Alicia Keys used to use make-up as a "shield" to hide behind.
Alicia Keys
The 35-year-old powerhouse has admitted she used to don a full face of cosmetic products because she believed it made her look "glamorous" and thought it would make her a successful artist, but has since changed her ways and thinks it was "complete nonsense".
Speaking to the Red Bulletin about her thoughts on beauty, the 'Empire State of Mind' hitmaker said: "Society tells us how we should look, what we should eat. The industry forces us to live up to some ideal, just because it wants to sell a product.
"I realised that my whole life I'd been using make-up as a shield to hide my true self, thinking it would make me glamorous. I thought I had to be made up to be successful in show business, but that's complete nonsense."
And the star now feels "more confident" when she ditches mascara, foundation and lipstick in favour of going au naturel.
She explained: "Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against women wearing make-up - it's a personal decision.
"But I feel more comfortable without make-up. And I'm happy to say I've received a lot of positive feedback from young women for making my decision. I believe that you have to feel good about yourself if you want to be successful in life.
"Accept yourself the way you are. And don't let anyone talk you into hiding your true self. Don't hide your face behind a wall of make-up, and don't hide your views against prevailing attitudes.
"Try to see things from another perspective. Break out of your current thinking patterns. Get informed. You'll soon see that you've become more self-confident in the way you think, and that it's easier to express your own opinion with greater conviction."
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