Sing it with us: “Thunder! (ah-ah, ah-ah-ah).”
As Season 3 of Netflix’s “America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders” premieres today, fans are getting an even closer look at the discipline, glamour and preparation behind one of America’s most iconic squads.
But while the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are known for their polished, camera-ready appearance, the beauty philosophy behind their routine isn’t reserved for women in their 20s.
In an exclusive interview with the New York Post, Charlotte Tilbury (herself!) and Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Faith Ward, Allison Khong and Camille Sturdivant shared the products behind the squad’s signature game-day glam — and why the same skincare-first approach can benefit women at every stage of life.
“I have always believed that formulas should target the appearance of skin and perfect the surface, which is why I am obsessed with infusing skincare into my products,” Tilbury says. “Its performance meets comfort – and it’s why my beauty icons are perfect for everyone, whether they’re 18 or 80.”
That focus on healthy-looking skin, daily SPF and makeup that enhances rather than masks the complexion is what makes the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ routine surprisingly relatable. While the women spend hours dancing under stadium lights and in front of cameras, the core principles of their beauty regimen are ones dermatologists and makeup artists often recommend for everyone: hydrate, protect and choose products that work with your skin.
The Foundation of the ‘America’s Sweethearts’ Look
For Tilbury, every makeup routine starts with skincare. In Season 3, when she makes a surprise appearance to Tangerine Salon for the rookies’ makeovers, she dubs it “the Charlotte touch.”
“The America’s Sweethearts look starts with Magic Cream, my miracle moisturizer and primer in one, which is suitable for all skin types including mature skin,” she says. “My Magic Cream immediately revives the look of skin and helps target the appearance of 10 visible signs of aging.”
The skincare-first philosophy resonates with a squad whose members spend hours under stadium lights, on camera and constantly in motion.
Faith Ward, this season’s rookie candidate who made headlines as the first Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader permitted to wear a ponytail, says performance is non-negotiable.
“As a DCC, I need beauty products that are long-wearing, sweat-resistant, camera-ready and comfortable enough for all-day wear,” she says. “I also prioritize products that support healthy skin, perform well under bright lights and during performances and help me feel confident whether I’m on the field, at an appearance or creating content for my audience.”
Ward brings years of dance and performance experience to the squad. She began dancing at age two and competed as a Level 5 All-Star cheerleader and flyer. Later she spent nearly a year performing professionally as a dancer and showgirl aboard a cruise ship. Last year, she became the first New Zealander to make the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
Her game-day staples include Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Bronzer, Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray and Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder.
The Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Bronzer delivers a natural-looking, sun-kissed glow with a soft-focus finish that blurs the appearance of imperfections. Its lightweight, finely milled formula blends seamlessly into the skin for buildable warmth and a smooth, airbrushed effect.
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray locks your makeup in place with a weightless mist that helps everything look smoother and more perfected. With a subtle glow left after a spritz or two, it keeps your look fresh and just-applied for hours, giving skin that soft-focus, airbrushed finish all day long.
Why SPF Matters at Every Age
One of the biggest takeaways from the cheerleaders’ routine is also one of the simplest: wear sunscreen every day.
“Whatever your age, it is so important to wear SPF every day, which is why I made sure the squad wears my Invisible UV Flawless Poreless Primer,” Tilbury says. “It combines high-level SPF 50 PA++++ protection with the blurring, smoothing and glow-boosting effects of a primer.”
The emphasis on prevention is one lesson that extends far beyond the football field. Whether someone is 25 or 75, protecting skin from daily UV exposure remains one of the most important beauty habits.
The Charlotte Tilbury Invisible UV Flawless Poreless Primer is like a real-life beauty filter in a bottle, instantly blurring the look of pores and creating a smooth, flawless canvas for makeup. With added SPF protection and a lightweight feel, it keeps skin looking fresh, radiant and ready for whatever the day brings.
Products That Can Survive a 10-Hour Game Day
For veteran cheerleader Allison Khong, durability is everything.
“I began dancing at the age of three and received studio training in ballet, modern, jazz, tap, pointe, musical theatre and more,” she says. After serving as captain of her high school drill team and dancing at Texas A&M University on the Aggie Dance Team, Khong is now entering her third training camp as a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader.
Her game-day routine begins with Airbrush Flawless Foundation.
“Gameday is a long, high-energy day filled with lots of dancing, performing and sweating, so I need a foundation that stays put from start to finish,” she says. “Next, I need to have my Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray to lock everything in place and keep my makeup looking fresh all day long.”
