Suni Lee’s Favorite Drugstore Makeup: Everyday Glamor on a Budget
Olympic icon Suni Lee reveals her affordable makeup essentials and the routines that keep her confident both in and out of the spotlight.
Olympic gold medalist Suni Lee is celebrated as much for her world-class gymnastics as for her confidently bold, camera-ready beauty looks. Whether she’s dazzling millions at the Olympics, modeling in Sports Illustrated, or letting fans into her world via TikTok, Suni’s makeup is always on point—and affordable.
Meet Suni Lee—Athlete, Trendsetter, Beauty Muse
Millions know Suni Lee’s name from her sensational performances at the Olympics and her dedication to sport, but her influence extends to style and beauty. Embracing her new life in New York and appearances at events like New York Fashion Week, Suni’s transition from gymnastics stardom to lifestyle tastemaker is evident. Through it all, her beauty philosophy remains true to her roots: great products should be accessible.
Suni’s Philosophy: Why Affordable Makeup Wins
“Just because something is super expensive, people think that it’s automatically a good product and that they need it. But I’m like, ‘No, you can buy this at Target. Go to CVS—it’s right there.’” — Suni Lee
Suni Lee’s take on beauty is rooted in accessibility and authenticity. Despite partnerships with premium brands and an insider’s access to the most coveted products, her everyday picks are brands you’ll find at your local drugstore. She’s drawn to formulas that perform under pressure, from grueling workouts to glamorous nights out.
- Simplicity over Cost: Suni chooses makeup that is simple, gentle, and effective.
- Performance-Approved: Her beauty must-haves endure sweat, movement, and long days.
- Confidence-Boosting: For Suni, the right makeup is part of her confidence and personal expression.
Suni Lee’s Top Drugstore Makeup Essentials
From her signature long lashes to the skin-perfecting concealers she loves, these are Suni’s six drugstore makeup favorites that keep up with her high-energy lifestyle.
- Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara
- Why she loves it: “It gives me insane length and doesn’t smudge, even when I’m sweating or on the move.”
- This supply is lengthening, buildable, and the curved brush makes application easy for dramatic, fluttery lashes in minutes.
- NYX Professional Makeup Micro Brow Pencil
- Why it’s a staple: “Helps me create a natural, full brow fast.”
- This ultra-fine pencil allows for realistic, hair-like strokes, helping Suni quickly shape and define her brows—even during a hurried pre-meet routine.
- L’Oréal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Concealer
- How Suni uses it: “It hides under-eye circles and blemishes without ever looking cakey.”
- The lightweight texture blends into skin, providing coverage that looks like your skin, only better.
- e.l.f. Halo Glow Liquid Filter
- What it does: “Gives my skin that radiant, glassy finish that shows up both on and off camera.”
- This viral favorite works as a luminous primer or mix-in for foundation, creating the glowy complexion Suni is known for.
- Kiss imPRESS Press-On Manicure
- Why Suni swears by them: “So easy and quick—I wore them at the Olympics. They last through gymnastics and glam.”
- Instant, salon-perfect nails in minutes with zero dry time, ideal for athletes and anyone on a schedule.
- Maybelline SuperStay Vinyl Ink Longwear Liquid Lipcolor
- What makes it great: “Bold color that won’t budge from practice to dinner in the city.”
- Comfortable, saturated, and genuinely budge-proof, this is Suni’s go-to for bold lips that stick with her all day.
Why Suni Lee Loves Drugstore Beauty
Suni’s love for affordable beauty is practical and personal. As she says, “You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on products because they’re hyped up on TikTok.” Suni proves that you can find high-performance, lasting beauty at your nearest pharmacy or grocery store.
What others are reading
- Accessible: Suni’s top picks are available everywhere — no luxury counter (or price tag) required.
- Tested in Real Life: From Olympic routines to photo shoots, these products hold up.
- Inclusivity: Drugstore lines often offer broad shade ranges and formulas for sensitive skin like Suni’s.
Suni Lee’s Go-To Makeup Routine for Competitions and Everyday
Suni began experimenting with makeup during her early competitions, evolving her routine to suit her fast-paced lifestyle and sensitive skin. Here’s a step-by-step look at how she makes these essentials work for her:
- Prep with Moisturizer and Sunscreen: Suni lays down a hydrating cream, like the Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream*, then shields her skin with SPF.
- Skin Glow: A layer of e.l.f. Halo Glow gives her complexion a photo-ready sheen.
