The fashion and beauty on Gossip Girl? Absolutely iconic—and forever a source of inspiration. Serena van der Woodsen’s style, in particular, embodied that carefree, effortless “model-off-duty” vibe. She was a blonde bombshell who didn’t need heavy makeup to turn heads. Thanks to head makeup artist Amy Tagliamonti, Serena’s looks always emphasized her natural beauty. Inspired by her makeup looks, I’ve put together a list of makeup essentials Serena would’ve sworn by during the show’s run (2007–2012) and a few newer products I’m convinced she’d add to her vanity today. With so many amazing brands on the market now, of course, she would naturally try new things.
Complexion Products 2007- 2012 Edition
When the show aired, a matte finish was more common, but Serena always had a natural glow to her complexion. It’s safe to say she wasn’t one for heavy, full-coverage products. Instead, she likely opted for something lightweight and breathable—just enough to even out her skin tone while letting her natural beauty shine through.
Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation
The Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation is loved by many celebrities and makeup artists. It came out in 2000, and I definitely think it was a part of Serena’s makeup collection. She doesn’t need lots of coverage, and it has a natural, glowy finish.
YSL Touche Éclat Awakening Concealer Click Pen
Serena never needed lots of coverage. YSL’s Touche Éclat came out in 1992 and has been a well-loved product ever since. This product has enough coverage and luminosity for Serena’s everyday makeup look.
NARS Laguna Talc-Free Bronzer Powder
NARS first released their Laguna Powder in 2001, but the formula was different back then. Since then, they expanded their shade range and reformulated the product. The powder blends like a dream, looks smooth, and it isn’t overly shimmery.
NARS Talc-Free Powder Blush
NARS launched its first blush in 1999 in their iconic Orgasm shade, and it’s been the brand’s most popular shade ever since! I definitely think that Serena used the peachy pink shade during her time on Gossip Girl’s radar.
Complexion Products Present Edition
Serena’s makeup collection would have definitely evolved with the trends, embracing more cream-based and hydrating products to keep her look fresh and modern. Of course, she’d stock up on everything needed to achieve the ultimate, radiant glow—because if anyone knows how to shine effortlessly, it’s Serena van der Woodsen. Let’s not forget money is not an issue for Serena, so if it’s a product she loves, she will have it in her collection no matter the cost.
Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter
On busy days when she’s late and skips foundation, she might just use this to even out the skin tone and give her a nice glow.
REFY Glow and Sculpt Face Serum Primer
The facial roller on this primer makes it a great product for Serena when she’s in a rush. This is a quick and easy primer that feels hydrating and cooling on the cheeks.
Rare Beauty Always An Optimist 4-in-1 Prime & Set Mist
Serena likely knows Selena Gomez from industry events and gets Rare Beauty sent her way. This setting spray smells amazing and is the perfect multi-purpose product Serena would love.
Dior Backstage Face & Body Foundation
With the hydrating formula and the medium coverage, I could see Serena liking this foundation. It looks natural and leaves a healthy glow.
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder
I wouldn’t be surprised if Serena had her makeup done by Charlotte Tilbury herself. I can totally picture her using the Airbrush Flawless Powder in her routine—and of course, keeping it in her bag for touch-ups!
Patrick Ta Major Sculpt Crème Contour & Powder Bronzer Duo
Having both the cream and powder versions of bronzer is convenient and is perfect for Serena when she’s running late. It blends effortlessly, so she doesn’t have to spend forever applying the product.
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit Unlocked Palette
Serena would probably take this palette when she’s travelling to save space. It’s got everything she needs to add warmth, dimension, and a natural glow.
Patrick Ta Major Headlines Double-Take Crème & Powder Blush Duo
Once she knows she likes a brand’s products, she will remain a loyal customer. That’s why I think she would also like Patrick Ta’s blush duo.
Armani Beauty Fluid Sheer Glow Enhancer Highlighter
You can use this before or after applying foundation. If she desired extra glowy skin, she could mix the product with her foundation.
Dior BACKSTAGE Glow Face Palette
A versatile palette that you can use on the cheeks and eyes that has a beautiful glow. I could see Serena using the pink and white highlighter often, and the other shades on her eyes.
Eye Products 2007- 2012 Edition
In a 2009 interview with Allure, head makeup artist Amy Tagliamonti spilled the tea on some of the go-to products she used on Gossip Girl. And honestly, I can totally see Serena loving a few of them too! Fun fact: back then, palettes weren’t really a thing—single shadows ruled the scene until around 2010.
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil
In an interview in Allure, Blake Lively mentioned that these Urban Decay eyeliners are one of her favourite products. Serena didn’t wear liquid eyeliner often, and a pencil is easier to get a smoky eye shadow look.
