Melt your face — but not your makeup

First, let’s qualify what “makeup” means in this context: it’s definitely not pageant makeup, not even evening makeup or no-makeup makeup (as a MUA friend always says, no makeup makeup uses just as much makeup, “So don’t come asking for it and expect me to finish in five minutes.”). The idea is to replicate Alicia Keys’ no-makeup look, but with makeup. One report says she only uses a brow pencil, self-tanner, and mattifying powder when she does shows; surely we can survive with less at the gym.

Second, let’s just get it out of the way: women wearing makeup to the gym is common, not shocking at all, and none of anybody’s business. We all have our reasons. I wear a little makeup to yoga because my classmates are beautiful poreless aliens who sweat glitter. I do it so I can look at myself in the mirror during flying shoulder stand (so unflattering) and not be so horrified that I fall on my face.

Finally, let’s address the things we want to achieve with as little makeup as possible. We want eyes that are bright and awake. This can be achieved with the thinnest line drawn very close to the lashline (to mimic tightlining — because that’ll smudge). If you’re going to use eyeliner or mascara, make sure it doesn’t smudge so you can at least maintain the illusion, even just to yourself, that you #wokeuplikethis. Maybelline Hyperink Liquid Liner is long-lasting, smudge-proof and easy to use. Celebrity makeup artist Jigs Mayuga says he made a friend wear it during Crossfit, and it didn’t budge. “I love the fact that Hyperink has an intense, black color payoff and is extremely long-wearing,” he added.

We also don’t want to see only pores when we look at the mirror. I use Bobbi Brown Skin Smoothing Pore Perfector because it’s transparent and a natural looking matte. When you sweat, it doesn’t slide off. Instead, you glow as you would when you exercise, but you still look fresh. L’Oreal recently launched its entire Infallible line in the Philippines and the Infallible Pro-Matte 16HR Powder also stays put (at the launch, beauty girls put the product to a test via working out on-the-spot). Infallible 24HR Foundation also fights makeup meltdown and is lightweight. It has hyaluronic acid, which catches water and keeps skin hydrated with a demi-matte finish, without making it oily. But if you’re sure you’re going to really sweat it out and are worried about foundation streaking, best to keep application light.

Finally, we want lips that don’t look dead. L’Oreal Infallible 10HR Lipstick is food-proof, fade-proof and dry-proof. It claims to last for up to 10 hours. I wore Infallible lipstick in Resilient Raisin during a trip and it didn’t budge after a greasy three-hour dinner. Maybe opt for a more natural shade like Perpetual Peach for working out. I also like Burberry Lip Glow Balm in Orange Poppy.

Some post-workout reminders: Remove all traces of makeup immediately after working out. Eventually, your skin produces sweat and oil and that additional layer of makeup, if left there, will inevitably block pores, no matter how non-comedogenic. Simple Micellar Wipes are very effective at erasing all traces of makeup easily, even mascara, without having to wash your face. It’s also packed with nutrients and is extremely hydrating.

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Maybelline and L’Oreal are available at department stores, drugstores and beauty counters. Follow @chonxtibajia on Instagram for more