What Taylor Swift Really Looks Like Underneath All That Makeup

There's no denying that a glammed up Taylor Swift is a gorgeous Taylor Swift, but what about a barefaced T-Swift? Though we don't often get to see the country singer turned pop star makeup free, Swift has graced fans with a few recent Instagram shots sans classic red lip and smoky cat eye. Unsurprisingly, she's just as stunning au naturel as she is with a full face on.

What may come as a bit of a surprise, however, is that a natural beauty like Swift deals with some of the same insecurities as the rest of us. Turns out she is human, after all, despite her enormous success and incredible talent. In March 2019, months before her 30th birthday, Swift wrote for Elle a list of things she'd learned before hitting that third decade mark, and one thing she made clear was that she has to work on body image issues, too. 

"I learned to stop hating every ounce of fat on my body," she wrote. "I worked hard to retrain my brain that a little extra weight means curves, shinier hair, and more energy. I think a lot of us push the boundaries of dieting, but taking it too far can be really dangerous. There is no quick fix. I work on accepting my body every day."

While most of us can relate in one way or another to society's expectations of what's "pretty" or what "looks good," being in the spotlight from such a young age has to wear on a person. Is it easier to simply slap on a full face of makeup rather than brave the comments from critics who might spot a blemish or an eyebrow out of place — or worse — a dreaded wrinkle? Maybe, but Taylor Swift isn't playing that game anymore.

"I've learned that society is constantly sending very loud messages to women that exhibiting the physical signs of aging is the worst thing that can happen to us," she wrote for Elle. "These messages tell women that we aren't allowed to age. It's an impossible standard to meet, and I've been loving how outspoken Jameela Jamil has been on this subject. Reading her words feels like hearing a voice of reason amongst all these loud messages out there telling women we're supposed to defy gravity, time, and everything natural in order to achieve this bizarre goal of everlasting youth that isn't even remotely required of men."

That's not to say, however, that T-Swift isn't doing what she needs to do to treat her skin with care. One look at that flawless complexion has us all desperately needing to know her beauty secrets. But it turns out the superstar singer wasn't always so kind to her face. 

Swift admitted to Elle that she has realized the need to be better to her skin, and even copped to frequently sleeping in her makeup and using — wait for it — Sharpie(!) as eyeliner in the past — something she definitely recommends nobody do. She has seen the error of her ways, though, and says that she now uses moisturizer on her face every night and body lotion on after a shower, which has resulted in year-round soft skin. Another tip that's bound to keep Swift's skin looking fresh? She told inquiring minds at Allure that she stays out of tanning beds and always wears sunscreen.

It is abundantly clear that Taylor Swift does not need even a wisp of makeup to shine (just look at these gorgeous selfies!), but hey, makeup is fun and if she wants to rock a bold lip and bold eye all at the same time, then she's going to do it. That's the real beauty of what Swift seems to have learned in her 30 years — you can do what you want when it comes to your beauty routine (or lack thereof).

We do need to know, though, for when we're not rocking the makeup free look ourselves: How does a regular person who does not happen to have a glam squad achieve Swift's signature pout? She broke it down for fans, telling Allure, "There are tricks I've learned from makeup artists on shoots. They put on the red lipstick, then blot it with a tissue, then they put powder over the tissue and sort of press it onto your lips. Then re-apply. It turns it into a stain that lasts much longer."