Simone Biles' make-up at the Olympics

Three years ago in Tokyo, she withdrew to protect her mental and physical health. Now Simone Biles is back. And together with Team USA, she took home the gold medal in artistic gymnastics at the 2024 Olympics. This latest recognition of her talent adds to the four golds and one bronze she received in Rio 2016, and the 30 World Championship medals, making her the most decorated American Olympic gymnast of all time. Cheering for her from the stands was a crowd of fans and celebrities: everyone was enchanted watching the athlete shine and gracefully perform on the mat in her leotard with a star pattern covered by over 47,000 Swarovski crystals, a sparkling look designed by GK Elite. To complete the outfit, she wore a slightly messy ponytail, paired with makeup that emphasized her eyes and a French manicure.

The Beauty Rules of the 2024 Olympics

Athletes must follow many rules if they want to avoid penalties, some of which have nothing to do with their sport but dictate how they can style their hair and apply makeup. For example, synchronized swimmers are prohibited from having messy hair but are allowed to wear makeup as long as it’s not "theatrical"; while volleyball players must keep their hair tied back, with no strands on their face, and long nails are not allowed as they might hinder their play. Gymnasts, on the other hand, must avoid flashy manicures because they distract the judges. Additionally, the rules of the USA Gymnastics 2024 women's program, decided by the National Women's Program Committee, state that hair must be "tied away from the face so as not to obscure the view of the apparatus." There are no strict makeup restrictions, but it is specified that athletes must be "well-groomed." This is why we never see Simone Biles sporting elaborate nail art like runners do, or wearing her hair loose over her shoulders.

Biles’ Pre-Paris Beauty Preparations

In addition to rigorous training, athletes undergo various beauty treatments, from waxing to manicures, to look their best during their performances. Simone Biles does this too. The 27-year-old recently posted a video on TikTok showing fans how she prepared for the Olympics, focusing on her hair, nails, waxing, and eyelashes. Her first stop is with her trusted hairstylist, Jazmine Johnson. There, she gets a shampoo and renews her extensions. "I understand and realize that I need to take care of my physical and mental appearance," said Simone, confessing that fixing her hair has become part of her pre-competition routine. The next appointment on her schedule is with her nail artist Jasmine, aka @jas.nailzz, who creates a French manicure, embellished with a small silver crystal that stands out on short, oval nails. 

Get Ready with Simone Biles

In another video posted on TikTok, Simone explains that she usually relies on a makeup artist for competitions and important events, only occasionally doing her makeup herself. For her wedding to Jonathan Owens, an American football player for the Chicago Bears, she chose Ashley Stewart; while for the 2024 Xfinity US Gymnastics Championships she opted for Alayza Casey, who created a winged cat eye for the athlete using Waterproof Crème Color by Anastasia Beverly Hills. The athlete's real beauty secret, which ensures her makeup stays flawless before, during, and after her performance, is skincare. For her, hydration is essential. Thus, before applying foundation, concealer, contouring, and the rest of the makeup, she uses Kiehl's Avocado Eye Cream and Ultra Facial Moisturizer, a lightweight hydrating lotion enriched with squalane and glycerin.

Simone Biles' Favorite Lip Products

Simone is allergic to many lip products, so she buys balms and lipsticks from Sephora that are labeled clean beauty and fragrance-free. Her must-haves are the Laneige Lip Glowy Balm, which with its lightweight formula infused with shea butter and murumuru seeds ensures shine and hydration; the NYX Professional Makeup Butter Gloss, creamy with a glossy but not too shiny finish; and Charlotte Tilbury lipsticks, which thanks to their waxy formulation hydrate and plump the lips for a kissable effect.