It’s WNBA Draft night in New York City, and No. 8 overall pick Flau’jae Johnson arrived on the orange carpet in a mermaid silhouette cutout gown, accessorizing the look with a fuzzy black shawl and sparkly Judith Leiber clutch. She kept her glam soft with a pop of purple eye shadow, and her hair down and straightened.
The look is exactly what she envisioned when we spoke last week before her fitting, telling her stylist, Elly Karamoh, the goal was a The-Met-Gala-meets-the-WNBA-Draft look. “You really only get drafted one time. Your draft fit is very important,” she shared, before landing on the description: “Elevated elegance.” For the night, she tapped Shafon Moore for makeup and Karjah Carter for hair.
The soon-to-be-graduated 22-year-old guard out of Louisiana State University (LSU) isn’t just a star on the court—though it should be noted she was named the 2023 SEC Freshman of the Year, a two-time First Team All-SEC selection, and a national championship winner—but also in the worlds of pop culture and beauty. She’s a recording artist and rapper (her new song “Woah” is coming soon), a philanthropist, and a bona fide fashion and beauty lover, known for her long, black, curly hair and natural glam on and off the court.
Johnson credits her mom and longtime manager, Kia Brooks, with her unwavering self-belief. “My mom was the first person to really instill that confidence in me, tell me I was beautiful, tell me that I could do anything that I wanted to do, and so I believed it,” Johnson said, adding that finding herself was what she loved most about her time at LSU. “I think just the growth of my confidence has become something that’s unshakeable,” she added.
That confidence has paid out in spades: She has almost 4 million followers across Instagram and TikTok, and more recently, an E.L.F. Beauty contract to show for it. To stay grounded through it all, Johnson says she started journaling. “I’m always jotting down notes because my mind is spinning,” she says, adding that she starts by reflecting on her plans for the day, then lets everything flow from there. “Every page is different.”
She also practices meditation and uses the 6-1-7 breathing exercise (which involves breathing in for six seconds, holding it for one, and breathing out for seven) to help calm her nerves.
When we spoke, Johnson hadn’t finalized the night’s outfit, but had some guidelines: It had to be neutral (“You don’t know where you’re getting drafted and you’re going to have to hold up the jersey and look cute”), have a silhouette that complemented her shoulders, and include minimal jewelry.
She did, however, have a very clear plan for her makeup. “The glam is always soft and natural,” she said, emphasizing that she wants to let her features—especially her eyes—shine. It’s a beauty philosophy that extends perfectly to her partnership with E.L.F. as one of the brand’s “empowered legendary females,” as well as her gameday rituals.
Johnson said she believes that to play well, “You have to look good, and you have to feel good.” She’s also superstitious about her pregame routine. “First, I have to wear a headband,” she said. Next comes an “easy” glam routine, which includes a few steps (eyebrow pencil, mascara, foundation, blush, and lip oil). Lock it all in with E.L.F.’s Power Grip Dewy Setting Spray, followed by more meditation, and it’s go time.
Throughout the evening, Johnson soaked in the atmosphere with her family and team. And don’t be surprised if you spotted her E.L.F. Glow Reviver Lip Oil in Crystal Clear, too,—a non-negotiable for her look tonight. “I’ll take my clear gloss everywhere with me. If it’s not in my pocket, somebody has it,” she said. Luckily, it’s small enough to fit in the night’s clutch handbag.
Though she described herself as a bit of a “Draft-zilla,” her goal was to be present. “I’m trying to keep it light, but I’m going to have to take a break in my room to kind of gaze at the city and really just [breathe], like I’m about to get drafted. My life is about to change.”
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