The heat is on in Singapore, and it's nothing short of scorching. Whether you're unwinding at a coffee shop, attending office meetings, or running errands around the CBD, breaking a sweat is almost inevitable in this tropical climate. However, while year-round sunshine may be amazing, it comes with a beauty toll consisting of smudged eyeliner, runny mascara, and your painted complexion erased by perspiration before noon. In pursuit of a long-lasting visage, I turned asked our favourite fitfluencers, who are known to go hard both in the gym and at the vanity table, about their favourite sweatproof make-up picks, how they feel confident in their skin, and how fitness has shaped their perceptions of beauty.
Related article: 7 Of The Coolest Nail Colours To Wear This Summer
Tyen Rasif, Personal Trainer & Singer-Songwriter
Related article: From Angelina Jolie To Lily-Rose Depp: How To Channel Our Favourite Gemini Celebrities' Beauty Looks
What is your advice for feeling confident in your own skin?
I don’t always feel confident in my skin, but I think it's important to practice self-love. You know the five love languages? Find out what your self-love language is. For me, it’s touch. So to feel confident, I always turn to physical activity, massages, and stretching as forms of self-love.
When it comes to workout glam, are you team ‘bare-faced glow’ or ‘full coverage beat’?
I would say it’s in the middle and depends on what I’m feeling that day. Usually, when I look better, I lift better.
What does your pre- and post-workout beauty routine look like?
For my pre-workout routine, I put on some make-up, a cute gym fit, and play some motivating music in the car on the way to the gym. For my routine post-workout, I remove my make-up with a microfiber cloth (I can't use heavy cleansers as I have sensitive skin), then go in with the Natio Gentle Cleanser to remove excess sebum. I also eat a high-protein meal, as proper nutrition is one of the most underrated beauty secrets.
If you could only have three beauty products in your gym bag right now, what would they be?
I'd have the Fenty Beauty Eaze Drop, a lip oil or balm to keep my lips hydrated, and, honestly, my big sippy Owala bottle because hydration is key.
Tyen's Sweatproof Picks
Air Brow Tinted Volumizing Treatment Gel, $38, KOSAS
Eaze Drop Blurring Skin Tint Foundation, $55, FENTY BEAUTY
Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil, $34, RARE BEAUTY
Shannon Taylor, Content Creator & Entrepreneur
Related article: Huda Kattan On Reclaiming Full Ownership Of Her Beauty Empire, Returning As CEO & Summer Beauty Trends
What is your advice for feeling confident in your own skin?
Talk to yourself like you would your best friend. Celebrate your quirks and remember, confidence isn’t about being flawless, it’s about owning every version of you—even the one with day-three hair and mismatched socks.
Have you had any make-up mishaps during one of your workout sessions?
Absolutely—once did hot yoga with a full face on. By the end, I looked like a melting Barbie. Lesson learned: waterproof everything, or embrace the sweat.
What is your cleansing routine like?
I’m religious about cleansing—especially after workouts. I start with the Then I Met You Living Cleansing Balm to break down sunscreen, sweat, and any stubborn makeup. Then I follow up with Youth to the People Superfood Cleanser—it’s gentle, effective, and makes me feel like I’ve just had a green smoothie for my face. I follow it up with Paula’s Choice Pore-Reducing Toner, The Ordinary Niacinamide to keep my skin clear, and I rotate between Tatcha The Water Cream for a lightweight glow and CeraVe Moisturizing Cream when my skin’s feeling thirsty.
If you could design your own ultimate sweat-proof make-up product, what would it be?
It would be a tinted moisturiser-meets-setting spray hybrid. Lightweight, glowy, actually sweat-proof, and infused with skincare goodies. Gym-to-dinner in a bottle.
Shannon's Sweatproof Picks
24-Hr Brow Setter Invisible Brow Gel, $47, BENEFIT COSMETICS
CC+ Cream Natural Matte Foundation, $77, IT COSMETICS
Soft Pinch Liquid Blush, $42, RARE BEAUTY
Stephanie Shabanov-Leong, Personal Trainer & Fitness Instructor at ALLY Singapore and Barry’s Singapore
How does fitness relate to your perception of beauty?
