Sha’Carri Richardson’s Nail Artist Kinaya Haug on Olympics 2024

Truth: All eyes are on Sha’Carri Richardson when she hits the observe—and for good cause. Not solely is she the quickest girl on the earth, positive to entertain as quickly because the beginning gun goes off, however Richardson’s type (specifically her always-laid hair, full lashes, and flashy nails) makes her one of the fascinating runners to observe in each competitors. Richardson will make her 2024 Olympic debut representing the USA on August 2 in Paris within the preliminary spherical of the ladies’s 100-meter run. And earlier than she hits the world’s greatest observe, I bought to take a seat down with Richardson’s nail artist, Kinaya Haug who gave me a behind-the-scenes take a look at how she comes up with intricate designs for the sprinting celebrity.

Typically in comparison with the late observe star legend Florence Griffith Joyner (affectionately generally known as Flo-Jo), Richardson proves that being an elite athlete doesn’t suggest sacrificing type. Flo-Jo, one of many quickest ladies ever, can be identified for her prolonged acrylic nails, and lots of credit score the athlete for a number of the nail developments you see right this moment. Richardson and Haug nevertheless, are forging a brand new era of artwork for athletes and their followers to get inspo from for years to return.

Haug bought her first large break creating Richardson’s nails for the Nike Prefontaine Basic in 2023. It is a stepping-stone occasion towards Olympic trials, and Haug was offered with a chance to create and help the observe star with a show-stopping set. Richardson had two units of nails, one among which was made by Haug. Haug’s nails weren’t the ultimate decide this primary time round, however she took the possibility to use Richardson’s closing decide to get her foot within the door. “I used to be a bit of disillusioned, however I bought to place the press-ons on her, which was wonderful,” Haug says. “I bought the chance, which was greater than sufficient for me.”

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Quick ahead to the 2024 Olympic Trials; this time, it was Haug time to shine. Not solely was she employed to create three totally different nail units for Richardson, however Haug was additionally employed by Nike to host a nail bar for all competing athletes to get race-day nails, additional proving that magnificence prep nonetheless has a strong half in an athlete’s pre-competition routine. “Once I’m working with folks that actually respect my artwork, it makes me really feel glorious,” Haug says.

For Haug, working with Richardson is not solely a large profession spotlight, but in addition a cultural one: “Nails are deeply rooted in Black historical past, and Black ladies are the pillars for creating all of those totally different nail developments and kinds,” she says. Now, Haug and Richardson, two extremely proficient Black ladies in their very own rights, get to create developments collectively.

Make no mistake, although—when you are tasked with designing nails for one of many biggest runners on the planet, the strain is on. Haug was solely given two pointers by Richardson: She wished her nails to be further lengthy and never darkish colours. The remainder was as much as Haug to make use of her inventive liberties and make a design that might pop on the observe. “I went to the craft retailer and acquired all these totally different provides,” she says. “I knew I wanted one thing new, a very totally different vibe. I used to be grabbing a bunch of stuff.”

Seven hours after her journey to the shop, Haug completed a set of press-on nails she was pleased with at 2 a.m. They featured flashy ornaments of angel wings, gold crosses, and gem stones. This primary set of additional lengthy press-ons fulfilled Richardson’s needs, possibly even too a lot. The athlete had hassle tying her spikes and was photographed with an untied shoelace on the end line, which Haug tells me was due to her further lengthy suggestions. Nonetheless, an untied shoe was no trouble for Richardson, who nonetheless positioned first in her warmth for prelims.

“The subsequent day, she got here in and mentioned, ‘I like the nails you made. I simply want them to be a bit of shorter,'” Haug tells me. She returned to her studio to make two extra nail units for Richardson for the semi-finals and finals. Every set was made with a special perspective for each spherical of competitors—from daring and colourful to smooth and chic. Haug utilized white lace with gold accents utilizing chrome nail polish, ornaments, rhinestones, and pearls. “I attempted to be totally different and supply one thing distinctive from what anybody else has performed for her,” she says. The time and creativity it takes to carry nails like this to life are one factor, however for a glance as distinctive and daring as Richardson’s, they’re going to price about $300, Haug says.

Nevertheless, the true win is working with elite athletes (like Richardson) who mix artwork and creativity into the game. “She’s very welcoming and very candy,” Haug says of her Olympian consumer. “I like to work together with her. I like her creativity and what she stands for.” Having Richardson as a consumer is excessive reward, however that is removed from the top of Haug’s objective checklist. “The massive objective is to be one of many main nail techs that Olympians can go to,” she says. “To have the ability to categorical artwork, significantly for Black ladies, in these areas the place their well being and wonder are prioritized is the place I belong.”

Richardson and Haug’s partnership is one other large indicator that you could count on many extra athletes to be loud and proud about their magnificence routines and the optimistic impacts it has on their efficiency: USA Ruby participant Ilona Maher launched an athlete-focused skin-care line days earlier than leaving for Paris, and USA gymnast Suni Lee lately additionally raved about the pharmacy setting spray she makes use of to compete. All in all, it is proof that magnificence (be it hair, make-up, or flashy nails) has a place in sports activities and we’re right here for it. 

You possibly can catch Richardson and her dazzling nails when she competes within the ladies’s 100-meter prelims on August 2. NBCUniversal is the official U.S. broadcaster for the Paris 2024 Summer season Olympics, however you can too watch on Peacock, NBCOlympics.com, NBC.com, USA Community, CNBC, and E! You may as well comply with alongside Nicely+Good’s ongoing Olympic protection with our Summer season of Champions sequence.