2015 was certainly the year of the no makeup celeb selfie. For a while, no makeup photos were usually snapped, rather invasively, by the paparazzi chasing celebs while on Starbucks runs or through LAX. Now, celebs post no makeup selfies, choosing when, where, and how to present themselves au naturel and "as is." They have taken the power back.
That said, we're not naive over here. Celebs certainly can (and do) make effective use of all of the amenities at their disposal — you know, things like good lighting, glam squads, filters, and photo editing software — to make sure that even their makeup-free photos look really, really good. Sometimes, an "I woke up like this" selfie is anything but. Just ask Tyra Banks!
That said, the prevalence of the no makeup selfie is refreshing since it's so common and helps tear down this notion that all women have to be perfectly and glamorously made up at all times. It also helps eradicate a beauty standard that is virtually impossible to live up to.
Singer Demi Lovato has her "No Makeup Monday" and "Fresh Faced Friday" seflies series, where she encourages Lovatics to post the same. Even the eternally glam Kardashians and Jenners dare to bare in fresh-scrubbed shots. Lena Dunham goes without makeup more often than she does.
So let's look back at some of the best no makeup celeb selfies of 2015.
1. Taylor Swift
Swift was stunning without a lick of product. But it was her cat that stole the show here... almost!
2. Laverne Cox
The transgender icon didn't just ditch makeup. She slicked her hair back, putting her beautiful face on display.
3. Jessica Alba
Alba just launched her Honest Beauty collection of products. But she doesn't need a single drop of makeup. Her natural beauty is astonishing, as evidenced here.
4. Gretchen Rossi
This real housewife of the Orange County sort was fresh-scrubbed and stunning.
5. Kim Zolciak-Biermann
This Real Housewives of Atlanta star and former Dancing With the Stars contestant is usually glam 24/7. Except when she posted a no makeup selfie. More of this, please!
6. Kourtney Kardashian
Kardashian is a busy mom of three, so she can't be glitz and glam all day, every day, despite her status as a Kardashian. She was jaw droppingly gorgeous here.
7. Kylie Jenner
Jenner became best known for her super pouty, neutral matte-painted lips in 2015. But when she was bare-faced (and lipped), she was just as fine. She goes makeup-less often.
8. Gigi Hadid
Hadid was deservedly promoted to "supermodel" in 2015 and it's obvious why! But check her out, all snuggled in bed and without any product assistance.
9. Bella Hadid
The most striking thing about this no makeup selfie starring Gigi's little sister? Those baby blues.
10. Demi Lovato
This was one of Lovato's final #NMM posts of 2015 and I love it the most because she was rocking her specs. But she has posted plenty of others.
This was one of her #FFF posts — as in "Fresh Faced Friday." Check out her freckles on full display.
Because... PUPPIES!
11. Chrissy Teigen
IDK what I love most in this pic — her no makeup pose, her bun, or her dog! Maybe it was the combo of all three that made this so memorable.
12. Julianne Hough
The only thing better than a no makeup selfie is a goofy no makeup selfie with a sense of humor.
13. Beyonce
You know, she probably did wake up like this. That braid, though! #Goddess.
14. Kim Kardashian
The brows and lashes remained on fleek. But there was no strobing or contouring to be found. Double K is so naturally pretty.
15. Amy Schumer
No makeup, but lots of humor and glasses, because... Amy Schumer!
16. Hilary Duff
Fresh-faced forever and ever.
17. Selena Gomez
Rare is the Selena Gomez no makeup "Sel-fie." But when she shares one, it's so good.
18. Lady Gaga
Whether with brown hair and in bed...
... or with white blonde locks and rocking out, Gaga was stunning sans makeup.
19. Whitney Port
Port was bummed over negative comments regarding her no makeup selfies and instead opted to promote body positivity and clean skin.
20. Vanessa Hudgens
Ah, the bed selfie. V. Hudge woke up like this, for realz.
21. Zendaya
So, so fresh and flaw-free.
22. Heidi Klum
The German supermodel has remained quite a specimen.
23. Miley Cyrus
Look! It's Miley Cyrus minus the makeup but adding her stunning mama! You can see where she gets her natural good looks.
24. Lea Michele
This Scream Queen had the best bedhead!
25. Lena Dunham
Because even her no makeup selfies have something to do with feeding her mind.
26. Cara Delevingne
There is a lot here to love. From her makeup-free pose, to that Bart Simpson sweater, to that double entendre message, Delevingne slayed through and through. Oh, and her brows remained rad as ever.
27. Kendall Jenner
Cutest. Freckles. Ever!
28. Gisele
Yes, that's the Brazilian supermodel and a delicious bowl of healthy-looking soup.
29. Kate Hudson
The boho chic star was getting her hair did without any product on her face!
30. Gwen Stefani
It was all about the trucker hat, those nerdy specs, and no makeup for the always stunning platinum blonde singer.
31. Jourdan Dunn
If anything, it was just minimal morning makeup for the model!
32. Ciara
Why would the singer need makeup when she had a seahawk and killer natural curls?
33. Diane Kruger
The blonde actor ditched makeup and wondered how she looked like a teenager at 38! She really does have a youthful visage.
34. Cindy Crawford
Like mother, like daughter.
The OG supermodel still has it!
35. Jennifer Lopez
Even J. Lo has ditched a full face of makeup every once in a while! What a natural beauty beneath the J. Lo glow.
36. Tyra Banks
#RawAndReal indeed! Banks showed off a selfie with no filter, no lighting, and no retouching. I loved her caption about wanting to smooth out her dark circles, but she fought the urge. This gets my vote for #NoMakeupSelfie of the year.
37. Solange
Flawlessness runs in the Knowles family, as Bey's baby sister showed off her bare skin beauty and curlers.
38. Emma Roberts
The Scream Queen had a case of the Mondays. But she made that shizzy look good.
39. Rihanna
A rarely bare Rihanna!
Images: Taylor Swift/Instagram (1); Laverne Cox/Instagram (1); Jessica Alba/Instagram (1); Gretchen Rossi/Instagram (1); Kim Zolciak-Biermann/Instagram (1); Kourtney Kardashian/Instagram (1); Kylie Jenner/Instagram (1); Gigi Hadid/Instagram (1); Bella Hadid/Instagram (1); Demi Lovato/Instagram (3); Chrissy Teigen/Instagram (1); Julianne Hough/Instagram (1); Beyonce/Instagram (1); Kim Kardashian/Instagram (1); Amy Schumer/Instagram (1); Hilary Duff/Instagram (1); Selena Gomez/Instagram (1); Lady Gaga/Instagram (2); Whitney Port/Instagram (1); Vanessa Hudgens/Instagram (1); Zendaya/Instagram (1); Heidi Klum/Instagram (1); Miley Cyrus/Instagram (1); Lea Michele/Instagram (1); Lena Dunham/Instagram (1); Cara Delevingne/Instagram (1); Kendall Jenner/Instagram (1); Gisele/Instagram (1); Kate Hudson/Instagram (1); Gwen Stefani/Instagram (1); Jourdan Dunn/Instagram (1); Ciara/Instagram (1); Diane Kruger/Instagram (1); Cindy Crawford/Instagram (2); Jennifer Lopez/Instagram (1); Tyra Banks/Instagram (1); Solange/Instagram (1); Emma Roberts/Instagram (1); Rihanna/Instagram (1);
