pressed Powder neutralizes redness and calms the skin; wear alone, or under or over foundation ($38, 11.6 g). For parched lips, Korres Lip Butter in Pomegranate is smoothing and non-sticky with a hint of tint ($16, 6 g).

When you do have time for a shower, make it energizing

One whiff of Kiss My Face Active Athletic Birch & Eucalyptus Reviving Bath & Shower Gel and you’ll be bouncing to afternoon meetings ($11, 473 mL).

And you’ll love this: You don’t even need to rub in Vas­eline Spray & Go body moisturizer, so you can get dressed fast ($7, 184 g).

Also super-quick-absorbing is Garnier Body Intensive 7 Days Soothing Gel-Cream-and its moisturizing benefits will last up to seven days ($8,400 mL).

Related:
• Athletic-chic makeup tricks
• A gym bag for every workout style
• Easy 5-minute makeup routine