We've all heard of women 'painting their face on' everyday. Combined with the explosion of face-tuning technology on Instagram, it's hard to know what's real and what's fake these days!
Now, a new bare photo challenge has popped up on social media. Celebrities want you to know their beauty really is skin deep! Does Gal Gadot pass the test?
Gal captioned this Instagram upload with a peek into her domestic bliss:
"Sleepless night, colic 3 months old baby and an early wake up by my 5 year old. Went to the garden to get some fresh air with my coffee to help me wake up and now watching The Cat In The Hat with my daughter. It always amazes me how the most simple things are the ones to make us the happiest." Wonderwoman, all the time!
Let's take a look at the latest makeup-free selfies our favorite famous faces shared online. Do some of them actually look better without all the glam? We report, you decide!
Read on to investigate who really rocks that natural glow...
Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga is not exactly known for a basic, natural look. Crazy costumes are just part of her persona, and we can't get enough of her creativity! Gaga once claimed: "I don't think I could live without hair, makeup and styling, let alone be the performer I am. I am a glamour girl through and through."
Recently, she even launched Haus Laboratories, a glam cosmetics line that is sold on Amazon. It's doing well, and Oprah included one of her eye shadows in her list of Favorite Things!
Perhaps that's why Gaga decided to show us all what things look like before the products do their magic with this au naturelle shot!
According to LG: "Makeup changed my life. I never felt beautiful, and I still have days that I don't feel beautiful. All of the insecurities that I've dealt with my whole life from being bullied when I was younger, they come right back up to bite me. Then I put makeup on, and before I know it, I feel this superhero within. It gives me those wings to fly. I'm not saying that makeup is the only thing that does that, but it did that for me."
In all honesty, you look great either way Lady! Will other celebs reveal natural beauty, as well?
Gigi Hadid
Gigi Hadid is not your average Insta model. She's the real deal, and has appeared on Vogue covers around the world 35 times! Many people first noticed her as the hypnotizing girl in How Deep Is Your Love with Calvin Harris. The real is, how deep is her makeup routine?
Well, this selfie says it all! She doesn't look very different, in the end. Maybe that's why she has done so well!
When she does do her own look, Gigi has a preference. According to the model: "Even if I have no other makeup on, I always want a nude lip, and if I'm going to do a bright, I want it to be matte." Totally chic!
But wait a minute. Gigi has a sister in the modeling business, too! Do they look more alike without all the glam?
Bella Hadid
Scientists recently released their yearly rankings of the most beautiful faces in the world. An exclusive club, if there ever was one! Using the Greek concept of the golden ratios, experts examined the likenesses of our favorite celebrities. Guess who topped the list this time?
According to facial cosmetic surgeon Dr. Julian De Silva: "Bella Hadid was the clear winner when all elements of the face were measured for physical perfection. She had the highest overall reading for her chin which, with a score of 99.7 percent, is only 0.3 percent away from being the perfect shape."
But did he see her without makeup, you ask? Bella posted this natural selfie recently, so reevaluation could be interesting!
Chrissy Teigen
Chrissy became a Sports Illustrated swimsuit babe way back in 2010, and her modeling campaigns have simply exploded since then.
Gillette Venus razors, Olay skincare, Nike, Skullcandy, Billabong, and too many other brands to name now grace her glamorous resume. Oddly enough, Chrissy is not always comfortable when she is publicly exposed.
According to Chrissy: "I've always been kind of uncomfortable just on the beach in a swimsuit. I'm never my most confident in a bikini on the beach, especially when you know people are looking at you, and they expect one thing because of what they see in the magazines, and you might not look that way. It's always been a scary thing for me."
Well, she looks pretty comfortable exposing the natural face! Chrissy noticed the trend recently and posted this one online for fans. Who else joined in?
Tyra Banks
Tyra Banks is no average supermodel if there is such a thing.
She's tackled the reality show world and the talk show circuit, beyond the runway. But that's not all! Tyra launched an online cosmetics company and started business classes at Harvard before her most recent, very special project. What is she up to at the moment?
Why, she's a new mom! Tyra recently had her first child, and this casual selfie chilling at home gives us a peek into what she looks like off TV. The model once remarked: “I love the confidence that makeup gives me.” Tyra, you seem pretty confident without it, too!
Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood came to everyone's attention in the same way.
As the winner of an early American Idol season in 2005, her first single debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. She's done very well since then as a glamorous pop-country crossover, and that's how we're used to seeing her!
