The W in Designer ’24: Makeup Artist Heather Bates Creates Signature Glam for Athletes

From the 2024 Draft to All-Star Weekend, beauty brands have an increased presence in the WNBA space. The league is buzzing with multiyear partnerships and increased endorsements for individual players, creating more hiring opportunities for professional makeup artists.

Based in Las Vegas, makeup artist Heather Bates uses her “less is more” approach to enhance an impressive client roster like Kelsey Plum, Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, Alysha Clark, Candace Parker, and more. Bates notes that the players “have always utilized makeup artists, but with the league’s new spotlight, it’s shown more.” Traveling to All-Star Weekend for her clients, Bates creates (and recreates) signature looks for her athletes, which are seen on Media Day, commercials, and events like when the Aces visited the White House.

While Bates played basketball her entire life, it was never in a professional sense– it’s a full circle moment for her to “do what [she loves] in a world that [she loves.]” Running through her glam schedule at All-Star Weekend, Banks explains the ‘KP signature glam’ and different makeup moments during the season.

Kirsten Chen: Who was your first client from the WNBA?

Heather Bates: My first WNBA client was Dearica Hamby. I got hired to do makeup for a podcaster, and she was interviewing Dearica. I touched up Dearica’s makeup, and we hit it off from there.

Chelsea Gray and her wife Tipesa Moorer showing off glam by Heather Bates

Kirsten Chen: How is working with WNBA players different from working with other celebrity clients?

HB: The difference between my WNBA clients and other celebrity clients is the style of glam: less is more with my WNBA clients. They love glam and each have their own style. But, with my athletes, I do more of a ‘no makeup makeup’ versus glam for being on stage or dramatic glam.

Jackie Young with Heather Bates on the Orange Carpet at All-Star