Pamela Anderson has been a beauty icon since the beginning of her “Playboy” modeling career in the early ’90s. Now, at 56, she is challenging society’s notions of what it truly means to be beautiful.
Anderson has received a plethora of positive feedback from other women and celebrities for her decision to attend this year’s Paris Fashion Week shows without makeup. Among the celebrities praising Anderson’s decision is Jamie Lee Curtis, who posted photos of Anderson’s bare-faced look on Instagram, captioning it, “THE NATURAL BEAUTY REVOLUTION HAS OFFICIALLY BEGUN!” Although Anderson’s bold decision has led to enormous public support, she didn’t necessarily plan to become the face of the “natural beauty revolution.”
In a recent “Get Ready With Me” video for Vogue France, Anderson reveals that she didn’t come to Paris Fashion Week with the intention of making a “no-makeup” statement. As she looked at the designer clothes in her wardrobe, she realized that she didn’t want to compete with the intricate outfits she was wearing to the shows: “I’m not trying to be the prettiest girl in the room.” Anderson feels relieved that she doesn’t have to spend two to three hours in a makeup chair every morning like she has in past fashion weeks. Instead, she can walk around Paris by herself and explore the city without the pressure of looking perfect at every moment. Anderson feels responsible for setting a positive example for other women, particularly those her age, and it’s clear she takes this responsibility seriously.
Anderson isn’t the first celebrity to embrace aging and the no-makeup look. Alicia Keys made headlines in 2016 for her decision to stop wearing makeup entirely. At 64, Katie Couric broke out of her comfort zone when she went makeup-free for a 2021 spread in People magazine. In a Vogue “Beauty Secrets” video posted last month, Ariana Grande tearfully revealed that she doesn’t get Botox or filler anymore because she no longer feels the need to hide her natural face: “I hope my smile lines get deeper and deeper, and I laugh more and more.” Women are made to fear aging because the typical beauty standard places so much emphasis on youthfulness. It’s no wonder that Botox is so normalized if it’s able to preserve one’s youthful beauty for a little longer. It seems like the “natural beauty revolution” isn’t just about makeup, but is also about changing the narrative behind aging. It’s not something to be afraid of and hide, but rather something to celebrate. Many women haven’t been so lucky to live long enough to develop smile lines and crow’s feet. Aging is a privilege, and the physical proof of having lived life doesn’t need to be hidden and ignored, as society often encourages women to do. Having smile lines is simply proof that someone has experienced so much joy in their life that it’s permanently etched in their skin. Anderson is just one of many celebrities who are embracing aging and encouraging women to take pride in their natural appearance.
Although Anderson’s makeup-free statement is particularly influential for aging women, it sets an inspiring example for women of all ages. The pressure to adhere to the beauty standard is something that every woman experiences. For Caroline Kuhlman, FCRH ’25, Anderson’s statement is a step in the right direction for challenging beauty standards. “I think it’s really inspiring and empowering for Pamela not to wear makeup on the red carpet. Since the ’90s, Pamela has been somewhat of the typical beauty standard in American culture, but her not wearing makeup undermines the misogyny that is ingrained in our beauty standards,” Kuhlman said. Anderson’s rebellious act to step out of her comfort zone sets an example that can inspire women of all ages to feel comfortable in their own skin.
Perhaps there will be a time when a woman not wearing makeup doesn’t make national headlines and is just a normal everyday occurrence. It shows how beauty standards are so deeply ingrained in society that Anderson’s decision to go makeup-less at Fashion Week is perceived as rebellious and newsworthy. It certainly is a step in the right direction for challenging the standards that women are held to, but there is much more to be done to truly alleviate the pressure that beauty standards put on women. The more female celebrities embrace the natural look, the more it will become normalized. Anderson took a powerful step by ignoring the status quo and doing what made her feel confident and free.
Anderson’s makeup-free appearance sends a powerful message to fans that they can embrace their natural beauty at any age. An action as simple as not wearing makeup means so much in a society where women’s value is often judged by their appearance. Anderson’s very public decision to not wear makeup sets a new precedent for women that it’s not their obligation to adhere to the beauty standard just because it’s what they’re used to.
