'Our nails are our superpower'. Team GB's first medal winners of the Paris Olympics 2024, synchronised divers Yasmin Harper and Scarlett Mew Jensen, paid homage to their sparkly nails in their post-winning dive interview. Painting their nails is a pre-competition ritual for the duo who this year opted for Union Jack thumbs and sparkly 3D art on their fingers. Yes, the beauty and wellness routines of Olympic athletes are all part of how competitors get in the zone.
The bronze medal winners aren't the only Olympic stars who have been showcasing brilliant beauty skills. There's a lot of podium worthy nail styles out on they olympic track. Gold medal gymnast Sunisa Lee has been wowing audiences with her skills on the beam but we couldn't help notice that she's wearing Kiss Press-on nails. While team mate Simon Bileshas shared the makeup she uses for touchups in between apparatus, Fenty Setting Spray and Nyx Lip Pencils are both in her arsenal. Well, when you're working that hard you need to know that your makeup isn't going to budge.
But the gold medal for dedication to pre-competition beauty has to go to American rugby player Ilona Maher who's bio reads, 'probably wearing lipstick.' Her social media following has gone stratospheric after the sports star started sharing pics of her wearing red lipstick on the pitch - who said gum shields don't go with lippy?
From ‘space buns’ to themed acrylic nails, Team GB also like to express themselves. But which products are their winners? Grazia sat down with seven stars of this year's Olympics to chat everything from the energising pre-race shower routine to the high street find that keeps breakouts at bay. Read on for the beauty and wellness routines of Olympic athletes.
Imani-Lara Lansiquot, sprinter
‘I have a Pinterest board and I’ll save eyeliner and hair looks that tie in the new season colours. It’s a really fun way to add a different kind of excitement to preparation for the race, and it keeps my internal pressure low while externally I’m dialled into the season.
‘On race day I do a contrast shower: one-minute intervals of hot and cold settings to really wake up my nervous system and body.
‘As someone who doesn’t go out that much, I really enjoy doing a full face of make-up for race day, it’s like having a big event to prep for. Before I start applying product I spray a layer of setting spray. I saw it on TikTok once and it makes such a difference to how long my make-up lasts. The Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray, £32, is my holy grail.
‘To keep my body glowing, I use an exfoliating net twice a day before moisturising with cocoa butter; it’s essential for my knees, which spend a lot of time on a hard, rubbly track.
‘If I had any pre-race superstitions it would be having a full set of nails done. I usually go for a long almond shaped acrylic nail with a nude base and a cute, colourful design. I love them, it would feel weird to race without them.’
Photographer: Jeff Cohen
Jazmin Sawyers, long jumper
**‘**Before a competition I think about what kit I’m going to wear, which nails match it and whether the competition is during the day or night, so I can choose make-up that will work best. I love this part of it; when I look good, I feel more confident, and confidence is half the battle in competition.
‘I like to bring an element of the competition location into my nail designs. For the Tokyo Olympics my nails featured characters from the Nintendo game Animal Crossing, and they were holding tiny British and Japanese flags. I’ve been working with Hope Ivekich (@that. nailplace) for years; we’ve done patterns that look like the running track, colours that match the kit and even “the Trevi Fountain at night” for a trip to Rome. When I have long nails I ask someone to help me pin my name bib on, but they don’t cause any issues with my jumping.
‘My favourite way to compete is wearing my hair in two buns. I use the KeraCare Wax Stick, £13.45, to stick down flyaways and keep everything in place. My only pre-competition ritual is SPF. I use Olay Regenerist Face Cream SPF30, £34, so my face is moisturised too.
‘I’m helping educate the sporting world about the potential advantages of different stages of the menstrual cycle. I feel physically stronger on my period, while the week of ovulation I feel I can take over the world! I’ve created the Master Your Menstrual Cycleprogramme with Always to help others learn about their cycle.’
Daryll Neita, sprinter
‘It’s such an exciting era of women’s sprinting, I think it’s more important than ever to show who you are. The track is our office and expression is a great thing.
Being on the racing circuit means a lot of travelling and my skin suffers. I always travel with pimple patches – the PanOxyl ones are good; I stock up on them when I’m in the States. I’ve introduced @thisisglama into my beauty routine; the soap is brilliant for helping my hyperpigmentation.
