Clinique teams with rugby star Holly Aitchison to boost girls’ confidence

By Austyn King | Published: 12-Dec-2022

The Estée Lauder-owned brand’s #GameFace campaign will fund grassroots rugby clubs to support girls’ self-esteem

Clinique has teamed up with England rugby star Holly Aitchison to empower girls to be confident in their skin through the power of sport and skin care.

25% of teenagers today are said to suffer from low self-esteem – the majority of which (79%) are girls, according to the brand’s research.

However, 90% said that team sports positively impacted their self-esteem, according to a study by girls charity Ruling Our Experience.

In response, Clinique’s #GameFace campaign aims to boost the impact and awareness of sports – specifically rugby – on girls’ wellbeing by awarding support packages to four grassroots girls’ rugby clubs, which will each receive up to £10,000 worth of support including equipment, education and travel funding.

Six Nations star Aitchison will front the campaign, sharing her own self-esteem journey and the power of both rugby and skin care to make a difference to girls’ confidence across the brand’s social media channels.

“Over the years I’ve really struggled with my skin. I had blemishes everywhere - it had a massive hit on my confidence,” revealed the 25-year-old.

“I wouldn’t take media interviews after games, I would never be seen without make-up.

“Now my skin is clear, I feel much more confident, so I really try to look after it and maintain it with simple products that work for me.”

Beauty on the ball

Women’s sport has been thrust into the spotlight over the last few years, with England’s women’s rugby team claiming the Six Nations title, while football’s Lionesses beat Germany to win the Women’s Euros earlier this year – and beauty brands are taking notice of these powerful role models for a new generation.

Il Makiage teamed up with Arsenal Women for its Focus On My Game Face campaign last month, highlighting the talent and passion of female footballers, while Gillette’s Venus also tapped Arsenal WFC player and England Lioness Lotte Wubben-Moy to promote skin confidence in sport.

Meanwhile, Avon made history this April by scoring a sponsorship deal with Liverpool Ladies Football Club, becoming the first beauty brand to sponsor an FA Women’s Super League club.

You may also like