Buzz
During my debut obstacle course race, I pictured myself finishing victoriously, beaming with pride and radiating the thrill of success. Despite the unusually hot and sweaty conditions, my race photos turned out fantastic. How? I wore a full face of makeup throughout the race.
Outside of racing, I work as a senior hair and makeup artist at a bustling salon, where my bold and innovative styles have earned me a reputation. On race days, I aim to embody my superhero persona, which includes showcasing my unique style even on the course.
Now that I’m 30, many of life’s major milestones are behind me—graduations, weddings, and newborn photos are done. Today, I create my own significant moments and photo opportunities. Having completed multiple races in full makeup, the images above are from my first obstacle course event. It might seem vain, but after months of Spartan Sprint training and a substantial entry fee, I’m happy to put in extra effort to capture stunning photos alongside my medal.
Aim to Look Great From Afar
Race and action photos are rarely close-ups, so your makeup should be tailored for distance. Unlike everyday makeup, the aim is to enhance your features and even out your complexion from afar. Ensure your eyebrows are visible and your lips are bold. Avoid heavy contouring or highlighting, as excessive product can smudge. The natural glow from exercise will suffice, eliminating the need for artificial highlights.
My Race Day Attire
Preparing for events like a Spartan race or marathon involves months of training. After such dedication, I ensure my race day appearance is flawless. I primarily use high-end cosmetics designed to last all day. The higher cost reflects advanced technology and superior ingredients, making them worth the investment.
I begin my race day makeup with Clinique Fit foundation, which includes SPF 40, eliminating the need for extra moisturizer. This foundation offers long-lasting, full coverage without feeling heavy. Any matte-finish, longwear foundation will work well for this purpose.
Next, I fill in my brows using a neutral brown powder. For this race, I opted for brown eyeshadow, but any matching powder will do. Powder is preferable to pencils or pomades for high-sweat activities, as it stays in place better. Eyeshadow tends to slide on my lids, even with primer, so I skipped it, using only a touch of skin-toned highlight under my brows.
The key to sweat-resistant eye makeup is applying eyeliner and mascara exclusively to the upper lashes.
To achieve a striking eye look, Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner is ideal. Renowned for its staying power, it’s a top choice among liquid eyeliners. I paired it with Tarte Tartiest mascara, known for delivering bold, black lashes. The secret to avoiding smudging is focusing on the top lashes only—anything on the lower lashline is prone to shifting. I skipped waterproof mascara, as the Tartiest stays put unless touched.
A vibrant red lip is my go-to. Inspired by the fiery finish of Spartan races, I chose NYX Cosmetics Elements fire red. While longwear matte lipsticks often feel dry and flake off, this one was so comfortable I barely noticed it—exactly how lipstick should feel.
Smile for the Camera
Larger races typically have photographers stationed along the course to document your accomplishment. Details about photography are usually in the pre-race bulletin, including what the photographers will wear. When I spot them, I make eye contact and smile. At the finish line, they can be hard to miss, but the sheer joy and relief of completing the race naturally bring a smile to my face.
Don’t Forget You’re Wearing Makeup
The biggest challenge of wearing makeup during a race is remembering it’s there. While longwear formulas are designed to last, they can still smudge if touched frequently. During the Spartan race, my headband prevented sweat from reaching my face, and my muddy hands made it easier to avoid touching my makeup.
“Waterproof” makeup isn’t foolproof—it’s designed to be removable, so it can wear off. Minimizing water contact helps maintain your look until the finish line, though I did pour water over my head to cool down. Even running through misting stations during long races hasn’t ruined my makeup.
Ultimately, both races and makeup are about enjoyment. A bold lip gives me an extra dose of confidence, which is invaluable whether I’m tackling 26.2 miles or leaping over fire.
