Famous Models Who Are Unrecognizable Without Makeup

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There are few things in life more freeing than going willfully and gloriously makeup free. Whether to the store or around the house, it's enormously satisfying to feel as though one is flouting society's well-established patriarchal "rules" around female beauty standards. When wearing makeup is part of one's job, it must be even more incredible to throw off those shackles and go completely bare-faced. 

The most famous, and stunning, models in the world are making something of a statement about showing off their natural beauty on social media. And rightly so; they don't get plucked from obscurity or chosen to headline the most amazing fashion shows in the world for nothing. Even so, there's something wonderfully satisfying about comparing the made-up looks of catwalk-strutting superstars with their laid-back, at-home, #wokeuplikethis vibes. This is what some of the most gorgeous models in the world look like without makeup (spoiler: they're even more beautiful). 

Along with fellow supermodel and older sister Gigi, Bella Hadid has taken the modeling world by storm, with her meteoric rise culminating in getting those all-important wings at her second Victoria's Secret fashion show in Shanghai towards the end of 2017. Although Bella is most well-known for boasting some seriously stunning facial features (those lips, which she's consistently had to defend), and is frequently spotted out and about all glammed up, when she scrapes it back to basics, her true beauty really shines through.

Hadid took to Instagram to post a stunning makeup-free selfie while vacationing in Greece, noting she was a little sun-burnt at the time (though it was hardly noticeable). The model and It Girl has always had great skin but took a step towards looking even more luminous when she very publicly quit smoking. She announced the news on Instagram with a photo of her looking glamorous mid-puff — which made the rejection of that unhealthy prop all the more meaningful. 

Considering Jourdan Dunn was discovered in a Primark store, it's unsurprising that she isn't too fussed about always looking perfect. She's an icon for a multitude of reasons, and Dunn credits becoming a mother at just 18 as the driving force behind her career. She was the first black model to walk for Prada in more than 10 years, back in 2008, the first black model to make the Forbes top-earning models list in 2014, and the first solo black model to appear on the cover of British Vogue in over a decade the following year.

Considering she worked until she was six months pregnant, and returned to the catwalk less than a year after giving birth, it's obvious Dunn doesn't let anything get her down — certainly not going makeup-free. The most surprising thing when this gorgeous Brit posts a clear-faced selfie is that she's maybe even more eye-catching without all her so-called slap on. It's no wonder she was plucked from obscurity years ago. 

Brazilian supermodel Adriana Lima is the closest thing to a real-life superwoman, returning to the hallowed Victoria's Secret catwalk just two months after giving birth to her second child, daughter Sienna. Lima is upfront about just how much work it takes getting back into shape post-pregnancy, sharing with her social media followers the grueling workouts she undergoes on a regular basis.

Although the Brazilian beauty isn't shy about revealing what goes into keeping her body and face looking great, she got real on Instagram after having to work through an illness. "Sometimes, people question, that model life is easy, and that's wrong, we work as hard as any other individual. Today I had 10 hours of work day, shooting with a very bad cold, coughing no stop and a massive headache. That did not stopped me on doing what I love," she wrote. The supermodel went on to say that coming home to her family made it all worthwhile, noting that hers was the real face of a hardworking model. 

There's nobody more willing to flout the universally-accepted rules by which women are bound than undisputed queen of social media, Chrissy Teigen. The model, cookbook author, mother, and proud wife of musician John Legend isn't shy about oversharing on social media. Whether it's breastfeeding, post-pregnancy weight gain, or bizarre cravings (that last one is particularly unsurprising considering her own book is called Cravings), Teigen bares all.

The hilariously outspoken Lip Sync Battle host even took on Facetune in a memorable Twitter rant, leading fans to rally around her and post their own makeup-free selfies in support of the charge. It was Legend's sharing of a gorgeously barefaced photo of his lady that really caught the attention, and warmed the hearts, of Instagram fans as he sweetly captioned the shot "No filter necessary." Given how outspoken Teigen has been about feeling inadequate due to the perfection she sees online, her hubby's support meant even more. 

Israeli stunner Bar Rafaeli is unfairly most well-known for having dated actor, and leader of the eponymous Pussy Posse, Leonardo DiCaprio for a minute from 2005-2011. However, in reality, there's so much more to her, from an acting career in her home country to leading the charitable charge for less plastic bags and more water conversion in Israel, not to mention hosting Tel Aviv's Gay Pride party back in 2013. She's also a massively successful model, the highest paid in Israel as noted by Forbes that same year.

As a busy working mother, Rafaeli isn't bothered with being perfectly made up all the time, particularly when she's at home with her family. She swears by facials — especially those of the solid gold variety, as she memorably shared on Instagram back in 2014. If her best beauty secret involves bathing her skin in pure gold, then it's unlikely regular folk will be able to get the same effect. But the fresh-faced freckled look is something everybody can achieve, thankfully.