What Tulsi Gabbard Looks Like Makeup-Free

While Tulsi Gabbard, President Trump's pick for the role of Director of National Intelligence, hasn't become one of the worst perpetrators of Mar-a-Lago face — the MAGA look with too many fillers and the opposite of subtle tweakments — she definitely puts effort into her appearance. The former Congresswoman, who turned 44 in 2025, usually wears makeup that's conservative, yet noticeable, and styles her black hair neatly, proudly embracing her now-signature gray streak.

But on occasion, this former soldier goes makeup-free and isn't afraid to post about it. Yay for us. The politician, who was born in American Samoa, looks stunning without her usual products, boasting a naturally radiant complexion. It almost feels like a treat when one of the women in the Trump universe goes makeup free, since it reinforces that you don't need makeup to be beautiful, regardless of who you are. And it isn't just a positive for us, it's smart for anyone, including Gabbard, to take a rest from their makeup from time to time.

There are a few reasons why it's beneficial for Tulsi Gabbard to go makeup free, in addition to the fact that she looks beautiful with a bare face. One of them is that she regularly works out. And we're not talking strolls around the park; she did intense boxing with her niece in Thailand, as seen in a March 2025 Instagram post, and does fierce bootcamp-style training at Georgetown Strength in Georgetown, Texas. As is widely known, having a clean complexion when you exercise can help prevent clogged pores that turn into acne.

Another reason Gabbard should occasionally go without makeup is because of the skin benefits you get when you ditch makeup. These include helping the moisture in the skin barrier and sloughing off dead cells, both of which can lead to a brighter complexion. It's a cycle: Regularly going makeup-free can actually lead to better skin, as we see with Gabbard, and this may prompt you to go makeup-free more often.

Then, there's her public perception. While some studies have shown that women who wear makeup are perceived as healthier and more successful, a 2008 study published in Individual Differences Research found that women who wear less makeup tend to have higher social confidence and self-esteem. Sounds like Gabbard should continue playing both sides of the makeup card.