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Why Gracie Abrams’s Makeup Always Looks Effortlessly Good: Inside Her Hourglass Routine

Get the full insider breakdown of Gracie Abrams's signature natural glam and her winning Hourglass makeup picks for luminous, lasting skin.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 30, 2025

Get the full insider breakdown of Gracie Abrams's signature natural glam and her winning Hourglass makeup picks for luminous, lasting skin.

I Finally Know Why Gracie Abrams’s Makeup Always Looks So Good

Fans and beauty enthusiasts alike have long marveled at Gracie Abrams’s impossibly fresh, real-skin finish—an aesthetic that feels intimate and effortlessly chic onstage, in the studio, and across magazine covers. As her career achieves new heights, so too does public fascination with her understated approach to beauty. It’s no surprise, then, that her partnership with Hourglass Cosmetics has become a defining moment not only for the brand, but for anyone eager to decode Gracie’s ethereal glow. In this feature, we delve into her go-to Hourglass routine, her collaboration with acclaimed makeup artist Emily Cheng, the philosophy behind her choices, and a complete product breakdown to help you recreate the signature Gracie Abrams look.

Gracie Abrams and Hourglass: A Seamless Partnership

Gracie’s journey from indie-pop darling to international star gained new momentum as she embraced her role as global brand partner for Hourglass. Her relationship with the brand isn’t a fleeting endorsement—it’s rooted in personal preference and years of genuine admiration. In an exclusive interview, Gracie said Hourglass’s complexion products “turned her world upside down… for the better.” She’s clear about her values: she chooses makeup that highlights, rather than hides, her identity. As she explained, “When I’m writing a song, I try to shut out the noise and focus on being truthful. When I’m wearing makeup, it’s the same; I don’t want products that cover up who I am.”

This ethos lies at the heart of Hourglass’s new campaign—Any Time, Any Place, Any Wear—featuring Gracie in scenes from morning to night, each one spotlighting how the core products look and last throughout her day. Whether she’s prepping for a Cosmopolitan cover shoot or applying makeup before headlining a show, Her Hourglass routine remains consistent, serving as both shield and stage light for her luminous skin.

The “No-Makeup” Makeup Look: Emily Cheng’s Touch

The artistry behind Gracie’s everyday glam is largely attributed to Emily Cheng, her trusted makeup artist. Cheng’s approach accentuates Gracie’s features without overwhelming them—achieving a subtle elevation rather than a transformation. Cheng describes Gracie’s signature as being “soft, minimal, and natural,” with a focus on immaculate skin.

Minimal product use prioritizes comfort and authenticity.
Dewy skin is achieved through hydrating, buildable coverage.
Defined but natural features: Cheng uses strategic placement rather than heavy-handed sculpting.

Gracie’s routine, whether executed by Cheng or by herself on tour or at home, is centered on versatile Hourglass formulas that blend skincare benefits with undetectable coverage. The result: endless compliments, countless beauty cover stories, and an entire generation wanting to know how she does it.

The Hourglass x Gracie Abrams Complexion Routine: Step-by-Step Breakdown

Curious about the exact lineup Gracie and Emily rely on daily? Here’s a deep dive into each product, why it was chosen, and pro tips for application and wear:

Step 1: Hourglass Illusion Priming Moisturizer

What it is: A plush, velvety priming moisturizer that preps the skin with a hit of hydration.
Why Gracie loves it: Its formula, featuring niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, plumps and smooths for a glass-like base, ensuring all following complexion steps meld beautifully into the skin.
Pro tip: Massage evenly across cleansed skin to ensure makeup adheres and lasts, especially important for big nights or long days on tour.

Step 2: Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint Foundation

What it is: A lightweight, dewy skin tint with buildable coverage—winner of the Cosmopolitan 2024 Holy Grail Award.
Why Gracie obsesses over it: It offers coverage while letting natural skin peek through, including freckles—an essential for her post-cystic acne sensitivities. She describes it as “feels like skincare and makes my skin so hydrated, gives such a glow, and blends so easily.”
Pro tip: Use fingers or a damp sponge for a sheer layer, then build up only where you want more evenness.

Step 3: Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Concealer

What it is: A weightless, high-coverage concealer engineered to last up to 16 hours, ideal for concealing dark circles and uneven spots.
Why it’s in Gracie’s kit: It provides just enough coverage without the heaviness; brightens under eyes without caking or creasing on delicate skin.
Pro tip: Dot onto desired areas—under eyes, around the nose, chin—and tap in gently for seamless blending.

Step 4: Hourglass Vanish Airbrush Pressed Powder

What it is: An ultra-fine, talc-free powder that mattifies where needed but maintains a radiant finish.
Why Gracie sets with it: It keeps shine at bay but leaves the natural dewiness of the skin tint intact—a must for balancing longevity and luminosity.
Pro tip: Dust lightly on the T-zone or other strategic areas (under eyes, side of nose) rather than “baking” the whole face, to retain that real-skin effect.

Step 5: Hourglass Veil Soft Focus Setting Spray

What it is: A feather-light setting mist that locks in makeup, providing extra insurance for long-wear occasions.
Why she won’t skip it: It melts all layers together for a second-skin look with extended wear—ideal for nights on stage or running around NYC.
Pro tip: Spritz from a distance, letting droplets settle naturally without manual blending.

Beyond Foundation: Gracie’s Touches of Color & Definition

Gracie’s “less is more” mantra doesn’t just apply to base makeup. Her approach to color, glow, and definition is equally effortless yet impactful.

