When social media trends like #NoMakeup and #WokeUpLikeThis selfies took off, many celebrities joined in, showing off their bare faces to millions of fans. While some stars stretched the truth with eyeliner or lip gloss, others bravely embraced a completely makeup-free look. The results were both surprising and revealing, offering a glimpse into the natural beauty behind their glamorous personas. Here’s a look at some celebrities who are nearly unrecognizable without makeup.
#1. Chelsea Handler: Unfiltered and Playful
Chelsea Handler, known for her candid comedy and fearless personality, took her no-makeup selfie to the extreme. Her unfiltered photo looks more like an “after” shot from a substance abuse awareness ad than a casual selfie, but it’s clear that the comedian was playing for laughs.
#2. Demi Lovato: Body Positivity and Natural Beauty
Demi Lovato has become a champion for body positivity, often sharing makeup-free selfies and even posing nude and unretouched for Vanity Fair. However, in one selfie, Lovato looks almost unrecognizable, resembling more of the kid from Jerry Maguire than the pop icon fans know.
#3. Nicki Minaj: Drastically Different Without Makeup
Nicki Minaj is known for her bold makeup looks, from colorful eyeshadow to dramatic lashes. Without her signature style, she looks drastically different, as seen in a selfie taken fresh out of the shower.
#4. Tyra Banks: Showing Her Off Moments
Supermodel Tyra Banks has made waves with her makeup-free selfies, showing that even a legendary beauty can have off moments. In one photo, her wild expression and makeup-free face give off an uncharacteristic “crazy ex-girlfriend” vibe.
#5. Sharon Stone: Heavy Filters and Natural Beauty
Sharon Stone went makeup-free for an Instagram post, but the heavy filter she used ended up making her look more like a washed-out figure from an old mystery novel than a glowing natural beauty.
#6. Katy Perry: A Reminder of Off Days
Katy Perry’s ex-husband, Russell Brand, once posted a candid no-makeup photo of her, and the internet went wild. While fans know Perry as a pop star who’s always camera-ready, this now-infamous photo was a reminder that even celebs have their off days.
#7. Jessica Alba: Sweaty and Disheveled Post-Workout
Jessica Alba, known for her natural beauty, shared a post-workout selfie without makeup, proving that even billion-dollar entrepreneurs aren’t immune to looking a little sweaty and disheveled.
#8. AnnaLynne McCord: Relatable Acne Struggles
Actress AnnaLynne McCord surprised fans with a bare-faced selfie showing off her acne. The candid photo made her relatable to many, proving that even models get pimples too.
#9. Kylie Jenner: Subtle Eyeliner and Transformation
Kylie Jenner posted a “no-makeup” selfie that still featured a little eyeliner, but the bigger surprise was how much she’s changed over the years, likely due to more than just makeup.
#10. Lady Gaga: Shocking Without Theatrics
Known for her outlandish looks, Lady Gaga’s no-makeup selfie was a shocker. Without the theatrics, she looks completely different—like a whole new person.
#11. Marilyn Manson: Eerie Normalcy Without Makeup
Though typically sporting heavy makeup, Marilyn Manson shared a toned-down selfie that was almost eerie in its normalcy. Seeing the goth rocker without his trademark look is like seeing a teacher outside of school—strange and unexpected.
#12. Kate Upton: Down-to-Earth Gym Selfie
Supermodel Kate Upton shared a gym selfie without makeup, showing her down-to-earth side. Though she’s a world-renowned beauty, even she isn’t immune to looking like the rest of us when hitting the gym.
#13. RuPaul: Rare Makeup-Free Moment
RuPaul, the legendary drag icon, shared a rare makeup-free moment in 2016, reminding fans that the glamour they see on TV is the result of serious effort. Without the makeup, RuPaul looks surprisingly unassuming.
#14. Eva Longoria: Natural Beauty on Safari
Eva Longoria has shared multiple no-makeup moments, including one while on safari in India. Even without makeup, she maintains her natural beauty, proving she doesn’t need much to shine.
#15. Zoe Saldana: Playful Bare-Faced Selfie
Zoe Saldana has starred in multiple blockbuster franchises, but she isn’t afraid to go makeup-free. In 2016, she posted a bare-faced selfie, playfully captioned “Yikes — the actual situation.”
#16. Gwen Stefani: Stunning Without Bold Makeup
Gwen Stefani, who is known for her dramatic makeup, once posted a completely bare-faced selfie. It was a far cry from her usual look, but the singer proved she’s just as stunning without the bold lipstick and eyeliner.
#17. Kesha: Freckles Take Center Stage
Kesha has shared several no-makeup selfies over the years. Her freckles take center stage in these photos, making her look almost unrecognizable from her heavily made-up onstage persona.
#18. Naomi Watts: Pre-Oscars Facial Glimpse
Actress Naomi Watts once shared a no-makeup selfie while getting a facial before the Oscars, giving fans a glimpse into the hard work that goes into keeping her looking red-carpet-ready.
#19. Gwyneth Paltrow: Aging Gracefully
Gwyneth Paltrow is known for her clean, fresh-faced aesthetic, and she regularly posts no-makeup selfies, including one she shared on her 44th birthday, proving that she’s aging gracefully.
#20. Diane Kruger: Natural Beauty Without Glitz
Actress Diane Kruger kicked off 2016 with a no-makeup selfie, showing her followers that even without the glitz and glam of Hollywood, she’s still a natural beauty.
