The miracle of makeup

Under the fantasy exterior created by Hollywood stylists, this photo essay proves that even the most glamorous celebrities are just as average-looking as the rest of us. Caught without the camouflage of makeup, some are not just washed out but plain scary — as in, “you wouldn’t want to run into them in a dark alley” scary.

If you think great beauties are born, not made, think again. Marilyn Monroe changed not just her name but also her face to become an icon of sensuality, and red lipstick was one of the most powerful weapons in her arsenal. These photos illustrate that makeup is the one tool that heightens your assets, hides your flaws, and can be washed off at the end of the day, unlike plastic surgery. The point of makeup is not to erase your face and draw on a new one — nor is it to deceive that male you’re trying to impress. It’s to look like you, at your very best. And if you still think you’re such a natural beauty that you don’t need cosmetic help, let these “before” pictures serve as your warning.

Eva Longoria
If you looked this deathly pale without makeup, you’d be desperate for some color, too. One of the more dramatic transformations, Longoria shows how much impact can be achieved just through the eyes. Black eye shadow, liner, false lashes and mascara create a look so sultry you’d never guess Longoria has barely any lashes of her own. A yellow-toned foundation evens out her freckles and warms up her complexion. Of course, with eyes this fierce, it’s wise to tone down the mouth — a sheer, rose-toned gloss balances out the look.

Beyoncé Knowles
Amazing what a bit of product and hair straightening can do. To transform from homegirl to siren, Beyoncé doesn’t need much: some smoky eye shadow and falsies to open up her eyes, a neutral peach blush to go with her caramel coloring, a natural-colored lip pencil to refine her lip line and a swipe of pink gloss, baby, yeah.

Penelope Cruz
Caught in the rain, sans adornment, Cruz is not as frightening as some of us would be. A bad hair day (due to the humidity, no doubt) forced her to plop on a hat, but pressed and polished Penelope is not that major an alteration. Though European chicks tend to favor red-lipstick glamour, the more casual California lifestyle deems that smoky eyes and glossy nude lips are the red-carpet look of choice. Which can get boring pretty quickly, but what can you do.

Halle Berry
Without mega-styling, Berry actually looks more human and less like an X-Woman. One flatiron and a visit to the salon later and she’s back to her goddess look of straight hair, perfectly arched eyebrows, deep-set eyes thanks to rich brown shadows, and coffee-colored gloss to vamp up those luscious lips.

Cameron Diaz
A makeup artist I took a class with had the good fortune of working with Diaz before she became huge. Blame it on the rigors of modeling, but she revealed that Cameron’s complexion was “like five miles of bad road.” The main challenge for this tall and tanned and young California girl is looking like she has naturally lovely skin, achieved with the wonders of a golden foundation, rosy blush and pink lipstick that’s actually a shade or two lighter than her natural color. After all, fish-belly-white skin coupled with clown-red upturned lips might remind some people of The Joker, and Diaz, I’m sure, would want to stay as far away from that association as possible.

Britney Spears
Britney is such a train wreck I wouldn’t advocate her as a role model for anyone, and the same goes for her makeup look. This theatrical combo of heavy eye, cheek and lip makeup is strictly for stage performances only. You can tone it down for a more reel-to-real look, but the crazy light in the eyes is optional.

Pamela Anderson
Even Borat’s sick thing for Pam Anderson would be cured once he got a gander at her devoid of cosmetics. The antidote to her “grumpy fishwife from the market” squint is cat’s eye makeup (gray shadow and the ubiquitous false eyelashes) bubblegum-pink shine to accentuate the fullness of her lips, and a shot of Botox between the eyes.

Hilary Duff
Who knew the goth look would actually suit bubblegum princess Hilary Duff? Her girl-next-door persona is given a booster shot of glamour with raven tresses, matching smoky eyes and barely there, baby-pink blush and gloss. She looks like Snow White, or, if she took even more of a risk and added red lips, a baby Dita Von Teese.

Anna Kournikova
The perpetually bratty-looking tennis star looks even sulkier barefaced, so a few well-placed brush strokes bestow a more approachable demeanor. Under-eye concealer makes her look well rested, while dewy foundation, mascara, cheek tint and gloss create an overall angelic appearance.

Debra Messing
Displaying not much Grace under pressure, Messing is one fine mess without makeup. Her prominent eyes are played up in a more flattering way with liner and lots of mascara, while the cheekbones are chiseled with contouring stripes of blush. The already nicely shaped brows are further thinned to frame the face discreetly, resulting in an elegant red-carpet look.

Katherine Heigl
Without makeup and Veronica Lake-style waves, she looks like she just got done crying. Heigl is one natural beauty who doesn’t need much makeup to shine. For this red-carpet look she rocks a kohl-rimmed eye with a few individual false lashes at the corners. The cheekbones on her round face are brought out with shimmer powder, and her already pink lips are glossed for added shine.

Goldie Hawn
Goldie Hawn looks like she’s onboard the train to Hagsville. People, this is what years of sun damage looks like and why we are fortunate not to be light-skinned blondes. Hawn needs not only face but also full-body makeup to even out her freckles and age spots. Before a major event, her sunken bits are probably treated with filler for a more youthful look, and makeup shades are natural yet highly pigmented to give her a healthy glow. Next time Hawn leaves the house without makeup, she might consider covering up with a ski mask or at the very least, a huge pair of sunglasses. I mean, suffer the children. And pity the makeup artist who has to take her from Little Shop of Horrors to something resembling human.