Did Jessica Simpson go makeup-free for Marie Claire?

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Jessica Simpson is the May cover girl for Marie Claire, as well as the guest editor for the issue. She posed on the cover and in the photo shoot without makeup, which is causing some consternation around the interwebs. Some people are questioning whether Jessica is really without makeup here – I kind of think she is. I think this is what she really looks like – very pretty, with good skin and hair, but not the “bombshell” that she often styles herself to be. She tells Marie Claire: “I don’t have anything to prove anymore. What other people think of me is not my business.” Go here for the full Marie Claire slideshow, but here are some highlights, courtesy of Us Weekly:

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Glamour girl? For the May cover of Marie Claire, Jessica Simpson went without makeup or retouching.

The reason: To promote her new initiative, “A Beautiful Me,” a program she is launching next month to encourage young women to love themselves and feel comfortable in their own skin.

“I don’t have anything to prove anymore,” says the singer, 29, who once admitted to getting too much Restylane in her lips. “What other people think of me is not my business.”‘

Still, she tells the magazine she likes to get dolled up every once in a while. “If I’m in a mood to go out and feel hot and sexy, I want long hair that I can feel on my back,” she says. “But I also like bed head.”

Although Simpson said she was thrilled to shoot VH1’s The Price of Beauty — which centers on her world travels to discover how other cultures define beauty — viewers aren’t responding. Her show’s March debut attracted around 1 million people, getting beat by a show on The History Channel.

[From Us Weekly]

Jessica also gives some hair care advice to women, although I’m not sure if I would take it. Jessica says: “People think updos are so hard, but they’re not. Your hair should look tousled and undone.” Agreed. Now if I could only get my hair to stay “tousled” instead of flat, I’ll be in business. Jessica also advises: “I’ll usually wash my hair and let it air-dry wavy, but if I’m just in a hang-out mood, I won’t even wash it. I’ll wait until it smells.” Ugh. I’m an air-dryer too (just because I’m lazy, and it doesn’t matter with my hair), but I’ve never waited “until it smells” to wash my hair. I wash it every day. Of course, I also brush my teeth several times a day, so Jessica and I are constantly at odds about our beauty regimens.

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Marie Claire pics courtesy of Marie Claire online & HuffPo.

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83 Responses to “Did Jessica Simpson go makeup-free for Marie Claire?”

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  1. Julia says:

    She may be without obvious makeup, but she has to have concealer and/or foundation/powder on. I don’t buy that she has no undereye darkness or a complexion that naturally free of redness. She’s been photographed coming off of airplanes and whatnot looking rougher than that. It’s an au naturel makeup look, but she is certainly wearing something.

  2. archiepelago says:

    I like this new direction that Jessica is going in. Sure it’s probably manufactured (okay, I KNOW it’s manufactured) but seems like she is trying to repair the damage of past silliness. This more ‘mature’ Jessica is my favorite yet. She was never reported to be a diva or difficult (at least I hadn’t heard) just a little dim, so it’s nice that someone decided to lend some intelligence to her brand.

    I’m a ‘let my hair smell’ kind of lazy too.

  3. Julia says:

    Also, lips do not naturally shimmer like in the bottom pic, and on the cover she is wearing eyeliner under the bottom lashes (if not both).

    Give us women some credit, Jess.

  4. Chelly says:

    She absolutely has make-up on.

  5. Risa says:

    I think there are some lash enhancers on the cover (mascara or fake lashes w/e) but the rest of the pictures look natural- not tooting my own horn, but my skin is clear and when I have no make up on, my face looks similar to hers….
    I’m glad to see the shift in what is pretty these days, normal sized models and not-so-much focus on making women up.

  6. bite me says:

    great lighting can do wonders also…

  7. Risa says:

    @julia-

    Sometimes I get redness in my face or dark circles, but if I take care of my skin and use an under-eye moisturizer I can usually forego my concealer and even foundation in the morning- I only get redness when I have been running around, am hot, or am sick

  8. tiki says:

    she looks remarkably like john mayer in the cover photo. weird.

  9. Melanie says:

    She must be naturally beautiful because she farts in public and doesn’t brush her teeth. Can’t get more raw than that.

