Advice from the ladies!

[LyndaM]

Sorry for the rather frivolous advice request. I realise that there's no point wearing makeup whilst running and just use moisturiser. However, left in their natural state my eyelashes resemble Boris becker's. If anyone has come across a mascara that will stay on when sweaty please let me know!

[AvatheGardener Graduate]

Hi Lynda, is it possible to consider that you probably look beautiful and at the same time proper fit without mascara, with your beautiful blonde eyelashes? Rock your look, I say.

If you really don't like it though, you could get them dyed...

[LyndaM Graduate in reply to AvatheGardener]

Well thank you for your kind comments. Unfortunately, I do not have a lot of confidence about my looks so (and I know this is vanity) feel I need a bit of help in the eyelash department. My eyelashes and hair in general grow really fast so dyeing them only lasts a short while. I have tried a few different so-called waterproof mascaras, but they haven't worked. As you know, they can be very expensive, hence my asking for any personal recommendations.

[Mary_O Graduate in reply to AvatheGardener]

I have been known to tint my eyelashes (blonde eyelashes, red hair, pale skin, dark eye circles - think Dawn of the Dead without makeup) but I haven't done it for a while. I usually do it in winter when I look even worse than usual so I know I'm not actually terrifying in the mornings.

I've always used Coloursport.

boots.com/en/Colorsport-30-...

Don't get it in your eyes. It hurts. I howled like a dog last time when, as I sneezed, rubbed my eyes, and then realised my mistake, it felt like someone had poured hot water in my eye.

Not the best endorsement, admittedly, but I will say that I did swill my eye out and reapply and was perfectly fine. Buy a little eyebrow brush and use that to apply, not the stupid wand they give you.

[LyndaM Graduate in reply to Mary_O]

Thank you very much!

[goonkeepgoing Graduate]

Agree with rainshine but .......

The only make up I ever wear on a daily basis is Max Factor Masterpiece mascara for work. NEVER buy the waterproof one - it is like glue! If I run after work this stays on throughout a run. However, one word of caution - On one run the heavens opened an immense down pour and drenched me. I ran up the drive with a huge grin on my face ( as it was great fun) but my husband was in hysterics walking me to the mirror to show me the black streaks down the cheeks of a drowned rat 😂

[LyndaM Graduate in reply to goonkeepgoing]

Yes, I have done the black streak look myself so I know what you mean! Probably going natural would be preferable; it's just that I have always had a bit of a complex about my very blond lashes. Thanks for your reply.

[goonkeepgoing Graduate in reply to LyndaM]

We always want what we haven't got. I am mousey so I'd love to be Scandinavian blonde or Italian brunette!!!

Just a thought. . Have you ever tried clear mascara to give them a little bit of glossy shine whilst enhancing your natural look?

Ps I'm ssssoooo surprised one of the men hasn't chipped in yet!

[LyndaM Graduate in reply to goonkeepgoing]

Me too! But they probably don't wear their mascara till the weekend!

[mrsknaggs11]

I get mine tinted but I'm very fair and they look much better.

[Irishprincess Graduate]

I have this look too but you know what, I don't give a toss. I know what my body can do!

Be brave, be natural and don't worry about what you look like. Honestly, no one notices.

[goonkeepgoing Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

This made me think ...... since starting to run, when I'm not at work I mostly wear leggings, joggers and trainers. The idea of this pre- running would have just been absurd. I used to tuck my wobbly bits in tight jeans and I'd rarely wear flats. Now I feel toned and confident and more comfortable in my 'new' body.

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to goonkeepgoing]

I agree. This running definitely increases self confidence.

[LyndaM Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

Oooh Irishprincess I wish I could be like you! I'm sure that you are right and no-one notices, it's more about how I feel about myself and to give me a tiny bit more self-confidence. I'm loving the running and I have noticed that I am generally feeling a lot better about myself so maybe this complex will disappear!

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to LyndaM]

It will Lynda. Running gives you greater self confidence as well as firmer legs and bum! So that all helps too.

After reading your post this morning I went out for a run and was reminded of the time aeons ago before running when I had my eye lashes permed (yes really!) and dyed! They used little tiny rollers! I can't believe I had it done but it was for my wedding so it was a good reason. I wafted around fluttering my eyelashes to everyone to show them off and no one noticed. They kept asking what was wrong with me! Ha ha.

[Hidden]

Hi Lynda. Hehe, I like this question! I usually go out for a run straight after work - get in, eat a banana and chuck on the old jogging bottoms and sports top. As I'm going straight from work I'm wearing whatever makeup I put on that morning - including waterproof mascara. Don't have any issues, doesn't seem to run and give me panda eyes. Jobs a goodun!

Edit: I'll check the brand for you tonight when I get in.

[LyndaM Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Mimsickle!

