10 ways to avoid looking like a tomato after exercising

BY ZOE FOSTER

How can I look presentable after a gym session? My face is as red as a lobster for HOURS. – Carla

Sweet Carla, if when you finish your interpretive dance/boxing/spin class/run, your face is as red as the loveheart clutched in the paws of a giant white Valentine’s Day teddy bear, then we need to make special consideration with how you do your face post-workout. (I know this, because I stay red for 2-3 hours myself, and was the reason I switched my exercising to night.) Especially if you have to head straight back to work/a meeting, or have a fancy dinner to go to in Fancytown.

1. Do not have a hot shower. Tepid at most. Steam and hot water are redness’s best mates from Uni, and when they all get together, redness gets overexcited and stays even longer.

2. Wipe off any old makeup (or touch up with) some calming (aloe, chamomile, lavender-based) facial wipes in your gym bag – they soothe red skin.

3. If you’re at home, bang a wet hand towel in the freezer for five minutes. If you’re at the gym, use very cold water. Place chilled towel on the back of your neck for two minutes. It will REALLY help reduce the red.

4. Splash cold water on your face a few times. Moisturise, dress, do your hair, text whoever you need to. Try to leave makeup til the very end.

5. You will have a lovely glow from being an impressive exercise goddess. So HARNESS IT. Use a light foundation or tinted moisturiser (mix some moisturiser in with foundation to make your own) and some blotting papers if you have shine. Keep it lightweight and sheer.

6. Conceal undereyes and blemishes.

7. NO BLUSH. Absolutely not. This will bring out the redness. You can apply some in a few hours, but not now.

8. Buff on some bronzer onto the cheekbones and up faintly into the hairline on the forehead. Go light: it’s hard to see what you’re doing with all that redness.

9. If you can keep eyes to just mascara and simple black liner would be just swell– some eye shadow shades and textures can look odd when the face is very flushed.

10.  Steer so clear of red-based lip products that they will develop a complex. Instead, go for nude, natural, peachy or almondy shades. (Try L’Oreal Colour Riche in Paris Nude, Napoleon Perdis DeVine Goddess in Demeter or Rimmel Moisture Renew in Nude Delight.)  And finish with a slick of gloss. Gloss really rams home the fresh-faced glow thing.

Zoe is an author, columnist and porridge fan. Her books include the beauty bible Amazing Face, dating and relationship guide Textbook Romance, and three novels, Air Kisses, Playing The Field and The Younger Man. Find more info on her here, or supervise on her daily procrastination here and here.

Please understand that Zoë cannot respond to ALL your questions – but never fear, there are readers that are bound to know the answers, so don’t be afraid to ask.

Do you get red and flushed after exercise? How do you handle it ?