  10. lola lola says:

    No matter what her intent, fashion magazines do not run photos without retouching. If they said they did, that’s just a lie. (By the magazine, not saying JS lied. I’m sure she thinks it’s real).

  11. ligeia says:

    very good lighting and angles, she might be without make up for real. she might be wearing a colorless lip balm on her lips and good moisturizers on face but that’s technically still not make up. she pulls the look off regardless.
    everyone looks rough after spending hours in air conditioned stuffy airplanes, can’t compare that look to well rested well moisturized skin in the mornings.

  12. Samantha says:

    I’ve heard you shouldn’t wash your hair every day as it strips the natural oils. Every other day is good. Aside from that, she really is beautiful naturally. Everyone looks like they’ve been hit by a truck after a long flight. I’m glad to see her without a pound of makeup, though I don’t think this will have any impact on anything.

  13. N says:

    I think what she is trying to promote is fabulous – and she definitely has a reduced amount of make up on than all the people typically featured on the covers….BUT you can see eye liner, so I’m skeptical that she is completely without make up. That said, on my “non make up days” I still wear eye liner and lip gloss so perhaps the definitions are just different…..

  14. Tracy says:

    Wow…what haters. Listen up. I don’t wear makeup at all and there people have taken fabulous photos of me where my skin look flawless and there’s no darkness under my eyes. Why not give the photographer his props? That’s why the pros get paid so much!

    And…coming off an airplane looking “rough” is not the same as getting a good night’s sleep, a great breakfast and having a relaxing time outdoors. We all look different in these various “habitats”.

    She looks great and the photographer did a fabulous job using natural lighting!

  15. R2D2 says:

    she definitely has make-up on in the pic on cover. You can see the eyeliner/mascara, foundation and light blush. Its a natural look but it is still make-up.

  16. bubbs says:

    Of course she is wearing makeup. UGH!!!!!!!!!! She is so annoying.

  17. Guest says:

    Good for her. I really think that she is coming to a new place and not caring what others people think.

  18. danielle says:

    I also think it looks like she’s wearing eyeliner in the cover pic. It’s possible she’s not wearing makeup tho and just has phenomenal skin. I do think she’s beautiful and I like her better like this than when she’s pasting on the make-up, I think it detracts from her natural beauty.

  19. ktbug says:

    she’s a beautiful girl always, but stunning like this: fav look for her:>

  20. Neelyo says:

    Has anyone watched her show? It’s unintentional hilarity. But she looks very strange in the transition segments where it’s just her talking to the cameras. Her face looks really puffy and when she speaks, she’s barely able to open her mouth, like her jaw’s wired shut or something.

  21. jules says:

    Why do magazines/celebrities continue to lie about this crap? Do they think we’re all a bunch of blithering idiots?!?

  22. Anne de Vries says:

    Also, lips do not naturally shimmer like in the bottom pic

    Mine do – scrub them with a toothbrush now and then.

  23. mins15 says:

    isn’t eyeliner makeup?

  24. JC126 says:

    She’s definitely wearing eyeliner and foundation in the cover shot; possibly just foundation and powder, or a good concealer, in the others. Almost EVERYBODY would need some foundation in a professional photo, except for small children who have perfect skin, and the rare adult.
    She looks a lot like Nicole Brown Simpson.

  25. TaylorB says:

    Samantha,

    My hairdresser says the same thing, I have very fine strawberry blonde hair and he says I should wash only 2 times a week… I can’t really go that long. But I do find it is healthier and less dry if I go a day or so between. As for waiting for it to ‘stink’ and Jessicas other personal habits, I think I will pass. That girl is a slob, a very pretty and nice girl, but a slob. I bet her house is a pig sty.

  26. anon says:

    i think it’s very possible that she has no makeup on. i don’t wear make up and i have really clear skin. i’m not saying it’s perfect because it isn’t but in the right light it can look flawless

  27. scorpiogal says:

    Oh please! Like the previous posters pointed out- she’s clearly wearing neutral coloured eyeliner, mascara, light blush and lip gloss. not to mention eyebrow pencil. Wearing neutral colored makeup is NOT the same as makeup free! Why would they lie about such a silly thing?