Fitness helps us redefine beauty in a deeper, more grounded way—it’s not just about aesthetics, but how we show up for ourselves and others. Moving our bodies creates a kind of quiet confidence that radiates outward. Fitness also teaches us empathy because when we’ve struggled through a tough session or hit a wall and kept going, we become more understanding of others’ journeys too. The more connected we are to our growth, the more compassionate we become with ourselves and with the people around us. That, to me, is a beautiful thing.
What is your advice for feeling confident in your own skin?
Confidence starts from honouring your body, not fighting it. Nourish it, move it, listen to it. Our inner strength grows when we stop trying to fit someone else’s mould and start loving where we are. It helps to shift the focus from how we look to how we feel. Confidence becomes a by-product when we fuel ourselves well, move with intention, and give ourselves grace on tough days. We can’t shame our way into self-love—it’s a practice of showing up, again and again, and celebrating progress in all its forms.
Which do you prioritise, skincare or make-up?
Skincare is the foundation to feeling confident barefaced. Our skin’s condition is an indicator of our physical and mental health, so taking care of it is a form of self-respect. It's like saying, “I’m worth the effort,” even on the busiest days. When we take care of it, make-up becomes optional, not essential.
What are some make-up hacks you swear by?
Blush before and after foundation gives that lit-from-within look and blends more naturally. Also, using one cream blush across cheeks, lips, and lids pulls everything together effortlessly—one product, full glow.
Stephanie's Sweatproof Picks
Tattoo Liner Liquid Eyeliner, $37, KVD BEAUTY
3d Curling Eyelash Iron Mascara, $13.90, JUDYDOLL
Ink Mood Glowy Tint, $15.90, PERIPERA
Joyce Shih, Pilates Instructor
When it comes to workout glam, are you team ‘bare-faced glow’ or ‘full coverage beat’?
Definitely bare-faced glow! I rarely wear make-up when I work out, and if anything, just some mascara and eyebrow pencil. I don’t like the feeling of having too much on my skin if I know I’m going to sweat.
Have you had any make-up mishaps during one of your workout sessions?
I once went for a hydrating facial, thought I’d touch up with a little mascara from their vanity, and went straight to padel and it melted all off because my face was freshly moisturised—I had panda eyes and didn’t even realise till the end.
What does your pre- and post-workout beauty routine look like?
Pre-workout, I use Chuck's Very Important sunscreen. I’ve used a lot of sunscreens, but this is my absolute holy grail as it goes on without making your skin feel sticky or greasy, and gives the most flattering glow to the skin. In addition, I use a lip product—I have a lot, but I've been loving the Refy Lip Gloss in Blush. Post-workout, I go in first with the Bioderma Micellar Water and then cleanse with Vanicream Gentle Cleanser. From there, I apply my toner, serum, and moisturiser from Abib and Sekkisei Blue.
If you could only have three beauty products in your gym bag right now, what would they be?
I would have the Aesop Eleos Hand Balm because it is my favourite scent and a lifesaver, especially after I do hanging work on the Cadillac. I would have a lip product, either the Refy Lip Gloss or Dior Lip Glow. And if I’m going to touch up after I’ve done a quick cleanse, I love the Rhode Cheek Tint in Freckle—it just melts into the skin and is my favourite blush shade.
Joyce's Sweatproof Picks
Real Lash Advanced Film Mascara, $22, HEROINE MAKE
Brow Wiz, $40, ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS
Tinted Lip Gloss, $27, REFY.
Jimena Muchsel, Graphic Designer & Content Producer
How often do you exercise in a week?
I work full-time as a graphic designer and have to go to the office every day. Therefore, I go to the gym either in the morning or evening after work, as well as on the weekend with this amazing community called Caliversity, either at the fitness corner or in the gym. I usually train around three to four times a week, depending on how busy I am this week.
