You put on your fun fitness tank and your bright running kicks, grabbing your bag to head out the door. but if all you've got stocked in your gym bag are an extra sports bra and a tube of deodorant, it might be time to amp up your gym-time beauty routine. Check out these 10 fun and practical gym accessories for women designed to improve your time in the locker room -- once you've tried them, you'll wonder how you ever lived without!
For your gym bag
CupCase, $25
Don't just throw your nice bras into your bag to get squashed or become subject to prying eyes! The CupCase offers the perfect protective solution, allowing you to store up to three bras at a time, along with other jewelry, accessories and hair ties. Plus, the cupcake-like shell couldn't be cuter! Choose from satin pink, purple, black, red or animal print in size A/B or C/D. Even if you don't regularly use a gym bag, these make great travel accessories that double as a purse in a pinch!
FoldFlops, $20
Gyms are teeming with bacteria, and even if your locker room showers are cleaned on a regular basis, protective shoes are a must. Rather than use a pair of standard flip flops, or flimsy foldable shoes, choose the comfortable, waterproof FoldFlops. Unlike similar products, FoldFlops are made of solid EVA construction and provide a cushioned inset for arch support and a ridged outsole for slip resistance. Plus, once you're out of the shower, you can wash them with soap and water, dry them off, fold them up and pop them back in their handy bag. They'll be clean and ready to go whenever you need them again.
The Sweat Mate, $19-$29
If your gym bag doesn't have a built-in wet bag for sweaty clothes, shoes or wet towels, you need something extra to keep your dirty gear away from the rest of your supplies. Not only will a wet bag prevent your other clothing from getting wet, it'll also help keep your gym bag stink-free. We love the cute Sweat Mate bags from Recycle Fashionably. They come in 18 patterns and three different sizes designed to accommodate just about any sweaty mess you can supply.
BareSkin Technical Beach Towel, $40
Some fitness centers provide towels, some don't. If you've ever found yourself in the unfortunate situation where you're forced to dry yourself off with paper towels or your sweaty t-shirt, you understand the importance of carrying a towel with you. Rather than choose a bulky, slow-drying cotton towel from home, grab a BareSkin Beach Towel. These towels absorb up to three times the water of a standard towel, they fold up to just 4-inches by 6-inches, they dry two-times faster than cotton towels and they have antibacterial properties that will prevent that awful mildewy smell.
For your makeup case
Giovanni Facial Cleansing Towelettes, $7
You don't want to take the extra time to wash and dry your face before and after your workout, but you don't want to skip this step, either. Make the process simple with Giovanni's facial cleansing towelettes. With three different options to choose from, you'll be able to soothe, exfoliate and hydrate your skin, depending on your personal needs. We love the Soothing Unscented Facial Cleansing Towelettes because they won't irritate sensitive skin and they're packed with aloe and echinacea to soothe after-workout redness.
Fine Featherheads Fly Ties, $8
Hair bands are a requirement for sporty women with longer hair, but even the bands without metal can cause breakage. If you're looking for a hair band that's easier on the locks, the Fly Ties from Fine Featherheads are worth a try. Fine Featherheads set out to provide hair ties that could be worn with fragile hair feathers without causing damage. What they came up with are a wider, flatter hair tie that won't pull or tug hair, even when worn for hours. Bonus points? These ties look fashionable when worn on the wrist -- no more ugly hair band "bracelets"! Each set comes with four fly ties and you can choose from 38 different color palettes.
Giovanni Powder Power Dry Shampoo, $10
After your workout, you may have time to hop in the shower to wash the sweat off your body, but do you really have time to shampoo, condition, blow dry and style your hair? If the answer is now (and trust us, you're not alone!), dry shampoo is the way to go. We love Giovanni's Powder Power Dry Shampoo because it absorbs extra oil and uses Panthenol, ginseng and grapeseed extract to strengthen and add life to dirty locks. Plus, the product's added texture makes post-workout styling a breeze. Just apply to roots, massage into your scalp and hair, then brush through.
Manna Kadar Signature Collection, $99
There's nothing better than multi-use beauty products, especially when you're in a rush. Manna Kadar's Signature Collection comes chock-full of makeup products that will turn your beauty routine into a quicker, more effective process. While you can buy each product individually, the collection includes six different items, each of which serves at least two purposes:
- Camera Ready: Primes, mattifies and moisturizes skin, reducing the appearance of pores and wrinkles
- Prime Time: Primes eyes and lips, enabling crease- and feather-free color application that will last all day; can also be used as an eyeshadow highlighter
- Transfix: Ditch all of your eyeliners! This cool tool can be used with any eyeshadow to turn it into a liquid liner in seconds
- HD Powder: Set your makeup with this colorless powder for a matte, flawless finish
- Sheer Glow: Apply to your face and body for a shimmering, dewy, moisture-rich appearance; can be used with foundation or on its own
- Lash Primer: This conditioning lash primer helps make lashes look longer and thicker when worn with your usual mascara; wear it alone at night to help condition your lashes
Not sure how this will speed your routine? Apply Camera Ready and follow it up with a touch of Sheer Glow across your cheekbones and the ridge of your nose. Put Prime Time on your eyelids and lips and brush your lashes with the Lash Primer. Apply a dash of lip gloss and eyeshadow as usual, using Transfix to line your eyes. Finish up with a brushing of HD Powder and a quick swipe of mascara, and you'll be ready to head out the door.
OenoBeauty Cheek Stain, $22
Looking to cut back on your beauty booty even further? Pick up one or two of OenoBeauty's Cheek Stains. These color-rich cremes can be used on your cheeks and lips for a beautiful flush of wine-inspired color. They're packed full of antioxidants without any parabens, sulfates, fragrances of pthalates. Plus, they were developed by a competitive triathlete, so you know she developed them with the active woman in mind!
Duality Cosmetics Nail Pak, $15
Sporty women are all too familiar with chipped polish on their nails and toes. It's not practical to carry a whole case of nail products around, but with Duality Cosmetics' Nail Paks, you'll have everything you need to fix a chipped nail in a single, small package. Each Nail Pak includes a salon-quality nail color, a nail file and 40 non-acetone nail polish remover pads. Choose from 24 nail colors and six nail rescue products.
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