NYX Professional Makeup Teams Up with College Basketball Star Lauren Betts
There’s a new kind of beauty ambassador on the scene, and she’s just as comfortable sinking a buzzer-beater as she is perfecting her brow game.
NYX Professional Makeup has announced a partnership with Lauren Betts, the college basketball standout who just wrapped up a season earning both Conference Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors. And here’s the thing that makes it interesting: this is Betts’ first-ever beauty deal.
More Than a Game
The collaboration makes Betts the newest face of the brand’s “Make Them Look” campaign, which has quietly become one of the more thoughtful initiatives in beauty right now. While plenty of brands talk about supporting women, NYX has been putting real weight behind female athletes—first with basketball star Juju Watkins in 2024, then soccer sisters Gisele and Alyssa Thompson in 2025, and even a partnership with Angel City Football Club.
Betts is the natural next addition to that roster.
“I’ve learned that strength and beauty aren’t separate—they exist together,” Betts said in announcing the partnership. “Basketball is where I compete and push my limits, but beauty is another way I express who I am off the court. I hope seeing someone like me represented in the beauty space inspires other girls to embrace everything that makes them different.”
The Campaign, Up Close
So what does a partnership between a beauty brand and a basketball star actually look like? In this case, fans can expect to see Betts across NYX’s social and digital platforms, but the brand is also cooking up something a little more interactive.
They’re inviting fans, athletes, and students to participate in a community-focused event that blends Betts’ two worlds. Think on-court coaching sessions mixed with professional guidance—and yes, a little beauty talk too. Betts will be sharing some of her NYX favorites along the way, including The Brow Glue Crazy Lift, Butter Gloss, and Epic Inky Stix.
Why It Works
There’s something genuinely refreshing about watching this space evolve. For a long time, female athletes were either marketed to in very narrow ways or left out of the beauty conversation entirely. NYX has been quietly flipping that script, treating athletes not as novelty ambassadors but as natural fits for a brand built on self-expression.
Betts, for her part, embodies that ethos. She’s dominant on the court, sure, but the partnership works because she also happens to be a 20-year-old who, like anyone else, has opinions about lip gloss and brow gel. The message lands because it’s true: you can be fierce and competitive and also care about how you look. They’re not mutually exclusive.
As Diana Valdez, VP of Brand and Consumer Experience at NYX, put it: “Lauren is incredible on the court, but what really stands out is how she shows up as herself—confident, authentic and very in the moment.”
For anyone who grew up being told they had to pick one lane—athlete or girly girl, serious competitor or someone who enjoys makeup—this one’s for you. The message from NYX and Betts is clear: you don’t have to choose.
L’Oréal Paris Steps Into the Runway Spotlight with “The Devil Wears Prada 2” Collaboration
Can you hear that? It’s the faint clack of Manolo Blahniks on marble floors and the rustle of designer samples—because the world of Runway magazine is officially back, and this time it’s bringing beauty along for the ride.
L’Oréal Paris has teamed up with 20th Century Studios for the highly anticipated The Devil Wears Prada 2, and honestly? It’s the collaboration we didn’t know we needed. The beauty brand debuted a custom commercial during Oscars night that feels less like an ad and more like a mini-movie—a stylish love letter to the iconic franchise that defined fashion for a generation.
A Runway Mix-Up
The spot, created by Maximum Effort (the creative minds behind, well, a lot of Ryan Reynolds’ best work), drops viewers right back into the sleek, intimidating offices of Runway magazine. The premise is pure fun: Kendall Jenner, looking effortlessly chic (as she does), is mistaken for a candidate vying for Miranda Priestly’s new assistant position. Chaos—and plenty of glamour—ensues.
Joining her is Simone Ashley, who plays Amari, one of Miranda’s latest assistants in the upcoming film. The two L’Oréal Paris ambassadors navigate the high-stakes world of fashion with the kind of poise that would make even Emily Charlton crack a smile.
For Jenner, stepping onto that iconic set was a full-circle moment. “Spending the day at the Runway office was honestly so much fun,” she said. “I got to live my dream walking past that iconic reception, and what made it even more special was getting to experience it alongside my L’Oréal Paris family.”
Ashley, whose role in the sequel has already generated serious buzz, echoed the sentiment. “Working on this film has been a true career highlight,” she shared. “Bringing it further to life with this spot has been so much fun.”
More Than a Commercial
What’s interesting here is how seamlessly L’Oréal Paris fits into the Devil Wears Prada universe. The brand has always positioned itself at the intersection of accessible luxury and high fashion—the same space Runway magazine occupies in the cultural imagination. It’s a natural fit.
