As the WNBA continues to rise in popularity, players like Cameron Brink are putting an even greater emphasis on their look. They wear a lot more makeup during games today than in years past.
Look good, feel good, play good!
This trend does not apply to every athlete in the league. Some of the women wear a full face of makeup while on the court. Others do not even touch the brush to their face. Mascara is an afterthought.
However, by and large, women of the WNBA are more focused on glam than prior generations.
Why is that? Cameron Brink spoke to the rise of makeup on her podcast, Straight to Cam. Her explanation makes a lot of sense. And it varies from person to person.
Brink keeps her makeup pretty light for games compared to a night out in Los Angeles. She does not wear foundation. She wears concealer, some powder, mascara, eyeliner and blush— even though she will turn “tomato red” by the end of warmups so it is redundant.
“Pretty light” for Brink is still very different from someone like Diana Taurasi. Many of the best players in league history did not wear any makeup while playing. That is still true for some athletes today.
On the flip side of that discussion is someone like Dijonai Carrington. The 27-year-old shooting guard plays with a full face of makeup.
Cameron Brink presented a hypothesis for the rise of cosmetics.
First and foremost, there is an increased emphasis on image in larger society. ‘GRWM’ and ‘tutorial’ videos flood TikTok and Instagram Reels with new makeup hacks and techniques. Girls are exposed to “glam” at a much younger age. That carries into their day-to-day lives as adults.
Brink also points to the increased popularity of the WNBA. Players used to arrive to games in hoodies and sweatpants through the back entrance of small arenas. Now they are doing tunnel walks and “fit checks” at some of the nicest venues in the country. The league really leveled up.
Thus, players are arriving to games in a stylish outfit and makeup to match. Their makeup stays on when they put on the uniform.
I completely subscribe to this line of thinking. I know nothing about makeup but Cameron Brink’s logic makes perfect sense. As the league continues to grow, there are more eyes on the athletes. The athletes feel those eyes on them and want to show out.