Kaia Gerber has mastered a beauty look that somehow manages to feel polished without ever looking overdone.
The model and actress has been everywhere lately while promoting The Shards, and her latest appearances are once again proving that sometimes the simplest beauty looks make the biggest impact.
Gerber recently stepped out in New York for a U.S. Open event wearing a sleek black midi dress, oversized sunglasses and minimal accessories — the kind of understated outfit that has become part of her signature off-duty aesthetic.
Her beauty approach follows a similar formula: fresh-looking skin, natural brows, glossy lips and hair that looks polished without appearing overly styled.
It’s the model-off-duty look in its purest form.
And while we can’t all have Kaia Gerber’s genetics — her mom is Cindy Crawford, after all — we can borrow a few ideas from her less-is-more beauty approach.
Here are six beauty finds we’re eyeing for recreating that effortless glow.
1. e.l.f. SKIN Glass Slick Hydrating Serum Stick
Best for: That fresh, dewy complexion
The foundation of the model-off-duty look isn’t necessarily foundation at all.
It’s skin that looks hydrated, fresh and naturally luminous.
The e.l.f. SKIN Glass Slick Hydrating Serum Stick makes an easy first step. The portable skincare stick is designed to deliver hydration while creating a dewy, glass-skin finish.
Swipe it across the high points of the face before makeup — or use it on its own when you want your skin to look refreshed without applying a full face.
For this particular look, less really is more.
Shop the e.l.f. SKIN Glass Slick Hydrating Serum Stick
2. SHEGLAM Smooth & Blur Primer
Best for: Creating a smooth, barely-there base
If you’re going for minimal makeup, the skin underneath it becomes even more important.
The SHEGLAM Smooth & Blur Primer is designed to smooth the appearance of the complexion and create a more even-looking base before makeup.
Instead of layering on a heavy foundation, try using primer first and then applying concealer only where you actually want it.
The goal isn’t to cover everything. It’s to create that “my skin just happens to look like this” finish that works so well with an understated beauty look.
Shop the SHEGLAM Smooth & Blur Primer
3. Makup Beauty Brow Me
Best for: Fluffy, natural-looking brows
Perfectly sculpted Instagram brows aren’t really the point here.
For a Kaia-inspired look, we’d go softer.
The Makup Beauty Brow Me is an easy way to define and shape the brows while still allowing them to look natural.
Brush the hairs slightly upward and concentrate on creating definition rather than dramatically changing the brow shape.
It’s a small step, but groomed brows can pull together an otherwise minimal makeup look almost instantly.
4. tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip
Best for: The effortless glossy lip
There’s something about a glossy lip that works particularly well with barely-there makeup.
The tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip delivers shine and color without requiring the precision of a traditional statement lipstick.
Choose a shade close to your natural lip color for the easiest version of the look.
Paired with dewy skin and softly defined brows, it gives you that polished-but-not-trying-too-hard finish we’re going for.
Shop the tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip
5. DAE Cactus Fruit 3-in-1 Styling Cream & Taming Wand
Best for: Polished hair without losing the effortless vibe
Kaia Gerber’s hair is a perfect example of the difference between undone and unkept.
Her off-duty hairstyles often retain natural movement and texture rather than looking overly sprayed or perfectly sculpted.
The DAE Cactus Fruit 3-in-1 Styling Cream & Taming Wand is designed to smooth flyaways and tame those little pieces around the hairline without requiring you to slick down the entire hairstyle.
Use the wand only where you need it and let the rest of the hair keep its natural movement.
Shop the DAE Cactus Fruit 3-in-1 Styling Cream & Taming Wand
6. Kopari Golden Sunglaze SPF 50 Shimmer Body Mist
Best for: Taking the glow beyond your face
Why should your skincare routine get all the fun?
The Kopari Golden Sunglaze SPF 50 Shimmer Body Mist combines SPF 50 sun protection with a subtle golden shimmer for skin that looks luminous rather than glittery.
Mist it across exposed shoulders, arms, décolletage and legs to carry the glow from your makeup through the rest of your look.
It’s particularly good for the end of summer when you’re wearing tanks, dresses and other skin-baring styles.
Shop the Kopari Golden Sunglaze SPF 50 Shimmer Body Mist
The Secret to Kaia Gerber’s Model-Off-Duty Beauty? Don’t Try Too Hard
The funny thing about effortless beauty is that there’s usually at least some effort involved.
The trick is knowing where to put it.
Instead of a dozen visible makeup steps, concentrate on a few things that make the biggest difference: hydrated-looking skin, groomed brows, a glossy lip and healthy-looking hair with natural movement.
Gerber has taken a similarly understated approach to her recent fashion choices. While her character in The Shards embraces the volume and glamour of the early 1980s, Kaia’s own appearances have leaned much more minimalist.
It’s a reminder that looking put together doesn’t necessarily require piling more on.
Sometimes the coolest beauty look is the one that leaves people wondering whether you’re wearing much makeup at all.
And that’s a vibe we’re very happy to steal.
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Courtney Rose is an Entertainment Writer at Feeling the Vibe Magazine based in New York. Pop culture and rom-com obsessed. Studied Journalism and is up to date on all the latest entertainment news. For tips or comments, email me at [email protected]