  28. Lisa says:

    Yeah I totally agree she’s wearing some sort of foundation or powder or blush! She has no dark circles no blemishes. And I don’t know anyone who has naturally colored cheeks like that!!!!! Now there may be one pic were she has no lip stick but I agree with the bottom pic she has some kinda gloss on!!!!

  29. hstl1 says:

    Please, I live and die by dry shampoo. Shampooing strips the color out of your hair and Ken Paves isn’t hanging out with me and fixing it.

  30. e says:

    She looks awesome. I can count on one hand the number of times that I wore makeup this past year and have had plenty of good photos taken of me. When I do wear makeup it is this mineral powder and I do it when my skin breaks out. I wash my hair twice a week. I have always thought Jess was naturally beautiful. And I think most people look better without makeup.

  31. Diva says:

    I think it’s very possible she’s not wearing makeup. It’s POSSIBLE that the reason it looks like she’s wearing eyeliner and/or mascara is because she’s very clearly NOT a natural blonde. Her hair on her head is so light but her lashes and brows are very dark, so the lash line, and lashes themselves pop out alot more. I’ve seen it on bottle blondes before.

  32. Just a Poster says:

    I think she looks beautiful. And she usually has really good skin so I can buy the no foundation. But I do see eyeliner and a bit of bronzer on her.

    Either way, I think she looks great.

  33. EMV says:

    LIE

  34. Jeri says:

    When magazines say “no makeup” they usually mean the make up is like us non celebs would wear. Toned down seems to mean “no make up” in print mags.

  35. Sumodo1 says:

    I saw her on a plane with little or no makeup on. This is how she looks.

  36. mollination says:

    Weird, I have to use a white/shimmery eye-liner to get my inner-eyes to sparkle. She must be magic if she can get that look without that very known and common beauty trick…. and that’s strange that it’s precisely in that “<” formation right up to where her lashes begin. Yep – definitely magic.

  37. t says:

    Now that her singing and acting careers are over, and it looks like her return to reality television is failing, she’s lining up her next attempt to stay in the spotlight by declaring herself to be the guardian of women’s self-esteem.

    I am going to go out on a limb and say the public won’t be buying that either.

  38. Erika says:

    It’s entirely possible that she is wearing some makeup.

    BUT… maybe she had a facial and relaxed for a few days before the photo shoot. I imagine she also prepped her skin with lots of moisturizer, and most likely an expert took care of her skin, brows, lips, etc., before the shoot, using more moisturizer, and probably some chap stick. With a good beauty regimen (which doesn’t necessarily mean using makeup) and a skilled photographer, most girls could look that good on film.

    Not to mention the fact that good lighting and a lens filter can produce that “glow” look.

  39. omg says:

    I think she has makeup on for the cover shot but is natural for the inside shots. Her eyes look different in the inside shots than they do on the cover. Her lips also look like they have something on them on the cover.

    Also, note that the inside shots don’t have close and clear shots of her face. There is hair or shadows on the close shots. The far shots show her profile and one also has some shadows on her. I do believe these are without makeup. Tricky photog!

  40. Jackson says:

    Uh, yeah she is wearing makeup in the cover shot, for sure. Blush, mascara, something on her lips. The only one that looks natural is the one with her hair falling in front of her face.

  41. alexandra says:

    To all the haters, you all might look like pound dogs without make up. However, I have seen this annoying girl in person without make up and she is a beautiful woman.

  42. Schnauzers!!!!! says:

    She’s pretty but I believe she’s got make up on. Skin doesn’t shimmer like that…unless you’re “Sparkles” of course. 😉

  43. TaylorB says:

    What is ‘dry shampoo’? How does it work? And where does one buy it?

  44. princess pea says:

    Some of you need to learn some old-school beauty tricks:

    For Blush: pinch cheeks to bring up a rosy glow, or try being outside for a while on a cool, breezy day.

    For shiny, dewy lips: briskly brush with a dry toothbrush regularly, lick before photo.

    For dark, groomed brows: have naturally dark hair and get plucked and combed.

