Why are our gymnasts so beautiful?

Our female athletes are naturally beautiful. That’s a fact. But now we will talk about what allows to enhance this beauty and create a certain image. We are talking about stage hair and makeup. Recently, these moments in rhythmic gymnastics began to pay more attention. Previously, no one gave importance to the visual image of athletes. They did everything themselves, without the help of experts. Now the national team has a stylist.

How are the images for female athletes created? Natalia Dolotov, makeup artist and beauty expert, tells us.

Official stylist of the Russian national rhythmic gymnastics team

“There are practically no rules regarding hair and makeup. Only a few basic stipulations indicating neatness and absence of disintegrating elements. Therefore, they were more of a general guideline.

All the female athletes until last season looked pretty much the same, as they put together the classic bundle and makeup themselves. Or they didn’t do it at all. Now the athletes and spectators have not only an understanding of what a finished look should look like, but also an idea of what is beautiful on the carpet and what would look inappropriate.

Dina and Arina Averina on the photo

Satura rādītājs

What should be the makeup?

1. Bright, but not vulgar

First of all, makeup for competitions should be bright. This is due to the fact that people, including judges, spectators and fellow competitors, watch athletes at competitions from a certain distance. They may stand 10, 20 or even more meters away.

At sporting events, the stands are often positioned in such a way that spectators look down on the athletes from above, so makeup is necessary to convey the image and mood, as well as to emphasize all facial features.

However, it should not be vulgar and include all the colors of the rainbow, as this can give the wrong impression of the athlete. Extravagance is not welcome.

Yana Kudryavtseva, silver medalist of the Rio Olympics, 13-time world champion, is on the photo.

2. Firm but comfortable

Makeup should not feel like a mask on the face, so that the athlete feels comfortable. At the same time, it should be long-lasting, because competitions last a long time.

Sometimes it happens that they start early in the morning and are busy throughout the day, including training, lunch. At times, more training or choreography and then the evening competitions. Therefore, it is important that the makeup lasts.

To combine all options, it is important to use professional cosmetics and makeup application techniques. This is the task of the makeup artist. He should make the athletes feel comfortable and not feel a thick layer of “putty” on their face.

On the photo is Lala Kramarenko, three-time world junior champion, European champion in the team event – 2021

3. Emphasizing the virtues

Makeup really helps to convey the image and mood of the athlete. Facial features become expressive. Athletes look even more professional. In addition, makeup can emphasize personality and personal style.

4. Suitable for the image and program

In the image of an athlete for a competition or championship there must above all be harmony. Often the costume is chosen based on the theme of the performance itself, and makeup is no exception. It should fit the mood and the idea of the performance. Then the image of the athlete will be harmonious and complete.

Yana Kudryavtseva

5. Fast

Creating an image should not take five hours, because the athlete still needs to prepare, to fulfill his rituals. It is desirable that he does not have to get up at two o’clock in the morning. The makeup artist needs to set a certain time frame to fit in this period to create the image.

6. Accent

It is important to make accents on different parts of the face and use bright shades, which are perfectly visible even from a distance. But it is worth remembering the balance of makeup and harmony with facial features. It is necessary to emphasize expressive elements, such as eyes and lips, but at the same time keep naturalness and grace.