7 Women Ditch Their Makeup for One Revealing Photo Shoot

By Maria Del Russo

ALL PHOTOGRAPHED BY TERRY GATES.

We live in a world of gotcha journalism. Paparazzi can make beaucoup bucks selling photos of stars without makeup on — because, heaven forbid they be seen in such a state! This tabloid fodder has made being snapped sans cosmetics seem like the kiss of death (unless it’s a well-composed selfie, of course). But, in reality, we all know that both women in the public eye and us normal folk regularly go without “faces” on. It’s just not always splashed across the front page of a glossy.

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So, we decided to take the narrative back. Let’s put the power back in the hands of the women who are made to feel as though their unmade faces are something to hide. We asked seven ladies in the spotlight — none of whom had ever had a professional barefaced photograph taken (at least not on purpose) — to step in front of the camera. We asked them to come in with the makeup they usually wear, snapped a shot, and then had them take it off for the “after.” At the end of the shoot, we asked them how it felt. Their reactions varied, but one thing was clear: Makeup can be transformative, but taking it off can be equally so.

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Click through to see these well-known women chuck their makeup — and the poignant results.

Oh Land, Singer/Producer

Talk us through your typical makeup routine.
“I brush my brows, and maybe I’ll do a ‘60s eyeliner and a little bit of mascara. But, I don’t typically wear foundation or powder. I don’t like to wear things on my skin. I like to keep it clean.”

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Have you ever been photographed professionally without makeup?
“I’ve had it done by accident a few times before, but hadn’t given it much thought. But, since it was a 'before-and-after’ this time, I’m definitely more conscious about it."

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Were you nervous going in?
"I think because you’re comparing [the before-and-after shots], I felt a little bit undressed. But, you know, I knew that it was just inside my own head.”

What was the first thing that popped into your head when you saw the photo of yourself without makeup?
“I thought, Oh, I look younger. I also thought I looked a little bit more modern. With makeup, I looked a little bit more retro."

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Do you think this experience has influenced you to go barefaced more often?
"I’m not the kind of person who feels uncomfortable if I go out without makeup. I do that pretty often. But, it definitely gives me courage to also do it for things where I’d typically be wearing makeup — like performing.”

Sharaya J, Singer

Talk us through your typical makeup routine.
“The funny thing is I’m actually like a minimal run-around makeup girl, because I get [my makeup] done so much for shows. On a normal day, I’m really just mascara, clean brow, and a lip. That’s it. I might put a little bit of blush on. I don’t really wear foundation on a normal day, but I do focus on my skin. I make sure that I do vitamin E and a topical vitamin C. I mix them together; it’s like a potion. But, I always make sure I do that first. And then, I do simple makeup."

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Have you ever been photographed professionally without makeup?
"This is the first time I’m doing it for a shoot. I’ve gotten caught without my makeup done. But, for that to be the purpose, this is the first time."

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Were you nervous going in?
"You get that little bit of vulnerability. For me, I’m like, if you love me with makeup you’ve got to love me without it. I was a little nervous, but for the most part, I’m good with it.”

Do you think this experience has influenced you to go barefaced more often?
“Yeah! I’m that way all the time, so now it just encouraged me to do it and not feel any way about it. Just to feel confident enough in my own skin. Because, I do.”

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Lo Bosworth, Founder Of The Lo Down

Talk us through your typical makeup routine.
“My typical routine is quick and easy, with a focus on evening skin tone and adding some natural drama to my eyelashes and eyebrows. I start with a Dermalogica moisturizer, and then mix Giorgio Armani Designer Lift Foundation with Make Up For Ever Face & Body. For concealer under the eyes (and to hide any blemishes), I use Clé de Peau concealer. I’m loving MAC blush again all of a sudden — they have some great skin-tone blushes that are really spectacular. My favorite currently is called Blush All Day. I either use CoverGirl LashBlast Mascara or Estée Lauder’s Little Black Primer if I want a super-natural look.Anastasia Brow Wiz pencil and a swipe of YSL lipstick #29, and I’m good to go!”

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Have you ever been photographed professionally without makeup?
“No, but I do make a lot of YouTube beauty videos and start with a totally bare face.”

Were you nervous going in?
“I wasn’t nervous at all, actually. I’m very comfortable in my own skin, and really appreciate the natural, effortless beauty of women. The female ideal to me is someone like Tilda Swinton, who looks so effortlessly chic and minimal all the time." 

What was the first thing that popped into your head when you saw the photo of yourself without makeup?
"I was pleasantly surprised at how even my skin looked. Even though I always go light on the color when it comes to my everyday makeup, I rarely leave the house without at least a swipe of concealer on.”

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Do you think this experience has influenced you to go bare-faced more often?
“I love a natural look — the photos really turned out beautifully. I’m constantly striving to create looks for women to recreate on my YouTube channel that look quite effortless.”

Sita Abellan, Model

Talk us through your typical makeup routine.
“Typically, I’ll just wear a little bit of eyeliner and a lip color. Sometimes mascara. I wear concealer under my eyes because I have bags. Since I wear makeup so often for work, and I work almost every day, I don’t really do my own makeup all that often. But, I do wear makeup just about every day.”

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Have you ever been photographed professionally without makeup?
“I haven’t.”

Were you nervous going in?
“I was a little nervous — mostly because I’d never done it before.”

What was the first thing that popped into your head when you saw the photo of yourself without makeup?
“I was surprised — I thought I looked tired! I feel like I have bags under my eyes, and I thought I just generally looked sleepy. But, I was pretty happy with the way I looked."

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Do you think this experience has influenced you to go barefaced more often?
"Maybe. I will usually wear concealer under my eyes. But, for the most part, I think I can go without makeup more often.”

Nicolette Mason, Writer & Founder Of NicoletteMason.com

Talk us through your typical makeup routine.
“For years, I’ve had a pretty heavy-duty makeup routine. I spend a lot of time in front of the camera (or taking selfies), and years of having problem skin led me to overcompensate with makeup. I would start with a primer, liquid foundation, concealer, and powder, and then go in with a light contour, highlight, blush, liquid liner, half a dozen coats of mascara, and always a bold lip.”

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Have you ever been photographed professionally without makeup?
“Oh, god — not if I could help it! I definitely have some personal, candid photos taken with friends [without makeup], but professionally, I avoid it at all costs. There have been a few published 'behind-the-scenes’ photos of myself with a completely bare face, and I always hated them."

Were you nervous going in?
"Yes! Makeup is first and foremost a form of expression for me, but it also operates like a shield — an armor that keeps the 'real me’ safe and protected. There are only a handful of people I’ve previously allowed to see me with no makeup whatsoever." 

What was the first thing that popped into your head when you saw the photo of yourself without makeup?
"Honestly, I was surprised! I’d convinced myself that I so badly NEEDED makeup, and after seeing the photos I was like, Huh, that’s not bad! I left my face bare for almost a whole week following the shoot, and went very minimal with makeup after that."

Do you think this experience has influenced you to go barefaced more often?
"Yes, 100%! My self-perception was really, really off. And, ever since this shoot — and major skin-care rehab care of master facialist Joanna Vargas — I have seriously scaled back my makeup routine! I keep it more simple now with a tinted moisturizer (I’m loving Hourglass right now), a couple coats of mascara, and some bronzer. And, if I’m going out at night I’ll add in my liquid liner and a statement lip (the NARS Audacious line is my favorite formula, ever).”

Keep Reading About 7 Women Ditch Their Makeup For One Revealing Photo Shoot On Refinery29!