Although they’re usually glammed up to shoot a movie, walk the runway, or wow a red carpet audience, these days it’s not uncommon to spot a celebrity without all the makeup and designer clothes.

Former Miss Universe Jennifer Hawkins recently posed for the naked and unretouched photos that appear in Marie Claire in the name of The Butterfly Foundation, an Australian organization that provides support for people with eating disorders and unhealthy issues with self-esteem and body image. Usually glamorous actress Mariah Carey signed on to play the role of Mrs. Weiss, an overall frumpy (compared to Carey’s typical appearance) social worker in the 2009 movie hit Precious.

And, of course, there’s always some paparazzi around to catch a star without her makeup on, and given the backlash some advertisers and magazines have received over the years for featuring heavily retouched photos of models, actresses, and sometimes even musicians, it’s not really a surprise when companies launch campaigns such as Dove’s Campaign for Real Beauty and the Dove Self-Esteem Fund.

I wonder how – if at all – seeing these stars without all their cosmetic fanfare affects us non-famous women? How seeing these celebrities who are usually images of aesthetic perfection (or, close to it) look closer to everyday normal makes us feel about our own non-painted mugs.

Not all of us insist on “putting on our faces” before we leave the house, but many of us do. Some of us feel it gives us a boost of confidence, and some of us are afraid of how we’d look to others if we didn’t meticulously prune ourselves each day. Some of us do it because we’re looking to attract others, and some of us do it simply because it’s fun.

How about you? If you regularly spend a good bit of time putting on makeup, fixing your hair, and picking out the right outfit before you head out the door – no matter where you’re going – what are your reasons? Is it just a matter of preferring to look your best, or having fun and enjoying the process, or do you feel you need these things to be confident? To make sure others think the best of you?

Does seeing these normally decked out stars without their perfect makeup and hair change the way you feel about your own natural appearance?

Image Credit: www.dollmyface.com

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From Psych Central's Alicia Sparks:
Celebrities Without Makeup: Take 2 | Celebrity Psychings (June 20, 2011)

From Psych Central's Alicia Sparks:
Top 10 Celebrity Psychings Posts Of 2010 | Celebrity Psychings (December 18, 2011)

    Last reviewed: 20 Jun 2011