Liquid and cream blushes: Gracie loves the Hourglass Unreal Liquid Blush and Fenty Beauty Cheeks Out Freestyle Cream Blush for a just-flushed finish that reads as natural as possible.
Highlighter: She favors cool-toned, subtle shimmers over strong bronzing—her fair skin makes her cautious of anything too warm or powdery.
Eyeliner: Gracie often reaches for the Hourglass Voyeur Waterproof Gel Eyeliner—offering precise definition that’s still soft around her eyes, and long-wearing for performance nights.
Mascara: While not always part of her daily face, when she does use one, Hourglass’s Caution Extreme Lash Mascara is the pick for achieving extension-level lashes with impressive hold.
Brows: Defined, not drawn-on, brows are her signature. The Hourglass Arch Volumizing Fiber Brow Gel enhances shape and fullness without stiffness; for major hold, she sometimes adds Got2b Glued Brow & Edge Gel—co-opted from the hair aisle!
Lip balm: Her ride-or-die staple, since early days and still on rotation, is Aquaphor Lip Repair—for hydration that precedes any tints or topcoats.

Why It Works: The Not-So-Secret Keys to Gracie’s Glow

Hydration at every step: From primer-moisturizer to hydrating foundation and skin-prep sprays, every product Gracie uses emphasizes moisture and skin barrier support.
Weightless formulas: She avoids cakiness at all costs. Each Hourglass item in her arsenal is engineered to leave the skin feeling like skin—refreshed, light, and movable.
Radiance, not shine: Dewiness is never confused for oiliness in her routine; powder only mattifies where needed, and nothing sabotages the “fresh face” look.
Flexible coverage: Gracie’s routine allows for building where desired—such as an undereye shadow or a spot—while keeping the rest of the face as bare as possible.
Long wear: Whether Gracie is writing new music or closing out a sold-out concert, her makeup is designed to endure, adapt, and age gracefully throughout the day.

Table: Gracie Abrams’s Hourglass Routine Product Breakdown

Step	Product	Main Benefit	Key Ingredients	Finish
1	Illusion Priming Moisturizer	Hydrating, plumping, improves texture	Niacinamide, Hyaluronic Acid	Velvety, hydrated
2	Veil Hydrating Skin Tint	Even, glowing base with real-skin feel	Glycerin, Squalane	Dewy, radiant
3	Vanish Airbrush Concealer	High coverage, lightweight, long-wear	Microsphere Powders	Satin-matte
4	Vanish Airbrush Pressed Powder	Blurs, mattifies only where needed	Silica, Microspheres	Soft-matte, still glowy
5	Veil Soft Focus Setting Spray	Sets all layers, adds hydration, extends wear	Water, Glycerin	Natural skin finish

Gracie’s Beauty Philosophy: More Than Makeup

Gracie’s partnership with Hourglass is as much about identity as it is about beauty. As someone who’s navigated the vulnerabilities of public performance and skin challenges, she’s championed a philosophy that makeup is a tool of self-celebration, not disguise. As she puts it, “Hourglass products let me stay true to myself no matter the time or place.”

This authenticity is visible in every decision, from avoiding products that feel heavy or mask-like, to keeping her signature features—like eyes and brows—soft and approachable. Her journey resonates deeply with a new generation seeking both artistry and realness, inviting everyone to find their own unique take on natural glam.

How to Recreate Gracie Abrams’s Look: Quick Tips

Prioritize hydrating, buildable coverage in your base. Let your skin’s texture, features, and even freckles come through.
Conceal strategically. Don’t layer over every inch—focus only where you want more confidence or brightness.
Set with a finely milled powder, sparingly. Target areas that get shiny, but let the overall glow persist.
Mist to finish. A lightweight, hydrating setting spray is the secret to longevity and that “melted together” finish.
Keep color flushes and highlights natural—think cream textures, sheer washes, and subtle shimmer.
Define eyes and brows softy, skipping harsh lines for thicker, brushed up fluff or softly defined waterlines.
Never underestimate the power of a good lip balm as your finishing touch.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What makes Gracie Abrams’s Hourglass routine different from typical celebrity makeup routines?

A: Her look centers on hydrated, buildable coverage and minimal, skin-first products, with less emphasis on layering or heavy contour, so the result is luminous and real—not heavily filtered or masked.

Q: How does Gracie’s routine hold up for long-lasting events or concerts?

A: The combination of a hydrating primer, lightweight but long-wear concealer, targeted powder, and a setting spray ensures every layer looks fresh from morning until night without cracking or oxidizing.

Q: Are the products Gracie uses good for sensitive or acne-prone skin?

A: Yes. Gracie is open about her struggle with past cystic acne, and her choices focus on non-comedogenic, hydrating products that provide comfortable wear for all skin types—including sensitive or reactive skin.

Q: What’s the most essential product in Gracie Abrams’s routine?

A: She’s repeatedly declared the Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint her ultimate “holy grail,” thanks to its perfect balance of radiance, hydration, and natural coverage.

Q: Can you swap in affordable alternatives for any steps?

A: While Hourglass is the signature, similar lightweight primers, concealers, or creams from other brands can mimic the texture and effect—focus always on hydrating, non-heavy textures and transparent finishes.

Conclusion: A Signature for a New Era of Beauty

Gracie Abrams’s loyalty to Hourglass is more than a commercial arrangement; it reflects a carefully considered approach to what it means to wear makeup in the modern world. Her beauty routine is approachable yet aspirational, focused on comfort, truth, and a little bit of everyday magic. Through thoughtfully chosen products and a genuine embrace of self, Gracie’s Hourglass routine offers a blueprint for anyone seeking presence, performance, and a glow that endures morning to midnight. Whether you’re prepping for your own Eras Tour moment or just powering through a hectic day, a little Gracie-inspired radiance is beautifully within reach.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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