If you’re a fan of college or professional softball, chances are you’ve seen Michaela Edenfield.
And if you’ve seen Edenfield, you’ve likely noticed one of the elaborate game-day makeup looks that have become a signature throughout her career.
The second-year pro catcher has sported game-day makeup since middle school, when hours spent watching beauty creators on YouTube inspired her to start experimenting with her own looks.
“My mom made me practice a lot because she was always one of those people like, ‘You’re not gonna embarrass me out in public, so you’re gonna practice at home,’” Edenfield laughed. “I’ve been doing it probably since middle school, but high school is when it really picked up for me.”
Years later, makeup has become a part of Edenfield’s life both on and off the field.
It’s an avenue for self-expression and creativity, a piece of her game-day routine and, more recently, a way to connect with the fans who support her.
“My razzle-dazzle routine has not only provided me a space safe for myself, but to be able to share something that’s, you know, not having to do with a yellow ball,” Edenfield said. “A lot of athletes have a hard time personally kind of separating their identity from the person they are in their sport versus outside.”
Edenfield doesn’t want fans to know her only for the viral makeup looks, or even just for what she does on the softball field.
She wants to show them the full picture of life as a professional athlete: the good, the bad, the ugly and, of course, plenty of razzle-dazzle.
Through makeup, Edenfield has found an avenue to connect with fans and talk candidly about her life, career and lessons she has learned along the way. One day, that might mean talking about the mental side of the sport. Another, it might mean sharing the best setting spray to survive the Texas heat.
And after years of putting her makeup to the test underneath a catcher’s mask, Edenfield has learned which products can handle game day.
Here are the products that have earned a spot in her routine from Sephora, the Exclusive Beauty Partner of the AUSL.
Huda Beauty Easy Bake Loose Baking & Setting Powder
For Edenfield, creating a game-day look that lasts starts with the base. Especially when catcher’s gear, sweat and heat are part of the equation.
“The catcher’s gear–it does not help at all,” Edenfield said. “I’m constantly either having a helmet on or a mask on. So, in terms of transfer-proof makeup, I have a pretty good base list now.”
At the top of that list is Huda Beauty’s Easy Bake Loose Baking & Setting Powder.
“I do love miss Huda Beauty for the setting powder,” Edenfield said. “I also love Laura Mercier powder as well, but I’ve kind of been on the Huda Beauty grind, so we’re just gonna rock and roll with her.”
Dior Backstage Concealer
Setting powder can only do so much without the right products underneath it, and Edenfield has learned that a lightweight concealer is key.
“I think a really big thing is concealer,” Edenfield said. “Concealer creases, and when you’re in hot environments, best believe it will find a way.”
Her pick is the Dior Backstage Concealer.
“This is my fancy one. I love using this Dior Backstage,” Edenfield said. “I just think having a good concealer, something thin, lightweight, to allow the powder to actually work for you, versus, like, you just get a bunch of product built up, and then you’re hoping the powder will help set it.”
Tower 28 Swipe Serum Concealer
For those looking for an alternative to the Dior option, Edenfield also recommends Tower 28’s Swipe Serum Concealer.
“For the girls that want a little bit of the same pull-up, I would probably say the Tower 28 is about, like, the same type of formula,” Edenfield said.
Danessa Myricks Beauty Yummy Skin Serum Skin Tint
While Edenfield’s colorful game-day looks may be bold, she actually prefers a lighter base underneath all the razzle-dazzle.
“A lot of people expect me to go full glam,” Edenfield said. “I actually like having more of a serum base.”
That’s where Danessa Myricks Beauty’s Yummy Skin Serum Skin Tint comes in.
“That foundation has a really good wear to it,” Edenfield said. “So I recommend a bunch of Danessa Myricks products to all of my girls as far as complexion and skin.”
DUO Brush-On Lash Adhesive
For Edenfield, lash glue isn’t limited to lashes.
The pearls, gems and other elements that turn her game-day makeup into artwork need to stay put through an entire softball game as well.
“You name it–the DUO lash glue, that’s my girl,” Edenfield said. “I put DUO lash glue underneath all of my pearls. Like, anything that I have stacked upon my face, best believe DUO, or occasionally the Sephora lash glue, will always come in handy as far as making sure those stay hunkered down.”
Make Up For Ever Aqua Resist Waterproof Eyebrow Definer Pencil
Even though all of the color, gems and intricate designs that have become associated with Edenfield’s looks take center stage, she considers a good brow product another essential.
Her pick is the Make Up For Ever Aqua Resist Waterproof Eyebrow Definer Pencil.
“Brow products–that’s probably the highlight right there,” Edenfield said of the pencil.
ONE/SIZE Powder Melt Glass Setting Spray
Playing professional softball also means Edenfield has learned that what works in one environment might not work in another.
That’s especially true at home in Texas, where heat and humidity can put even the best game-day makeup routine to the test.
“If I’m wearing a lot of powder, a lot of Huda Beauty, playing in, like, 100-degree Texas heat, I do like using the ONE/SIZE Powder Melt,” Edenfield said. “That is my girl, especially in times I’m in super, super humid heat.”
More Than Razzle-Dazzle
Edenfield’s tips and tricks aren’t limited to setting sprays, concealers and makeup palettes.
If fans first find her through a game-day makeup tutorial or one of her viral looks, she hopes they stick around long enough to see everything else she has to share.
“The makeup, the razzle-dazzle, gives me a little bit more platform, so I can show that personality,” Edenfield said. “But once people see personality, I also want them to, you know, understand that there are real conversations that I would love to share for someone else’s growth and for their future.”
Those conversations can include the tougher parts of her own story–from being bullied and experiencing grief, to navigating the pressures of being a student-athlete and, now, building a professional career.
“There are plenty of little girls that are on social media right now, following probably their favorite creator, in which they don’t always get told, like, the tough things in life,” Edenfield said. “I really want to be able to share that authenticity, but also to show them that it’s okay to struggle. But within the struggle you find your truest self and your values, and that’s the beauty of it, really.”
Makeup is one part of who Edenfield is. And for the fans who enjoy seeing that side of her, it’s only scratching the surface.
Siera Jones is the digital media reporter at Athletes Unlimited. You can follow her on Instagram and X @sieraajones.
