If you’ve ever wondered how Aespa’s Giselle keeps her beauty routine looking Next Level both on stage and off, you’re in for a treat.
The K-pop star, known for her chic charisma and effortlessly cool vibe, recently opened up about her go-to skincare and makeup must-haves – the simple steps she swears by when she finally has some downtime.
From the calming skincare rituals that keep her complexion fresh to the subtle makeup tricks that enhance her natural glow, Giselle’s “day off” routine is all about looking polished without piling it on.
Ready to take notes? Let’s break down the easy, fuss-free tips that make her off-duty glam Dreams Come True.
Cleansing
Giselle always starts by thoroughly cleansing her skin, especially after a night of heavy stage makeup. She prefers gentle, fuss-free products that get the job done without overwhelming her skin.
For her cleanser, she uses the Senka Perfect Whip Cleansing Foam (S$8.90), a cult-favourite in Japan known for its soft, cloud-like lather.
The rich foam gently lifts away impurities and traces of makeup without stripping the skin, leaving her complexion feeling fresh and comfortable. It’s a simple yet effective first step that sets the tone for her effortless “day off” beauty routine.
Cream
For her next step, Giselle smooths on the Torriden Cellmazing Firming Cream (S$25.52) – a product she’s come to rely on after rethinking the order of her routine. Instead of applying it after serums, she’s found that using the cream first works better for her.
True to her less-is-more approach, she sticks to just a pea-sized amount, keeping things simple because she’s learned that straightforward steps work best for her skin.
Serum
To follow, Giselle pats on the Clé de Peau Beauté Radiant Multi Repair Oil (S$210), a gift from her trainer. While the product itself adds a nourishing boost (and smells amazing, she notes), it also reminds her of the conversations she shares with her trainer – about life, balance, and the importance of mental health.
For Giselle, it’s not just about skincare – it’s about taking a moment before bed to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with herself, rather than just collapsing into sleep.
Lip Care
To finish off her skincare routine, Giselle reaches for the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, a limited-edition find from the brand’s playful Baskin Robbins collaboration she discovered in LA.
The trio of shades makes it fun to switch things up – she’ll go for the white when she’s just winding down, or pick the pink when she wants a touch more colour. It’s a simple yet sweet final step that keeps her lips soft while letting her end the day on a playful note.
Base
When it comes to base makeup, Giselle keeps things light with the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Natural Dewy SPF 30 (S$79).
She admits she never grew up wearing sunscreen – something she now regrets – so her go-to is a tinted moisturiser that doubles up with SPF protection. It’s been a staple in her routine since 2016, back when she first started experimenting with “no-makeup makeup” looks.
While Aespa’s members each have their own signature styles (from Karina’s bold eyeliner to Winter’s love for blush and Ningning’s bronzed, smokey glam), Giselle prefers a softer touch. For her, less really is more – heavy makeup tends to look cakey on her, so she sticks to a breathable, natural base that feels effortless while still keeping her in sync with the group’s aesthetic.
Brows
For brows, Giselle reaches for the Kosas Brow Pop Dual-Action Defining Brow Pencil (S$38). It’s a far cry from her high school days, when the 2016 “Instagram brow” trend had her reaching for the Anastasia Dipbrow pot to carve out thick, dramatic arches.
Back then, she was just like any other teen – glued to YouTube tutorials, experimenting with whatever she could get her hands on at Sephora, and eager to show up to school looking cute.
Now, her brow routine has softened into something more natural and effortless, perfectly in line with the easy, pared-back vibe of her current makeup style.
Concealer
After evening out her base, Giselle adds a touch of concealer to the centre areas of her face – focusing on her T-zone, chin, and under the eyes. It’s a light-handed step that brightens and balances her complexion without masking her natural features.
True to her “less is more” approach, she keeps the application minimal, using just enough to look fresh and awake while still letting her skin shine through.
Eyes
Before diving into eye makeup, Giselle makes a quick pit stop to choose her contact lenses – a step that, for her, changes her look just as much as makeup does.
She usually sticks to simple black lenses, but sometimes experiments with brighter shades like brown, which she admits can completely transform her reflection.
It’s a small detail, but one that shows how much of a difference the right lens can make in setting the tone for her overall look.
Once her lenses are in, Giselle moves on to eye makeup with a quick wash of eyeshadow. She keeps it subtle – just a soft, nude shade swept across her lids for that “barely there” definition.
The effect is simple but polished, adding a touch of depth without overpowering her natural features, perfectly in line with her easy, low-key approach to makeup.
For eyeliner, Giselle reaches for the MAC Cosmetics Brushstroke Liquid Eyeliner Pen (S$48) – though she admits it can feel like a bit of a gamble. Some days the line glides on perfectly, while other days she finds herself erasing and redoing it until she’s satisfied.
What matters most to her, is symmetry – no matter the look, she insists everything has to be balanced.
Next, Giselle curls her lashes – a simple step she never skips, even on days when she does the bare minimum. For her, lifted lashes instantly open up the eyes and give a more awake, refreshed look, making it an easy trick to lean on whether she’s going for a full routine or keeping things minimal.
When it comes to mascara, Giselle keeps it simple with the AOU All Day Mascara (S$21.66). She recalls a time when she would buy whatever mascara was trending, never quite sure what actually worked best.
Now, her mindset is far more streamlined – she prefers something compact and reliable, choosing a smaller tube that’s easy to carry around and keeps her lashes looking defined without the fuss.
Concealer
Giselle then goes back in with concealer, this time reaching for the Either& Skin Fit UV Concealer. She applies it with precision, focusing on her T-zone, the tops of her cheeks, and the area beside her nose near her smile lines.
Instead of piling on product, she uses just enough to subtly brighten and balance her complexion, keeping her base fresh and natural.
Blush
To bring a touch of colour back into her complexion, Giselle uses the Either& UV Cheek Mousse. She loves the creamy texture, which blends effortlessly into her skin for a soft, natural flush. It’s the kind of blush that feels easy and low-maintenance, perfectly in line with her “day off” makeup vibe.
Scar Concealing
For a little extra coverage, Giselle turns to the Catrice Ultimate Camouflage Cream (S$6.99). She likes using it to conceal small scars, including one on her face, because its texture feels a little different from other concealers she’s tried.
She applies it with a brush for precise placement, then gently dabs it in with her fingers and a beauty blender so it melts naturally into the skin. It’s a simple product she picked up online, but it does the job well in her routine.
To finish, she dabs another layer of blush right over the concealed spot, blending it in so the coverage looks seamless and skin-like.
Powder
To set everything in place, Giselle reaches for the cult-favourite Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder (S$89). While she usually applies powder with a brush, lately she’s been into using a puff instead, pressing it gently into her skin for a smoother, more refined finish.
For areas that tend to get a little oily – or spots she wants extra setting power – she goes in with a brush, making sure her base stays fresh and balanced all day.
Bronzer
Next, Giselle adds a touch of definition with contour, focusing on her nose, forehead, and the sides of her face. She keeps it light and subtle, just enough to add natural-looking dimension without taking away from her soft, minimal vibe.
It’s less about dramatic sculpting and more about enhancing her features in a way that feels effortless and true to her.
Lips
For lips, Giselle starts with the Either& Dewy Syrup Tint in Melt Away (S$17.28), applying the colour before blending it out with a lip brush to keep the finish smooth and clump-free.
To top it off, she layers on the Fenty Beauty Fenty Treatz Hydrating + Strengthening Lip Oil in shade Passion Fruit (S$40), adding a glossy sheen and a boost of hydration. This combo gives her lips a fresh, plump look that ties together her effortless “day off” makeup.
