Sha'Carri Richardson, a maximalist dream

Never before have female athletes at these Paris Olympics showcased not only their strength but also their personality and beauty quite like this. We've already talked about Simone Biles, her rigorous pre-competition beauty routine, and her favorite products to look her best on the field. Now it's time to focus on Sha'Carri Richardson, the American sprinter who has just secured a silver medal in the 100 meters.

Sha'Carri Richardson: Beginnings and Career

Sha'Carri Richardson was born on March 25, 2000, in Dallas, Texas. From a young age, she showed extraordinary potential, setting the junior world record in the 100 meters with a time of 10.75 seconds during her freshman year at Louisiana State University (LSU). Her career took off with significant victories, such as winning the NCAA titles in the 100 and 200 meters in 2019. At the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials, she triumphed in the 100 meters with a time of 10.86 seconds, earning a spot at the Tokyo Olympics. However, her Olympic participation was canceled due to a suspension for marijuana use, sparking a heated debate over doping policies. In Paris 2024, she made a remarkable comeback, and what a comeback it was!

Sha'Carri's Nails: A Maximalist Dream

For the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics, Sha'Carri flaunted the official Team USA uniform, coordinating her long nails with the colors of the flag and proudly showing them off to the world. Her nails were square-shaped and adorned with charms and embellishments. This is not the first time she has dared to be bold; in fact, she has made it her signature look. She frequently changes her nail designs, impressing with creativity and audacity, sometimes matching them to her sports kit and other times to the specific event. She draws inspiration from Florence Griffith Joyner, a three-time Olympic gold medalist in track and field who passed away in 1998 at just 38 years old.

Make-Up as a Symbol of Strength

To complement these maximalist claws, Sha'Carri often pairs them with bold eye-liner, colorful and long hairstyles, sometimes braided or in ponytails, other times simply tied back, dramatic false lashes, and "broken" eyebrows. This look reflects not only a vibrant and uncontainable personality but also much more. It embodies the beauty standards of Black women who came before her, often judged as unprofessional and inelegant simply for their appearance. It signifies that femininity is strong, bold, and colorful, even at the pinnacle of the world, if one wishes. From a commercial perspective, it represents a push toward closer and more systematic collaborations between beauty brands and athletes, who are much more closely aligned than one might expect.