    For even skin tone: Eat well, sleep well, get excercise, avoid toxins, get facials, and so much more.

    I know, I know. It’s terrible and upsetting that she is pretty. But the fact is, Jess is always better looking with less makeup, so I find this pretty believable, actually. Maybe there was some retouching, but there are contours on her body that a magazine would typically never allow, so it’s a step in the right direction at least.

  45. Bella Bella says:

    I totally believe she is without makeup. I do think they worked diligently to make sure she had the best lighting possible. I don’t care for her but I would never deny she is a very pretty girl.

  46. TaylorB says:

    Princess Pea,

    Can I add one tip to your list?

    Drink lots of water. It does a world of good for your skin and hair.

  47. jover says:

    Fashion mags need to go back to their bread and butter – fashion, including models on the covers, not give time to lame, irrelevant d-list celebs. Jessica Simpson isn’t attractive or interesting, and God knows, she can’t act or sing (wasn’t she dropped by her label last year) so now she’s cobbling together another make-believe gig enabled by Marie Claire. The only good thing about her is that, unlike the Kartrashians and Paris and LiLo, she is laughably stupid and unaware of her limitations, not offensively and smugly stupid – but that’s hardly praise. Anyway, should someone that actually knows something about beauty and culture be doing this, not someone who couldn’t even act in the Dukes Of Hazzard remake.

  48. t says:

    I don’t think people are upset that she is pretty. I think they are skeptical that these are unaltered pictures of a woman wearing no makeup. Especially when those who would have us believe this are people who work in an industry notorious for their tricks to create illusions.

    Their claim is a little hard to believe when you compare paparazzi pictures of her without makeup to these pictures.

  49. Lynnie says:

    Makeup, or not, this girl has got to CLOSE HER MOUTH IN PHOTOS.

  50. lucy2 says:

    I think she looks so much better when she tones down her usual makeup, which often looks too harsh to me. I do think she’s wearing a little bit on this cover, but whatever it is, it’s a better look for her.
    For someone with no music or movie career anymore, just a cable reality show, she sure gets a lot of magazine covers.

  51. gaby says:

    I got this magazine in the mail and I thought the same thing. She is def. wearing a light powdery foundation and a lip gloss or balm. Maybe no eye makeup but for sure false lashes or extensions. I remember she would come out on newlyweds without makeup all the time and lashes were not that luxuriosly long.

  52. valerie says:

    i think she looks gorgeous..i like her

  53. Kolby says:

    She looks amazing, and I have no idea if she’s got makeup on or not, but I do remember when she went without makeup on Newlyweds, and she looked much different then. She does look as thought she might have some light eye makeup on.

  54. Beth says:

    Jessica is pretty but I think she put on foundation or concealer. Nothing heavy and the magazine probably retouched the photographs.

  55. Jessica says:

    In the January 2009 issue of Marie Claire Jessica said that she only washes her hair every two to three months. YUCK!

  56. anonymous says:

    I guess the editor should go on record for the magazine & state what we have here. Make up or NO makeup. Im willing to bet its NO makeup with veru ggod lighting. Tatooed eyeliner & tinted eyebrows & eyelashes.. Therefore its no makeup.
    Fabulous photographer, great lenses used & angles.. WELL done I may say.

    They have a beautiful woman to work with to achieve that they have in this photo shoot. How many other celebs you think will follow Jessica on this one? Not many as the majority need the face paint.

  57. lrm says:

    I too dont wear makeup-never have worn foundation or concealer…and i have taken some great photos [so i’m told-]and I’m 40 yrs old… i only have circles, very faint, if i’m tired or have eaten cra*ppy for a few days. People actually ask why my skin glows-and then they say ‘oh you eat healthy, that must be why’….anyway, just sayin’ that it’s entirely possible to not use foundation or powder and have a good photographer and have skin that looks like that.
    That said, she does look like she’s wearing mascara and/or eyeliner, for sure. but not much. definitely a departure from the norm.

    Drew Barrymore has been shown with no makeup and she looks fantastic.

