Constantly being in the public eye, celebrities are always pressured to look put together. This means regularly being in full glam, perfectly styled hair, and an outfit that probably took a team of people to put together. However, when they’re off-duty, they sometimes allow themselves to rest from all the effort it takes to look this glamorous and reveal their natural, beautiful selves.
Our team at Bored Panda has collected some of these instances in the list below. Scroll down to find them and be sure to upvote those celebrities you thought sported the make-up-free look the best.
While you're at it, don't forget to check out a conversation with celebrity makeup artist Patty Bell, who kindly agreed to tell us more about celebrities and makeup.
#1 Pamela Anderson
Image credits: Juan Naharro Gimenez / Getty Images
#2 Shakira
Image credits: shakira
#3 Sofia Vergara
Image credits: sofiavergara
Celebrity makeup artist Patty Bell, with over 3 decades of experience in the industry and clients like President Joe Biden, Bill Gates, and Simone Biles, tells Bored Panda that makeup is like the icing on a cake, especially for celebrities.
"It helps form their image, create a character, and often becomes a part of their brand," she explained.
"Look at what makeup has done for Roan Chappell, Michael Jackson, Cleopatra, Marilyn Monroe, Twiggy, Lady Gaga, Elizabeth Taylor, RuPaul, Madonna, the Kardashians, and even David Bowie... their makeup was iconic and made them who they are."
#4 Emilia Clarke
Image credits: emilia_clarke
#5 Penélope Cruz
Image credits: penelopecruzoficial
#6 Liv Tyler
Image credits: misslivalittle
However, at the same time, celebrities posting photos without makeup has a powerful, fresh, and positive impact on the world, says Bell. "The no-makeup look is now slowly merging with the anti-aging movement. Women of all ages are starting to shift to a more pro-aging, botox-free, natural hair kind of, liberating lifestyle, and I’m here for it. Age is truly something to be celebrated and honored," she fondly says.
#7 Lady Gaga
Image credits: ladygaga
#8 Emma Stone
#9 Jennifer Aniston
Image credits: mrchrismcmillan
One celebrity that Bell names who has admirably embraced her age and natural beauty is Pamela Anderson.
"Pamela Anderson, who was once the queen of high-fashion glam makeup, is now one of the most talked-about women on the planet simply because she’s chosen not to wear makeup. It’s crazy that she’s making headlines everywhere she goes!" she exclaimed.
#10 Emma Watson
Image credits: emmawatson
#11 Drew Barrymore
Image credits: drewbarrymore
#12 Selena Gomez
Image credits: selenagomez
"In a world where women are expected to look picture-perfect, poreless, photoshopped, and perfect, Pam has “come out” and reinvented herself to the world," Bell adds. "She’s causing quite a stir in the media by simply revealing her own beautiful self, and she’s loving it."
#13 Kelly Clarkson
Image credits: kellyclarkso
#14 Ariana Grande
Image credits: arianagrande
#15 Anya Taylor-Joy
Image credits: anyaataylorjoy
Celebrities sporting make-up-free faces not only can inspire others to embrace natural beauty but they're also doing a favor for their own skin by giving it a break.
"Most women are just too tired to remove their makeup at night—but taking off your makeup is even more important than applying it," Bell stressed.
"It’s so hard to find a brand of cosmetics that is 100% pure and clean on the skin. Many are filled with harmful chemicals that can clog the pores and cause breakouts. I think it’s a really good idea to give your skin a vacation from the heavy makeup sometimes and let your skin breathe."
#16 Zooey Deschanel
Image credits: ZooeyDeschanel
#17 Michelle Peiffer
Image credits: michellepfeifferofficial
#18 Reese Witherspoon
Image credits: reesewitherspoon
For people to feel more confident without makeup, Bell says that they should start with acceptance. "In this lifetime, you are given one life to live, one body to own and one face to take care of—so why not look in the mirror and love who you see? Take care of your skin and what goes in and out of your body," she advises.
"When all of the makeup is stripped off...that is where the true, raw beauty hides. Wearing no makeup means you have nothing to hide behind besides your glowing complexion, heartwarming smile, and magnificent soul."
#19 Gal Gadot
Image credits: gal_gadot
#20 Alicia Keys
Image credits: aliciakeys
#21 Halle Berry
Image credits: halleberry
Lastly, the celebrity makeup artist wanted to give a big thank you to the brands that empower women to be their beautiful selves.
"I’d love to give a huge shout-out to Dove for being one of the original pioneers in the cosmetics world and empowering young women by building up their confidence and self-esteem."
#22 Alicia Silverstone
Image credits: aliciasilverstone
#23 Celine Dion
Image credits: celinedion
#24 Milla Jovovich
Image credits: millajovovich
"To Aerie for not airbrushing their models in their ad campaigns," she additionally mentions. "And finally, to Colby Cailatt for putting out one of the most powerful videos ever made... showing women taking off their makeup. What a simple, yet beautiful and basic, concept showing that we’re all beautiful, with or without makeup."
#25 Cameron Diaz
Image credits: camerondiaz
#26 Uma Thurman
Image credits: ithurman
#27 Salma Hayek
Image credits: salmahayek
#28 Kristen Bell
Image credits: kristenanniebell
#29 Laura Prepon
Image credits: lauraprepon
#30 Kesha
Image credits: iiswhoiis
#31 Jessica Chastain
Image credits: jessicachastain
#32 Uzo Aduba
Image credits: uzoaduba
#33 Zendaya
Image credits: Zendaya
#34 Shannen Doherty
Image credits: theshando
#35 Jennifer Garner
Image credits: jennifer.garner
#36 Katy Perry
Image credits: katyperry
#37 Helen Mirren
Image credits: helenmirren
#38 Eva Longoria
Image credits: evalongoria
#39 Adele
Image credits: adele
#40 Gwyneth Paltrow
Image credits: gwynethpaltrow
#41 Cara Delevingne
Image credits: caradelevingne
#42 Portia De Rossi
Image credits: portiaderossi
#43 Taylor Swift
Image credits: taylorswift
#44 Olivia Wilde
Image credits: oliviawilde
#45 Elle Fanning
Image credits: ellefanning
#46 Cindy Crawford
Image credits: cindycrawford
#47 Zoe Saldana
Image credits: zoesaldana
#48 Serena Williams
Image credits: voguemagazine
#49 Beyoncé
Image credits: beyonce
#50 Megan Fox
Image credits: meganfox
