Beautiful Women, Bad Makeup

London, September 8, 2009
Actress and chef Nigella Lawson usually goes for the natural look at public appearances (left). But at a book signing this week (right) she showed up with an extreme vampire-style look--blood-red lips, pale skin, and dark hair. Perhaps the star is a fan of "Twilight" or "True Blood"?

Dave M. Benett, Getty Images | Simon James, WireImage

British songstress Lily Allen was photographed leaving Nobu with rings of iridescent eyeshadow, and the rest of her face was seemingly bare. Quite a look, Lily!

Chris Jackson, Getty Images | Bauer-Griffin

Christina Aguilera has proven that she is the red lip maven. But the pop singer didn't stick to the ultimate beauty rule of highlighting one feature when she hit the town in caked-on teal eyeshadow and smeared lipstick.

Click through to see more Hollywood stars who look better in less makeup.

Steve Granitz, WireImage | Anthony Visschedyk, PacificCoastNews

Pamela Anderson switched things up and went natural (well, with her makeup, anyway) at a recent Richie Rich press conference to announce their new clothing line Muse. We prefer Pam's youthful glow over her usual look - colorful, caked-on eyeshadow, blush and lipstick, that, after a certain age, can make an actress look more Flashdance extra than leading lady. Click through to see more Hollywood stars who look better in less makeup.

Gustavo Caballero, Getty Images | Alexander Tamargo, Getty Images

Cher made a rather ghostly appearance at an inaugural ball, where bright salmon and orange eye shadow turned her skin sallow - she looked a little too "Morticia Adams" for comfort! We prefer the singer in the makeup look on the left - fresh faced and fabulous.

Kevin Mazur, WireImage

Salma Hayek. With her jet-black hair and hazel eyes, striking Salma doesn't need much more than a little here and a little there to play up her heritage. But layer on the costumey red lipstick, the silver shadow and the mile-long lashes, and the star looks like she's trying too hard be in an Art Nouveau poster.

Tony Barson/WireImage

OK, Katy Perry, we know you're a girly-girl. But, honey, you're only 24, which means that now's the time to play up your fresh-faced sweetness. The too-blue shadow, bold black liner and overly-oranged cheeks age you. Even you look surprised.

Mike Marsland/WireImage

Carla Brunei. This is the woman who swept the president of France off his feet? Though Carla Brunei's appeal is obvious with her soft, understated makeup, she looks like a wood elf when she takes the scrub-faced look to extremes. Aren't world-famous models supposed to know how to put on makeup?

Anwar Hussein Collection/WireImage

Kylie Minogue. Though the Australian pop singer has churned through 1001 over-the-top costumes, she's at her best when she sticks to simple hair and natural makeup. Poufed, pulled and sporting green eyeshadow to match her Grecian gown, Kylie is, well, an Impossible Princess.

James Devaney/WireImage

Catherine Zeta-Jones
No one likes letting go of sun-kissed summer skin, but heaping on bronzer is never the answer. The Welsh beauty is at her best when she plays up her Snow White complexion.

Dimitrios Kambouris, WireImage.com