If you’ve ever wondered how competitive swimmers like Anastasia Pagonis and Lydia Jacoby prep for a race, getting a clean, smooth shave is a vital part of each of their pre-meet routines. “I think that the physical work before swimming goes in the year, the months before the meet,” Jacoby tells CNN Underscored, noting all the work that happens in the pool and the weight room leading up to a competition. “And then those days that you’re at the meet are all about feeling good and feeling confident in that work that you’ve already done, and I feel like a lot of that comes from looking good and feeling good in your skin,” she says. “So shaving is a huge part of my confidence and routine. So, it’s just looking good, feeling good, feeling rested.”
Ahead of this year’s Olympic and Paralympic Games, Jacoby and Pagonis, who will be going for gold at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, partnered with Gillette Venus for its “Power of Smooth” shaving campaign. “I am so excited and honored to be working with Venus. They are a brand that I have truly been using for 10 years, which is amazing. I mean, they’re like the OG to me, at least,” says Pagonis, who adds that it’s an honor to work with a brand that “really wants female empowerment.”
“And I know for me,” she adds, “shaving is something that makes me feel powerful and confident, so I’m so excited to be going into the Paris Paralympics with them, and hopefully, me and my smooth skin will be getting some more gold medals.”
Below, Pagonis and Jacoby share some of the essentials that help them feel and look their best in and out of the pool.
To moisturize her lips, Jacoby uses the Lip Glowy Balm from K-beauty brand Laneige. The balm comes in six flavors and deeply conditions lips, thanks to a nourishing blend of shea and murumuru seed butter. To line her lips, Jacoby reaches for the cult-favorite Charlotte Tilbury Lip Liner in Pillow Talk.???
Pagonis lifts as part of her training regimen and relies on a pair of flat shoes, like her Nike Air Force 1s. The leather sneakers, which are available in men’s and women’s sizes, have flexible heels, so they’re easy to slip on and off, and they feature Nike Air cushioning for all-day comfort.?
“People think that when you're performing at this level, your body is just so healthy, and in some ways, it is,” Jacoby says. “But it's also like you go through some pretty brutal training and that does take a toll on your body. So that recovery is so important.” She adds that when she has knots that are too painful for her to knead with her fingers, she reaches for this Therabody massage gun or a foam roller. Designed to relieve muscle aches and pains, the massage gun has five speeds and four attachments. It’s also Bluetooth-compatible, so it can be used with the Therabody app.?
Pagonis shaves daily with the brand’s ComfortGlide razor, which she says “smells so good,” thanks to the scented moisture bars on either end of the pivoting razor head. When she’s traveling, Pagonis, like Jacoby, packs the brand’s travel-size razor, the Venus Mini, which comes with a travel case and has a five-blade head.?
“My hair also gets really dry in the chlorine, so I use the Native shampoo, conditioner [and] body wash trio,” Jacoby says. The brand’s cruelty-free Moisturizing Shampoo leaves hair shiny and clean and is free of sulfates. It’s also available in four fragrances, including coconut and vanilla, sweet peach and nectar.??
Pagonis, who is partnered with e.l.f., likes to apply waterproof makeup the day of a meet, and this mascara from the brand is what she uses on her lashes. Designed to lift and lengthen, the cruelty-free mascara won’t flake or smudge and has an hourglass-shaped bristle head.??
“And then [for] makeup, I like the natural look,” Jacoby says. “So, I've been using the Merit Beauty products a lot. I really like those.” She shares that the brand’s blush and foundation stick are her favorites. The blush, which is available in nine colors, has a buildable formula and a satin finish.?
This travel-sized perfume spray from Ariana Grande’s perfume line is a go-to for Pagonis, who describes the perfume as her “everyday scent.” The award-winning gourmand fragrance comes in a 0.3-ounce bottle and includes notes of lavender blossom and vanilla orchid.??
“I always have an electrolyte packet with me,” Pagonis says. “Electrolytes are so important, especially as an athlete — always need some electrolytes.” While Pagonis doesn’t stick to just one brand, the watermelon-flavored ones from Liquid I.V. are among her favorites. This pack, which contains 16 of the on-the-go-sticks, can be bought in flavors like Strawberry Lemonade and Cotton Candy too.?
When it comes to activewear, you’ll find The Exercise Dress from Outdoor Voices in Jacoby’s wardrobe. In addition to having adjustable straps, this sweat-wicking dress has built-in shorts with pockets for you to put your belongings in.??
Pagonis likes to sip on an energy drink pre-meet and is a fan of Celsius’ Arctic Vibe variety. The canned drinks contain seven vitamins and minerals and are formulated without sugar. She also adds that she’ll sip on one during shoots or if she’s on set.??
Jacoby singles out this Gucci perfume as being one of her favorites. The floral fragrance, which has notes of Jasmine Absolute and Italian Mandarin, can be worn on its own or layered with another perfume.??
Another favorite of Pagonis, this intoxicating body spray from Sol de Janeiro is available in two sizes — standard and mini — and has key notes of salted caramel, pistachio and vanilla.?
Jacoby says the brand’s Sensitive Smooth Razor is her go-to razor when she’s home. “Being a ginger, I have such sensitive skin,” she says. “I was always the rashy girl when I was little, so that one definitely helps me avoid irritation and just make my skin really smooth.”
This vibrating roller from Hyperice is another wellness essential for Jacoby, who uses it to relieve muscle pains. The Vyper 3 has a battery life of up to two hours and three different vibration speeds. It can also be connected to the Hyperice app via Bluetooth.?
To help herself unwind, Jacoby grabs her wellness journal from Papier, which has undated pages so she can journal whenever she wants to. It also has sections for monthly and weekly check-ins.?
For working out outside the pool, Jacoby wears these Nike Free Metcon 5 sneakers, which she says are great for lifting. Available in men’s and women’s sizes, the sneakers have padded collars for ankle support and wide heels. They’re also available in seven different colors.??