[Hidden in reply to LyndaM]

Max Factor, gold tube. It's waterproof so you will need makeup remover wipes to take it off. X

[dagshar Graduate]

I don't think anyone will notice your eyelashes when you run past them - they'll be far too occupied to admire your running and thinking about whether they'd dare go out in running kit (possibly wearing shorts!) at all!

[LyndaM Graduate in reply to dagshar]

Haha! I am doing my first 5k on Sunday so we will see what sort of comments I get!

[TurboTortoise Graduate]

Yes! Have you tried "tubing mascara"? I discovered one brand called Blinc, and have even worn it while running, it doesn't budge. Expensive but totally worth it. It only comes off with a lot of water and some pressure, eg if you get caught in torrential rain then rub your eyes hard, but it is impervious to quite a lot of sweat on a run. Goes on like a dream too, I'm not a big mascara fan but would recommend it wholeheartedly:

boots.com/en/blinc-Mascara-...

(You can get it cheaper in online stores if you Google it)

There's nothing wrong with a wearing a bit of slap on a run, particularly if it's a race, it's all part of the excitement and preparation.

[LyndaM Graduate in reply to TurboTortoise]

Thanks very much, that sounds like a possible winner!

[ancientrunner Graduate]

I could do with some of that foundation that tones down red skin!!

Can't offer any mascara advice and sadly seem to have developed a bit of a mascara allergy recently but when I watch athletics on the TV I am often taken aback by how much slap some of the athletes have on. It has to be a confidence boosting thing so whatever it takes really.

[goonkeepgoing Graduate in reply to ancientrunner]

LOL. I know a lady that is a personal trainer and I've seen her in her gym kit with false eye lashes on !!!!!!!!

[Madge50 Graduate]

Excuse me lovely, but, you have the confidence to go out there and run, you are fabulous, why on earth are you concerned about mascara?

One thing I enjoy about my running is I go out unwashed, come back sweaty and, bright red in the face, I wear glasses, so speccy four eyes, hair that's managed to escape the scrunchie all over the place. Then I have the best shower or bath and feel fantastic. The only thing I have put on, depending on the weather is some facial moisturiser.

I have very fair lashes and tried tinting for holidays - melting stingy mascara in the sun - started to react to the dye, so on my holidays last year didn't wear any mascara apart from evenings out. No one noticed, no one reeled back in horror. So I'm not fussed now, I'll wear mascara normally during the day, but for running and holidays, I don't bother.

Forget the mascara on your runs, you'll look glowing and beautiful, happy and gorgeous - which you always do when you smile 😊

Mx

[LyndaM Graduate in reply to Madge50]

Thank you - I would love to take you along with me on my runs - you would be such a confidence booster!

[Madge50 Graduate in reply to LyndaM]

I'd love to come with you too, just ask Curly Girly, I do like a chat! But, next time you go out, just think of this forum and all the positive vibes and encouragement, that will give you oodles of confidence.

Mx

[Rainbowsmurf Graduate]

I'm with Madge50: No make-up on a run.

I'm also the red-faced, sweaty, hair-all-over-the-place variety of runner. (Even with the pictured baseball cap to try to keep my hair under control.) No mascara, or other make-up is ever going to help.

Just go out and be you. (And if you ever manage to make someone almost fall off a motorbike because they're too busy looking at the state of you then all I can say is been there, done that!)

[LyndaM Graduate in reply to Rainbowsmurf]

Haha! Claim to fame. Thanks for your very kind comments.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

I'm a big fan of my baseball cap. I put it on and I sort of go invisible. I know this for a fact because I have frantically waved at people I know as I have run past and scared the life out of them. They all say I didn't recognise me, so now all my inhibitions go out the windows when I put my baseball cap of invisibility on. Seriously though in the past I have dyed my eyelashes and liked the look. I just have trouble finding the time at the moment.

[misswobble Graduate]

You can put Vaseline on your eyelashes to separate and define them, and it's supposed to help condition them.

The book "Running like a Girl" covers this subject comprehensively

I don't wear make up for runs but I do use moisturiser and moisturising lip balm

[the_tea_fairy Graduate]

I'm kind of of the opinion that going out in make up and not sweating it off means you've not trained hard enough. Bare-faced can be your battle dress if you so choose (and anyway, as others have said, folk will be busy looking at your killer calf muscles, not your lashes).

Failing that, I recently had a drunken and joyous evening wearing Mac lash primer with their waterproof mascara on top and woke up *the next morning* with still-pristine eye make up despite the rest of my face, hair and indeed mind being totally dishevelled! That would surely survive a run.

[LyndaM Graduate in reply to the_tea_fairy]

thank you for the recommendation - you certainly gave the mascara a good testing!

[ju-ju- Graduate]

mine does... 20,000 calorie waterproof by Max Factor, comes off easily with make up remover wipes. However I don't tend to wear it anymore just my 24 hour all day lipstick...you could dye them...its how you feel at the end of the day, Ibet you look just lovely

[LyndaM Graduate in reply to ju-ju-]

Thanks for the recommendation and your kind words