“You Can Look Good & Be Good At Basketball.” The SC Gamecocks On Beauty & Buckets
If you were ever under the impression that women athletes would forgo regular manicures and makeup before hitting the court—think again.
Throughout their 2024 season, which led to a historic championship win against the Iowa Hawkeyes, South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball team were admired not only for their skills on the court, but also their gametime glam.
From fresh manis, to flowy textured ponytails and fluttery lashes, these young women have certainly made one thing clear: You don’t have to compromise your beauty rituals for buckets. And sports fans, both new and old, are taking note.
According to Google, March 2024 marked an all-time high for search interest in women’s basketball. “The reigning national champions [from South Carolina] are no exception to the data trend,” shares Google search trends analyst Annanya Raghavan.
So it comes as no surprise that the beauty industry is diving into the world of women’s sports.
“Beauty brands need to seize this opportunity to go all out on women’s sports,” Gamecocks women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley shares with R29. “My players wear nails, lashes, and makeup, it’s so important to them. More than ever female athletes have the platforms that can support the beauty industry, similar to entertainers and other influencers, so why not? If you look good you play good!”
