Rugby star Holly Aitchison's struggle - 'Why I spend 2 hours on make-up before a game'

Holly Aitchison, 27, the so-called ‘cool girl’ of the squad (“I want to know who started that rumour,” she laughs), has not only been a key player since 2021, helping the team secure multiple Six Nations titles, but is also a former Olympian with Team GB 7s at Tokyo.

Speaking of her rituals before a big game, she says: "I love a face mask, a nice bubble bath with candles and, on the morning of the game, I give myself two hours to do my full make-up. It’s important to me as I feel better, so I play better. I’m sick of people asking me why – I’m so bored of that question. My answer is, ‘Why not?’”

Holly is open about her struggles with acne. She says: "My skin journey gave me a lot of anxiety. I had bad acne from 16 until 20.

"I wouldn’t go out of my room. I’ve struggled with anxiety in general my whole life, but rugby is where I feel super-confident. It’s my absolute safe place."

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