The best beauty moments from the 2024 Olympic Games

While the Olympic Games is a space where the world’s top athletes gather together to showcase their athletic prowess, it is also where we witness some of the most exciting and experimental beauty looks and trends. From intricate and symbolic nail art to flawless, sweat-resistant makeup, athletes have demonstrated that style and performance can go hand in hand.

The synchronised swimmers dazzled with their glittering eyeshadow and elaborate hairpieces, while the skateboarders brought some subcultural flair to the proceedings. While beauty is seen by many as frivolous, it has, importantly, allowed athletes to express their individuality and cultural heritage on the world stage.

The Olympics closes this Sunday (August 11), and there are bound to be more iconic beauty looks coming our way. For now, here is a round-up of our favourite beauty looks so far:  

NOAH LYLES, USA (COVER IMAGE)

Dazed cover star Noah Lyles may have won gold last night, but I can’t stop thinking about his braids and the beads sitting around the crown of his head. His hair is always laid!

NOAH LYLES, USA (AGAIN)

We could not include Lyles in this list without talking about his playful nail art. During an interview with US Weekly, Lyles laughed off critics who have criticised his painted nails: “To be honest, I’m so confident in myself that it doesn’t really matter. I think [the comments are] funny at times.”

REBECA ANDRADE, BRAZIL 

On day four of the Olympics, the Brazilian beauty Rebeca Andrade perfectly paired her graphic black eyeliner with a glossy nude lip.

JORDAN CHILES, USA 

Gymnast Jordan Chiles won gold with Team USA while sporting white graphic eyeliner, a patriotic hair bow, darkly lined lips, and red, white, and blue croc-print nails. She topped it all off with a gold and silver grill.

SHIRINE BOUKLI, FRANCE 

Shirine Boukli is a French Judoka. She won one of the bronze medals in the women’s 48kg event this year, and after dazzling us with her performance she stunned us yet again with her tooth gems as she smiled at the podium.

COCO GAUFF, USA

Competing against Donna Vekic from Team Croatia, tennis superstar Coco Gauff revived the coquette aesthetic by wearing a bow in her hair to neatly tie up her mermaid-inspired braids.

KIERAN DARREN, UK

Kieran Darren won silver in Freestyle BMX. His mullet has sent shockwaves across the internet.

AKOKO KOMLANVI, TOGO

Togolese rower Akoko Komlanvi proudly represented her country with stylish box braids and graphic nails adorned in the red, green, and yellow colours of the Togolese flag.

SHA’CARRI RICHARDSON, USA 

Sha’carri Richardson is known for her killer long nails, and like Komlavi, her nail art proudly represents Team USA.

LOUIE HINCHLIFFE, UK 

Mullets make the world go round, and like Darren’s, Louie Hinchilffe’s has taken the internet by storm.

CHASE JACKSON, USA

American track and field athlete Chase Jackson is always exciting to watch. Not only is she the first women’s shot put world champion to win on the first attempt, but her eye make-up always delivers with its intricate butterfly designs, love hearts and dramatic blocks of pink eyeshadow.

LEO NEUGEBAUER, GERMANY 

Leo Neugebauer’s little moustache (and face) have sent the girlies into a frenzy. The German track and field athlete is already getting the fan cam treatment after winning a silver medal in the decathlon at this year’s Games.

YAZAN AL BAWWAB

Although Palestinian-Italian swimmer Yazan Al Bawwab did not advance to the semi-finals at La Defense Arena, his participation in the Games conveyed a powerful message. Despite France's lack of recognition for Palestine, Al Bawwab boldly painted a Palestinian flag on his chest, symbolising defiance and demonstrating his solidarity with his people during the ongoing genocide in Gaza.