Here’s why celebrities are sharing their no-makeup pictures all over Instagram

From Eva Longoria, to Cindy Crawford on to Doutzen Kroes and others, celebrities are using Instagram to share pictures of themselves with no makeup, and lately Jennifer Lopez joined the game via a picture with her kids. Is it a clear rejection of beauty rules out there?

We usually see them on red carpets looking glamorous and amazing, however, some of the celebrities chose to show off their natural beauty and it seems that others are joining because it has become harder to escape the selfie without makeup over Instagram nowadays. A real phenomenon that pushes models, singers and actresses to appear without make-up on the famous social network, which we saw frequently during lockdown and quarantine.

We can then distinguish several styles. There are those who are used to having little or no makeup on a daily basis, such as Drew Barrymore, Diane Kruger or Alicia Keys. Alicia Keys has also made a claim in its own right, writing a column on Lenny Letter to explain the reasons that made her join the #Nomakeup movement, in May 2016. It is a lasting decision for the singer who no longer wears makeup. One way for her to fight against the dictates of our society, which requires women to be beautiful in all circumstances.

Jennifer Lopez joins

Others just post a selfie occasionally with noticeable wrinkles and dark circles, as Sharon Stone and Julia Roberts do. Finally, in another category, we have the celebrities that are harder to recognize without makeup. Lady Gaga for example, known for her extravagant looks and excessive makeup, joined the game and she’s unrecognizable.

Latest to have given in to the call of the unvarnished selfie is singer Jennifer Lopez who had unveiled JLo Beauty brand, she shared her "morning face" (as she pointed out in a hashtag), a little over three months ago. We saw the 51-year-old singer in a bathrobe, wavy hair and peach complexion. The kind of glowy, fresh face many women envy and want. Evidenced by the many comments (and more than 2 million likes), where she was awarded the title of "queen of the morning face" and some fans salute her incredible beauty when others stress that they would like to wake up with that face.

A couple of days ago, Jennifer Lopez shared another no-makeup phot, in a bathrobe, her hair in a bun and surrounded by her twins. No beauty message therefore, unless we refer to her last interview with Elle magazine. She explained that “all these good things that you learn to repeat to yourself help create a beautiful person on the inside. And so all the more so outside” adding that she is particularly grateful to have a healthy family.

In September 2019, it was Sarah Jessica Parker, declared fashion icon for her role as Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City, who played the game. American TV presenter Andy Cohen had posted a selfie where he posed with the actress, in the countryside, facing a sunset. Pulled bun and natural skin, the actress revealed herself for the first time without makeup.

A little guide on the no-makeup selfie

Some decide to do it with humor, like Anne Hathaway who takes a picture of herself with a Givenchy bag on her head. While the photos of Bella Hadid with her head on the pillow or of Miley Cyrus brushing her teeth in the morning, bring them a little closer to the archetype of the normal girl. Lady Gaga is also quite used to #Iwokeuplikethis clichés, as she often floods networks with portraits of her barely awake.

On the other hand, when the stars go on vacation, there is no wearing makeup. And even if your name is Doutzen Kroes or Cindy Crawford, foundation remains the enemy of tanning. The latter therefore take the opportunity to reveal themselves without makeup.

No makeup but?

What if these selfies gave way to activism? This is the case of actress Julia Roberts, accustomed to Hollywood red carpets, who denounces the pressure that women undergo in relation to their physique via an Instagram caption: "Perfection is the disease of a nation". This #Nomakeup phenomenon would therefore encourage women to feel better about themselves. But despite the message conveyed by these photos, one should not be too naive. Even if all these stars proudly display themselves without makeup on their social networks, we must not forget that it is also a way for them to better control their image. Instead of discovering stolen photos published on the Internet or in the tabloid press, they prefer to take the initiative and lift the veil on their own privacy.

In addition, it would still be necessary to agree on the mention "No makeup". Indeed, we notice a big difference between the photos without makeup published in the celebrity magazines and those posted by the stars on Instagram. Some appear there with smooth, flawless skin that sometimes sows doubt. Without applying foundation, it is obvious that they have other devices available such as filters, light, a very specific beauty routine and access to many beauty treatments to look that good. A bunch of stratagems that you have to keep in mind before liking a cliché called "no makeup".