One of the many conundrums that we women face these days is fitting exercise into our busy days without winding up in a public place sporting the just-got-my-butt-kicked-by-my-spin-class post workout look. Nothing can kill that after-exercise high like a grocery store run-in with Mrs. Perfect PTA Mom who just happens to be looking even more coifed than usual.

Exercise is good for our bodies and our minds, so giving up on it should not be an option. As old fashioned as it sounds, looking good on the outside can help us feel better on the inside, so walking around all day in worn out spandex and a sweaty hairline shouldn’t be an option either.

What’s a girl to do? Get your workout in whenever you can, then follow these steps to get your look back in minutes without even hitting the showers.

• Do a little prep work. Trade out your usual mascara for a waterproof version and slick on an extra swipe of antiperspirant. If you struggle with body odor, use one of the new “clinical strength” antiperspirants. Suit up in a shirt made of a technical fabric that wicks moisture away so that you’re not marinating in sweat for the duration of your workout.
• Stop Sweating ASAP. Your body will sustain an increased heartbeat and overactive sweat production to cool you off for up to an hour after you complete your routine. Cool off with a washcloth or dishtowel dampened with ice water, wiping down pulse points like your neck, insides of your elbows, and behind your knees. This will help shut off your perspiration.
• A quick spritz of aerosol hairspray or dry shampoo (also known as hair powder) along your hairline will help absorb any excess oil and add some volume back into your coif.
• If you really worked up a sweat, use a drop of hand sanitizer to sanitize odor-causing bacteria in your armpits. Reapply your deodorant and – voila – like you never even broke a sweat!
• Your eye makeup should stand up to most work outs. No need for any special products here, simply dab a little lotion on a tissue to run along your lower eyelid to clean up any smudges.
• Splash some toner on a cotton pad to give your face a quick cleanup, and follow with a dusting of translucent powder. No need for additional bronzers or blush – let your hard earned rosy glow be a natural highlighter.

Swap out your technical workout top for whatever chic ensemble suits your day, and let the confidence from your ‘I am woman, hear me roar’ workout be the ultimate accessory.  No one needs to know you just earned it over your lunch break!

As the Sportsfan’s Daughter, Anna knows a thing or two about working out!