What These Political Women Look Like Without Makeup

Women in politics are slowly but surely finding their path and making a difference. Whether they be former political figures, first ladies, or presidential candidates, more and more women are seen and acknowledged as those who can actually bring change and improve the community.

Of course, as women, they often also have to deal with feedback that their male counterparts simply don't get. From flawed fashion moments to botched hair or makeup, the ladies in politics are expected to always look perfectly put together. In reality, this isn't possible, and if you ask us, it shouldn't be either. The women we see working hard in politics and trying to make a change should look like a reflection of everyone, which is why we love seeing them embrace a makeup-free look every now and then. From sharing a makeup-free pic on social media to giving speeches with a bare face, these ladies prove that while makeup is a great tool for self-expression and confidence, it isn't a rule that has to always be followed.

Melania Trump loves her glam, which is why the first lady is rarely seen with a bare face. In fact, we had to go back to 1999 to even find a photo in which we could see what Melania Trump looks like nearly makeup-free. That year, Melania attended the Red Cross Ball in Monaco with her then-boyfriend Donald Trump.

While Melania's makeup is generally always flawless, it's definitely refreshing to see her with a more minimal look and dewy skin. However, it's hard to imagine the first lady rocking a barely there makeup look today. In 2025, Melania's makeup artist Nicole Bryl revealed that working with the first lady put her in a bad spot with the beauty community. "Because I was working with Melania, who's, you know, Donald's wife, all of a sudden, beauty didn't become beauty anymore, it became political," Bryl revealed on the "Return on Identity" podcast. "And you know, I was so naive at the time. I didn't understand why all the doors shut. People totally canceled me."

In 2017, Bryl told WWD that skin prep is the most crucial part of achieving a flawless makeup look. "I certainly spend the most amount of time on my client's skin. Ensuring that there is always a gentle, flawless glow and that everything is blended perfectly is a skill I never tire of perfecting," she said, adding, "Melania Trump is undeniably one of the most stunningly beautiful woman on Earth and anyone who has ever met her in person or spent time with her also knows for a fact she is one of the sweetest, most elegant women, too."

Unlike her stepmother, Ivanka Trump has a more casual approach to makeup. In fact, if you've ever wondered what Ivanka Trump looks like makeup-free, the former presidential advisor occasionally shares photos from her everyday life on social media. While she's glammed up in most of them, there are also those in which she doesn't have any product on at all. In 2022, she posted a fall-related carousel of photos on Instagram, and in one, she can be seen bare-faced next to her son. Similarly, in 2023, she shared a photo on Instagram of herself during a hike, and her flushed red cheeks definitely prove Donald Trump's first daughter decided to forego makeup on that day.

Over the years, Ivanka has been loyal to her makeup artist Alexa Rodulfo, an immigrant from Mexico. Rodulfo's first makeup job for Ivanka was in the mid-2000s. "Ivanka and her friends were hosting the New York Botanical Garden gala that year, and one of her friends was already a client of mine," the makeup artist explained to Refinery29 in 2018. "She booked me to do the hair and the makeup for them, and that's how we met. Since then, we have been working together." In 2017, Rodulfo revealed that Ivanka's healthy lifestyle has plenty to do with her flawless skin. "Ivanka is someone who eats healthy foods, exercises regularly, doesn't smoke and protects her skin," she explained (via Hola!). "That's a really important factor when it comes to her skin looking perfect. Ivanka is elegant, but at the same time casual. She does her own day-to-day makeup and hair."

The former vice president is known for her minimal makeup, which is why it's not surprising that we know what Kamala Harris looks like without makeup. In 2018, she shared images of herself preparing a Thanksgiving dinner on X, and in them, the politician was wearing comfortable at-home clothing and zero makeup.

When she needs professional makeup, Harris works with celebrity makeup artist Sam Fine, who is also behind some of former First Lady Michelle Obama's stunning makeup moments. "As a political figure, you can't let makeup take the main stage when you have a crucial message to deliver, so it's all about elegance and beauty basics," the makeup artist told Hello Giggles. "Both Michelle and Kamala go for voluminous lashes, feathered brows, radiant complexions, and neutral sheer lip shades."