But the collaboration doesn’t end with the Oscars spot. L’Oréal Paris has plans for a series of creative activations rolling out alongside the film’s theatrical release. Think of it as a celebration of everything the franchise represents: confidence, ambition, and the kind of glamour that feels both aspirational and within reach.
What to Watch For
The Devil Wears Prada 2 hits theaters May 1, and if the early buzz is any indication, it’s going to be an event. The original cast—Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci—are all back, joined by newcomers like Justin Theroux, Lucy Liu, and Kenneth Branagh. Tracie Thoms and Tibor Feldman also reprise their roles from the first film, giving fans plenty of nostalgic moments to look forward to.
As for the L’Oréal Paris connection? Keep an eye on social media and your favorite beauty counters in the coming weeks. If the Oscars spot is any indication, this partnership is going to be as polished and perfectly accessorized as a Runway photo spread.
After all, as Miranda Priestly herself might say, “Everyone wants to be us.”
Sally Beauty Launches COLORfest, a Month-Long Celebration of Self-Expression Through Hair and Nail Color
There’s something undeniably empowering about changing your color. Whether it’s a bold new hair hue or a fresh manicure that makes you smile every time you glance down, color has a way of shifting how we feel about ourselves. Sally Beauty gets that—and they’re throwing a whole party around it.
Introducing COLORfest, a month-long celebration of hair and nail color rolling out across Sally Beauty stores nationwide and online. The campaign kicks off with an immersive pop-up experience in Los Angeles, and honestly? It sounds like the kind of thing you’ll want to put on your calendar.
A Playground for Color Lovers
On Saturday, March 14, The Grove in LA is turning into a beauty lover’s dream from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. PST. The free-to-attend event invites anyone curious about color—whether you’re a seasoned pro or someone who’s been eyeing that vibrant pink but hasn’t taken the plunge—to come experiment, learn, and play.
Here’s how it works: guests can start with a personalized color analysis to discover their “color season.” (Think of it as a cheat sheet for which shades make you glow.) From there, Sally Experts—including Gregory Patterson, Monae Everett, and Juli Russell—will be on hand for tailored consultations, helping match attendees with the perfect hair and nail shades.
Want to really commit to the moment? There will be glam services on site, including glitter spray from Eva NYC, tinsel applications, and temporary hair color from Strawberry Leopard. It’s the kind of low-stakes experimentation that lets you try something bold without the long-term commitment.
Oh, and the first 200 attendees will leave with a curated product assortment valued at $100. Not bad for a Saturday outing.
More Than Just Products
What makes COLORfest feel different is the emphasis on education and community. Sally Beauty has been a trusted destination for professional-quality products for over six decades, but this event is about something deeper: giving people the confidence to experiment on their own terms.
The brands featured read like a who’s who of color favorites, including The COLORfest event will spotlight Sally Beauty-exclusive brands and leading national favorites across hair color, hair care and nails, including: Arctic Fox, Good Dye Young, ion, Iroiro, Manic Panic, Strawberry Leopard, Wella, ASP, Beauty Secrets, Dashing Diva, Nailboo, Biotera, bondbar, and Eva NYC. Nail lovers aren’t forgotten either, with ASP, Beauty Secrets, Dashing Diva, and Nailboo in the mix.
But beyond the products, there’s a genuine effort to demystify the process. Sally Beauty offers free hair color advice through Licensed Colorists onDemand year-round, and events like this bring that expertise into the real world. It’s about showing people that professional-quality results aren’t out of reach—they just need the right guidance and a little courage.
A New Chapter for Sally Beauty
For Chris Kobus, Chief Marketing Officer at Sally Beauty, COLORfest represents something bigger than a single event. “We’re focused on creating meaningful moments that make color more approachable, more inspiring, and more connected to how today’s consumers want to learn and shop in-store,” he shared.
The plan is to make COLORfest a recurring moment, happening twice a year going forward. It’s part of a broader evolution for the brand, one that blends its trusted legacy with a fresh, community-focused approach to beauty retail.
Can’t Make It to LA?
No worries—the COLORfest celebration extends to Sally Beauty stores nationwide and online at SallyBeauty.com. Think exclusive offers, educational resources, and plenty of inspiration to fuel your next color adventure.
Whether you’re ready to go full rainbow or just curious about a slightly richer brunette, COLORfest is here to remind you that color is for everyone. And honestly? That’s something worth celebrating.
For more information and to check out upcoming events, visit SallyBeauty.com/Events.