As it turns out, the are other sides to Carrie people haven't gotten to know very well! First, she studied journalism. Second, she's a sports nut!
According to Carrie: "I'm girlie in the sense that I like makeup, but I also love sports and man food." As everyone can see, this part-time girly girl spends real-time without the mask pumping iron at the gym. Here, she shows off a natural selfie!
Amy Schumer
Amy Schumer is famous for her raw, raunchy comedy. Comments on social media inevitably come back to the way a woman looks, and Amy encountered a strange situation recently.
Instagram account get_insta_ready posted pictures of the comedian as a business sample for photo editing: “DM me pictures you would like to post and I will make them insta ready,” the Instagram account captioned the side-by-side photos of Schumer.
“Like what [I] did with Amy Schumer? I will do that for you, too.” But her face was totally warped!
Though the service sought to beautify people's pictures, Amy did not appreciate the tweaks.
She wrote: "This is not good for our culture. I like how I look and don’t want to look like a carbon copy of this one type woman you feel is the best way to look.” Now, Amy has posted a totally makeup-free photo of what she looks like hanging out during her me-time. Haters be damned, Amy doesn't care!
Shakira
And now, our favorite she-wolf! Shakira posted this casual photo recently, and she has actually talked about going natural in the past. Sadly, she doesn't always have the option as a pop superstar!
According to Shakira: “If it was up to me I would just wear jeans and t-shirts, even to red carpets, but then no-one would photograph me so that would make me very sad,” she laughed. “So you know, I’ve gotta keep up with the rest of the female population and sometimes try a little harder.”
'Keeping up with the Joneses' has probably turned into Keeping Up with the Kardashians at this point. But do the K-girls really always wear makeup? Time to find out!
Kylie Jenner
Kylie Cosmetics is now one of the biggest American independent makeup companies around. Perhaps the biggest?
Founded by Kylie in 2016, the company was valued at $800 million just two years later! For a girl that's made almost a billion bucks selling lip kits, does Kylie actually like wearing makeup?
The young businesswoman explained: "If I'm going to see people, I won't wear heavy makeup. It's not attractive on me. When you see those pictures on my Instagram, they are usually for when I'm doing a photoshoot or an interview."
Interesting, Kylie! Fans may have also noticed that she said something contradictory. Also according to Kylie: "I can't walk out of my house without my lipstick!" Girl, which it? And do the other Kardashians secretly like going natural?
Kourtney Kardashian
Kourtney Kardashian has given us some insider tips on her always-natural-looking makeup routine. Kourt actually really raves about one product: "When I do my own makeup, I always start with Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer."
Recently, she posted a selfie with even less coverage than a tinted moisturizer. Bare-faced and beautiful, she must have a killer skincare regimen!
Other stars also enjoy wearing less layered camouflage, even if they do represent brands that make these products. Who's the next natural woman?
Cara Delevingne
Cara Delevingne is a face most people have noticed by now. She's hard to miss, really. The public persona for Burberry has transitioned into movies, in case anyone managed to ignore her striking ads.
What does this two-time British Fashion Awards Model of the year look like when she's off-screen, though?
Well, chilling with this monkey seems to be something just as comfortable for Cara. No makeup required, really.
The model has been actively experimenting with her casual look, as it turns out: "There's a really easy way of just kind of wearing make-up but looking like there's nothing on your face... I'm still not very good at it, and I'm learning slowly." Cara, you'll always be a beautiful homo sapien.
Ashley Graham
Ashley Graham has turned the modeling world upside down with her crazy curves, all real the deal. Brands across the board have decided she is a great marketing tool for a wider audience, and she finds herself plenty of work these days.
As a Revlon Bold Global Brand Ambassador, she's been designing lip kits. According to the model: “Lipstick just makes everything so easy. If I’m heading out the door without any makeup on, and I swipe on a vivid lip color, suddenly I feel like I’ve got my life together."
But wait! Ashley posted this totally bare selfie recently. Turns out she doesn't really need the lipstick, though we probably do. Sad times!
Jennifer Garner
If you haven't checked in with Jennifer Garner lately, we have some news. She looks pretty much the same now in her late 40s as she ever did. And she's posted a natural selfie to show us that perception is real! How does she maintain her youth so well?
It's not expensive or complicated as what people might assume. Jennifer loves sunscreen!
She explained: “If you’re in the sun, you’ve got to have 100+ and you’ve got to reapply.” Goodness, 100 seems like a lot! According to some studies, strong UVA sunscreen can actually slightly reverse aging. Jennifer knows it's more than just prevention!
