Beauty has long been an extension of Peggy Gou’s dynamic style catalogue. Whether it’s sharing eccentric manicures in a globetrotting Instagram dump, or subtly experimenting with her signature feline flick at one of her countless worldwide shows, the South Korean DJ and steadfast musical tastemaker is no stranger to expressing her identity through the cosmetic lens – and her hair is no exception.
An audacious hair chameleon, Gou has worked everything from tangerine flapper bobs to choppy octopus accents. The 32-year-old’s contemporary fashion is yet to be contained by a single cut and colour, with even her most natural texture proving to be a playground for expressive new styles. As the new face of emerging professional haircare line Authentic Beauty Concept, Gou is the poster girl for unwavering originality, self-expression and style; not to mention, she’s been showcasing its sustainable premium formulas in the wild during her biggest shows this year.
We caught up with the ‘(It Goes Like) Nanana’ producer ahead of her highly anticipated Pleasure Gardens show in London’s Finsbury Park this summer. Here, you’ll find everything you need to know about Gou’s pre-show rituals, the wellness essentials you can find in her rider and the need-to-know details of her ethereal Pleasure Gardens beauty look.
‘I recently got wavy hair because I wanted to do something different,’ says Gou, as Authentic Beauty Concept hairstylist Said Rubaii works on defining her waves. ‘I had very straight hair for a while but [my inspiration] really depends on my mood. This is my summer look. When I have an important show like today, I want to have something that gives me confidence.’
Gou debuted a head of free-flowing voluminous curls for her Finsbury Park performance, a textured look that she kept tidy with the assistance of two on-brand curl clips. The concept behind Gou’s aesthetic? Effortless, feature-enhancing beauty.
‘Peggy’s look is all about embracing her natural beauty and creating an effortlessly chic hairstyle that compliments the lively atmosphere of the day,’ Rubaii explains. ‘The brief was to achieve a look that appears authentically beautiful and laid-back, while still being refined.’
Creating a hair look that can hold its own against heat, lights and a crowd of thousands is no small feat, so Rubaii relies on the help of impenetrable professional products and diligently selected ingredients to create a hydrated base for styling.
‘Outdoor events like festivals come with their own set of challenges,’ he explains. ‘To ensure that Peggy’s hair holds its style throughout the day, I start with a solid foundation of moisture using Authentic Beauty Concept’s Hydrate Cleanser and Mask. The key was layering the right products.’
Rubaii goes on to apply spray conditioner onto her strands, using a twisting technique to define each wave. ‘The diffuser plays a crucial role, enabling me to dry the hair using minimal heat while maintaining its natural texture. To combat frizz, I finish with the Indulging Fluid Oil for an added touch of shine.’
Authentic Beauty Concept Hydrate Cleanser
Authentic Beauty Concept Hydrate Mask
Authentic Beauty Concept Hydrate Spray Conditioner
Authentic Beauty Concept Indulging Fluid Oil
You’ll find the same weightless elixir at the pinnacle of Gou’s personal haircare regime, too; it’s a curated roster of products that will perform whether she’s in Morocco or Manchester.
‘Since I got wavy hair, it can look quite dry if it doesn’t have any product in there,’ Gou explains. ‘I always carry the conditioning spray, which is amazing if you have dry hair and don’t have time to style it.’
Korean sheet masks have also garnered a recurring spot in the DJ’s travel bag. ‘I have a lot of Korean face masks with me. There’s a store in Korea called Olive Young and they have so many masks from different brands. I just pick loads of different ones.’
When it comes to make-up, the DJ insists that there’s only one look that can truly empower her before a big performance: pared-back dewy skin and, of course, her signature cat eye.
‘I only have one make-up look that I do. Recently, I’ve been liking a bit of eyeliner on the inside corners of my eyes, too. Sometimes I’ll change it up and add a little accessory, but I just feel that other make-up looks don’t really look like me. I need to feel like myself.’
Pre- and post-show rituals? With an impressive set of strict wellness rules, Gou admits that her evening wind-downs have changed a lot since the dawn of her career.
‘I always have a ginger shot on my rider and I don’t drink too much. I always pack a sports kit so that I can work out every day. The first thing I ask when I book a hotel is “Do they have a gym?”’ she says. ‘It’s difficult. At the beginning of my career, I just wanted to keep going, but now I have a bath for more than 40 minutes and take melatonin vitamins – I like an early set these days.’
Shop Peggy Gou's go-to products at Authentic Beauty Concept
