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Alicia Keys’ Beauty Evolution: From Mega-Gloss To Bare-Faced And Beautiful

Date January 25, 2018

Alicia Keys made waves last year when she penned a powerful essay for Lenny Letter, pledging to stop covering up and show the “real and raw” her.

And she made good on her no-makeup promise, going bare-faced on the MTV VMAs and BET Awards red carpets and on-air on season 11 of The Voice, where she was a celebrity coach. Aside from her latest Allure cover feature, the “Fallin'” songstress’ editorial shoots since last spring have all been makeup-free (and stunning, to say the least).

"The pain taught me how to write and the writing taught me how to heal" – Harman Kaur ?: @Kerryhallihan

A post shared by Alicia Keys (@aliciakeys) on Dec 5, 2016 at 11:06am PST

But that’s not to say the mother-of-two is against makeup entirely — to her, wearing makeup is a choice, one that she, and everyone else, has full control over.

“I’m not a slave to makeup. I’m not a slave to not wearing makeup either,” she told Allure. “I get to choose at [any] given moment. That’s my right.”

As much as we love Keys’ #nomakeup movement, that doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate her bold beauty looks of the past. So, in honour of The Voice judge’s 36th birthday, we’re taking a look at her incredible beauty evolution.

Check it out below.

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Alicia Keys Beauty Evolution

Braids, glossy nude lips and a pop of colourful eye shadow were all part of the signature look Alicia Keys sported in the early 2000s. Here she is at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards.

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Alicia Keys Beauty Evolution

One of her most iconic looks was at the 2002 Grammy Awards, where she sported sparkly eye shadow, and of course, that glossy nude lip.

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Alicia Keys Beauty Evolution

For her 2004 Grammys look, the “Girl on Fire” songstress opted for blushed cheeks, lightly-lined eyes and soft, retro waves.

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Alicia Keys Beauty Evolution

She also seemed to be a bit bronzer-happy at the 2004 World Music Awards.

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Alicia Keys Beauty Evolution

The 2005 Grammys saw a more mature and refined beauty look, with soft shadow, slightly blushed cheeks, glossy pink lips. She also switched out her braids for a relaxed ‘do.

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Alicia Keys Beauty Evolution

In 2006, Alicia changed up her hair yet again, this time opting for eye-grazing fringe. Still sporting that glossy lip, though!

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Alicia Keys Beauty Evolution

The songstress looked stunning with a jeweled headpiece, soft blue eyeshadow and just a hint of sparkle at the 2008 American Music Awards.

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Alicia Keys Beauty Evolution

At the 2009 Vanity Fair Oscar Party, “The Voice” judge looked almost unrecognizable with her thick, cascading waves.

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Alicia Keys Beauty Evolution

Alicia gave us major Halle Berry vibes with this coif and dark, glossy eye makeup in 2011.

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Alicia Keys Beauty Evolution

At the 2012 MTV Video Music Awards, Alicia chose a chin-length’ ‘do and light metallic eye shadow.

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Alicia Keys Beauty Evolution

At Cannes in 2013, Alicia let her fun updo do the talking, opting for more minimal makeup than usual.

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Alicia Keys Beauty Evolution

December 2015 was where we saw hints of Alicia’s impending “no makeup” promise. At Billboard’s 10th Annual Women In Music, she sported lightly-lined eyes, defined brows and a bold red lip.

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