Here’s Exactly How To Get Ready For Work At The Gym

Many of us who like to work on our fitness on the regular often see the gym as our second home. But just because the locker room is your bathroom doesn’t mean you can’t pull off an incredibly polished and put-together beauty look. All you need are these tips, tricks and products for the perfect 9-to-5 face that will even carry over to happy hour drinks, too.

Work Out, Get Ready, Go To Work

Deep-Condition As You Sweat

When you're getting in a good sweat, your scalp is releasing a ton of heat. And in the same way you'd wear a shower cap to help a conditioning treatment or dye job infuse strands, a workout provides that same necessary scalp heat. Try a dollop of Kopari Organic Coconut Melt or spritz Yuni Hot Head Microveil Hair Treatment everywhere. Just make sure you're doing this only if you plan on shampooing after your sweat session.

Use An Exfoliating Cleanser Post-Workout

While you definitely don't want to use anything incredibly harsh on just-worked-out skin, you do want to remove the extra grime and buildup a morning workout adds to the overnight stockpile of sebum and oil. An exfoliating cleanser strikes the perfect balance, as it'll remove all kinds of residue in the pore linings without inflaming skin further.

Try Made-For-The-Morning Skincare Products

This isn't just a marketing trick: am-only products are the newer sister to the sleeping pack and overnight-mask revolution of the past few years. De-puff, cool and reduce redness by using the caffeinated Origins GinZing Energy-Boosting Gel Moisturizer, which has a lighter-than-air, jelly texture. There’s also Kiehl's Facial Fuel Eye De-Puffer, formulated with refreshing hibiscus tea to reduce swelling and caffeine to minimize puffiness.

Air-Dry Hair With A Styling Cream

You already sweat enough during your studio class—the gym is not the place, nor is the morning the time, to bust out your army of hot stylers, mini flat irons and the like. Instead, use an air-dry cream specifically designed for your hair type. Straight girls can get major volume from the Living Proof Perfect Hair Day In-Shower Styler (which saves you even more time, BTW), while those with wavy or curly hair should go for Garnier Fructis Smooth Air Dry Anti-Frizz Cream or, my personal favorite, Bumble and Bumble Don't Blow It Thick (H)air Styler.

Or Just Use Dry Shampoo

Dry shampoo is one of those things that definitely falls under the category of "too much is not a good thing." However, it’s the perfect stopgap for girls who don't leave their workouts soaking wet. A dry conditioner gives you the benefits of a dry shampoo while also leaving hair feeling soft and shiny. Cantu Apple Cider Vinegar Dry Co-Wash will sop up excess oil in no time.

Find Multitasking Products

When in doubt, bring products that serve a dual purpose at minimum. Not only will your gym bag (and shoulders) thank you, but you'll still be reaping the exact same benefits as one would with a maximalist skin and makeup routine. Boots No. 7 Restore & Renew Face & Neck Multi Action Serum works on targeting fine lines and wrinkles while also attacking crepey neck skin. Smashbox Photo Finish Primerizer is a hybrid face cream and primer that leaves your skin moisturized and prepped for makeup in one simple step. Similarly, Kate Somerville UncompliKated SPF 50 Soft Focus Makeup Setting Spray will keep everything in place while providing ample protection from the sun. And the most Instagrammable gym-bag find ever might be the millennial pink Ouai Rose Hair & Body Oil, which provides occlusive hydration from head to toe.

Keep The Cool Stuff On Hand

You'll long be feeling the afterburn effects of your workout, and your face will show it. Seek out products that have icy promises, such as Milk Makeup Cooling Water (a chubby stick with a priming formula that I actually dab on my neck during particularly hot commutes), Urban Decay Chill Cooling and Hydrating Makeup Setting Spray and Sephora Collection Tinted & Cooling Eye Primers. Also look for mattifying products to nix potential shine, such as Boscia White Charcoal Mattifying MakeUp Setting Spray, which can be used throughout the day to freshen things up as well.