Dealing with the Aftermath of a Lunch Hour Workout

So a few people have asked how I can workout on my lunch hour. It's not easy to make yourself presentable after you sweat it out! But it is possible.

First off, don't plan to set an Olympic record on your lunch break. You can't expect to pour buckets of sweat and deal with soggy aftermath in 15 minutes. But you can sneak in a decent elliptical or strength session in around 30-40 minutes with plenty of time to head back to the office looking as fresh as a daisy and with the feel good endorphins to make the next four hours seem less daunting!

Let's start with what to do before leaving the locker room.

Secure your hair in a style that limits movement and keeps your hair away from the areas that tend to get sweaty.

High ponytails, loose buns and braids seem to do the trick.

Next clean your slate before you sweat.

The less you make up you hop on the bike with to start the better!

If you know you are going to the gym on your lunch hour, see if you can get away with just wearing mascara and lip gloss and a hint of powder to the office until after lunch. If you can, power to you.

If you wear a lot of make-up, wipe off some of it before your workout. A quick removal with a Neutrogena Make-up Remover Cleansing Towelettes will keep you from clogging your pores once you start sweating.

And of course, deodorant..obvs. (New York Magazine has an article on How Not to Sweat, so if you need it check it out here.)

Now go workout.

Your post workout body/face refresh game plan.

Bring a wash cloth and soap for a quick shower or even some baby wipes depending on how much of a clean up you need. I don't recommend attempting to wash your hair, it's just too time consuming. Keep it up and out of waters way!

Plus, if you followed the previously mentioned ideas, your hair should be relatively in tact. A wide tooth comb is good for not reversing too much of your morning efforts, but detangling where necessary. If you need a little dry shampoo or baby powder to absorb extra oil, go for it, but only in a pinch!!!!!!!!!

Next: Deodorant..obvs.

Your face should be okay, but a second wipe can help refresh. I also love Sue Devitt Microaquatic Luminous Finishing Mist, although it is a bit heavy to carry around.

I like to apply a bit of Neutrogena Visibly Even Moisturizer with SPF 15. It lives up to its promise of evening your skin tone and giving a touch of glow to boot!

Now for the Less than 5 minute face.

This you MUST personalize! I am fairly obsessed with make-up, despite the face that I don’t wear very much during the day anymore. I have learned what truly plays up my better features and downplays my flaws. I was not born with beautiful doe eyes like my sister, so I MUST have well-groomed eye brows! It makes a huge difference on my small eyes. I learned this young, very young. When I was 12 and had my first make over at the Bobbi Brown counter in Saks Fifth Ave. The woman making me gorgeous sternly instructed me to keep my eyebrows in order! So I get waxed or threaded every couple weeks, bonus this is another ahead of time, time saver! (Having manicured nails also helps one appear pulled together. You can do them yourself, no need to dole out $15 a week!)

Second, I always curl my eyelashes, again it opens my eyes and emphasis my lashes. If stranded on a desert island, I would probably request an eyelash curler! (45 seconds)

Third, Mascara. Best product ever. I love Maybelline Great Lash, Diorshow Mascara, and Lancome Definicils. (1 minute)

During the winter I pat on a little Super Double Face Powder from Clinque, which provides incredible coverage, but is not at all heavy. (1 minute)

During the summer, I brush on a bit of Clinque Bronzer. It's worth bringing your own brush for even application. (30 seconds)

For a great glow a touch of Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush is perfect for a natural flush. Keep extending your workout glow! (20 seconds)

Finally lipgloss. Without lipgloss/stick of some kind, I look like a corpse. I don’t know why but a hint of shine or color wakes up my whole face. Since I am generally a happy girl it draws attention to my dimple studded smile! (5 seconds)

I love tons of different glosses and lipsticks. If I had to recommend one, I guess the C.G. Bigelow Metha Lip Tint. It’s a bit goopy, but good stuff!

Again, find what works for you, and keep it simple. Those steps take about 3-4 minutes.

If you need a bit more than the bare minimum makeup, say you are going out after work or something, it may take a couple extra minutes, but no more than 10 total for make-up. Typically, I try to head to the nearest Sephora, so I can play in my house of worship and not have to carry make-up around with me.



But when that’s not on option, I love love love, the Bare Escentuals fab in five kit. I always get tons of compliments on the days I use it. It is basically a 5 step kit, but I have to add mascara, of course! Unfortunately, I don’t think they sell it anymore, but the Superstar Kit is close!

I also love the Dior Travel Studio Make-up Palette! This was a gift, and I am not sure if it is available in the states, but if you find it, you won’t be disappointed, it has everything from concealer to eyebrow pencils in one little palette!

So that's my basic plan. Minimize damage on the front end, and whip myself back into present able-form with a logically recovery plan and a few helpful products.