Whether you’re choosing between pencil or liquid liner or wondering how to make your next blush look more “boyfriend,” Bazaar editors understand better than most that beauty is personal. In this edition of Makeup Diaries, we take a deep dive inside the cosmetics bag of L.A. Sparks forward and Urban Decay ambassador Cameron Brink to learn more about her holy grail products, makeup inspirations, and the exact number of lip balms she always keeps on hand in her bag. Here, the WNBA star shares a closer look at her routine.
What was the first makeup product you remember buying or using?
The first makeup product I used was probably Lip Smackers balm or a gloss. They always had to be scented, and I was probably eating them.
Who or what is your biggest makeup inspiration?
I always say this, but it’s definitely my mom. I grew up watching her do makeup, and we have similar facial features, so what she does to her face I kind of implement too. She’s always taught me the ins and outs of makeup. When I was younger, she would tell me to use less mascara because it looked too clumpy, and now I’m thankful for that. She taught me less is more. If you know my mom, she has a full face on every day; she doesn’t leave the house without it. She’s my inspo, and I love getting ready with her. It’s super fun. It’s our favorite ritual to do together.
What’s your number-one Holy Grail makeup product?
Of all time? It definitely has to be Urban Decay’s All-Nighter Setting Spray. I play basketball and sweat; any type of workout I’m doing, I’m sweating. And I work out for a living, so it keeps my makeup on. I do like to work out with makeup on and play with makeup on because we’re on national television. It just works so well, and it’s with me wherever I go.
Are you Team Primer or Team No Primer?
I’m Team Primer, but primer that works for you. For me, it’s kind of just skincare first. First, I go in with vitamin C, sunscreen, and then a moisturizer, and in my book, I consider that priming. I would not go in bare-faced, with nothing before makeup.
How many lip balms or oils are currently in your bag right now?
We can count. I would guess upwards of 10 tubes. Here are two right here.
What’s your skin type, and what kind of foundation do you typically use?
My skin type is definitely very combination. Some parts of my face, especially around my nose and mouth, get very dry, and then my forehead and other places will get oily. But honestly? I usually will go for a tinted sunscreen or moisturizer and then use a high-coverage concealer for my under-eyes. The Urban Decay Quickie concealer is really good for that. But I don’t wear a lot of foundation because I find when I am playing, that’s what sweats off the fastest.
How often do you clean your brushes?
I actually just cleaned my brushes! Before that, I’d probably say every two months or so, which is kind of gross, but I’ve been better! And it’s kind of fun: You just sit by the sink, rub them on a weird mat, and then let them dry.
What are your thoughts on blush, and which ones do you love right now?
I’m a huge blush fan. And even though we can get so red playing basketball, I’ll still put on blush pregame. I’ll reach for anything that’s a cream or powder. I think more reddish tones suit me because I like the sunburned kind of look, I guess. But not too much. I hope I don’t have blush blindness, but I’m a huge fan.
Are you into using highlighter or bronzer?
Yes, I’m a huge highlighter fan! The Face Bond Luminizer is actually one of my favorite things. I like to put it on my shoulders, décolleté, even my legs sometimes. And it stays, which is really nice, because you don’t have to worry about it transferring. I also use darker shades for bronzer.
What is your relationship like with eyeshadow?
It’s been complicated. It used to be really hard for me, and I’d just give up and say, “What’s the point of this?” But I think when you find the right shades or just a sparkle, it makes a difference. I just take my finger and put it on my lid. If I go in with a pencil liner, that’s a different thing, but I’ve gotten better with eyeshadow.
Some days it can feel like you need a degree from the Rhode Island School of Design to apply eyeliner. Do you usually reach for a pencil, liquid, or gel formula?
Definitely the 24/7 Glide-On waterproof eyeliner pencil. There’s also one for the waterline that I use all the time. It’s a game-day thing too: I keep it in my bag, and it doesn’t sweat off. I don’t like to use a lot of mascara because I feel like it will sweat off, so I just use a little of the waterline pencil in black to elevate my look. That’s what I usually go for, and it’s so easy, and I keep a sharpener with me to keep it crispy and sharp.
What are some of your go-to mascaras, and would you typically consider yourself a volume or length seeker or both?
I would say a little bit of both. I usually like tubing mascaras because they’re super easy to take off. The one I’m using right now is the Caliray Come Hell or High Water volumizing and lengthening tubing mascara, and it’s great for volume and length. I do like to use individual lashes too, but just the ones I can put under my lash line instead of on top. It’s so easy to just put a couple on the outer corner of my eyes to help them look more elongated.
Now let’s talk about brows: Tell us about one of your brow goals and your favorite products of all time.
My eyebrows are microbladed, which makes life super easy. I just brush some gel through them and I’m good to go. They’re probably the lowest-maintenance thing on my face. They are fading a little bit, so I’ll have to get them touched up soon, but I’ll just add a little pencil on the tail and call it. It’s really great because my eyebrows don’t sweat off when I play basketball.
Are you a fan of red lipstick?
If I do a red lip, it’s usually a bright red and always with a liner. And I like how a bright-red shade looks on me. I just don’t know why I don’t do it more. I guess I always feel like it will be too much, but I think it looks really good when you’re photographed with red lips. I need to bring the look into my rotation more.
Are there any other fun makeup staples you’re obsessed with?
I have a mole, but it’s not dark, so I love to take the 24/7 pencil in a brown shade and just dot a little bit on top. Makes me feel Marilyn Monroe–ish. I also really like a freckle moment. I wouldn’t do them when I have a full beat on, but when I’m just wearing blush, tinted sunscreen, and mascara, I’ll add some on. The freckles kind of add a natural-looking contour to your nose.
If you could use only one makeup product for an entire day, what would it be?
Probably a lip balm or a concealer? One of those products is probably what I’d choose. I have crazy dark circles.
