I've never noticed if other women wear make-up to the gym, I guess I am too busy working out! I only really pay attention to other women if they look good and are using a machine/doing a work out that I haven't done!
I don't wear make-up other than a little eye liner and mascara. I usually work out in the morning before I have showered, so I don't have anything on. However, If I work out later in the day, I don't bother to take off my mascara.
I notice if women wear makeup in the gym. And, I'll be honest: I think it's odd. But do I care? No, not at all. Will I laugh at, make fun of, or even remember the person I saw with makeup? No, of course not.
I do care, however, if women (or men) wear perfume to the gym, because it negatively affects my workout. Gag reflexes are like that.
//bstrong
I feel the same way, about the makeup and perfume, especially the perfume......the last thing I want is a wiff of someones super strong perfume when I'm trying to focus on my workout. I personally don't wear a lick of makeup to the gym or perfume. If someone is wearing makeup and it's around 5ish I assume they just came from work, but if I'm honest I do think it's a tad odd to wear makeup when you're going to sweat all over it, but I don't care if someone does or doesn't, the fact of the matter is, it doesn't concern me and it's none of my business if someone chooses to wear makeup to workout, at least they were there working out!
To the O.P: Have you considered wearing a baseball cap, that way your face isn't so visible, just a thought.
Last edited by bananapancakes; 02-16-2011 at 09:30 PM.
I haven't considered it but I think I will.
Thanks a lot ladies. I hate having arguments with my signif. other because it usually ends with me feeling like I'm in the wrong.
I need to tell him that he is ridiculous for not letting me have this insecurity. And that I will work past it.
Maybe your other half doesn't see it as big of a deal because in his eyes it's really not that bad......because it genuinely isn't (sometimes we are so self conscious and overly critical of ourselves) or simply because he loves you and finds you attractive regardless, ya know? Another little tip is to work out at a time when the gym is less busy. I feel bad that you are so worried about this, it's horrible to feel badly about your appearance, as many of us here know.
I personally do not wear make up to the gym simply because I have acne prone skin (at 31 you'd think I'd be over this). I have to have a super clean face or I feel a little dirty. I normally don't take notice to others at the gym, but when I do see a woman with tons of make-up on she kind of stands out and forces me to look.
I would prefer the cleaner, fresher face when I am working out. But, most days, I work out after work...its not possible. Whatever is on my face at that time gets wiped out with my towel as I clean off the sweat. Never really noticed about other women! I will have to look now!
I wear make up to the gym most of the time because usually I am coming from work or somewhere else. I get self concious when I wipe my face and the towel has makeup all over it but whatever. I always wonder if people notice. Also, makeup sweat burns when it gets in your eyes!
For anyone else who sometimes wears a little makeup to the gym -- I asked a saleslady at the Clinique makeup counter the other day, and learned that light mineral makeup is usually safe for skin and eye makeup can be risky if it's the heavy goopy kind (it could run & harm t-zone pores).
I now use blinc mascara, which doesn't run, ever, and keep it on for the gym -- but it was surprising to find out that runny eye makeup can be risky.
I used to be so worried about leaving the house without makeup; I would even put on eyeliner to go for a jog around the park! While I'm still adamant about wearing it during the day, I no longer give a s*** about wearing it at the gym. I roll out of bed, puffy-eyed with creases on my cheek from my pillow case and dark mascara-circles under my eyes, and go straight to the gym. Everyone else there is too self-absorbed to notice you, I promise! Plus I think it's good to let the sweat get out without having to push past foundation covering your pores.
I used to have to put on make up all of the time to go out in public, but now I've just gotten to the point that I don't care. I used to be self conscious because I have what I call "ginger eyes". I'm a red head and when I don't have mascara on, I look like I don't have eyelashes....so I always feel like I need to have mascara on.
But when you're at the gym, you're going to be sweaty and red, so whats the point of having make up on?
I'd say a little bit is okay, if you have enough on that when you wipe your forehead it looks like a layer of skin is on the paper towel, then that might be a bit much.
I used to be self conscious because I have what I call "ginger eyes". I'm a red head and when I don't have mascara on, I look like I don't have eyelashes....so I always feel like I need to have mascara on.
Have you ever dyed your eyelashes? I used to get mine dyed when i would get my eyebrows waxed at the salon. It's not too expensive (I think it was about 20 dollars at the salon I went to), but really helps when you have light eye lashes.
Now I go to a spa for waxing and they don't offer it there.
I completely understand this because for a while last year my acne was horrid. I let my face "breathe" at home but I wouldn't go anywhere without at least foundation on, even at the gym. Now, I'd just wear foundation to the gym and touch up more later, but I say be comfortable. I see all kinds of makeup looks at the gym - hardly any, a full face, the "work" face, no makeup. It's all normal to me.
I would prefer the cleaner, fresher face when I am working out. But, most days, I work out after work...its not possible. Whatever is on my face at that time gets wiped out with my towel as I clean off the sweat.
Ditto, and if I come from home, I wash my face before heading to the gym. When I was in college, I would use a washcloth to wash off the skin makeup and leave on my eyeliner, mostly because I wear contact lenses and would have to take them off, wash my eyes, and put them back.
However you feel comfortable is the way you should go.
I don't really notice anyone at the gym unless they pass in front of me or are working out hardcore. Personally I feel like no one will notice but if it's more likely to get you to the gym by all means! Wear the make up!
However there are days that I will put some concealer under my eyes to hide the terrible dark circles I get from sleeping. I will sometimes put on a foundation but not really. Do what you makes you comfy and get your booty to the gym and do your thing! My only suggestion is to purchase a tan colored hand towel to use towipe your sweat, that way when you wipe sweat it doesnt show up on the cloth and no one will ever notice!
Another little tip is to work out at a time when the gym is less busy. I feel bad that you are so worried about this, it's horrible to feel badly about your appearance, as many of us here know. 
