Masai Russell Has Her Eyes Set on Making History
Masai Russell Is Among the Fastest Hurdlers in America — Now, She's Coming For the World Record
Masai Russell is a powerhouse on the track. At just 26 years old, she's an Olympic gold medalist, holds the NCAA 100-meter hurdle record, already broke the US record, and is set to break the world record soon enough. At the end of May, Russell ran the 100-meter hurdle at 12.14 seconds, the second fastest of all time. "I knew that I still had a lot more in the tank, still had a lot more to give, and I know that the world record will be coming sometime in the near future," Russell tells Popsugar while reflecting on the moment.
She carries herself with the kind of confidence most of us dream of. She knows who she is and what she's meant to do. But it's a kind of self-assurance that's built over time, through resilience, hard work, and dedication. It's what led Russell from her devastating fall at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest to clinching an Olympic gold medal the following year.
"I want it to be known that I am a force to be reckoned with. I am someone that is not going to play when I get to the line."
The key for Russell: a laser-focus and unwavering makeup routine. Seriously. That's why she operates on a "no new friends" mindset. "I want it to be known that I am a force to be reckoned with. I am someone that is not going to play when I get to the line. I'm not your friend, specifically if we have only competed against each other." If she was already friends with a runner off the track, then that rule doesn't apply.
Take her close relationship with fellow pro-athlete Tara Davis-Woodhall. The two have trained together over the years and continue to build each other up over the wins and losses. "If I've known you before competition . . . it doesn't matter what the result is. At the end of the day, Tara will always be my one of my best friends, my sister, and I'm gonna be supporting her," Russell says.
As for the makeup routine, it allows Russell to channel a sort of alter ego. When you see her running on the track, the first thing you notice — other than her speed — is her face. Her makeup appears untouched — never creased, even after she's crossed the finish line. "If you see me on the track, the blush is banging. That's the main part of my routine," Russell says. The other must-haves: eyebrows and blush. For those of you who want the full breakdown, we asked and she answered.
Masai Russell's Meet-Day Hair and Makeup Must-Haves:
- Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer
- Armani Beauty Cheek Tint
- Mac bronzer
- Fenty Beauty Diamond Bomb All-Over Diamond Veil
- Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray
- One/Size On 'Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray
- Got2b Glued Blasting Freeze Spray
- Edge Booster Edge Control
- Pattern Beauty Styling Creams
- Eco Style Olive Oil Styling Gel
But if you follow the Gen Z athlete on social media, you'll see she's multi-faceted, working overtime as a beauty, lifestyle, and fashion influencer. The latter shines through in her role as a Nike athlete. This past weekend at the Prefontaine Classic, Russell debuted the brand's Radical AirFlow jacket, a one-of-one creation inspired by her personality, style, and competitive mindset. When it comes to her reach, Russell says the possibilities are endless and she wants other young girls in sport to feel the same.
"The biggest thing that I want to display through my content is, you can do it too. It doesn't matter how you look, it doesn't matter how big, how tall, how small. It doesn't matter. If you believe that you can do anything, you can do whatever you put your mind to."
Alexis Jones is the section lead of the health and fitness verticals at Popsugar, overseeing coverage across the website, social media, and newsletters. In her seven-plus years of editorial experience, Alexis has developed passions for and expertise in mental health, women's health and fitness, racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare, and chronic conditions. Prior to joining PS, she was the senior editor at Health magazine. Her other bylines can be found at Women's Health, Prevention, Marie Claire, and more.