She finishes her look with Lip Cheat in Iconic Nude and Pillow Talk Matte Revolution Lipstick.
Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Matte Revolution Lipstick is the iconic nude-pink lipstick that flatters virtually every skin tone, delivering the perfect “your lips but better” look. Its comfortable matte formula glides on effortlessly, leaving lips feeling soft, smooth and beautifully defined from day to night.
“As a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, our beauty products need to be long-wearing, sweat-resistant and reliable enough to last through a full gameday,” Khong says. “That’s why we have absolutely loved working with Charlotte; her products seriously last through a 10-plus-hour gameday while still looking flawless.”
Tilbury says that’s exactly why the cheerleaders gravitate toward her Airbrush Flawless collection.
“The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders need products that work as hard as they do, which is why they’re obsessed with my Airbrush Flawless system,” she says. “Each formula is longwear, light-as-air and infused with skincare, meaning the squad’s complexions look flawless and poreless both on and off the field without feeling heavy, cakey or drying.”
Makeup That Performs — Without Looking Heavy
Camille Sturdivant, who first auditioned for DCC in 2022 before making the team the following year, says its essential to trust in the products she uses.
“I have practically danced as long as I have walked,” she says. After training extensively in ballet, jazz, tap, modern, musical theater and hip-hop, she danced for the University of Missouri Golden Girls, serving as captain her senior year.
Today, her Charlotte Tilbury game-day favorites include Lip Cheat Lip Liner in “Pillow Talk Intense,” Rock ‘n’ Kohl Eye Liner in “Bedroom Black,” Unreal Blush Healthy Glow Stick in “Berry Glow” and the Luxury Palette in “Pillow Talk Dreams”.
Charlotte Tilbury’s Lip Cheat Lip Liner shapes and defines the lips with a smooth, easy glide that makes application feel effortless and precise. It helps enhance lip shape while keeping lipstick neatly in place for a long-lasting, polished finish.
“I love a dramatic smokey-eye that you can see from 100 rows up in AT&T Stadium,” Sturdivant says. Her go-to color is “Bedroom Black.”
She’s equally passionate about blush.
“I have always believed that there is no such thing as too much blush,” she says. “The Unreal Blush Healthy Glow Stick is the most important part of my makeup look because it brings my face to life.”
The Charlotte Tilbury Unreal Blush Healthy Glow Stick gives cheeks a fresh, rosy pop of color with a dewy glow that looks effortlessly radiant. The creamy, easy-to-blend formula melts into the skin for a healthy flush that brightens your complexion in just one swipe.
Like her teammates, longevity is a major factor.
“As someone that runs oily and sweats during a game day, trusting that my products and setting spray will hold me in place is probably the most important quality that I look for in a product,” she says. “My Charlotte Tilbury products deliver.”
Tilbury points to Airbrush Flawless Blur Concealer as another example of performance-driven beauty that benefits everyone, not just professional cheerleaders.
“Its elastic-stretch formula moves with the skin rather than settling in fine lines and is crease-proof for up to 24 hours,” she says. “Its potent blend of Phytoyouth Essence, hyaluronic acid and squalane reduces the look of fine lines, wrinkles and pigmentation for your best skin day, every day.”
The Cheerleader Beauty Secret Anyone Can Follow
While few people face the demands of performing before 80,000 fans, the principles behind the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ beauty routine are surprisingly universal: prioritize skincare, never skip SPF and choose products that work with your skin rather than against it.
For Tilbury, that’s the beauty philosophy that transcends age.
Whether you’re preparing for a football game, a work presentation or simply another busy day, she says her products are designed to deliver confidence, comfort and performance.
And, as she puts it, they’re “perfect for everyone, whether they’re 18 or 80.”
This article was written by Victoria McDonnell, New York Post Commerce Journalist & Content Strategist, who has spent countless hours researching, testing hundreds of products and comparing the latest makeup, skincare, hair and beauty items and trends to determine what’s truly worth your hard-earned cash. She evaluates formulas, textures, ingredients and more, in addition to consulting medical and industry experts. Some of Victoria’s latest conquests include testing the best sheet masks on the market, and a rinse-and-repeat review of the best shampoos for all hair types and budgets. Victoria, who received a beauty industry essentials certification from the Fashion Institute of Technology, has been creating shopping guides for the New York Post since 2021 and previously held positions at Insider Reviews and CNN Underscored.