What are some make-up hacks you swear by?
I think the best way to have long-lasting eyeliner is to use a gel liner first, then a liquid liner on top, so even if the eyeliner wears off, it’s not noticeable. Another tip is to use a liquid highlighter on your eye (they usually have a sticky consistency) before tapping your eyeshadow on top to make it stay longer.
What is your advice for feeling confident in your own skin?
I think one thing that makes me confident is to embrace my natural beauty, such as ageing and freckles, and to be okay with parts of my body one might see as a 'flaw'. The thing is, you may see the flaw, but it won’t exist for anyone else but you. You just have to not care so much about it because beauty isn’t the only thing that matters. What matters is how you carry yourself, and that confidence is the real accessory.
How does fitness relate to your perception of beauty?
My perception has changed a lot over the years. I think for many of us, we start working out to attain a specific look or to improve our body aesthetically. Now, I train mainly to attain skills such as learning handstands so my body can create beautiful shapes. No matter what I see in the mirror, I love the way I look because I know my body is capable of many things I once dreamed of, and that matters more to me.
Jimena's Sweatproof Picks
Tartelette Energy Amazonian Clay Palette, $68, TARTE
Mask Fit Red Cushion, $36.90, TIRTIR
Lip Contour 2.0 Lip Liner, $39, HUDA BEAUTY
Nerissa N., Strength and Ride Coach
Which do you prioritise, skincare or make-up?
Skincare, skincare, skincare! I can't emphasise it enough because good skincare goes a long way. As someone who puts my skin through so much dirt and grime on a daily basis, a good skincare routine helped prevent breakouts, and that changed the way I feel about myself. These days, I feel so confident in my bare skin that sometimes my make-up pouch goes untouched for weeks or even months.
What is your cleansing routine like?
I double cleanse always, starting with either the beplain Mung Bean Cleansing Oil and Shu Uemura BlackOil Purifying Fresh Cleansing Oil before following up with my favourite Cetaphil cleanser. It was also the first cleanser my dermatologist recommended, so I know it will never go wrong.
How often do you exercise in a week?
As a full-time fitness coach, I exercise about five to six times a week while coaching about three to four classes a day. A typical day for me would be running from place to place, hopping into a couple of showers, and eating on the go—no complaints though, as I enjoy my work.
What is one make-up hack you swear by?
Start with a long-lasting setting spray to make sure your make-up stays sweat-proof for as long as possible. From there, apply a good gripping primer before all the other products come on and lock everything in place with the setting spray once again—it works like magic.
Nerissa's Sweatproof Picks
Triclone Skin Tech Concealer, $50, HAUS LABS
Perfect Stay 20HR Eyeliner, $11, SILKYGIRL
Vegan Relief Sun Essence SPF50+ PA++++, $40.90, ATHE
Chantal Windley, Fitness Instructor & Swimwear Founder
How does fitness relate to your perception of beauty?
For me, beauty isn’t about perfection—it’s about feeling strong, capable, and confident in your skin. Fitness reminds me of everything my body can do, not just how it looks.
What is your advice for feeling confident in your own skin?
Don’t wait for a certain weight that you need to hit to love yourself. Confidence starts with consistency. Whether that’s through movement or skincare, set a routine and stick to it. Oh, and it's always nice to throw on a cute gym set.
When it comes to workout glam, are you team ‘bare-faced glow’ or ‘full coverage beat’?
Is ‘medium-faced glow’ an option? It doesn’t hurt to have strong brows, a little tint of blush & a glossed lip.
If you could design your own ultimate sweatproof make-up product, what would it be?
An unscented tinted SPF-serum hybrid with light coverage and built-in dewy filter for that extra glow effect, so it can be a base for make-up.
Chantal's Sweatproof Picks
Speedy Skinny Brow Pencil, $11.90, PERIPERA
Pocket Blush Stick in Freckle, about $30.93, RHODE
Plumptuous Lip Jelly, $32, KRAVEBEAUTY
*This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.