Christina Aguilera has been such a mainstay in the 2000s music scene that, if you were to close your eyes, you could probably picture 10 different personas of hers throughout the years. Maybe it's the smudged eyeliner, black hair extensions, and assless chaps of her "Dirrty" days that first come to mind. Or her bleached, teased-to-the-heavens crimps in "Lady Marmalade." Either way, for the last 20 years, Aguilera has maintained a very calculated image that's always taken a "more is more" approach to beauty.
That's why Paper Magazine's latest issue — which features a makeup-free Aguilera on its cover — had us doing a double take. And, if the interview is any indication, this might be the year we see Aguilera really baring it all... with her both her look and her music.
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"I've always been someone that obviously loves to experiment, loves theatrics, loves to create a storyline and play a character in a video or through stage," Aguilera told the publication. "But I'm at the place, even musically, where it's a liberating feeling to be able to strip it all back and appreciate who you are and your raw beauty."
And it's not just the singer who's appreciating a new pared-down aesthetic. People on Twitter were quick to jump in and praise the singer for her fresh look, including the reveal of her freckles.
#MondayMotivation "Be fearless in breaking new boundaries and don't be afraid to go against the grain of criticism along the way." -@xtina in new @papermagazine cover pic.twitter.com/DqGCojzgYa
— Jeff Benjamin (@Jeff__Benjamin) March 26, 2018
Xtina's new era aesthetic. Just too gorgeous omfg. pic.twitter.com/6ivd9jDSGu
— E ? (@MimiAtrapado) March 26, 2018
I’m convinced I wouldn’t be able to recognise superman with glasses if I wasn’t able to recognise Christina Aguilera without red lipstick https://t.co/lfWNEJXpiB
— starlord (@niba_ugh) March 26, 2018
Christina Aguilera’s freckles. Oh my lawwwd! pic.twitter.com/90bbyjlmG8
— &7 (@mpersand7) March 26, 2018
Wow Christina Aguilera is massively beautiful even w/o makeup, love it https://t.co/14nsPhwfT0
— Monster Flash (@AJ_Boost17) March 26, 2018
wow I strive to be Christina Aguilera without makeup https://t.co/g6fxtefhai
— Sami Barry ? (@sbarryyz) March 26, 2018
While the photoshoot certainly represents a more vulnerable side to the star, that doesn't mean Aguilera is ditching her eyeshadow palettes for good — and she shouldn't have to. "I mean, I'm a girl that likes a beat face, let's not get it twisted," she said with a laugh. Now that's the Christina we know and love.