Kesha
Kesha has been a wild, sparkly girl for many years on the music scene. She has long talked about her go-to enhancement: "Glitter is my makeup of choice." Recently she launched her own edgy makeup line!
She also put out this makeup-free headshot, and social media loved the freckles! According to Kesha: "I think beauty is all about what's inside your soul...I'm just an aura in a skin suit — but I do like to decorate it." Interesting take, miss Timber.
Katie Holmes
We all remember Katie Holmes rocked the natural look on Dawson's Creek. She really looked like the perfect girl next door, and it seems even Bobby Brown took notice! In 2012, Katie was picked as the new face of the company.
Bobbi explained the choice: “Katie Holmes epitomizes the modern ‘Bobbi woman’… I think of her as the modern-day Ali McGraw, who I have always admired. Katie is a classic natural beauty, entrepreneur, and mother. When I met her, I thought she was a natural fit for my brand and felt an instant connection with her.”
But now, Katie has exposed even more of her natural beauty online. This selfie is totally bare! Looks like Katie doesn't need Bobbi Brown products, but she probably does enjoy them! As do we all, as do we all.
Salma Hayek
Everyone knows 1966 was a special year. Why that's when Salma Hayek was brought to the world! And yes, that now puts her over 50. Just look at this stunning bare-faced selfie, people!
According to Salma: “People often say that 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder,' and I say that the most liberating thing about beauty is realizing that you are the beholder. This empowers us to find beauty in places where others have not dared to look, including inside ourselves.”
Well, many people have dared to look for beauty in Salma Hayek. Even without makeup, who can blame them?
Gabrielle Union
Gabrielle Union is known for her flawless skin, and it's hard to believe she is in her mid 40's now! In an interview with W Magazine, the actress shared some of the beauty tips that allow her to do things like show off a bare-faced selfie with the world!
What's her favorite beauty trick these days? Besides advising us not to pick at our zits and always check our moles, Gabrielle shared one secret formula to keep everything flowing:
"Anything with turmeric--it's great for circulation and fights inflammation." Why, that's easy to find. In fact, it's probably in the cupboard right now!
Bella Thorne
Before her acting career, Bella actually has a lot of experience in the modeling world. She began photoshoots at only six weeks old, people! Those images had to be pretty natural unless the industry has started beautifying babies now.
Hopefully, that's not the case. But as an adult, Bella does have to don all kinds of looks for commercials, music videos, and shows. How does she keep her skin so flawless, like in this selfie?
Bella explained: "My makeup artist, Tonya Brewer, taught me the importance of moisturizing daily. Hydration is a must if you want pretty, dewy skin - which I love." When it comes to moisture, maybe more is more!
Tracee Ellis Ross
Tracee Ellis Ross is known for many things. Some may recognize her as the daughter of Diana Ross by the uncanny resemblance, but others saw her for the first time on Girlfriends and Black-ish. With a beauty icon mom and a trail of her own magazine covers, Tracee must be really self-confident with or without makeup!
Or is she? Tracee admitted: "I need to see my own beauty and to continue to be reminded that I am enough, that I am worthy of love without effort, that I am beautiful, that the texture of my hair and that the shape of my curves, the size of my lips, the color of my skin, and the feelings that I have are all worthy and okay."
Maybe posting this selfie was therapeutic. She got tons of likes, so hopefully, it was a positive experience!
Jessica Alba
According to Jessica Alba: “Being perfect is being flawed, accepting it, and never letting it make you feel less than your best.” Maybe she finds that easy. Look at this natural selfie!
What is her secret? Probably the genetics her mom gave her, but it also might be the advice. Jessica explained: “I share the same advice that my mom gave me – stay hydrated and sleep well. And that being a beautiful person on the inside is what really matters.”
In the meantime, Jessica has been working on a clean cosmetics and personal care brand called The Honest Company. As of 2017, it was at almost $1 billion! Looks like people trust her as the face of a natural brand, but other celebrities are taking another marketing angle. Who else has been dipping their toe into the business?
Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore has said a lot about beauty over the course of her career. Her current philosophy? "Happiness is the best makeup."
The actress has been pretty busy with her own company, Flower Beauty. Currently valued at more than $125 million, Drew has been modeling the products herself in many cases. What does she look like without anything, though?
Growing up in the makeup chair as a child actor, Drew has had plenty of time to walk around flawless. Maybe she just enjoys feeling the fresh air on her face these days! More than 20 years of onscreen makeup sounds pretty intense.
Jennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lopez is almost synonymous with the concept of glow. The world has watched her strut around stages and red carpets for more than 20 years now, and she never fails to literally shine. Looking at this bare selfie, would anyone really believe she is now in her 50s? The glow is real, people!
According to Jen: “Beauty is only skin deep. I think what’s really important is finding a balance of mind, body, and spirit.” Easy to say when you're J-Lo, right?
Priyanka Chopra
Many might know Priyanka as the new wife of Nick Jonas, but perhaps a billion people around the world know her from Bollywood work. Has she gotten a big head with that all that fame?
According to Pri: "I think it's great to be flawed. I am hugely flawed, and I like it this way." People probably don't agree with her, especially after she posted this stunning, makeup-free photo online!
Portia De Rossi
Portia De Rossi is well known as Ellen's long-term love, and most recently as a core character on the cult-favorite series Arrested Development. Things sound pretty swimming! But has Portia always enjoyed working in the industry?
Portia wrote about her troubles with beauty and body image in her tell-all book, Unbearable Lightness.
According to the actress: "I would eat 300 calories a day — a lot of Jell-O and no-sugar everything, of course. I was doing Pilates, weight-training, circuit training; over lunch I would run on a treadmill in my dressing room with a fan on my face so I wouldn't sweat my makeup off."
At one point, she was trying to eat less than 300 calories a day!
Today, Portia De Rossi has recovered from her dangerous diet struggles. What's more, she posted this confident selfie online recently! Horseback riding au naturelle sounds therapeutic, doesn't it?
Gwen Stefani
Gwen Stefani has been wowing us with her unchanging beauty for more than two decades in the spotlight. She is in her 50's now and divorced from her longtime husband Gavin. But she looks as good as ever, doesn't she?
How can this be a woman in her 50's? The records prove it, even if it seems unbelievable. We all remember No Doubt existed!
When Gwen was married, she spoke about how she loved glamming up: “I like to make my husband like me more, and he likes it when I’m wearing makeup.” Seems that didn't work out, and now she is sharing her gorgeous bare-face! Opting for a simple kind of life, perhaps?
Madonna
Madonna has sported many iconic looks over the years, but now she is trying out a totally underrated option, No makeup at all, at least in one selfie!
Currently, Madonna is reflecting on her early years. In one interview, she was asked what she would tell the young Madonna just starting out. The popstar surprised everyone with her response: “Looks aren’t everything.”
Gwyneth Paltrow
The brains behind beauty and lifestyle brand Goop is none other than Gwyneth Paltrow. But who doesn't know that by now? She's been in the paper for some really wacky products, like expensive vaginal jade eggs. Is that what keeps Gwen looking so young, though?
Alas, those stones have been scientifically called out with no wellness value. Goop is actually worth around $250 million, so maybe the Gwen-curated lipsticks are worth checking out!
Her philosophy: “Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, or a kick-ass red lipstick.”
Whatever this anti-aging secret actually is, Gwen looks great without any products on her face!
Demi Lovato
Demi Lovato has decided to promote body positivity, and their recent nude Vanity Fair photoshoot did not secretly involve Facetune or Photoshop. Their three rules for the shoot? No makeup, no clothes, no retouching. Very bold, Demi!
Social media fans now see the real person behind the songs all the time! This selfie is one of many natural shots they've posted, including an intentionally unedited bikini pic with cellulite.
According to Demi: "This is what I got. I want this new chapter in my life to be about being authentic to who I am rather than trying to meet someone else’s standards. So here’s me, unashamed, unafraid, and proud to own a body that has fought through so much and will continue to amaze me when I hopefully give birth one day."
Creating a legacy with their future daughter in mind, we see!
Jessica Biel
Jessica Timberlake is the new name, but nobody seems to know her that way. Whether wholesome on 7th Heaven or dramatic on The Sinner, J-Biel has graced our TV screens for more than 29 years! Without makeup, has she aged as much as her audience during that time?
No, this flawless woman posted a selfie that answers the question pretty thoroughly. She looks fantastic! But Jessica has said that makeup can feel pretty heavy sometimes, and it often changes her real look quite a bit:
"I don't feel very glowing, especially after wearing makeup — and not necessarily my choice of makeup — for 12 hours straight on a movie set. When I'm playing a character, her look is sometimes different from my own."
