Zoe Foster Tuesday 1 May 2012 12:22pm

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BY ZOE FOSTER

In today’s magazine news, they are still made of paper and feature famous and attractive identities on their covers.

In more specific magazine news, People mag in the US this week published an issue featuring stars without any makeup on. Not those mean pap shots where they are exiting the gym, but deliberately makeup free.

Of course, they still have exceptional hair, and the lighting and the quality of the photos are top notchy, and there is definitely some post-production work going on here, but I applaud these dames all the same.

Why? Because for those of us who love makeup, enjoy makeup, feel better with makeup on, this would be a big deal. Personally, makeup is like clothing to me; I very rarely leave the house without any on.

For these women, who are Real Famous and as such the cause of much scrutiny even when they are fully made up, not to mention the fact they wear shittonne of makeup on set/on red carpets/in photoshoots every day to look the way we know them to look, this nude face bizzo would be even stranger, I imagine.

Zooey Deschanel, for example, has made her big blue eyes and trademark false lashes so much a part of her identity that she doesn’t even have to remove them for her assorted movie and TV roles. (Good for you, Zooey! Even if you spell your name weird!)

Marion Cotillard

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The photos certainly prove the transformative power of makeup, because who woulda thunk it? Underneath it all, these women (albeit these very pretty women) look “just like us” before we paint on our goo each day. And surprise! Zooey’s lashes are actually more S than XXL.

As someone living on a small Greek island who hasn’t painted on goo for days, and who probably won’t until I fly on to London in a few weeks, I can see there are definite bonuses to no makeup, namely “time and effort saved applying and removing each day.”

(I realise this is very un-beauty editory of me, but I am in Deep Book Writing Mode and I don’t think the locals give a shit if I have undereye circles, pigmentation or dry lips, plus, I don’t give a shit if they see that I have undereye circles, pigmentation or dry lips, because it’s a bloody miracle if I manage to wear a bra, to be honest.)

YES, I adore makeup, great grandpa’s dentures I adore makeup, I wear it every single day in Real Life, and it makes me feel happy and confident about how I present myself, but it’s also a bit fun to have a break from it for a few grubby weeks. Naturally, I am GIGA excited about wearing it when I start up again, and am prone to going over the top with intense eyes, intense cheeks and intense lips. Cute.

I wondered, though, if any of you makeup lovers were brave enough to do a Zooey, and show us a pic of you with no makeup on in comments?

It’s only fair I go first, so here it is:

Zoe with no make-up on

I’m not exactly sure what the point of this challenge is, but it seems like a thrilling thing for us all to do on a nothingy Tuesday. I could make something up about us “embracing our natural beauty,” but it would be disingenuous, because my preference is always for some kind of makeupy enhancement, even if it’s just lip balm and mascara.

That said, there is something quite lovely in being honest about what we look like without all our sorcery. (And a big reason I love Snog, Marry, Avoid.)

By all means play with flattering lighting and make your hair look outstanding, but keep away from Instagram and SnapSeed and Hipstamatic and of course, that makeup bag, you rascals.

Come on. DON’T LEAVE ME HANGING YOU GUIZE.

And in case you missed our supermodels without make-up gallery, here it is.

Zoe is an author, columnist and porridge fan. Her books include the beauty bible Amazing Face, dating and relationship guide Textbook Romance, and three novels, Air Kisses, Playing The Field and The Younger Man. Find more info on her here, or supervise on her daily procrastination here and here.

Please understand that Zoë cannot respond to ALL your questions – but never fear, there are readers that are bound to know the answers, so don’t be afraid to ask.

So go on – leave your make-up free picture in the comments (it’s easy – when leaving a comment, just select “Browse”, find your picture and it will upload along with your comment).