9 Times Celebrities Went Makeup Free

For the most part, we’re used to seeing our favourite celebrities in full glam.

Whether they’re walking the red carpet or posing for Instagram, celebs have nailed the art of looking perfectly done up.

Of course, they have a lot of helping hands in looking *that* good. The artists behind the Kardashian’s oft-imitated beauty, for example, have become celebrities in their own rights, revered for their impeccable hair and makeup skills.

And while we love admiring the creativity behind these stylings, there’s power to be had in remembering that, beneath it all, celebs really are just like us.

That’s why we can’t help but spotlight the times when our favourite celebrities have dared to go bare face – and looked stunning in the process.

Below, our pick of the most memorable makeup-free celebrity moments.

Pamela Anderson

Image: Getty

In recent years, Pamela Anderson has made a habit of going sans makeup.

Of the decision to embrace her natural beauty, the 56-year-old told Vogue, “I don’t know, something just kind of came over me, and I was dressing in these beautiful clothes, and I thought, ‘I don’t want to compete with the clothes. I’m not trying to be the prettiest girl in the room. I feel like it’s just freedom. It’s a release.”

Lady Gaga

Despite walking the red carpet in a characteristically dramatic makeup look, moments later, Lady Gaga performed on stage at the 2023 Oscars completely bare faced.
The stripped down look – which she paired with black jeans, Converse sneakers, and a T-shirt – was the perfect accompaniment to her raw rendition of ‘Hold My Hand’ – the Top Gun: Maverick track.

Kim Kardashian

While we’re often privy to Kim Kardashian at home in her natural form (thanks to The Kardashians), it’s not often that the star makes public appearances without the help of her glam squad.

But in 2016, that’s exactly what she did, attending the Balenciaga show without any makeup on.

Alicia Keys

In 2016, Alicia Keys looked stunning as she walked the red carpet at the MTV VMAs with bare skin.

Drew Barrymore

On her 47th birthday (02/02/222), Drew Barrymore took to Instagram to share a makeup-free selfie. She captioned the image, “2 22 22 this is 47.”

Gwyneth Paltrow

What better way to promote a skincare product than with a selfie of your radiant, makeup-free complexion? That’s exactly what Gwyneth Paltrow did for the launch of Goop’s Cloudberry Exfoliating Jelly Cleanser. Since then, she’s made a habit of going makeup-free on Instagram – and looking absolutely glowing in the process.