Jordan Chiles Shares Her Competition-Day Beauty Routine

It’s impossible not to be captivated by Jordan Chiles’ athleticism when she flips across the floor or hits the balance beams. The 23-year-old gymnast’s moves are equal parts graceful and electrifying. Chiles has steadily perfected her gymnastics skills since elementary school, and her years of dedication to the sport culminated in a trip to the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. There, she helped Team USA win a silver medal. And this year, Chiles is again joining the women’s gymnastics team, taking her talents to Paris this time.

Though the Olympian has become best known for her high-energy routines and award-winning technique, she’s also garnered attention for her beauty looks. On competition day, you can always catch Chiles sporting a glamorous makeup look, a creative manicure, and a perfectly slicked-back hairstyle. For the gymnast, taking time to adorn herself in this way makes her feel more confident and empowered on and off the floor.

Brands have noticed Chiles’ affinity for beauty, too. This year, she’s inked partnerships across skincare and makeup, working as an ambassador for Bliss and Milani. Ahead of her trip to the 2024 Olympics, we caught up with the champion to chat about the beauty industry’s integration into the sports world, her must-have products, and how she decompresses amid her demanding schedule. 

When did your passion for gymnastics begin?

“I am the youngest of five, so all my older siblings played sports. My mom was also into sports, so no matter what, she wasn’t going to allow her children to sit on the couch and play video games all day. I ran track, did ballet, and played T-ball before gymnastics was even a thought. However, I had really bad ADHD when I was younger, and it became an issue in school. Gymnastics saved my life because it allowed me to get all my energy out before I went home to do my homework. Over time, I fell in love with the sport and realized I had a talent. I began to focus on developing my skills and would watch gymnastics videos. Once the 2008 Olympics came around, I remember watching it and thinking, It’d be cool to go to the Olympics one day. Every day after that, I went to the gym with a different mindset and thought about how to make my dreams come true. It’s been a whirlwind journey and an incredible adventure since then.”

What’s been your proudest moment thus far in your career?

“Going to the Olympics [in 2021] will always be one of the greatest moments of my life. But, I’m more proud that I’ve remained authentic to who I am. My mom has always told me, ‘There’s only one Jordan, so be the best version of that Jordan.’ I’ve learned that negative comments and things will always be thrown our way in life, but it’s about figuring out how to fight past these issues and stay encouraged. These life lessons are the greatest things I cherish. Yes, I’m an Olympian. Yes, I’m a world champion. But at the end of the day, I’m still Jordan. I’m someone’s sister, cousin, niece, daughter, and best friend. Those are the things that I hold onto.”

Your authenticity also shows up in the way you present yourself in competitions. Talk to me about your approach to beauty on competition days.

“I’ve been a tomboy since I was little, but my mom taught me about beauty. She always told me to remember I’m beautiful and to embrace my hair and natural self. I don’t like saying this, but I’ve always been a rulebreaker in gymnastics. I wear long nails and do cool things with my hair and makeup. That’s my way of embracing who I am. The saying, ‘When you look good, you feel good,’ is true. At any moment, whether I’m having a bad day or feel sick, I will put makeup on to make myself feel better. The same idea applies to my leotards. All of them are inspired by red carpet looks because that’s what I love.”

Brands are recognizing athletes as impactful beauty influencers and icons. What does being part of the conversation about the beauty industry and sports mean to you?

“It’s amazing. Being able to have connections within the beauty industry is so cool. Having a partner like Bliss is great because the brand aligns with who I am as a person who loves self-care and skincare. Athletes weren’t being seen or recognized in beauty or fashion for so long. Now, people are seeing are seeing us, and it’s cool. I love being a part of this moment with every brand I’ve worked with, and they’ve helped me develop my understanding of beauty.”  

Athletes must have sweat-proof hair and makeup routines that keep up with competing and working out demands. Tell me about your favorite products.

“For my edges and eyebrows, I use Got2B Glued Spiking Hair Glue. With my makeup, I always use a setting spray because I have oily skin. I use Milani’s Make It Last Matte Setting Spray before using the original one and then apply powder. Once I figured out my skin type, I was able to create a routine that lasts throughout the 12 hours that I’m at a competition.”

Taking care of your skin from head to toe is also important. What’s your typical skincare and bodycare routine?

” When I was little, I hated to put lotion on my body, but now that I’m older, I can’t walk out of the house without moisturizing my skin. My favorite product is the Bliss Lemon and Sage Body Butter. It’s so smooth and feels good on your skin. Plus, it’s not oily, so I don’t feel like I’ll slip at practice if I use it. I also love using Bliss’ cleansers, serums, and moisturizers.”

Aside from indulging in your beauty routines, how do you practice self-care? 

“I had to learn what self-care was, and I’m still figuring it out. Right now, it is making sure I’m taking care of myself physically, emotionally, and mentally. I often make sure others are okay before I’m okay—that’s something I’ve done since I was little. But now I’m trying not to forget about myself and talk about what’s going on in my life rather than bottling it up inside. Other than that, I love to take naps and interact with my friends and family. Having a good support system is important. Recently, I’ve been scrolling on Pinterest a lot because it’s soothing to me. Doing little things to disconnect me from my sport is like the biggest thing right now.”

Because of your success in gymnastics, you’ve amassed hundreds of thousands of followers on social media. What’s been like being in the public eye at a young age?

“I’ve been in the public eye since I was 11. For the majority of my life, my social media was controlled by my mom. I wasn’t exposed to anything until I told her I wanted my accounts when I was 16. Now, I don’t care for social media because of the bullies. When it comes to being in the limelight, there’s an expectation that you have to look a certain way. I’ve been body-shamed and received racist comments. I’ve been through it all, but I always say, ‘If they’re coming to criticize you, it’s because they’re not okay with who they are.’ Mostly, I try not to look at comments or delete the bad ones if I see them.”

 Conversely, social media highlights how innovative and cool Gen Zers like yourself are. What do you appreciate most about being part of this generation?

“The coolest thing is that Gen Alpha will have something to look forward to because of everything Gen Z did. We’re very entrepreneurial and business-minded. For example, some of us are becoming real-estate agents at 18 or buying our first cars at 19. I’m 23 and have my own car and home, which is crazy, but things lined up to push us to these moments.”