  58. MB says:

    Great lighting, possibly with some filters added post-production.
    I think the shoot is great. I could also totally forgive it if it turned out that she was wearing some tinted moisturiser and some eyebrow wax and lip balm. These are all “tricks of the trade” that 90% of all women make use of every day. Its the PHOTO RETOUCHING that drives me crazy and makes impressionable women believe that they need to get surgery and starve themselves to achieve perfection. Frankly, I dont think there was any retouching done here – if there was it was subtle.

  59. MB says:

    Posted by Jessica:
    “In the January 2009 issue of Marie Claire Jessica said that she only washes her hair every two to three months. YUCK! ”

    Ermm…really? Well considering she has her picture taken all the time and her hair always looks perfect I dont think this is true. The only way I could see it *technically* being true is if she doesnt count the times when other people wash her hair – like at the salon etc.

  60. sbc says:

    @TaylorB – Dry shampoo is basically scented cornstarch in a spray can… and it’s wonderful. My favorite brand is Batiste, which you can buy at Sally Beauty Supply, or online.

    I used to wash, blow-dry and flat-iron my hair everyday… so, as you can imagine – my hair was like straw. About 6 mos. ago I finally tried dry shampoo, and never looked back. I usually end up washing my hair every 2 – 3 days, but the improvement in my hair’s texture is unbelievable.

  61. Camille says:

    She definitely has some eye make up on and maybe some light (gel or cream)blush.
    And she looks weird, her face looks ‘off’ lately, I can’t put my finger on it but she looks different lately, maybe its weight gain or something?

  62. Paula says:

    Agree with other commenters that she’s probably got a little mascara and maybe a light dusting of face powder to cover redness. That photo of her in braids does NOT look like her at all. If I saw the cover and top photo in isolation without a caption, I would easily identify the person as Jessica, but the third image, no. There is something odd about the facial contouring. The last photo also looked retouched.

  63. minx says:

    i actually agree with both views above, in that it could be that she is wearing lightish make up or it could be the results of good lighting, filters, tricks of the trade, like brushing her lips etc, what i would say is whats the point? either way it’s tricks, not just her as she really is. i don’t wear makeup, and occasionally take a good photo! my skin usually looks okay, but then my pics are a lot smaller with much lower definition than in a normal magazine cover. at 29, this girl will( unless a genetic freak, which she is trying to prove she isn’t) faint crow lines, frown lines, uneven skin tone, shadows under the eyes etc. i have them, and while i have many issues with my looks( mostly my chipmunk cheeks) i don’t think the lines are unattractive. i would have admired her if she had shown herself as she is, with all those flaws/totally normal features. i have seen others do it- Angelina jolie on the cover of vanity fair with the twins.

    that would said something. that would have been natural.

    i have nothing against her, i like my celebs stupid and desperate for attention, but i don’t think she even really gets what the point of her show is.

  64. lisa says:

    I don’t care if she has on eyeliner or whatever.. I think she looks so much better without all the heavy make up. She is a naturally beautiful girl.. And I hate her pics with all the make up. I see some of these young women and the make up is packed on. DAMN most or in their teens and early twenties. a time in your life when you are really just beautiful simply because you are 16-25.. no need for all that crap on your face.. Jessice is beautiful. And the guys that were too stupid to appreciate how sweet she is . Well they are idiots.. John, and especially Tony.. douches..

  65. Ana says:

    In the cover photo it looks as though she has eye makeup on. A little mascara and some eyeshadow in the corners. I’ve paparazzi pictures of her coming off of a plane and thought she looked pretty without makeup.

    Did anyone else notice the shadows and hair all over her face? Like they’re trying to hide it by being artsy.

    I have bad skin and had some great pictures taken of me. I have to wash my hair everyday or else it looks like a greasy mess. I wish I could be lazy and just pin it up in the shower because it takes forever to dry and style. I’ve tried baby powder but haven’t tried the dry shampoo. Will have to look for it!

  66. andrea says:

    she’s definitely got some light makeup on. she is “without makeup” in terms of without celeb/stage/photography makeup though so i think the “makeup free” is a semi-fair claim. she looks better this way.

  67. Laura says:

    People– it’s makeup-free.

    Not Photoshop-free.

    See how they are clever like that?

  68. Ana says:

    Laura-the cover claims no retouching.

  69. Dhavy says:

    Kaiser, I think you should have posted pictures taken by the paparazzi that are showing her without make up so that can be compared since there are some doubters here

    I think she’s not wearing any make up and I know it has been some years since but when she was on the other show she was constantly make up free and she looked the same as in these pictures

  70. Aviatrix says:

    I buy that she isn’t wearing makeup. I’m 26 and a good diet, a multivitamin, water, sleep and moisturizer do wonders. She probably takes good care of her skin. Now that it is warmer (FL), I let my hair air dry sometimes (I have the wave) and I do the messy bun or the side braid with my hair. As far as makeup goes, I don’t need it and I look younger without foundation/concealer etc. My warm weather makeup is clinique bronzer, clinique creme blush stick, maybelline mascara, & chapstick. Done! After winter is over get a couple sessions of microderm and a facial to keep up the glow.

  71. Luci says:

    She looks VERY good!
    I love the idea of un-photoshoped magazines 🙂

  72. floppy says:

    She looks rather nice without the usual layer of war paint, in a few pics she looks a bit like Heidi Klum. Very young and healthy under it all, should stick with it.

  73. Chessie says:

    Whether it’s no makeup or low makeup, she’s a natural beauty and looks fantastic without heavy makeup.

  74. AE says:

    She’s undeniably gorgeous. A big fist pump to Jessica and Marie Claire for finally putting out a magazine with pictures of a real human being. I hope they started a trend.

  75. t says:

    Marie Claire is following the lead of More (2002 Jamie Lee Curtis), People (2008 Drew Barrymore, Jessica Biel, etc), Harper’s Bazaar (2009 Amber Valetta, Cindy Crawford, Claudia Schiffer, etc), and Elle (2009 Monica Bellucci) with the no makeup angle.

  76. Julia says:

    Ok, yes, I’m sure my view is because I am heinous and all you people who buy the “no makeup” claim are prettier than I am. All that drinking water and having flawless skin naturally and such.

    Regardless, she has makeup on. 🙂

    Whatever it is, though, she should wear it all the time. She looks awesome.

  77. mollination says:

    To all of the commenters that say we’re hating on the fact that she’s naturally pretty – I know for a fact, I’m not. BUT if you tell me something’s a real banana, and I bite into plastic I’m gonna call “fake”. The girl has make up on plain and simple.

    It’s not her fault though – she has no artistic control over how they phrase the cover….oh wait, wasn’t she “guest editor” for this issue?

    I just think this is gonna make girls feel WORSE when they think “wait, I don’t have naturally shimmery white corners of my eyes, or black lined eyes, or big full lashes, or shimmery lips and skin without makeup on!”

    I’ve seen the “Before’s” to photo-shopped pics, and they don’t look as good as this.

    HOWEVER, I will say Jessica has WAY more to work with naturally than a lot of girls. Naturally dark eyebrows, great skin, full lips, and so on.

  78. Julia says:

    Word, mollination. Though the pics aren’t making me feel as heinous as all the alleged people here who roll out of bed looking like this due to their multivitamins and lip exfoliation. 😛

  79. albeli says:

    I can see eyeliner and lipstick, and I’d bet money she has on concealer or tinted mousturizer, at a minimum.

  80. lola says:

    no make up people………………,get a job!!

  81. NicoleAM says:

    Not washing your hair often only works depending on your hair type. I have oily hair so I have to wash it every day otherwise it looks greasy. (And dry shampoo works like sh*t for me! 🙁 )

  82. Johnd doe says:

    Seriously, that is the prettiest she has ever looked.

    I didn’t know there was a gorgeous natural woman under all that crap she usually wears.

  83. jessica says:

    Jessica is a beautiful woman. She is gorgeous (so NOT hating here!!) but she is DEFINITELY wearing foundation, powder, eyeliner, blush and some lip color. It’s all done very naturally but it is definitely there. Common people, we are not blind. Look at her eyebrows too….. and again, just because we say she’s wearing makeup, doesn’t mean we’re haters! I think we ALL agree here that she really is beautiful. Celebrities just need to stop doing this already!