From Beam to Beauty Bag: Suni Lee’s Paris-Ready Routine
Suni Lee isn’t just chasing gold in Paris—she’s chasing glam. The 21-year-old gymnastics powerhouse, who stunned the world by winning the all-around gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, is bringing not only her signature skills to the 2024 Games but a refined, elevated beauty game.
“I feel like I’ve grown up, and my look has grown with me,” Lee tells Allure. “Now, when I compete, it’s glam. I truly believe in look good, feel good—and that’s real.”
With her older sister and lash tech, Shyenne, in tow, Lee has beauty backup on the ground in Paris. “She’s doing lashes, helping with hair, maybe even some nails,” Lee says. “She gets annoyed sometimes—‘All you care about is gymnastics’—and I’m like, ‘Exactly. That’s why you’re here.’”
💇♀️ Hair: Braids, Bonding & Göt2B Glue
Gone are the youthful side braids of Lee’s early days. In 2024, it’s all about sleek rows of tight braids. “It looks cleaner and more mature—and it frames my face better, especially with our high-collared leos,” she says.
Her secret weapon? Göt2B Styling Glue. “It makes my hair not move. It’s hard to wash out, but totally worth it.” Post-practice, she double-cleanses with Kérastase shampoo to get every trace out.
Hair duties are a group effort. Teammate Jordan Chiles, who styled Lee at the Tokyo Games, is back on braid duty, along with Shyenne. “It’s honestly like a mini glam squad,” Lee says. “I’ll probably help Hezly Rivera with her makeup—we’re all just there for each other.”
🧴 Skin: TikTok Masks & Stress Breakouts
Under Olympic pressure, even gold medalists break out. “The stress this year has been intense,” Lee shares. To combat it, she’s turned to a few favorites:
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SkinMedica Exfoliating Cleanser – “Strong but gentle.”
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SkinMedica Rejuvenating Hydrator – “It gives me that glow.”
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Innisfree Sunscreen – “Lightweight and no white cast.”
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Biodance Bio-Collagen Mask – “TikTok made me buy it—and I’m so glad. It starts white and turns clear when it’s soaked in. My skin feels amazing after.”
💄 Makeup: Set It, Don’t Sweat It
Lee’s approach to Olympic glam? Intentional and resilient. “I don’t wear eyeliner or mascara. I cry too easily—even happy tears—and I don’t want streaks down my face,” she admits. That’s why she gets lash extensions filled before travel, courtesy of Shyenne.
In her on-floor makeup bag:
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L’Oréal Setting Spray – “My holy grail. If I hit the mat face-first, I know it’ll still be on.”
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Kiss Falscara Wisps – “For touch-ups when lash fills aren’t an option.”
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Red lipstick – “I’m definitely pulling out a red lip for Paris.”
🧴 Body: Chalk, Tans, and Tough Love
Competing in leotards takes serious prep. Lee swears by:
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St. Tropez Self-Tanner – “I love a white leo with a good tan. It pops.”
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Sol de Janeiro Body Oil – “I use it the night before meets—never the morning. I don’t want to feel slippery.”
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Bag Balm – “I use it for rips and blisters. I even sleep with gloves on after applying it to my hands—makes a huge difference.”
She’s also a big fan of dry needling, especially after tough training days. “It releases soreness so fast. It’s how I reset.”
💅 Nails: Paris-Inspired Simplicity
Lee’s Olympic manicure? Classic French. “We’ll be in Paris—it just feels right. Our leotards are dramatic enough. I want my nails clean and simple.”
For polish:
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Kiss Salon X-tend nails – “I do them myself. My sister helps with design. We’ve been adding little accents lately.”
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For toes? “Used to be white… until my coach pointed out how visible they are on the beam. Now I go neutral. I need every point I can get.”
💬 Balance, Beauty, and Big Moments
“People think all I care about is gymnastics—and they’re kind of right,” Lee laughs. “But this time around, I’m bringing more of myself to the floor. Glam, sisterhood, self-care. It all counts.”
As Team USA heads into competition in Paris, Lee’s combination of sharp focus and radiant confidence makes one thing clear: she's not just ready to stick the landing—she’s ready to shine.
