Alicia Keys has been getting a LOT of press lately – not so much because of her new album, Here, but for her decision – gasp! – to not wear any make-up.
The star explained the reasons behind her decision in a heartfelt Lenny letter earlier this year. “Every time I left the house, I would be worried if I didn’t put on make-up,” she writes. “I was really starting to feel like that – that, as I am, I was not good enough for the world to see.”
If the sheer volume of ‘gym make-up’ and ‘no make-up make-up’ YouTube tutorials is anything to go by, too many women are burdened by the same conviction. How many of us add a flick of mascara just to go for a run, or dab on concealer to do the groceries?
But a revolution is nigh – a reaction, in part, to the Facetuned-within-an-inch-of-their-lives selfies on social media – images that tend to more closely resemble cartoons than actual women. A growing number of celebs are posting completely unfiltered, make-up free photos. And we love them for it.
But we can’t help but notice that invariably, those posting have completely clear skin. This is how they do it.
Mila Kunis appeared in the August 2016 issue of Glamour (pictured above left) completely free of make-up, saying “Women innately have this weird thing where they try to have a perfect persona – to look perfect, be perfect, act perfect.” The star says she doesn’t wear make-up day to day – possibly why her skin is so clear and congestion-free.
Exercise and a strict skincare regime are the pillars of Gwyneth Paltrow’s approach. “It’s key to get a good sweat every day. I think that’s an important foundation for a skincare routine,” she told Into the Gloss. Her skincare centres on her own Goop range of products, including the Goop Exfoliating Instant Facial, which she applies nightly.
J.Lo attributes glycolic acid peels, L’Oréal moisturiser, daily application of SPF and never sleeping with make-up on for her flawless face. “I think drinking lots of water and fresh foods with lots of fruits and vegetables all play into the quality of skin’s appearance,” she told People this year.
The exfoliator we all grew up on, St Ives Invigorating Apricot Scrub, is Gigi Hadid’s skincare of choice (disclaimer: we have a feeling good genes play a part too).
January Jones eschews professional facial treatments in favour of a DIY approach. She slathers on Sisley Black Rose Cream Mask regularly, combined with the luxury French brand’s Black Rose Oil or Kiehl’s Daily Reviving Concentrate.
Drew Barrymore swears by washing her face morning, noon and night. “Fall asleep with your make-up on and you’ll wake up doomed is my philosophy,” she told marie claire US.
She’s famous for her flawless winged eye, but Adele is another fan of posting make-up free photos – albeit usually in black and white – to Instagram. She keeps her porcelain skin well-hydrated by way of regular sheet masks – try the SK-II Facial Treatment Mask.
