This is not a review, but if it were to be one, I would first mention that I am an absolute admirer of brand related collaborations that are often a little too unexpected. Nothing elicits a highted level of excitement out of me like a niche brand, of global or national standing, partnering up with a women’s sports team, be it soccer, cricket, rugby, Netball, or basketball to name a few.
One such a case, is the announcement by Matta where Clinique has proudly become the official beauty partner of the Red Roses (England Rugby), which marks a groundbreaking partnership ahead of a landmark summer in women’s sport.
This collaboration was brought to life through a strategic platform developed by the team behind the campaign: Where Great Looking Skin Begins, Confidence Follows. At the core of this platform is the belief that confidence is the powerful intersection between sport and beauty. For elite athletes, skincare extends beyond cosmetics, it’s truly an integral part of physical and mental preparation, and I genuinely love it when brands, through strategic agencies like Matta, see the vision and align.
A consistent skincare routine, much like structured nutrition, physiotherapy, and recovery, helps athletes feel their best and stay ready to perform, on and off the pitch.
What I didn’t know until returning to blogging again is that this partnership also builds on Clinique’s broader mission to inspire confidence in women at every level. It represents an evolution of GameFace, the grassroots initiative launched with Clinique in 2022, which provides young women in rugby with funding, education, and skincare essentials. An initiative worth celebrating.
Where Great Looking Skin Begins, Confidence Follows features:
- A strategic platform and creative direction
- Ambassador-led content and social storytelling
- Player-led skincare education
- 1:1 personalised skincare consultations for players
- Visible matchday presence in the lead-up to a landmark summer
“We’re thrilled to be working with Clinique once again to give athletes the confidence they need – and in turn inspire others. It’s an example of how beauty brands can show up authentically and meaningfully in sport.” – Matta
The agency also extended a thank you note to the following people : Karen Ehrlich, Jonathan Parsons, Ashleigh McMorran, Bosco Chiu, Chloe Watson, Amelia O’Rorke, Will Harris, Phoebe Tomlinson and Khadie F. for working on bringing this to life.
