Clinique named first Beauty Partner of Red Roses as beauty and sport collaborations rise

Clinique has become the first-ever beauty partner of the Red Roses, England’s women’s rugby team - becoming the latest brand to unite the worlds of beauty and sport.

Under the new partnership - and in recognition of the importance of skincare for elite athletes - Clinique will provide the Red Roses with one-on-one consultations with expert advisors, trained in collaboration with dermatologists.

As part of this, each player on the team will receive a personalised routine - from skincare to makeup - designed to support their individual needs on and off the field.

The partnership builds on the success of GameFace - Clinique’s grassroots initiative launched in 2022 and expanded through Premiership Women’s Rugby last season.

This initiative features ambassador-led content and social storytelling, with a focus on player-driven skincare education and a visible presence on matchdays.

Red Roses star and GameFace ambassador Holly Aitchison, said: "Clinique is such a refreshing brand. It really cares about the people it works with and is so knowledgeable on what products suit each individual.

"To have its support as our Official Beauty Partner means a lot to us as Red Roses and we know we’ll be well supported by the brand in what is an exciting few months ahead."

Karen Ehrlich, VP/GM of Skincare at The Estée Lauder Companies UK & Ireland, added: "At Clinique, confidence has always been at our core. For over 50 years, we’ve been helping young women feel good in their skin.

"Partnering with the Red Roses allows us to scale our mission with purpose, supporting elite athletes in the same way we support grassroots players. This partnership is about more than skincare – it’s about giving athletes the confidence they need, and helping them to inspire other women."

Clinique's support of women’s rugby reflects a growing cultural relevance and represents a broader cultural shift where skincare, sport, and confidence collide.

In fact, according to a new 'Women’s Sport Trust' report, brands involved in women’s sport often see stronger emotional connection, increased brand affinity, and greater long-term consumer loyalty compared to traditional sponsorships.

With 72% of consumers also stating that athlete mental health should be a priority in sponsorships, and 68% emphasising the importance of long-term investment, these metrics highlight a growing consumer expectation for brands to engage meaningfully in women’s sport.

Clinique is just one of a number of beauty and personal care brands demonstrating this deeper, long-term commitment.

British skincare brand Elemis aims to promote inclusivity within the world of Formula 1, which has recently seen a shift in fan demographic. Similarly, Charlotte Tilbury entered its first-ever global sports sponsorship last year, becoming the first beauty brand to sponsor F1 ACADEMY.

Elsewhere, indu introduced a new Teen Athlete Sponsorship Programme earlier this year, helping to empower young sports stars and promote active teen lifestyles. Meanwhile, razor brand Venus has previously launched campaigns to help women feel more confident during exercise.