Serena Williams’ make-up tips
Beauty tips from tennis great Serena Williams
Tennis great Serena Williams recently had a baby (a girl named Olympia), took up running and is putting in hours of training to get fully back on the women’s professional tennis tour. In short, she has a lot on her plate. But Williams, 36, who travels between Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and San Francisco, also carves out time for her beauty regimen, which is a mix of natural-leaning products and those chosen to produce results. Following are what she uses.
SKINCARE
I’m a big-time beauty fan — definitely, all my life. I remember when I was younger, I had so much that I had whole cabinets just stuffed with beauty. But I’m incredibly organised. I’m a type-A personality.
In the morning, it depends on how I’m feeling. I might use a face wash — it’s a gel wash called Dual Action AHA Cleanser & Mask from the European MZ Skin Luxury Skin line. It’s my secret, and it’s amazing. I also use the MZ face cream. The packaging is pink with a gold cap — it’s so pretty. I think packaging matters. I was in Harrods when I saw the line. I tried the cream first and fell in love.
I’m getting better at doing face masks, too. I got some that are gold, also from MZ Skin. I think the masks work, but I don’t use them enough.
Or maybe instead of cleanser, I’ll use a big jar of organic, unrefined coconut oil. I use that as a wash, wipe it off with hot water, and then I’m done. I don’t do anything after that except for SPF. I don’t walk out of the house without SPF on, and neither does Olympia.
For me, I use Neutrogena. That seems to be what every dermatologist recommends. For her, she uses natural shea butter, which is a natural SPF.
That’s what some doctors told me, and I read up on it. For babies, you don’t want to give them the toxins. The truth is, we don’t really need it either.
MAKE-UP
I never wear much make-up. But lately I’ve been wearing a little more. A good friend of mine told me, ‘A little goes a long way’, so I’ve been putting in a little time. In less than five minutes, I have a full face.
I do a little concealer. If I want it to last all day, I use Kat Von D. If I’m going for a lighter look, I use the Nars Radiant Creamy. Then I use a little powder to set it. I use a lot of MAC powder because they have really good powder for my skin colour. But if I’m just setting, then I use a translucent one.
Then it’s L’Oréal Voluminous mascara — always the waterproof. My brows, I sometimes just let them go, but I also have the Anastasia brow pencil, which is the best. But the other day, I didn’t have my brow pencil with me, and I just used my mascara on my brows. If it gets too dark, I’ll put a little concealer on there.
If I’m on the court, then I’ll go au naturel, but I do wear waterproof eyeliner sometimes, and that’s it.
I love natural scents because I have been allergic to perfume and haven’t worn it for years
FRAGRANCE
I just found one that works for me called Skylar. I’m an investor in a lot of companies, and this company reached out to someone on my team. I love natural scents because I have been allergic to perfume and haven’t worn it for years. I absolutely loved these, so now I’m an investor in the brand as well.
HAIR
I love to make my hair oils. And I always use a co-wash, and I always use very natural stuff for African-American hair. Right now, I have tons of curls, and Miss Jessie’s is great. I also use the As I Am line all the time — love it.
Dye: Right now I usually do the tips or try to make something fun out of it. I do like my natural colour, but I like to play. I have a lady in Miami, Angie, who’s been doing my hair for 10 years.
DIET AND FITNESS
I have to worry about diet and fitness all the time. It’s my job to be fit. I have to have a good diet. I have to work out. Now, since the baby and only since the baby, I try to do cardio three or four times a week where I just go on a run. I actually never ran before, but I wanted to drop weight fast. It worked for me.
Because I wanted to lean out, I also wanted to eat a lot healthier, so I went vegan for 44 days. That worked out really well. Then I tried it again. But now, I’m vega-tarian. I’m going to Europe soon. I love cheese, but I only like the cheese in Europe. So I call myself a vega-tarian so I can have that amazing cheese.