Pamela Anderson reveals why she ditched makeup. There's a lot we can learn from her.
Who needs makeup anymore? Not Pamela Anderson.
More and more celebrities of all ages are pushing back against beauty norms in favor of embracing a natural look ? something experts say is a healthy trend we can all learn from.
"I don't think you should give me the credit of it being a stunt, because that's not how I think," Anderson, 56, told Allure in an interview published Thursday.
Throughout her career on "Baywatch" and as a model, Anderson was often photographed in bikinis with heavy makeup.
"I've always felt like there’s a little monster inside of me that I need to get out, I need to share. I've been trying and I've begun to feel closest to it," she said, "and it's peeling back everything and trying to remember what my original thoughts are," Anderson said. "It's not just about makeup, taking off the mask, but it's about why am I here, what's my purpose, why do I resonate with people, can I help in any way?"
Anderson made the choice to ditch makeup for herself, but said it wasn't to make a "political" statement.
"I would come back from the shows wearing all these clothes and a big funny hat and everything and there were all these paparazzi, and then I went in one door and changed into my jeans and T-shirt and no makeup and walked out the door right through the same crowd that had been chasing me and no one noticed," she told Allure.
Anderson previously opened up about not wearing makeup to Paris Fashion Week events in an October interview with Vogue France, saying she doesn't "want to compete with the clothes."
“I’m not into the makeup look right now," she added. "My mom always told me, ‘At some point in your life, you’re not going to want to wear makeup on your skin,’ and she’s right. You kind of have to challenge beauty sometimes.”
Anderson said she hopes that by not wearing makeup she can help model the multitude of ways women can express themselves.
"I'm not trying to be the prettiest girl in the room," she said. "I feel like it's just freedom. It's a relief."
More: Pamela Anderson opens up about why she decided to ditch makeup
Why are celebrities embracing a natural look?
Anderson's not the only public figure who's embraced a natural look recently. In August 2020, Kelly Ripa poked fun at her gray roots, and, in March 2021, Katie Couric went makeup-free for a People magazine spread, saying the experience made her feel "liberated and vulnerable." Justine Bateman opened up in April to "60 Minutes Australia" that she thinks she looks "rad" aging naturally, despite online commentary over her looks.
"I like feeling that I am a different person now than I was when I was 20," Bateman said. "I like looking in the mirror and seeing that evidence. ... I think my face represents who I am. I like it.”
Susan Yara, founder of Naturium Skincare and the YouTube channel Mixed Makeup, previously told USA TODAY Couric's headline-making People spread pushed back against the norm "that women disappear into the background as we age."
"Men seem to thrive more when they age," she said. "It should be the same for women. We’re more confident and self-assured, and we bring wisdom that you can only get with age."
Cassandra Bankson, a medical esthetician and YouTube skin care personality, added "being able to age is a privilege" and "we should embrace how our skin takes care of us and the stories it tells."
Bateman seemed to share this sentiment as she explained her motivation for rejecting cosmetic procedures to "60 Minutes Australia," saying that she thinks they "would erase" the authority she's gained through the years.
More: Pamela Anderson's bold no-makeup look and the 'natural beauty revolution'
Tips on how to embrace your natural look
If you have complicated feelings about seeing yourself without makeup or showing signs of getting older, experts offer the following guidance:
? Curate your social media: Dr. Michael Keyes, a plastic surgery fellow at the University of Louisville, encourages people to follow influencers who post unfiltered and raw photos. He added it's important to keep in mind that celebrities "often use filters and photo editing apps to minimize skin discoloration, wrinkles and extra fat in unwanted places. It's important from a wellness standpoint to recognize what's real and what's not."
? Adjust your makeup routine: Aging is inevitable, but you can still take steps to look and feel good. Dr. Heidi Goodarzi, a board-certified dermatologist specializing in cosmetic and medical dermatology, suggested replacing foundation with tinted sunscreen for a wash of glow that won't conceal your natural features.
? Be kind to yourself: Yara reminds us that as we age, we should be proud of our bodies for the experiences it has gone through. "My confidence is truly my secret weapon, and I gained it through years of experience and becoming comfortable with myself," she said.
More: Justine Bateman is embracing getting older: How to feel beautiful and accept aging
Contributing: Jenna Ryu, Jay Stahl
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pamela Anderson says ditching makeup isn't 'political': Why it matters
