As an editor, friends are naturally always asking me for my thoughts on different workout gear lines or which leggings I love. And while I am all for trying out the latest trendy activewear brand, inevitably, I always find myself recommending, and slipping into, my Lululemons.
Yes, they’re pricey. But legitimately, I have pairs from 8-plus years ago that I still wear regularly. And I’m not easy on them either: my thighs rub together (something most other leggings can only stand up to for a year or so), I use them to climb mountains (check them out in-action hiking Machu Picchu!), I sweat a lot, and I never air dry them (don’t @ me).
So when I heard they were coming out with a selfcare beauty line, naturally I begged for a sneak peek and test run of the new line. Even though I’m a champion of the brand, I’m not going to lie—as a beauty editor, I was a little skeptical about an apparel brand coming out with beauty products. What could they offer that other dedicated beauty brands hadn’t already done?
“We recognized a gap in the transition point from sweat to life where sweat-related skin and hair problems exist,” Sun Choe, Chief Product Officer at Lululemon told me. That leads us to the Selfcare lineup dedicated to those moments right after a workout. To start, they’re launching four products: a moisturizer, lip balm, dry shampoo, and deodorant.
Read on for my honest reviews so you know what’s worth buying.
1. Moisturizer
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Lululemon Selfcare Sweat Reset Face Moisturizer, $48
This may be a little TMI, but I’m one of those people who keeps sweating long after a workout class—like even after I shower. This means that I need something lightweight that nixes my shine.
I feel very seen by this lotion as it appears to have been made exactly for people like me: It’s a gel formula with calming ingredients (like menthyl to cool the skin) and it dries down to a matte finish. I noticed an immediate improvement in how my post-workout skin looked—it was no longer shiny and sweaty. And for people who tend to breakout when they work out too, this has pomegranate enzyme to help with exfoliation—key to preventing zits.
This is definitely something I will be keeping in my gym bag and using exclusively after sweating (it’s not hydrating enough IMO to use, say, as a nighttime moisturizer, but that’s not what it’s intended for—it’s really meant for after the gym).
2. Lip Balm
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Lululemon Selfcare Basic Balm Lip Balm, $14
I’ve spoken with many dermatologists about the effects of working out on your skin, and one of the most common issues they talk about is how drying it can be on your lips. Not only do your lips lack oil glands but exercising means a lot of heavy (and drying) breathing—plus a lot of lip licking, all of which sucks moisture from your lips.
This formula feels unlike any balm I’ve tried before in a really good way. It’s loaded with hydrators like shea butter, jojoba seed oil, coconut oil, and beeswax, yet does not feel sticky at all. In fact, it leaves this addictive, velvety feel on lips. I recommend applying it liberally pre and post workout. I’d also recommend hiding it from your significant other because this is definitely something they will try to steal.
3. Dry Shampoo
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Lululemon Selfcare No-Show Dry Shampoo, $34
I am the Goldilocks of dry shampoo—I’m very hard to please. So this was the product I was most ready to dismiss. Usually, I reach for a formula that is a bit powdery—I need it to absorb my oil and sweat (especially after an intense workout)—so I was convinced this invisible formula would just not cut it.
For its inaugural run, I used the No-Show Dry Shampoo after a sweaty morning elliptical session since I was running late for work after the gym (story of life) and couldn’t shampoo. I was legit shocked that after spraying it in (concentrate it at the roots working in sections), my hair looked really fresh—like I had just gotten a blowout. It created a softness in my hair that my go-to dry shampoo doesn’t. The best way I can describe it is that it felt clean—not like it was covered in product.
So what’s in it? Tapioca to absorb oil, as well as green and brown algae to help control oil production.
No one is more surprised than me to find that I’m favoring it over my old standby.
4. Deodorant
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Lululemon Selfcare Anti-Stink Deodorant, $18
No matter how many times I’ve tried, I just haven’t been able to make the switch from antiperspirant to deodorant. The difference between the two: antiperspirants contain aluminum salts which actually stop you from sweating, whereas deodorants only combat odor, not moisture. However, I have tested my fair share of deodorants so I can be objective there.
Compared to other aluminum-free deodorants, I like that this is a spray formula that feels dry on the skin—many natural deodorants can feel a little sticky—yet is slightly moisturizing thanks to coconut oil. It uses zinc to help combat stink, as well as prebiotics to help reduce the growth of odor-causing bacteria.
I tried the Black Pepper Sandalwood scent and really liked it—it’s definitely gender neutral.
While this deodorant just isn’t for me, if you are avoiding aluminum, I definitely think you’ll be a fan of this product.
The final verdict:
I am honestly impressed with how Lululemon was able to pinpoint the very specific and unique needs women (and men!) have after working out. As someone who struggles with their post-gym beauty routine, I genuinely feel like keeping most of these products in my gym bag will alleviate many of my gym-to-job anxieties.
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