Cindy Crawford
Cindy Crawford is living her best life, and the saying “age is just a number” truly applies here. The 56-year-old supermodel has been posting impressive makeup-free photos. She captioned this glowing selfie, “Recovery mode…”
In an interview with New Beauty, she shared the details of her healthy lifestyle. “No matter what I do, I’m not going to look 20 or 30. I just want to look great for 50. I exercise, eat healthily, and take really good care of my skin.” Keep doing you, Cindy!
Michelle Williams and Busy Philipps
Michelle Williams and Busy Philipps are living proof that beautiful friendship plays a vital role in having youthful skin. The two actresses have been best friends since they worked together on Dawson’s Creek. The lovely duo captioned their Instagram pic, "No makeup, no filters! That's how we roll."
We couldn’t help but be stunned by their glow. Williams is an avid fan of facial scrubs, and Philipps drinks plenty of water and removes all makeup before going to bed. No wonder they are proud of their smooth skin.
Yara Shahidi
We love the fact that Yara Shahidi keeps flaunting her makeup-free face on social media. The star of Grown-ish, Harvard student, and activist posted a shameless selfie, and her skin looks great even with some blemishes. Shahidi revealed that her skincare is influenced by her family’s culture.
The half Iranian-American and half African-American actress emphasizes “eating well and taking care of the skin that you’re in.” According to Shahidi, adding turmeric and cardamom to your diet will do great things for your skin. This is noted.
Sarah Michelle Gellar
Having been in show business since she was in her teenage years, Sarah Michelle Gellar has learned some valuable lessons about skincare. “From an early age, I’ve understood you have to take care of your skin. You know, don’t go to sleep with makeup on; cleanse and moisturize before bed,” she told Us.
She also hydrates her skin by drinking plenty of water and cleansing her face before and after air travel. Her post-workout selfie is serving us a “#nomakeup #nofilter” reminder. Gellar’s skin is amazing.
Britney Spears
Britney’s empowering selfie caption is all we need every day! "On days where I don't get primped and made up for my show, this is the real unglammed me. So nice to meet all of you! I call this my morning coffee at home look. #NoMakeupMonday"
Curious as to how the pop icon keeps her skin radiant? Well, she is a serious devotee of toners, revealing that her skin breaks out when she skips this essential step. Spears is also keen on keeping her skin clean through intensive gym workouts.
Alicia Keys
Since 2016, Alicia Keys has been rocking a makeup-free face, and she has never been more confident and more comfortable. The award-winning singer revealed to her huge fan base that her breakup with makeup started with her photoshoot for her album Here.
Keys and the photographer felt that the shoot should embrace her natural beauty, literally and figuratively, hence the no-makeup look. The singer described the moment as “the strongest, most empowered, most free, and most honestly beautiful” she’d experienced.
Lily Collins
Needless to say, Lily Collins’ recent makeup-free selfie looks amazing. She posted the photo on her Instagram account to honor Ciara’s album. "My girl @ciara is encouraging all of us to show the world our real selves on social media. I’m thrilled to help push this positive message in honor of her new album release (coming May 10!). Love yourself, own your differences, and embrace your #BeautyMarks."
The caption is adorable, and so is Collins’ radiant skin. Her skincare staples include facial wash, toner gel, moisturizer, and sunscreen.
Nene Leakes
One celebrity who is not afraid to show her vulnerable side is reality star Nene Leakes. She is known for being outspoken. In fact, she’s never afraid of critics whenever she posts makeup-free selfies on her Instagram account.
Nene posted a video clip about her nationwide tour and also acknowledged her simple look, telling her fans she was “coming at you live from my bed, no hair and no makeup.” Now, that’s confidence and raw beauty in one adorable package!
Heidi Klum
Supermodels get perfectly dolled up to make them look amazingly beautiful in fashion shows. Heidi Klum is no stranger to this lifestyle, and we are used to seeing the model and judge on Project Runway and America’s Got Talent.
In this Instagram story, she looks more amazing than ever, thanks to her youthful, glowing skin sans makeup. Believe it or not, Heidi’s skincare is simple – she cleans her face with baby shampoo, believing it’s gentle on her skin. The photo doesn’t lie – her skin is spectacular.
Sarah Hyland
Sarah Hyland’s bright and healthy skin is a product of commitment to her skincare routine. To maintain her youthful glow, the Modern Family star shared with her followers that she’s a big fan of firming face masks and gold under-eye patches.
Did we mention she puts on plenty of moisturizer to keep her skin hydrated? Consistency is the key, and if this is what it takes to have clear, lovely skin like Sarah, we’ll be glad to get on board.