Lancôme Hypnôse Volumizing Mascara
Tagliamonti said she used the Lancôme L’Extrême Lengthening Mascara on set, which is no longer sold. Their Hypnôse mascara came out in 2004. I could see Serena using this to give her lashes volume.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Ultra-Slim Precision Eyebrow Pencil
Serena’s eyebrows always looked very natural. This eyebrow pencil is great for filling them in and for creating hair-like strokes.
Chanel Les 4 Ombres Multi-Effect Quadra Eyeshadow in Spices
Tagliamonti said she used the Chanel quads in Spices and Dunes on Blake Lively. “They’re both a mix of golds and warm, natural shades. They’re great for the daytime looks on the show because they add a little depth without looking over the top,” Tagliamonti explains to Allure. When the show first started, eye shadow palettes weren’t common, so I could see Serena using these palettes herself.
Eye Products Present Edition
Serena was never one to wear colourful eyeshadow looks. Instead, she kept it simple with neutral tones—usually cool-toned shades—and some shimmer to make her eyes pop. Classic, effortless, and so Serena!
Makeup by Mario Master Pigment Pro Eyeliner Pencil
Since a smoky eyeliner is what Serena prefers, this eyeliner pencil is great because its creamy formula makes it easy to blend out.
Benefit Cosmetics BADgal BANG! Volumizing Mascara
Living on the Upper East Side, Serena is no stranger to drama—but she’d definitely want to bring that same energy to her lashes! The Benefit BADgal Bang Mascara, with its amazing wand, layers beautifully for nicely lifted lashes.
Kosas Brow Pop Nano Ultra-Fine Eyebrow Pencil
Another eyebrow pencil that is easy for Serena to get hair-like strokes and fill in the sparse areas of her eyebrows.
YSL Couture Mini Clutch Eyeshadow Palette
Money is not an issue for Serena, so she wouldn’t care about the hefty price tag of this palette. These are pigmented shadows that come in a perfectly sized palette for travelling.
Makeup By Mario Ethereal Eyes Eyeshadow Palette: Moonlight
Both of Makeup by Mario’s Ethereal palettes would be something Serena would use in her makeup collection. They are long-lasting, pigmented, and the palettes have a variety of mattes and shimmers.
Lip Products 2007- 2012 edition
Serena’s famous line, “Lipstick lasts longer, but lip gloss is more fun,” says it all—she’s 100% a gloss girl! She loved glossy lips and a shiny finish. Here are the lip products I think she couldn’t live without!
Dior Addict Lip Maximizer Plumping Gloss
Gloss girls always have lip gloss on them no matter where they are going. These lip glosses aren’t sticky and have a nice shimmer.
MAC Cosmetics Lip Pencil
A lip liner is a must if you want your lipstick to look good. With their colour payoff and staying power, these lip liners are a must-have.
Lancôme Juicy Tubes Original Lip Gloss
The Lancôme Juicy Tubes were a major hit in the 2000s before being discontinued in 2018. Luckily, Lancôme brought them back in 2020—something I’m sure Serena would’ve been thrilled about (unless, of course, she already used up all her stash)!
MAC Cosmetics M·A·CXIMAL Sleek Satin Lipstick
Even though matte lipstick was gaining popularity during the time Gossip Girl was on, I think Serena would have preferred a satin finish. I think Serena’s go-to MAC shades would be Crèam Cup, Modesty, and Blankety.
Lancôme L’Absolu Rouge Cream Lipstick
I’m sure Serena borrowed her mom’s Lancôme lipsticks before she started buying her own lippies. I could see her wearing shades like 337 Blush Classique because cool pinks were popular back then, or shade 01 because concealer-looking lips were trendy back then.
Lip Products Present Edition
Let’s be real—there’s no such thing as too much lipstick or lip gloss! I’m pretty sure Serena couldn’t resist adding these gems to her collection, too.
Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G Satin Shine Lipstick
The Charlotte Tilbury lipsticks have an amazing creamy formula that feels comfortable on the lips. I could see Serena adding a few to her collection, including Pillow Talk, Kidman’s Kiss, and Candy Chic.
Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner
Creamy lip liners that glide on like a dream. Of course, Serena would have them in her collection.
Buxom Full-On Plumping Lip Cream Gloss
Buxom’s plumping lip cream glosses are stunning! These have a hydrating formula and a minty scent. They give you a slight plumping effect and beautiful colour payoff.
Tower 28 ShineOn Lip Jelly Hydrating Non-Sticky Lip Gloss
These are ultra-glossy because they’re a lip gloss oil hybrid. It’s not sticky and looks smooth on the lips. Any gloss girl will absolutely love this.
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