There's no denying that the politician's glam is always stunning, but the truth is that it's not hard to see what Tulsi Gabbard looks like makeup-free. Similar to other politicians on our list, Gabbard is also no stranger to showing her makeup-free face on social media.

Gabbard loves to enhance her beauty, but she's also all about embracing the changes that come with time. During an Instagram Live video in 2019, she revealed that the gray streak in her hair is here to stay. "No, I'm not going to fix that gray strand. I don't know what you mean by 'fix.' If you mean dye, no, I'm not going to dye it," she told her followers (via CNN). "I actually started going gray in that one spot during and after my first deployment to Iraq. And so I keep it as just a remembrance of those who we lost there and the cost of war and why we fight so hard for peace."

Former White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany is definitely known for her bold makeup looks. The political commentator usually rocks a heavy coverage base, dark eyeliner, and bold false eyelashes. In fact, Kayleigh McEnany is almost unrecognizable makeup-free.

In 2021, McEnany shared a video on Instagram showing her with her daughter. What quickly caught everyone's attention was that McEnany wasn't wearing her signature bold makeup. Instead, her face looked natural — perhaps with some light makeup to even her skin out. "No makeup? Natural beauty," a user commented on the video. Most of all, it was the lack of eye makeup that made the politician look almost unrecognizable. Over the years, she has been known for never skipping eyeliner and eye pencil, and we have to admit that ditching them gives her a more youthful and fresh look.

Former First Lady Michelle Obama is no stranger to showing us her natural beauty, as she has shared images of herself rocking no makeup on social media. In 2022, she shared a video of herself on Instagram in which she can be seen celebrating her 58th birthday. Apart from looking happy, Michelle is also bare-faced while dancing and looking forward to her cake.

Throughout her years in the spotlight, Michelle has been known as a public figure who encourages everyone to embrace themselves. In fact, Michelle is one of the celebrities who look just as gorgeous with their natural hair. Similarly, the attorney and author also looks stunning with no makeup. However, that doesn't mean she doesn't appreciate and admire the art of cosmetics. In 2025, she gushed about her makeup artist on Instagram, writing, "[Carl Ray] has been by my side since Barack and I were in the White House. He is truly an artist: Every time he picks up a brush, he brings vision, precision, and care, making sure I show up looking my best every time I'm in the spotlight. I'll always be so grateful for his incredible talent, his calming presence, and his loving heart."

United States Representative Lauren Boebert might just have the most unfortunate makeup-free photo of everyone on our list. If you ever wondered what Lauren Boebert looks like without makeup, a 2017 mugshot is all you need to look at. In fact, Boebert was detained twice — once in 2015 and in 2017. The former was due to shouting at an arrested group of underage festival attendees who were drinking and had been detained, allegedly inciting them to leave against police orders. "Lauren continued yelling and causing the underage drinkers to become unruly," a police statement explained (via Independent). "Lauren's behavior was becoming likely to cause a disorderly response from those in the area attending the concert." In 2017, she was once again arrested after failing to pay a reckless driving ticket. "I should have shown up to court. I should [have] paid the tickets on time. I should have shown law enforcement the respect they deserve," Boebert shared later.

Nevertheless, Boebert's 2017 mugshot showcases her makeup-free face, which is something we rarely see the politician rock today. "I even got a pretty mugshot out of it," she joked in 2020 (via Colorado Times Recorder). Over the years, the politician's bold and often too dramatic makeup has been in the spotlight. In fact, there have been makeup mistakes that make Lauren Boebert look so much older, but the Colorado representative doesn't really seem to care too much as she continuously sticks to makeup looks she likes.

President Donald Trump's daughter-in-law Lara Trump likes a glam look, but she is also willing to deviate. The former co-chair of the Republican National Committee, who's married to the POTUS' son Eric Trump, is no stranger to showing a more natural look on social media. In 2022, she shared a birthday post for her dog Ben on Instagram, and in the photo, she could be seen holding her pet while rocking a makeup-free face. 

