Whiten your teeth – while you lift weights!
And the other leave-in treatments that work... as you work out
Looking good can be timeconsuming — so finding ways to multi-task is a good idea.
Forget a face mask while soaking in the bath, the latest clever products — from foot cream to tooth whitening — can give you a beauty boost while you exercise.
But how effective are treatments used in this way? is it hygienic being at the gym dripping in moisturiser, and which products are best?
Read our guide to getting a glow while you’re working up a sweat . . .
Glossy hair in a gym class
YOU’LL probably wash your hair after an energetic exercise class anyway, so apply a hair mask beforehand. Trichologist Anabel Kingsley, of the Philip Kingsley Clinics, says: ‘The warmth will help the mask to penetrate, so it’s a great way to condition hair.’ Use a pre-shampoo treatment applied to dry hair, comb through then tie your hair up with a fabriccovered hair tie, suggests Annabel. Thea Green, who heads up Nails Inc, runs with Olaplex Hair Perfector (£24, cultbeauty.co.uk) or Philip Kingsley Elasticizer (£19, philipkingsley.co.uk) on her hair. TRY: Michael Van Clarke Lifesaver Pre-Wash Treatment (from £9, vanclarke.com).
Moisturise your hands when you’re running
WE ALL want baby-soft hands, but moisturising them can be messy — with hand cream getting all over whatever you’re holding. But running leaves your hands free, so it’s a good time to give your mitts some attention. Either slather on your favourite cream and go, or, for a seriously intensive treatment, wear a pair of latex or soft cotton gloves while you run (manicurists often wrap hands in cling film after applying moisturiser, so you’re getting a similar effect). After your run, remove the gloves and rub in whatever is left. TRY: Heath Hand Salve (£10, heathlondon.co.uk) — it’s non-greasy with a herbal fragrance and does a great job of softening rough skin.
Smooth feet while you spin
I NEVER remember to use foot cream until my feet feel like sandpaper, so I was delighted to read on a web forum that you could use it during a spin class.
Cosmetic chemist Nausheen Qureshi ( nausheenqureshi. com) warns that cream could trap bacteria on the skin, so clean feet thoroughly before applying. Wear noncotton socks, such as Spandex and merino fabrics, for their moisture-wicking abilities.
TRY: Margaret Dabbs Foot Hygiene Cream (£20, margaretdabbs.co.uk), which contains anti-fungal and antibacterial tea tree.
Pearly whites pumping iron
TOOTH-WHITENING strips coated with a gel that you stick to your teeth need to be worn for about 30 minutes and stop you eating or talking easily. This is a serious hassle at most times of the day — but who needs to chat while working out?
Avoid using them during an intense cardio workout where you’ll be huffing and puffing, but they’re perfect for strength training, such as lifting weights.
TRY: Polished London Teeth Whitening Strips (£ 24.99, polished whitening.com). They do leave gunk on your teeth, so put a toothbrush in your gym bag for later.
Face mask for yoga
IF YOU’RE planning a more meditative workout where you’re unlikely to sweat, you can indulge in all sorts of beauty treatments. Supermodel Miranda Kerr once did yoga in a face mask. If you fancy following suit, look for one that isn’t too gloopy (so it will stay on your face), and think about fragrance, too. ‘If you are trying to meditate, consider a fragrance that might help,’ says Nausheen Qureshi. One study found lavender increased theta brainwave levels, the kind also seen during meditation. TRY: Elemis Herbal Lavender Repair Mask (£33.50, elemis.com) , or Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels (£25, marksandspencer.com), which unlike others stay put.
Pilates-powered skincare
THE Training Sticks from FaceGym (£38.50 each, facegym.com) contain encapsulated ingredients to hydrate, detox, brighten, lift and sculpt, and are released by heat and moisture. A brisk walk or gentle Pilates is apparently enough to do this.
Nausheen Qureshi, however, cautions: ‘Your body controls body heat by sweating while working out. Sweat can attract bacteria and the waxes in this stick might trap this on the skin.’
Instead, she suggests water- based humectants that attract moisture to skin.
TRY: SportFX Mist & Fix Face Spray (£7.99, sportfx.com).
Leggings to keep you trim
MAKE your workout gear work for you, too. Try Proskins leggings (from £49.95, proskins.co) which claim they can produce slimmer and smoother-looking legs in 28 days, thanks to fabric that has skincare ingredients such as aloe vera and retinol woven in.