While the Olympic Games is an area where the world’s top athletes gather together to showcase their athletic prowess, it is usually where we witness among the most fun and experimental beauty looks and trends. From intricate and symbolic nail art to flawless, sweat-resistant makeup, athletes have demonstrated that style and performance can go hand in hand.

The synchronised swimmers dazzled with their glittering eyeshadow and elaborate hairpieces, while the skateboarders brought some subcultural flair to the proceedings. While beauty is seen by many as frivolous, it has, importantly, allowed athletes to specific their individuality and cultural heritage on the world stage.

The Olympics closes this Sunday (August 11), and there are certain to be more iconic beauty looks coming our way. For now, here’s a round-up of our favourite beauty looks thus far:  

Dazed cover star Noah Lyles could have won gold last night, but I can’t stop fascinated by his braids and the beads sitting across the crown of his head. His hair is all the time laid!

We couldn’t include Lyles on this list without talking about his playful nail art. During an interview with US Weekly, Lyles laughed off critics who’ve criticised his painted nails: “To be honest, I’m so confident in myself that it doesn’t really matter. I believe [the comments are] funny at times.”

On day 4 of the Olympics, the Brazilian beauty Rebeca Andrade perfectly paired her graphic black eyeliner with a glossy nude lip.

Gymnast Jordan Chiles won gold with Team USA while sporting white graphic eyeliner, a patriotic hair bow, darkly lined lips, and red, white, and blue croc-print nails. She topped all of it off with a gold and silver grill.

Shirine Boukli is a French Judoka. She won one in all the bronze medals in the ladies’s 48kg event this 12 months, and after dazzling us together with her performance she stunned us yet again together with her tooth gems as she smiled at the rostrum.

Competing against Donna Vekic from Team Croatia, tennis superstar Coco Gauff revived the coquette aesthetic by wearing a bow in her hair to neatly tie up her mermaid-inspired braids.

Kieran Darren won silver in Freestyle BMX. His mullet has sent shockwaves across the web.

Togolese rower Akoko Komlanvi proudly represented her country with stylish box braids and graphic nails adorned within the red, green, and yellow colors of the Togolese flag.

Sha’carri Richardson is thought for her killer long nails, and like Komlavi, her nail art proudly represents Team USA.

Mullets make the world go round, and like Darren’s, Louie Hinchilffe’s has taken the web by storm.

American track and field athlete Chase Jackson is all the time exciting to observe. Not only is she the primary women’s shot put world champion to win on the primary attempt, but her eye make-up all the time delivers with its intricate butterfly designs, love hearts and dramatic blocks of pink eyeshadow.

Leo Neugebauer’s little moustache (and face) have sent the girlies right into a frenzy. The German track and field athlete is already getting the fan cam treatment after winning a silver medal within the decathlon at this 12 months’s Games.

Although Palestinian-Italian swimmer Yazan Al Bawwab didn’t advance to the semi-finals at La Defense Arena, his participation within the Games conveyed a strong message. Despite France’s lack of recognition for Palestine, Al Bawwab boldly painted a Palestinian flag on his chest, symbolising defiance and demonstrating his solidarity together with his people throughout the ongoing genocide in Gaza.