What Sarah Jessica Parker Looks Like Underneath All That Makeup

We have watched actress Sarah Jessica Parker grow up on TV and in film. The 56-year-old star started her acting career when she was just a child, starring in the Broadway production of "The Innocents" (via Biography). The Ohio native would go on to appear in her first big TV role on "Square Pegs" in the early 1980s (via IMDb). Remember Parker as Janey in "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" in 1985? She was only 20 when the role made her a star, propelling Parker to roles in memorable films like "Honeymoon in Vegas" and "The First Wives Club." Don't forget her role as Sarah in "Hocus Pocus" in 1993. A classic!

Later in her career, Parker starred in some of our favorite movies, like "Failure to Launch," "The Family Stone," and "I Don't Know How She Does It." 

But in 1998, "Sex and the City" made Parker a household name, and a style and beauty icon whose looks would be copied the world over.

The actress' alter ego, Carrie Bradshaw, became known for her outrageous fashion choices, and often had the hair and makeup to match. From early in the show, when Parker rocked long, wild, curly tresses, to her short-haired looks, to when she straightened her mane, the star always seemed to be impeccably made up (via The Zoe Report). That smokey eye! That defined lip! That defined blush! How did Carrie appear so put-together, even post-breakup with Big?

Given her most famous character's commitment to beauty, fans have come to associate the mom of three with always looking like she stepped out of the pages of a magazine — and perhaps many of us would be shocked to see Parker, who is 56, barefaced.

Still, when the star allowed a makeup-free photo of herself with her BFF Andy Cohen to be posted on social media, the most shocking thing was how Parker looked just as gorgeous as when she is sporting her trademark eyeliner and cheek-highlighting blush we all know and love (via Today and People).

It was 2019 when Cohen shared the selfie featuring a totally makeup-free Sarah Jessica Parker to Instagram (via Insider). Did we mention she also showed off her natural hair color — gray? "Magic Hour, Magic Lady," the Bravo host captioned the mesmerizing shot of the friends in a grassy field. Fans agreed with Cohen's complimentary assessment, with one person commenting, "I love the fact how Sarah Jessica Parker stayed natural with all her lines and gray hair good for her for once a real woman not afraid to grow older and wiser." Likewise, another follower said, "Sarah looks so pretty so natural with the grey and no make up. Love it."

"A natural beauty!!" yet another fan opined, while someone else commented, "SJP your beauty literally shines from the inside out! Just stunning!" Finally, another follower enthused about the unfiltered image of the style idol, "She's aged gracefully with sex in the city...But still as Beautiful as ever..."

Given the volume of praise SJP received after the makeup-free photo was posted, some of us couldn't help but wonder if she has ever gone under the knife to maintain her youthful appearance. For what it is worth, a plastic surgeon who did not work on Parker told Life & Style she likely has had minimal work done on her face — perhaps just Botox and fillers. 

As for her daily beauty routine when she isn't on camera, the actress said previously she favors a minimalist approach, flossing her teeth, shaving her legs, and wearing deodorant (via Women's Health). That's it!

Parker also told Redbook in 2016 about her beauty regimen, "I'm so bad, because I wash my face with whatever soap is lying around." She added she has been using the same moisturizer forever, and when asked about if she wears makeup on a typical day, Parker said, "Not a lot; I don't even own a foundation or lipstick."

And that same year, the star told Vogue U.K., "I don't think my attitude [to beauty] has changed too much over the years. I've never thought a lot about it to be honest."

In the end, the natural pic of Parker seems to capture her true essence. But fans love both versions of the star — and copy the makeup she dons for TV, but adore how she comes home and tucks into her everyday life just like us.