On race day I like my skin to look glowy but, as I know I’ll sweat while competing, I need products that will last. I use the Fenty Beauty Skin Tints, £29, they’re so lightweight and great when doing sport. To fix everything in place I swear by Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder, £36.50, and I wear lipgloss (NYX Butter Gloss in Ginger Snap, £7.49). I take my Dyson Airwrap, £479.99, everywhere, it’s so quick and easy to use.
‘To help me feel race ready I get a wax and have my lashes done. This season I’m going more natural with the lashes, still some volume but shorter in length; I live in Italy and I’ve been inspired by the less-is- more approach. On the flip side, I’m going longer with nails; I’m known for having short white nails but I’m experimenting.’ Daryll is represented by Storm Management
Grace Harvey, para-swimmer
‘One of my first coaches said to me that “a happy swimmer is a fast swimmer” and I definitely feel joy when I’m feeling and looking race ready.
I don’t wear make-up when I compete for fear of giant panda eyes, so pre- competition I always have my eyebrows threaded and my lashes tinted so I wake up ready to go with a little zing of confidence.
Being in the pool every day can be really drying on my skin; I take my entire skincare routine to the pool so as soon as I’ve showered I can put moisture back into my face. Liz Earle Cleanse And Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser, £20, Pixi Vitamin-C Serum, £26, andNivea UV Face Shine Control Sun Cream SPF50, £10, are all part of my daily skincare routine. For my body, I swear by exfoliating gloves – I buy mine from Boots – they are incredible at buffing my skin, and then I cover myself in moisturiser. I love Dove’s coconut
body lotion.’ Grace is represented by Storm Management
Photographer Aleksandra Klicka and make-up artist Augustina Valiaugaitė
Lina Nielsen, 400m hurdler
**‘**Athletes rarely get the chance to dress up and feel glam, the track is where we express that. When you’re wearing your country’s kit you can end
up looking the same as everyone else, so experimenting with hair, make-up and nails is a way to set ourselves apart.
‘Due to the nature of our job we sweat – a lot. To help stop me from breaking out from that dirt and sweat, I’ve been using hypochlorous acid sprayas well as stripping back the products I use and keeping my skincare routine super-simple. On race day I moisturise more than usual to keep my skin protected and I use a primer before my make-up to lock everything in place. I don’t usually wear make-up but race day is a special occasion so I make sure to treat it that way. How? I always sit down and do a full face of make-up.’
Keely Hodgkinson, middle distance runner
**‘**My mantra on race day is “look good, feel good”. My beauty routine is all part of helping me get ready to compete and I love it! My pre-race rituals include shaving everywhere, fake tanning and getting an early night. For glowing skin on race day I use a serum – usually Kiehl’s – a moisturiser, eye cream and a tinted SPF. A good primer is key – the Refy Face Primer, £24, is what I’m using right now – and of course a setting spray. At the moment I’m usingL’Oréal Glotion, £12, as my base. And I always wear fragrance when I compete. Some favourites are Montale Crazy In Love, £121, and Maison Francis Kurkdjian Oud Satin Mood, £235.
Looking after your body is as important as your face. I’m a fan of the Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturisers. My blonde hair really stands out on the track and I love to race when my hair is long and curly. A hair wand and some gel are all it takes.
‘The track is our stage to perform on and a chance to showcase our individuality. I can’t tell you what my look for Paris is but there will be some exciting small details to pay attention to.’
Georgia-Mae Fenton, gymnast
**‘**Gymnastics has always been a very composed sport, but within the last few years we’ve been able to express ourselves more. My number one pre- competition beauty ritual is getting my nails done. For Paris, I’d love to try and get the Olympic rings on my nails!
During competitions I use tiger balm on my arms and legs, it really helps to relieve some of the muscle tension, especially when I’m stressed or under pressure.
Another way I keep myself calm is by smothering myself in fragrance – I like scents that are fresh and citrusy. I also reach for an essential oil spray that’s designed to keep you calm.
Our team tends to go for a clean, sleek look and I have perfected the slick bun. The Eco Styler Gelgives a smooth finish and you need strong hairbands to stop hair from falling out mid-move.’
@_gmfenton
Verity Clark is the acting health & beauty director at Grazia. Previously contributing beauty editor at the Sunday Times Style Verity has almost a decade of experience writing about the beauty industry. She has worked with some of the industry’s most respected titles including Red, Good Housekeeping and Elle, and her aim is to demystify, and democratise, the conversation around beauty.