Say hello to Unfiltered, a fresh beauty series where you’ll get an exclusive glimpse into the dressed-down beauty routines of our favorite celebrities and content creators. They’ll reveal their guilty-pleasure beauty practices, the five-minute-routine product lineup they can’t live without, the one good-skin tip they’ll be forever thankful for, and so much more. To bring every conversation full circle, we ask each celebrity to send us a selection of self-shot, filter-free photos of their choosing to capture the essence of their Unfiltered beauty philosophy.
Up next, we’re getting to know Olympic gymnast and gold medalist Suni Lee on a personal level ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games. Below, she’s answering all of our rapid-fire questions and sharing the products she never competes without, her best beauty hacks, and more. Enjoy!
When you’re traveling for the Olympics, what are a few staple beauty products you never leave home without?
I have so many beauty products I love, so it’s always funny when people realize how much I actually travel with. One thing that I always have to have is a lip liner [and] lip gloss combo. My current go-to is Make Up For Ever’s Artist Color Longwear Lip Liner in Wherever Walnut ($24) with Rhode’s Peptide Lip Tint in Toast ($34). Other must-haves include an eyebrow pencil and Aquaphor to stay moisturized.
Can you walk me through your morning and evening skincare routines?
I’ve actually gone with a “less is more” approach lately. I typically do a double cleanse—first with [the Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm] and then [SkinMedica’s AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser] followed by a few serums [vitamin C serum during the day and The Ordinary’s Hyaluronic Acid Serum at night] and a good moisturizer to lock it all in. I have been especially loving Korean skincare lately, too, and those viral collagen masks really are the best. I finish every skincare routine with a lip mask, morning and night.
How do you keep your hair health in check?
I’m definitely on my hair health journey right now! I colored my hair a lot in the last couple years and have been making a huge effort to prioritize getting it strong and healthy again. I really love doing a good hair mask, not washing my hair as often, and trying to lessen my use of heat tools. I think using the cool-shot feature on my Dyson Airwrap has really helped maintain the health of my hair while styling.
Are there any particular haircare products you swear by for the Olympics?
The Got2Be Glued Blasting Freeze Spray ($8) is my absolute go-to for meet-day hair along with the Amazon wax stick and Oribe Royal Blowout Heat Styling Spray ($46). For days in between, the travel-sized Batiste Touch and Sweat Dry Shampoos come with me everywhere to keep my hair fresh between washes.
Do you do your own makeup when you compete? If so, what are a few key products in your makeup bag that always complete a look?
I do! I’m big on routines and superstitious, one of which is doing my own makeup. I’ve been obsessed with the Patrick Ta Major Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush ($38), especially in the shade She’s Blushing, lately as well as the L’Oréal Infallible Setting Spray ($11) to lock everything in. Other brand favorites include anything Fenty Beauty and the Kosas brow pencil.
With such a busy schedule, how has your beauty routine evolved over the years?
Before the Tokyo Olympic Games I was still figuring out my style, how I wanted to do my makeup, and what worked for me. It honestly made me nervous since there are so many products out there! It’s fun to have explored that and now have come into my own. I’ve taken tips and tricks from so many incredible makeup artists that I’ve been lucky enough to work with, and it’s honestly become a form of therapy for me.
Do you have any helpful beauty hacks that you’ve learned over the years that you can share?
So many! The one I use often is that I’ll usually start my makeup routine with a Laneige Lip Mask ($24), so by the time I get to the end, my lips are super moisturized and ready for that liner-and-gloss combo, and [I] head out the door!
What’s your favorite way to spend a day off?
I usually enjoy spending some alone time recharging, resting my body, and having a good self-care recovery day. I’ll enjoy a meal with family and friends, take my dog for a long walk, or just catch up on a Netflix show. I’ve been watching Emily in Paris and can’t wait for the next season!
What is your unfiltered beauty philosophy in seven words or less?
Wear whatever makes you feel happy and confident!
Shop Suni Lee’s Unfiltered Beauty Edit
MAKE UP FOR EVER
Artist Color Pencil Longwear Lip Liner in Wherever Walnut
Aquaphor
Healing Ointment
Elemis
Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm
SkinMedica
AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser
The Ordinary
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Hydrating Serum
SkinMedica
HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator
La Roche-Posay
Toleriane Double Repair Face Moisturizer
SkinMedica
Instant Bright Eye Mask
Dyson
Airwrap Multi-Styler Complete Long
Oribe
Royal Blowout Heat Styling Spray
Got2b
Glued Blasting Freeze Spray
PATRICK TA
Major Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush Duo
L’Oréal
Infallible 3-Second Up Setting Mist
LANEIGE
Lip Sleeping Mask
Batiste
Sweat Activated Dry Shampoo
K18 Biomimetic Hairscience
Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask
