Putting on Your Game Face

Posted: June 2006

Makeup or no makeup? It’s the question many girls ask themselves before hitting the hardwood, stepping onto the softball field or taking the track. On your faces, get set, go!

What’s the best strategy for styling in sports? Or does style even matter when you’re competing? We asked a few of your Phoenix favorites what they wear, both on the hardwood and off.

MERCURY FORWARD KAYTE CHRISTENSEN:

“I don’t wear any makeup when I’m playing. None at all. Not even mascara. Some people wear some mascara. Some people wear foundation and all that, but it comes off when you’re sweating anyway.

“I’m not trying to spend a lot of time on how I look for games, I’m just trying to prepare. I’m not meant to look pretty when I’m playing (laughs).”

MERCURY GUARD/FORWARD ANN STROTHER: “I don't really wear makeup when I play. Just lotion. Off the court yes. I like MAC makeup. MAC is a brand I usually get in the malls whenever I can. They make everything, but I usually pick-up mascara and maybe some lipstick. I don’t usually wear a lot of makeup unless I’m going out or something."

MERCURY CENTER KAMILA VODICHKOVA: "I like to wear makeup. On the court, I wear a little foundation and some on my eye lashes. When I play basketball, I don’t think about it because it is water proof, so I don’t even feel it.

“I like Max Factor, L’Oreal and Flanco. But you have to try different make ups or go to a dermatologist to find the right kind for you, because you may have a problem with your skin. Not everything is good for everybody."

MERCURY FORWARD SANDORA IRVIN: "I don’t think makeup is a big deal. I do use lip gloss and lotion is important. But I think we are all naturally beautiful. I really don’t like to wear it. I only put it on if I have to. I don’t really even know how to put makeup on, but I recently went to a wedding and a stylist put make up on me and I looked at myself like, 'Okay!'

"When I was a young girl I barely every wore skirts, because I was a little tomboy, so makeup I was like, 'No.' I didn’t even like to get my hair done."

MERCURY GUARD BELINDA SNELL: "I wear a little makeup. I don't wear makeup on the court, because when you sweat it all comes off funny or runs, and when you wipe your face off with a towel it all comes off. Whenver I go out, though, i put a little bit of on. Not much. I wouldn't even know what kind I use. Maybe it's Mabeline (laughs)

"I put on foundation and a little bit of mascara, no lipstick. I always wore it when i was going out for a big night with the girls. I always looked forward to getting all dolled up and putting makeup on (when I was younger). When I first mucked around and put it on with friends or something, I was probably 12 or something. You just shouldn't put too much on."

MERCURY GUARD DIANA TAURASI: “I don't wear any when I play. Sweat and makeup aren’t the best combination. You can tell when a girl has it on, because it gets all over the towels.

“I don't actually use makeup much at all. I’ll wear a little bit for special occasions or something, like a banquet or a dinner, but not very much so I don’t look like a clown (laughs). I have a couple MAC accessories, so if I were to wear it, I'd probably wear MAC. No clue what kind of makeup it is, though.

MERCURY GUARD CAPPIE PONDEXTER: "I don’t wear makeup on the court, I’m all natural. Off the court, maybe a little mascara, but nothing too much. No foundation, none of that. I’m pretty much using natural colors, even if I do put anything on."

MERCURY FORWARD KRISTEN RASMUSSEN: "I'll wear makeup if I’m going out, but usually when I’m playing I keep away from it because it smears. Either way, I never leave home without my mascara. I don’t have a particular brand but I usually pick up something that I know won’t smear."