In 2024, Lara's makeup artist Stephanie Louise shared an Instagram video showing how to recreate the clothing brand owner's signature look. "Feeling so grateful for the opportunity to do make up on the beautiful and inspirational Lara Trump during the RNC," Louise wrote in the caption. A defined crease, long eyelashes, and a flawless base are what the politician usually goes for when attending events, but seeing what Lara Trump looks like makeup-free is definitely refreshing!

As a politician, Sarah Huckabee Sanders is often in the spotlight, so wearing heavy makeup is simply something she is used to. Bold eyeshadows and thick eyeliner have been a staple for her, as Sanders rarely ditches the full glam. In fact, in 2018, she was the topic of discussion thanks to her dramatic smokey eye. "I actually really like Sarah," comedian Michelle Wolf joked after the former White House press secretary rocked a bold eye look after the White House Correspondents' Association dinner (via The Guardian). "I think she's very resourceful. But she burns facts and then she uses that ash to create a perfect smokey eye. Like maybe she's born with it, maybe it's lies. It's probably lies."

Nevertheless, Sanders' makeup has changed since, and perhaps it was the backlash she faced in the media that caused the governor of Arkansas to rethink her approach to makeup. A cleaner and simpler makeup look is what the politician has been going for in recent years, but we still rarely see her with a completely bare face. In fact, we only know what Sarah Huckabee Sanders looks like makeup-free because the politician shared images of herself from a nature trip with her son on social media in 2024, and in them, she seems to be wearing zero makeup.

As the United States attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro is no stranger to cameras, and with that, makeup is simply part of her everyday life. However, the politician and former county court judge has shown that her confidence does not come from enhancing her face with makeup. In fact, Pirro is just as confident without any of the glam. In 2024, she shared a 9/11 tribute on Instagram, and in the video, she can be seen without her usual full face of makeup.

Now, we have to admit that without the heavy makeup, Pirro is a tad unrecognizable — especially as she loves a bold and dark eye look. In 2017, she shared a makeup-free photo on her Facebook, and the comments were flooded with surprise and admiration. "Didn't recognize you without your make-up. You are still beautiful, anyways," a user wrote. While most ladies on the list look great with no makeup too, we have to admit that seeing what Jeanine Pirro looks like makeup-free makes us wonder just what her skincare routine is like because she looks stunning as she's strutting through her 70s.

Once the United States Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton usually wears makeup when working, but every now and then, the politician surprises us by embracing her natural look. In 2016, Hillary attended a Children's Defense Fund event in Washington, D.C., where she was honored. While she spoke at the event, everyone noticed that the former first lady was wearing little to no makeup, which was undeniably refreshing to see.

Since then, Hillary has given us other makeup-free moments, too. In 2020, she shared an image of herself with a face mask that had "vote" written on it on Instagram. In the caption, Hillary wrote, "No makeup? No pantsuit? No problem. ⁣I've got the must-have accessory for spring.⁣ I'm wearing a mask (and voting!) for my country, my community, and my grandchildren." Back in 2012, Hillary addressed the media attention surrounding the changes in her look — and her simplified approach to beauty. "If I want to wear my glasses, I'm wearing my glasses," she explained (via ABC News). "If I want to wear my hair back I'm pulling my hair back. You know at some point it's just not something that deserves a lot of time and attention."

Even before she became a United States Representative for New York's 14th congressional district, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez had been in the spotlight thanks to her activism. On social media, Ocasio-Cortez often speaks candidly about politics, and she occasionally shares glimpses into her life. While the congresswoman always looks put together and stylish, every now and then, we do see her with no makeup. In 2020, Ocasio-Cortez shared her beauty routine for a video posted on Vogue's YouTube channel.

A year prior, the politician revealed that she does all of her makeup herself. "So, first and foremost, I do not have a glam team. I don't have a hairstylist, I don't have a makeup artist that I take on the road with me. I do my own makeup," she shared in a video on social media (via Allure). "So it's all very DIY, especially if you're a woman running for office. You just have to learn how to do your own makeup. And I did it with lots of YouTube tutorials." Of course, this could have changed since, but even if she does work with professional makeup artists now, Ocasio-Cortez's look is always very simple and clean — the most dramatic makeup she rocks is a red lip.