8 Pics Of Kristi Noem Looking Almost Completely Makeup-Free

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Kristi Noem has made headlines since her appointment as the secretary of homeland security in 2025. The former congresswoman and governor of South Dakota not only made a name for herself with her strict stances on illegal immigration, but also for her instantly recognizable style, which seemed a paradox, as it brought together camouflage hunting gear and rugged Western aesthetics with Barbie-like glam. Now that she's been stood down from her homeland security role, we're keeping our eyes peeled for incoming changes in her signature aesthetic — could less dramatic makeup be in the cards as she takes on the role of Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas in the Western Hemisphere? If her past minimal makeup looks are anything to go by, she'd look gorgeous with more natural makeup.

Her current beauty aesthetic is very MAGA-coded, since she seems to be one of the most obvious perpetrators of the "Mar-a-Lago" face trend. Her heavy lashes and eyeliner, bronzed skin with packed-on coverage, filled-in dark brows, and bold lined lips are common among Republican women, but Noem usually takes it one step further by still sporting this ultra-glam look even when she's not at a formal event. A quick look through her social media shows that she still prefers a beat face when she's exercising, spending time with family, and even working in locations that don't typically call for blush and lashes (like the Texas-Mexico border). But on the rare occasions that she has toned down the makeup, she's looked all the better for it. 

Without her usual layers of product, Kristi Noem looks fresher, since her naturally even complexion finally has the chance to shine. We can only hope the laidback beauty vibe continues into the next chapter of Kristi Noem's complete transformation.

It's rare to catch a glimpse of Kristi Noem without her signature makeup because she frequently glams up for all outings, whether she's working, going hunting, or even at a workout class. But she did lose most of the products for a cute snap with granddaughter Addie in November 2024, which showed the pair posing in front of a Christmas tree. She still appeared to be wearing mascara on her top lash line and had filled in her brows — and there may have been a sneaky filter in use — but this look is definitely toned down from her usual styling.

In November 2025, Kristi Noem posed with granddaughter Noah for a wintry picture in the snow. While she still had her signature long hair, her face was looking much more bare than usual. She still had some product in her brows and possibly a little on her top lashes, but she was missing her go-to heavy coverage, lined lips, and blush. And considering how the cold weather can be harsh on the skin, Noem's complexion was looking beautiful. On that note, here are our best skincare tips for wintertime skin concerns.

Having grown up on a ranch, Kristi Noem rarely goes too long without getting in touch with the great outdoors. But she usually packs on her glam, even for hunting and hiking trips. So, it was a rare occurrence in May 2024 when she posted a reel of videos and still photos that showed her with her family, including footage of Noem on an outdoor trip, without her go-to makeup. Once more, she seemed to be wearing top lashes, which makes us wonder whether she has permanent extensions, but her face was looking considerably fresh.

Today Kristi Noem is synonymous with her bold makeup look, which typically includes heavy lashes, dramatic coverage, and two-toned lips. But back in 2018, when she was a South Dakota congresswoman, she had a less Republican-coded look. Not only was her hair styled into a sleeker shoulder-grazing cut, but she was also rocking far less makeup. With a little product on her eyes and next to nothing on the rest of her face, she looked like a different person from the woman who was later dubbed "ICE Barbie."

In April 2025, Kristi Noem took a nature photo with her daughter, and this time, she did ditch the makeup almost completely. Squinting into the sun against a rugged landscape backdrop, Noem appeared to be mascara-free, and she was also sporting little to no coverage, blush, or lipstick. The relaxed aesthetic matched her hair, which was partially hidden under a cap. Even without her usual products, Noem's skin was looking even and dewy in the sun. She clearly knows how to look fresh-faced when she doesn't have makeup!

Kristi Noem has come under fire for her relationship with animals — not just for her hunting pastime, but also for shooting her 14-month-old wirehair pointer, Cricket, whom she admitted to killing in her 2024 memoir "No Going Back" over the dog's "untrainable" and "dangerous" nature. But despite this, she still seems to surround herself with dogs, taking a selfie with one in January 2018. For the occasion, Noem appeared to shed her usual glam and wore next to nothing on her face, besides some eyeliner. This time, even her lashes seemed to be absent.

In September 2018, just prior to her first year as South Dakota governor, Kristi Noem made an appearance at the South Dakota State Fair, and those familiar with her today might not recognize her in the photos. Beside her thicker lashes and liner on her top lash line, she was looking almost makeup-free, and the natural look paired beautifully with her much more relaxed wavy hair and country-esque plaid top. This is definitely one of the best lob haircuts for a perfect in-between length.

Beside her long structured waves, Kristi Noem's favorite hairstyle seems to be a messy updo, which she often wears when she's not working. In a November 2022 photo with husband, Bryon, Noem complemented her loose bun with a laidback makeup look which was starkly different from her usual vibe. Her brows were noticeably lighter, her lips looked almost bare, and she didn't have recognizable coverage on her face. Once more, she seemed to have her ever-present top lashes on, but overall, her minimal makeup look suited her chilled-out energy well. Next, check out what these Fox news anchors look like makeup-free.