Gabrielle Union Is Redefining Beauty Through Self-Care, Authenticity, and Her IPSY Icon Box
Gabrielle Union’s take on beauty has always been anything but conventional. At 52, she’s found a way to blend self-love, authenticity, and intentional care into a philosophy that is rooted not in trends, but in self-expression. For Gabrielle, beauty isn’t about fitting into a mold; it’s about celebrating individuality and honoring what makes us unique.
“Beauty isn’t a collective aesthetic,” she says. “It’s the things that stir your soul.” This philosophy is at the heart of her February IPSY Icon Box, a carefully curated collection that reflects her journey toward embracing beauty on her own terms and celebrates the art of you.
As our Icon Box curator, she reminds us that every moment is a chance to uncover new layers of your unique beauty. With that spirit, she’s sharing her go-to beauty products and hard-won secrets for staying happy, confident, and unapologetically true to yourself every day. Her collection invites you to see yourself as a canvas, always evolving in your journey of self-expression—a masterpiece in the making.
Growing up, Gabrielle admits she tried to live up to society’s beauty standards. But today, she’s all about freedom—freedom to define beauty in her own way and to celebrate the things that truly matter to her. “I don’t want to be confined to one definition of beauty. Nature is infinite, and so is beauty,” she reflects.
When curating her IPSY Icon Box, Union didn’t just pick products that were popular or on-trend (although, it includes plenty of those, too!). She selected items that align with her values—products that blend affordability with luxury, that come from brands that reflect her commitment to sustainability and inclusivity. “Everything doesn’t have to be really, really expensive,” she notes. “In my routine, there’s a mixture of prices and places of origin. I care about how something’s made and who or what has been exploited to make it.”
Her own hair care line, FLAWLESS BY GABRIELLE UNION, is a testament to this approach. It’s a labor of love for her, a brand born from the desire to create something personal and meaningful. “Every time I see the labels or smell the fragrances, it’s a reminder that I loved myself enough to step out on faith and trust my circle,” she says.
Gabrielle’s beauty secrets are just as intentional as her philosophy. She swears by drinking a gallon of water on some days, and she makes sure to bask in the sun (with SPF!) whenever possible for that much-needed dose of vitamin D. “Aloe vera straight from the plant? Game changer for my scalp, skin, and curls,” she adds. It’s not about following a strict regimen, but about listening to her body and nourishing herself in ways that feel right in the moment.
For Gabrielle, beauty is also about slowing down, taking time to breathe, and fully engaging with the rituals of self-care. “Sometimes, self-care is just an empty house and silence while I watch Law & Order: SVU,” she says. “Other times, it’s me and my dog outside.” Whether it’s a 10-step skincare routine or a few quiet moments in the sun, she finds beauty in the everyday.
What’s most striking about Gabrielle’s perspective is how grounded it is in authenticity. She’s not just a beauty icon—she’s an advocate for a more inclusive and diverse definition of beauty. She loves that the beauty industry is evolving to be more reflective of the diverse range of experiences and looks that exist in the world. “There are a bazillion ways to be beautiful all in one day,” she says. “We don’t need to be a slave to one idea.”
Her beauty journey has been intertwined with her growth as a mother, an activist, and a role model. For Gabrielle, beauty goes beyond the surface—it’s about what you put out into the world and how you make people feel. “I feel most beautiful when someone tells me, ‘Thank you for fighting for us.’ That’s the kind of beauty that matters,” she says.
Through her Icon Box collection, Gabrielle Union isn’t just offering a beauty box; she’s offering a piece of her soul—a celebration of individuality, resilience, and the power of loving yourself just as you are.