- Conceal and Perfect: L’Oréal True Match Concealer evens out skin tone and camouflages blemishes.
- Fresh Brows: NYX Micro Brow Pencil fills and shapes, for naturally defined arches.
- Statement Lashes: Maybelline Sky High Mascara on curled lashes amps up drama—one of Suni’s signature moves.
- Finish with Long-Lasting Lip Color: A swipe of Maybelline Vinyl Ink stays flawless through events and meals.
- On-the-Go Nails: When time is short, Kiss imPRESS Press-On Manicures add instant polish.
*While Tatcha is not drugstore, Suni notes it’s her only high-end go-to for skincare, keeping the rest of her beauty routine ultra-affordable.
Inside Suni Lee’s Skincare Secrets
Although Suni is best known for her makeup-first attitude, her approach to skincare is minimal due to her sensitive skin:
- No Facials: Suni skips facials, noting they leave her skin “glowing for a day but then breaking out.”
- Simplified Routine: Instead of a dozen steps, she uses just three products: moisturizer, SPF, and a gentle collagen or salmon DNA mask before big events.
- Gua Sha Ritual: She prefers evening depuffing massages over abrasive treatments, especially before major competitions or appearances.
How Beauty Boosts Suni’s Confidence
Makeup is not just about appearance for Suni—it’s an empowering ritual. Her journey with beauty began in high school, seeking a boost when feeling younger than her peers. A bit of concealer led to her love for lashes, and by age 16, she was getting eyelash extensions for competitions.
“Makeup always makes me feel confident and better by the end of the day,” she says. Before a routine, her favorite beauty look is her lucky color—pink—which she believes brings good fortune.
Suni Lee’s Beauty Favorites: Quick Reference Table
| Product | Brand | Purpose | Why Suni Loves It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eyelash Mascara | Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High | Maximize lash length & curl | Doesn’t smudge, lasts all day |
| Brow Pencil | NYX Micro Brow | Define and fill brows | Natural look, easy to apply |
| Concealer | L’Oréal True Match | Even complexion, cover flaws | Lightweight, natural finish |
| Glow Primer | e.l.f. Halo Glow | Radiant, dewy skin | Keeps skin illuminated all day |
| Press-On Manicure | Kiss imPRESS | Instant, chip-proof nails | Lasts through workouts and events |
| Liquid Lipcolor | Maybelline SuperStay Vinyl Ink | Long-lasting bold lips | Comfortable, doesn’t budge all day |
Getting Ready with Suni: Her Beauty Influences
Suni credits her older sister for initially introducing her to the world of makeup. But it was the experience of wearing makeup on the competition floor—where confidence is as critical as performance—that cemented her love for beauty. Her “get-ready” process is a treasured part of her routines, both for competition and for life in the public eye.
In her own words: “I usually have the best competitions of my life when I’m wearing makeup. That’s when it started becoming a part of my routine.”
What Suni Lee’s Beauty Routine Reveals About Her
As Suni moves from Olympic podiums to the front rows of Fashion Week and onto magazine covers, her approachable, joy-filled take on beauty remains unchanged. She champions a minimal yet impactful routine—perfect for both busy athletes and anyone looking to simplify their makeup bag without sacrificing glam.
Tips for Achieving Suni’s Look on Your Own
- Invest in reliable, drugstore favorites that can keep up with daily life.
- Keep your base simple: moisturizer, SPF, then go for glow.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with vibrant lips or fluttery lashes even on casual days.
- “Lucky” colors can boost your mood and confidence in meaningful ways.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is Suni Lee’s favorite affordable mascara?
A: Suni loves Maybelline Lash Sensational Sky High Mascara for its lengthening effect and staying power through workouts and long events.
Q: How does Suni’s makeup survive intense physical activity?
A: She chooses high-performance, tried-and-tested drugstore formulas that resist smudging and last for hours, even under pressure.
Q: Does Suni follow a complex skincare routine?
A: No, Suni avoids lengthy routines due to her sensitive skin. She prefers three steps: moisturizer, sunscreen, and an occasional mask.
Q: Why does Suni prefer press-on nails instead of salon manicures?
A: Press-on nails like Kiss imPRESS are fast, durable, and survived even the rigors of Olympic performances for Suni.
Q: Who inspired Suni’s love of beauty?
A: Her older sister first got her interested in makeup, but it was competing with glam looks that truly sparked her passion.
References
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