There's a deeper meaning behind Christina Aguilera's new makeup-free look

Christina Aguilera is back and more herself than ever in a series of makeup-free features, photos, and now, a music video. With the release of the singer’s first single in six years, Aguilera is both sounding and looking different than ever before, which seems to be a break from the rut that she calls her time on The Voice. After being a judge on the competition television show for five years, the 37-year-old is hinting at its role in inspiring her upcoming album Liberation. As the title insinuates, the singer is stripping back and breaking out from who she has been during her hiatus — and her makeup has a lot to do with it.

On Thursday, Aguilera released a music video for her single “Accelerate,” while also being featured as Billboard magazine’s cover star. In both, she is seen looking fresh faced, which is a telling part of this new chapter.

Just weeks ago was the first time that audiences saw the singer’s new look — she was photographed on the cover of Paper magazine, baring freckles and all. She explained the surprising evolution from her days in assless chaps as a part of how she’s developed as a performer.

“I’ve always been someone that obviously loves to experiment, loves theatrics, loves to create a storyline and play a character in a video or through stage,” she told Paper. “I’m a performer, that’s who I am by nature. But I’m at the place, even musically, where it’s a liberating feeling to be able to strip it all back and appreciate who you are and your raw beauty.”

Now we’re getting to listen to what this means for her music as well, with her latest track with Ty Dolla $ign and 2 Chainz. She told Billboard that the song is a part of the R & B and hip-hop sound that she’s going for with the album. Known for her soulful voice, the singer is expressing all that she needs to through her songs and relying less on attention-grabbing hair and makeup.

“I didn’t get into this business to be a television show host and to be given all these [rules],” she said. “Especially as a female: You can’t wear this, can’t say that. I would find myself on that show desperately trying to express myself through clothing or makeup or hair. It was my only kind of outlet.”

Luckily for the singer and mother of two, who’s been in the spotlight for nearly two decades, it seems like the music industry is finally ready for the message that she’s trying to convey with her fresh face and sound. Having been known for her statement tees and empowering anthems, the old Aguilera who everyone loves is here to stay, although we love to see her with her hair pulled back and her beautiful bare face at the forefront.

Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:

? Cardi B gets real in makeup-free, natural-hair selfie
? Fans praise Bella Thorne for sharing makeup-free photo of her acne-prone skin
? Kylie Jenner’s makeup-free moment with Stormi is giving fans ‘baby fever’

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