Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles has long been known for her gravity-defying tumbling passes, her electrifying stage presence, and the radiant glow she carries through every competition.
But behind that flawless look—one that somehow survives hours of chalk dust, high-intensity training, and the emotional rollercoaster of elite gymnastics—is a surprisingly detailed 30-step skincare and makeup routine.
Recently, Chiles opened up about the regimen that keeps her competition glam intact through “sweat, tears, pressure, and podium moments,” offering fans a rare glimpse into the behind-the-scenes discipline that extends far beyond the gym.
A Routine Rooted in Self-Care and Confidence
For Chiles, beauty is not just about appearance—it’s a form of mental preparation. She has said in interviews that when she feels good, she performs better. Her routine is a ritual, one that helps her stay calm, grounded, and confident before stepping onto the world stage.
“Gymnastics is stressful,” she often jokes, “so my skin needs as much support as I do.” Yet beneath the humor lies a truth: maintaining healthy skin while being a high-performance athlete is no small task.
Long training hours, heavy sweating, and constant exposure to chalk can wreak havoc on even the most resilient complexions. Chiles’ routine is her way of fighting back.
Step-by-Step: How an Olympian Preps for the Spotlight
While her full routine clocks in at 30 steps, the process can be broken into three major phases: preparation, protection, and performance.
1. Preparation: The Skincare Powerhouse Phase
Chiles begins with what she calls her “reset moment”—a deep cleanse to wash away any residue from training. She uses a combination of micellar water, a gel cleanser, and a gentle exfoliating scrub. Only after her skin is completely clear does the real layering begin.
Her routine includes hydrating essences, vitamin C serums, hyaluronic acid treatments, and peptide-based formulas meant to strengthen the skin barrier. Each product is chosen with precision, tested to withstand the demands of elite sport.
“Hydration is everything,” Chiles insists. With intense training sessions draining her skin’s moisture, she relies on lightweight but powerful humectants to keep her complexion smooth and plump.
She finishes this phase with a cooling under-eye mask and a rich moisturizer, massaging the product in with upward strokes to stimulate circulation—a trick she learned from professional makeup artists.
By the time she moves on to the next phase, her skin is glowing on its own.
2. Protection: Weatherproofing for Sweat and Stress
For most people, primer is optional. For Chiles, it’s essential. Her routine calls for multiple layers of primer—hydrating, smoothing, and gripping formulas—to create a base that won’t melt the moment she salutes the judges.
Chiles also uses long-wear SPF creams, even for indoor competitions, to shield her skin from harsh lighting and cameras. She emphasizes that sun protection is one of the non-negotiable parts of her routine: “You only get one skin. Protect it.”
After SPF comes color correction and spot concealing, techniques she learned from studying beauty tutorials and collaborating with makeup artists during media events. She uses peach tones to neutralize darkness, green tones to reduce redness, and a skin-matching concealer to even everything out.
This stage, she says, gives her the confidence to know that no matter how intense the rotation becomes—whether she’s flipping through her floor routine or sticking a beam dismount—her glam will hold.
3. Performance: The Glam That Survives Every Routine
Once her base is set, Chiles transitions to the more expressive part of her routine.
She starts with brows, shaping them with a precise pencil and setting gel that stays put during even the sweatiest moments. Her eye makeup varies depending on the competition, but she favors warm tones, metallics, and bold lashes to match the energy of her performances.
For foundation, she opts for long-wear, transfer-resistant formulas applied in thin, buildable layers. “The key is not to overdo it,” she says. Too much makeup can crack under pressure—literally.
Blush, bronzer, and a touch of highlight add dimension, ensuring that her face looks vibrant even under bright lights and HD cameras.
Finally, she seals everything with setting spray—two or three different kinds, depending on the humidity. The result is a look that can withstand sweat, chalk, movement, and nerves without fading.
A Statement of Empowerment
Chiles’ routine is more than vanity—it’s empowerment. In a sport often associated with precision and perfection, her glam has become part of her identity. Fans celebrate her bold beauty choices, which stand in contrast to the traditional “bare-face” standard in gymnastics.
“I compete best when I feel like myself,” she explains. “And this—this is me.”
Her openness about her routine also encourages young athletes to embrace self-care and individuality. To Chiles, beauty does not hide flaws; it strengthens confidence. It is a reminder that athletes can be powerful and glamorous at the same time.
A New Standard for Beauty in Sports
Jordan Chiles’ 30-step routine may sound extravagant to some, but for her, it’s a ritual of preparation, artistry, and mental strength. It complements her athletic training, giving her an extra layer of resilience when she steps onto the competition floor.
And if her flawless Olympic glam is any indication, her method clearly works. Through sweat and tears, triumphs and setbacks, Chiles’ beauty routine stands strong—just like she does.
