Yesterday, Khloe Kardashian posted a promotional Instagram video for her new (probably horrible) show Kocktails With Khloe. I was a little more than peeved that she was jump roping in the background as “Work Hard, Kocktail Harder” floated on the screen. Another message about how nothing is free, and you’ve even gotta earn those kool kocktails by putting in a workout first. Whatever. Kardashian business as usual.
The commenters, I found, were less concerned with the jump roping and more concerned with Khloe’s face. The fact that she had on an icy pink shade of lipstick and thick mascara really rubbed people the wrong way (who knew?). @barbspatino said, “I hope you don’t actually exercise with makeup on, it’s bad for your face.” and @itssarahjay commented, “who the hell works out with makeup on?” to give you a little taste of what went down on Instagram.
Khloe’s a celebrity, and the fact that she’s working out with a full glamsquad face on likely has to do with the fact that she knew millions of people would see her little jumprope routine. That’s fine. I’m no Kardashian (surprise!), but I do work out with makeup on. Usually I don’t have the intention of getting all dolled up just to hit the elliptical– it happens by accident. Makeup is already on my face from doing other things out in the world earlier in the day, and taking it off to go to the gym is never a thought that I have.
But even if I wanted to put on some eyeliner and lipgloss before heading to spin class, is that really such a bad thing if I’m willing to risk whatever possible skin irritation might come along with it? Do I really need to feel weird about wanting to feel halfway decent in a room full of attractive dudes lifting weights?
We know people love to say you’re a joke of a woman if you don’t spend your entire paycheck at Sephora. We’re supposed to believe that the only acceptable way to female is to cake on the foundation to cover up anything remotely resembling a zit, so why the hate on makeup at a public, often privacy-less, place like the gym?
By 2016, most women are likely familiar with the “risks” associated with sweating in makeup. Huffington Post says it clogs your pores. Teen Vogue echoes that and adds that you’re naturally beautiful and don’t need it anyway (thanks for that). People like myself feel the need to defend a chick who wears a full face to the gym because 1. What doesn’t threaten to clog your pores anymore, honestly? and 2. Women should do whatever they want to with their faces and whatever it takes to make themselves feel like a million bucks at the gym or anywhere else. Nobody wants the body police coming along to wag their fingers and yell “put that lipstick tube down!”
The Internet has bigger fish to fry than when Khloe does or does not wear makeup, like who’s going to make Amy Schumer’s digital baby with her new boyfriend? Khloe’s making way more money than anyone I know will ever make in their lifetime, so if she finds that working out under a sheet of NARS works for her, then that works for me too.
Related links:
The 18 Stages of Sephora Explained By Scream Queens GIFS
No, Khloe Kardashian Doesn’t Need a Bigger Swimsuit
