Gilmore Girls may have aired in the ‘00s, but the comforting comedy-drama is more popular than ever right now. After being added to Netflix in 2014 — two years before the unexpected reboot was released — a whole new audience has become hooked on the show, from Gen Z’ers to Boomers. And thanks to social media, dedicated fans have been able to carve out a wholesome pocket of the internet to debate topics like Team Jess, Dean or Logan, and hound the official Gilmore Girls Instagram account (which is suspiciously active, btw…) for a new series.
The show’s eponymous duo, Lorelai and Rory, are remembered for their quick-wittedness, enviable mother-daughter bond, constant pop culture references, and ofc, their penchant for coffee.
But they’ve also earnt the right to be called style icons of their time. Where the Gilmore Girls lead, we will always follow, and it’s not hard to see why (especially now that Y2K is cool again). From Rory’s cosy knitwear, bootcut jeans, and layered tank tops to Lorelai’s leather blazers, bandanas and cowboy boots, TikTokers have made the ‘Gilmore Aesthetic’ trendy again – and I’m here for it.
The ‘Gilmore Aesthetic’ resurgence doesn’t just stop at fashion though; there’s a lot of commotion around Lorelai and Rory’s beauty looks online too — particularly when it comes to tutorials for Rory’s ‘no-makeup makeup’ and her ever-changing hairstyles.
While it might not be as noticeable or dramatic as the makeup on current shows like Euphoria or Wednesday, the Gilmore Girls look is the perfect combination of ‘00s glam (you know, brick red lippy, pastel eyeshadows and skinny brows) and that effortless ‘I woke up like this’ vibe that never goes out of style.
So, what if I told you that I know the *exact* makeup products worn by our fave on-screen duo? Yep, that’s right. I managed to track down Tegan Taylor, a lead makeup artist on some of the later series of the OG show, as well as the more recent Gilmore Girls: A Year In The Life.
Makeup used on the Gilmore Girls set
So without further ado, here are the 15 products you need to nail the Gilmore Aesthetic.
Gilmore Girls base products
Lorelai (played by Lauren Graham) and Rory (played by Alexis Bledel) always have immaculate-looking skin, whether they’re strolling through Doose’s Market or arguing with Emily and Richard at Friday dinner. But it never really looks like they’re wearing any makeup. What’s the secret? Three specific complexion and skincare products, that’s what.
“I used Giorgio Armani’s Luminous Silk Foundation in the colour 5.5 on both of the ladies,” Tegan told me, “Then, Clé de Peau’s concealer stick in the shade ‘Beige’ under the eyes, but I mixed a bit of Clinique’s All About Eyes into the concealer to make it a little less heavy.”
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Gilmore Girls cheek products
Gilmore Girls is intrinsically linked with autumn and winter, so it’s only fitting that Lorelai and Rory always have subtly flushed cheeks. I mean, they practically invented the ‘Cold Girl Aesthetic’ that’s trending on TikTok right now.
“I used MAC’s ‘Warm Soul’ to contour the cheeks and ‘Blushbaby’ (also by MAC) to pop the top of their cheeks,” Tegan revealed.
Ah, I can practically smell snow already.
Gilmore Girls eye products
Lauren and Alexis might not be related IRL, but they both have the same striking blue eyes. Tegan and the MUAs on set used specific eyeshadow to really highlight this shared trait. “I leaned on several MAC eyeshadow colours including ‘Cork,’ ‘Brun,’ and ‘Woodwinked’ to make their blue eyes pop. Sometimes, I brushed a little of the Makeup For Ever Diamond Powders onto their lids too, because they’re so subtle but really catch the light.”
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The girls’ lashes were often coated in Dior’s Diorshow mascara, but for occasions that called for a more natural look (e.g. when they’re eating Al’s Pancake World takeout on the sofa) they wore Maybelline’s Classic Mascara.
The latter is now discontinued, so Tegan recommends using Maybelline’s Great Lash Mascara instead.
Gilmore Girls brow products
Sorry Gen Z, but soap brows and laminated brows won’t fly with this look. Thin and angular eyebrows were the ‘in’ thing in the ‘00s, so Tegan used Anastasia Beverley Hills’ Powder Brow Colour in ‘Soft Brown’ and a wet angled brush to make the actress’ brows look “natural and enhanced” but not too “done”.
Gilmore Girls lip products
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the hilarious lipstick shade Lorelai wears at her spa trip with Emily — ‘Vicious Trollop’ — is not real. And sadly, Tegan has no clue what actual lipstick shade was used in this scene.
The good news is though, she can remember exactly which real lipsticks Lauren and Alexis wore the most on set.
“Lauren liked MAC’s Viva Glam I and also used Tom Ford lipsticks, but she changed up her lipsticks a lot to go with her outfits,” she told me.
For Alexis, Tegan generally mixed lipsticks to make a bespoke colour. Two of her favourites were Capricious by MAC and Toasted Rose by Clinique, but these shades are now discontinued. Don’t worry though, MAC’s Lustre Glass Lipstick in ‘Beam There, Done That’, and Clinique’s Chubby Stick Intense in ‘Roomiest Rose’ are almost identical.
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Inspired for your 50th re-watch of the show? See you on Netflix for a binge.
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