WNBA Star A'ja Wilson Swears By This Viral $10 Hair-Strengthening Oil

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

As a WNBA champion, Las Vegas Aces forward A'ja Wilson is used to having all eyes on her. The author, business woman, and three-time MVP is constantly leveling up and making waves in the industry.

And for Wilson, her newest venture—a partnership with Mielle Organics—hits close to home. "My mom would always tell me my hair is my crown—it's the first thing that people see," she tells Women's Health. It could be why Wilson always puts a lot of effort into her hair—but there's a bigger takeaway she hopes to deliver with this ambassadorship. "Sports and beauty can go hand in hand," she says. "I'm so excited because I feel like we're always getting divided as if we can't look beautiful, take care of our hair, and play our sport."

Ahead, read all about Wilson's partnership and the hair-strengthening and growth oil she can't get enough of.

Women's Health: Are there any styling products or tools you've been loving lately?

A'ja Wilson: The Mielle edge control gel is definitely good for me because I sweat a lot. They have great products for my hair texture. My edges stay laid, and that's what I truly care about. I get my hair done right before every home game. My hairstylist is there and she makes sure that my edges are laid, my bob is bobbing, and my ponytail is swinging.

I also need my edge control brush. I feel like it's an underrated styling tool that a lot of people don't use. I have a dual-headed one, and it helps me lay things down. But I think that's huge when it comes to styling hair, particularly the black woman's hair.

WH: What do you use to give your hair a refresh between games and other events?

AW: Mielle has this Rosemary Mint Scalp and Hair Strengthening Oil. I love that oil because I can use it when I have braids, a sew-in, or if I'm just natural. Once I wash my hair and put that oil on, it feels like my hair follicles and scalp are breathing. It just gives this cooling sensation to my scalp, and that's sometimes needed when I sweat a lot.

WH: Do you have any beauty hacks for when you're on the court?

AW: I get my brows microbladed, and I keep a fresh set of lashes on the best I can to make sure I still look like myself on the court. Those are the two things that I rely on to avoid wearing makeup because that's the last thing I want to think about in game. I just make sure I catch sweat before it gets to my lashes and brows.

WH: Do you have any go-to makeup products for your full glam moments?

AW: Rihanna's Fenty Beauty makeup line has definitely been the hot thing in my makeup kit. It has shades for everybody, and it can be hard to get the right shade in general. It doesn't leave my face oily either, so it works for my [skin type] perfectly. I also use Maybelline's Great Lash Mascara—I've worn that since high school.

WH: And what about skincare?

AW: I use Tatcha's Rice Wash to wash my face after I sweat. I have witch hazel pads in my bags, my purse, and in my locker to make sure that I have them on hand. I also love the Thayer rose water spray, and then I top it off with some Aquaphor to put a little shine on my face.

WH: With such a busy schedule, how do you slow things down?

AW: I turn facials and my skincare routine. I'm a skin routine fanatic—I'm waiting to get a mini fridge so I can stick my stuff in it. I like a regular sheet masks, mud masks, and hand and feet peels. Masks put me in situations where I have no choice but to slow down, and I love that because it lets me really dial into myself.

WH: Many female athletes of color are more involved in the beauty space. What's causing a peak in interest there, and why is there still some backlash behind it?

AW: When a Black woman is a blueprint of something, it kind of shakes the table. And I feel like we're in a space where now Black female athletes are not caring about what people might say. We're also partnering with businesses and sponsors that are allowing us to speak our truth, live our truth, and show our truth. People see that, and now brands are hopping on.

We shouldn't have to pick and choose when we want to look a certain way. We can look how we want and still dominate in our respective sports. So now that it's starting to be a trend and people are starting to pour into it, I'm in a happy space.

You Might Also Like

• Jennifer Garner Swears By This Retinol Eye Cream

• These New Kicks Will Help You Smash Your Cross-Training Goals