In a revelation that's making waves in the beauty and entertainment industry, Pamela Anderson, Baywatch star and fashion icon, has opened up about her decision to go makeup-free.
Speaking candidly in an interview with Elle, the star shared her personal journey of eschewing makeup—a decision inspired by a heartbreaking event that took place a few years ago.
According to Anderson, living a makeup-free life has been "freeing and fun, and a little rebellious too," especially as she navigates the reality of aging.
She has often noticed "all these people doing big makeup looks" and decided that it was "just like me to go against the grain and do the opposite of what everyone’s doing."
At a time when the world seems to be obsessed with Instagram-filtered beauty, Anderson has opted for an authentic look that she feels is more in tune with her current life phase.
"People all start looking a little funny when we get older," she reflected. However, rather than getting bogged down by societal expectations, Anderson stated she could "kind of laugh at herself" when she saw her own makeup-free reflection. "This is me - I’m happy with who I am right now. It's a new world and I’m very grateful for all of the love," she shared.
But the most poignant reason for Anderson's makeup-free choice goes beyond fashion or trends; it is intimately connected to the passing of her close friend and makeup artist, Alexis Vogel, who died of breast cancer in 2019.
"She was the best. And since then, I just felt, without Alexis, it’s just better for me not to wear makeup," Anderson poignantly said.
Vogel was the genius behind Anderson’s iconic smoky-eyed look, which became a signature style for the actress during her Playboy photo shoots and beyond. "I’d rather show my freckles. It’s fun getting old. It’s a relief. At a certain age we look younger and fresher without makeup," Anderson added.
The Baywatch star is still very much in demand - even without makeup. In fact, she graced the cover of WWD earlier this year, confidently displaying her natural beauty.
This comes amid a turbulent time in Hollywood regarding compensation for actors. Anderson's son, Brandon Thomas Lee, recently divulged to Extra that his mother earns less than $4,000 a year from Baywatch residuals, a revelation he described as "a crime."
This disclosure adds another layer to Anderson's decision to ditch makeup, as earlier in her career, she "just went along with what people were telling me what to do," she told Elle.
In a world obsessed with artificial aesthetics, Anderson’s bold, makeup-free approach not only marks a personal transformation but also serves as a touching tribute to a loved one. It’s a real-life lesson on finding beauty in authenticity.