Four female Olympians share their must-have beauty item

There are a few beauty products that stand out above the rest when it comes to competition day for many Olympic athletes. Some of our top contenders for London 2012 shared their favourite go-tos, which keep them smelling fresh and looking their best inside and outside the gym.

Clara Hughes
Must-have antiperspirant and deodorant: Secret Outlast Clinical Sport. This is the stick of choice for cyclist Clara Hughes. “I’m tenacious, I love a challenge and I like to think I can outlast anyone, so it just makes sense to use Secret. It’s just as strong as me,” says Clara. “Plus, I’m always forgetting things and it lasts for 48 hours, so I’m totally set.”

Mary Spencer
Go-to mascara and lip colour: CoverGirl Lashblast Volume Mascara and All-Day Lipcolour. For the perfect pout and eyes that pop, boxer Mary Spencer loves CoverGirl’s promise for all-day lip colour and its long-lasting Lashblast mascara. “I love CoverGirl products for all that they signify,” says Mary. “They are all about inner and outer beauty and being comfortable in your own skin — and that’s important to me.” When it comes to covering up a black eye from a fight, Mary also loves CoverGirl’s foundation products. “I bet you can’t tell right now,” she told me during our one-on-one interview, “but I’ve got a bruise under my eye. A good defense is a priority for me, so I don’t get too many bruises on my face, but when I do, I know CoverGirl’s got me covered.”

Annamay Pierse
Best shampoo and conditioner: Pantene Ice Shine Shampoo and Conditioner. Swimmer Annamay Pierse has beautiful blond hair, and she keeps it in amazing condition despite her punishing workouts (30 hours a week) with the help of Pantene. “I’m in the water so much and all the chlorine does so much damage. My hair gets so dry and frizzy and so many split ends. But Pantene honestly saves me from bad hair days,” she says. “The shampoo and conditioner are so rich, without making my hair feel heavy. They give me great volume after a workout and leaves my hair feeling glossy and looking so nice.”

Paula Findlay
Go-to razor and teeth-whitener: Venus & Olay razors and Crest 3D White Whitestrips Professional Effects. Triathlete Paula Findlay always smiles as she crosses the finish line and her pearly whites are always pearly white. She credits Crest 3D White Whitestrips for her camera-ready smile. And she keeps her legs smooth and moisturized with Venus & Olay’s skin replenishing razors. “From all the running, cycling and swimming, my skin takes such a battering. It’s always so dry. But this razor helps restore my skin — it’s part of my daily routine and it really makes a difference.”