Post-Workout Beauty Routine

Taking care of your skin post-workout is just as important as your workout itself. Here’s my favorite post-workout beauty routine…

Step 1. Wash that pretty money-maker of yours (your face). I use Cetaphil’s Daily Facial Cleanser — about $9 a pop. It’s gentle and it smells great!

Step 2. Expensive toner is over-rated, and will dry out your skin. Witch Hazel is where it’s at. Pour some on a cotton pad and remove any leftover cleanser, makeup or sweat. Pay special attention to your hairline, jawline and around your nose. We tend to miss those areas. Witch Hazel will also help alleviate any redness post-workout while keeping that I-just-worked-out-look-at-my-rosy-cheeks look. This magic potion is only about $4 a bottle.

Step 3. Apply skin-brightening serum. My absolute favorite is Clinique’s Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector. It leaves my skin feeling super soft, and has an instant brightening effect. It isn’t cheap; but in my opinion it’s worth it! One 1 oz. bottle of this will cost you about $50.

Step 4. Moisturize! The most important step of all. I love Cetaphil’s moisturizing lotion. It’s the perfect amount of moisture without making me feel greasy. I tend to use a bigger dollop in the fall/winter months  just to lock in the moisture.

Step 5. Apply primer. The best I’ve found to date is Smashbox’s Photo Finish Color Correcting Foundation Primer. For $38 a tube, I get my money’s worth. It’s soothing and doesn’t make your skin feel like plastic. Plus, it’s SPF 20. Bingo!

Step 6. Smear on the CC cream. The brands are endless, but again, my fave is Smashbox. Their Camera Ready CC Cream is fabulous. Sheer coverage with SPF 30. It’s $42, but it lasts FOREVER.

Step 7. Dab on the concealer. Clinique’s Even Better Concealer is my go-to. A little under my eyes, and a touch under my nose, and I’m done. $19.50 for one jar.

Step 8. Enhance your color. I brush bareMineral’s Faux Tan ($19) lightly onto my cheekbones, and voila, I look sun kissed; not Snooki-kissed.

Step 9. Bring out your flushed cheeks. There’s nothing sexier than those slightly-flushed cheeks brought on by an intense cardio session. Flaunt it. I sweep Clinique’s Blushing Brush Powder Blush (shade — Cupid, $21) onto the apples of my cheeks. It provides just the right amount of “flush.”

Step 10. Don’t forget your eyelashes. My favorite mascara right now is Maybelline’s Limited Edition Colossal Volum’ Express Smoky Eye in Scorching Brown ($8). You can find it at your local Walgreens.

Admire yourself in the mirror and blow yourself a kiss. You just worked out; and you look marvelous, dah-ling. 😉