As women’s sport continues to rise, conversations around representation, identity and wellbeing are increasingly important – both on and off the pitch. Last year, during British Beauty Week, Tatyana Heard was announced as the first Sport Ambassador for the British Beauty Council, highlighting the evolving relationship between beauty and sport.
As an England rugby union player, Heard understands first-hand the importance of confidence, routine and feeling empowered to be authentically yourself, while performing at the highest level.
We spoke to Heard about game-day rituals, representation in sport, wellness and why awareness is the first step towards achieving true hair equity. Her perspective sheds light on how the beauty industry can better support athletes at every level.
Why hair equity matters in women’s sport
“As a professional athlete, the most important thing is performing at your best,” Heard says. “Within the sports industry, it’s easy to forget that appearance matters to a lot of athletes.”
Hair maintenance has often presented unique challenges for athletes, particularly within elite sporting environments where routines and preparation are so important. “From a young age I always made sure I could do my own hair in preparation for matches. For me, I struggled most with trusting that I could rely on other people when it came to my hair.”
Within elite sport, minimising distractions is essential, and Heard explains that she wanted complete control over every aspect of her preparation. “I never wanted to let anything affect my preparation which is why I made sure I could rely on myself.”
Over time, however, she has become more comfortable advocating for her needs and trusting professionals with her haircare. “More recently, I’ve felt that I can rely on others. A company called Braid Maidens comes into camp now on a game day and they always make sure my hair is perfect heading into a match.”
As conversations around inclusivity in sport continue to grow, Heard believes hair equity is an essential part of creating supportive environments for athletes from all backgrounds. She highlights how additional stress caused by a lack of inclusivity can impact athletes unnecessarily. “Additional stress shouldn’t come as a result of being a minority and a lot can still be done to make sure that sporting environments are inclusive to all.”
With women’s rugby attracting increasing participation and visibility, Heard hopes the sport can continue evolving into a space where athletes feel empowered to fully embrace their identities. “I feel strongly about hair equity because as women’s sport grows, particularly women’s rugby, we want to be a sport that welcomes different cultures and allows people to be authentically themselves.”
Visibility and representation
Representation continues to play a powerful role in inspiring the next generation of athletes, something Heard understands deeply from her own experiences. “Growing up, I always wanted to blend in. Rugby wasn’t a sport that was easily accessible so I never saw role models that looked like me within my sport.”
Today, Heard embraces the opportunity to inspire younger players who see themselves reflected in her success.“Now I love being different. I absolutely love hearing about little girls that are inspired by me because they have a role model that looks like them. Visibility is so important, especially in sports that are on the rise and have so much potential for growth.”
Heard believes brands have an important role to play in driving awareness and creating meaningful change within sport. “I feel this is a bit of a chicken and egg situation,” she explains. “Now is a great opportunity for brands to help continue the conversation, because awareness is the first step to achieving hair equity.”
Feeling match ready
While every fixture may carry different significance, Heard’s self-care routine remains consistent.“ My routine rarely changes, regardless of the significance of each game,” she says. “I like to prepare to feel and look good when I’m performing because it makes me confident heading into games.”
Recovery remains a key focus, alongside the small rituals that help her feel relaxed and grounded before competing. “I also like to make sure my nails and hair are done,” she explains. “I love to make sure my curls are at their best for a game day, so wash day always comes the night before a game which is a staple to my routine.”
Championing the connection between beauty and sport
“To me, beauty is feeling empowered to be authentically yourself, and expressing yourself in whatever way gives you the most confidence. Giving myself that time to prioritise myself makes me feel fresh and energised.”
During particularly intense periods of training and competition, she also incorporates wellness treatments to support both physical and mental recovery. “I like to add in a facial to give myself time to decompress and switch off from the everyday demands of sport.”
As the British Beauty Council’s first Sport Ambassador, Heard hopes to continue challenging outdated perceptions surrounding beauty and athleticism. “Women’s sport is on the rise, and the link between sport and beauty is evolving and growing,” she says. “It’s a common misconception that beauty and sport don’t go hand in hand, but we’ve seen over recent years that they truly can.”
“I feel a lot can be done in collaboration to bring more awareness to what elite athletes need to thrive within the world of beauty and sport. And there are already so many incredible athletes that promote beauty brands which support positive lifestyles.”
She is excited to see how the connection between sport and beauty continues to grow.
Prioritising UV safety in outdoor sport
Alongside performance, representation and wellbeing, Heard is also an advocate for greater awareness of UV protection in sport. For athletes spending hours training and competing outdoors, Heard believes UV protection deserves far greater attention.
“I think so much more can be done to promote the importance of UV safety, especially within outdoor sports,” she says. “I don’t feel that enough people truly understand the value of a good SPF. I always include an SPF in my daily routine,” she explains.
As women’s sport continues to evolve, athletes like Heard are helping to redefine what confidence, beauty and inclusivity look like within elite performance environments — proving that feeling empowered, represented and supported can play a vital role both on and off the pitch.
