The past couple of years have been filled with many milestones for Matildas star, Mary Fowler. From competing in the FIFA Women’s World Cup on home soil and winning the hearts of the nation to signing with Manchester City and, most recently, being announced as a L’Oréal Paris brand ambassador—the first ever female athlete to be signed by the brand—Fowler has the world at her fingertips. Having started her football career as a child, the Cairns-born athlete has fast secured her spot as one of Australia’s most loved sporting personalities. An inspiration to young girls everywhere, Fowler’s strength, grit and talent is what has the whole nation captivated. Now calling Manchester home, Fowler is paving the way for women everywhere to embrace their authenticity and individuality—one pair of black gloves at a time. 

At just 21-years-old, Fowler embodies what it means to be fearless and has now joined the likes of Kendall Jenner, Kate Winslet and Eva Longoria as a L’Oréal Brand Ambassador. So, naturally, we had to ask her about all things beauty and owning your self worth.

Gritty Pretty (GP): Hi Mary! We’re so excited to chat to you today. You’ve said that you’ve always liked dressing up—whether that’s with clothes or makeup—what was your favourite look from your L’Oréal Paris Brand Ambassador shoot and why?

Mary Fowler (MF): My favourite look from my L’Oréal Paris Brand Ambassador shoot was in the white suit with the black cropped top. I had my makeup done beautifully and my hair slicked back in a ponytail with a bobble braid, just like how I’d have it for matches sometimes. 

The reason I liked this look the most was because I felt very much myself. I felt comfortable and I felt empowered. The hairstyle, the makeup and the clothes were all feminine but also still bold. It was a look that made me feel very confident in how I looked but, more importantly, in how I felt about myself.

GP: Is there someone—or maybe even a time period, a decade—that influences your style, the way you like to dress up?

MF: I’ve always really liked Rihanna’s style. It’s not even so much what she wears that draws me to her, but it’s the way she wears things. She always looks so confident in her own style and I love that she seems to just do whatever she wants with her fashion. She’s definitely given me a lot of confidence to wear whatever I want and to express myself through my own unique style, even if it’s different from what others are doing.

GP: Which L’Oréal Paris products have you been exploring since you became a L’Oréal Paris Brand Ambassador, and do you have any new favourites yet?

MF: I’ve non-stop been using the Vitamin E Serum ever since I tried it at my L’Oréal Paris Ambassador shoot! It’s literally a favourite of mine because it makes my skin feel so soft and smooth, so it’s been a must-have in my daily skincare routine.

GP: Can you tell us what self-worth means to you?

MF: I think it’s easy for people to question their self-worth these days, especially with the influence of social media. But I do feel like people are realising more and more the importance of taking a step back to reconnect. I think self-doubt and insecurity will always be present, and there’s a lot of progress to be made so that everyone does feel worth it.  But if I look around at the women around me and how they shape their lives and impact mine, I couldn’t be more grateful for their strength and guidance. And that gives me hope that we’re heading in the right direction.