Elizabeth Taylor Was A Fresh-Faced Beauty Without Makeup

There's nothing we love more than seeing our favorite celebrities without makeup. Of course, there are always going to be haters who have something to say about a fresh-faced star, but that doesn't stop many celebs from going totally makeup-free. For example, Selena Gomez went without makeup and used the criticism to make an important point about proper suncare — something we can definitely get behind. One of our favorite makeup-free moments came from legendary actor and activist Elizabeth Taylor. The Hollywood beauty was known for her stunning full beat — from her bold arched browns to fluttery doll-like lashes and signature bright red lip. Taylor's regal fashion choices were also memorable, and her 1957 Cannes Film Festival look is one we'll never forget. Because she was so often seen in full glam, Taylor looks almost unrecognizable (but still stunning) in this fresh-faced photo of her.  

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The late star's natural beauty really shines through in the above shot. Taken when she was just 17 years old, this photo shows Taylor giving her dogs a bath, and she seems to be living her best life. Her brow shape (which is so naturally defined!) and gorgeous cheekbones really shine through here. We absolutely love this much more pared-down look for the Hollywood legend — it's a refreshing and different look for the star.

While Elizabeth Taylor might have opted for more minimalist styles in her younger years, she later became known for taking a DIY approach to her beauty routines, often opting to do her own makeup for films. According to British Vogue, she also famously didn't like typical haircare items like conditioner. Preferring a voluminous look, Taylor believed conditioner made her hair fall flat — a quirk that clearly worked out for her, since she often sported big, fluffy 'dos.

Taylor loved to draw attention to her eyes — it was an essential part of her makeup routine. To really emphasize them, she swore by eyeliner as her tool of choice. "There was one eyeliner that she always used and it was a Clinique eyeliner," makeup artist Francesca Tolot, who worked with Taylor, told British Vogue. Her hack was to use a grey shade instead of black to really make her eyes shine. She also loved Chanel lip gloss and dermaplaning to create a smooth canvas for applying cosmetics. But not all of her makeup hacks have become popular. One thing she used to do when finishing her makeup was take a quick bath to set her face and impart a dewy glow — a step that seems counterproductive to us.

Taylor's former assistant Tim Medelson shared with The Hollywood Reporter that the star was unpretentious when it came to the rest of her beauty routine, and she apparently used drugstore skincare brands like Jergens for years. While she did gravitate towards luxury brands like La Prairie and Elizabeth Arden later in life, overall, she stayed true to her DIY roots by using household items like tea bags or ice under her eyes to de-puff and get rid of under-eye bags.