13 Must-See Unedited Photos Of Your Favorite Celebs
By now, we all know good and well that those picture perfect images we see of our favorite (and not-so-favorite) celebs in glossy magazines are highly retouched via Photoshop and other means to make them look flawless.
With the tricks of digital technology, every wrinkle, crinkle, lump, and bump can be erased away to leave us with only the most unattainable image of beauty we'll never see in real life. From plumping pouts to adding (or eliminating) curves to changing hairlines to zapping zits, photo retouching makes even the most average-looking star look like a million bucks.
We complain that such images create an unrealistic standard of beauty which affects our youth, but if these mags and online outlets were to put the real deal out there, we'd likely trash that too. When it comes down to it, most people want to see pics of otherworldly beauty, whether or not it's actually accurate. We know what these celebs look like in real life (or at least what we see on TV), so it's not a total trick that what we see in photos isn't true to life.
But what if you could get a hold of the pics before the magic of retouching took place? Imagine celebs who actually have dark circles under their eyes, a spare tire blubbering over their jeans, chipped nail polish, out-of-place flyaway hair, and blotchy skin. All this can be yours to poke fun at when you see the “before” pics of celebs who'd definitely rather be Photoshopped into perfection.
These celebs still look better than most of the “average Joes or Janes” out there, but without the power of digital enhancement, their looks are a heck of a lot more attainable.
13 Katy Perry- Oil, makeup and pores
Singer Katy Perry probably let out an angry “Roar” when she caught wind of the fact that there was a really bad unretouched pic of her floating around on the internet. While millions of fans love and adore Perry “Unconditionally,” even they were probably shocked to see their pretty pop princess looking a hot mess. Yes, Perry often wears tons of makeup, but when we see the finished product in photos, she usually looks like a “Teenage Dream.” In these unfortunate unretouched pics, Perry looks like an entire bottle of foundation was applied heavily to her otherwise naturally attractive face. Underneath, we can see her pimples and pores, surely something a little Photoshopping and retouching would have sorted out nicely. Why all the makeup? Who knows, but when Perry sang, “I Kissed a Girl,” she must have rummaged through her makeup bag as well! Next time, Perry will want to oversee her photo shoots more carefully to be sure a pic like this doesn't get out there again.
12 Beyonce - You mean Bey's skin isn't perfect?
If anyone usually looks “***Flawless,” it's the Queen Bey herself, Beyonce, but even she has fallen victim to sneakily released unretouched pics she surely wishes never saw the light of day. With a team like Beyonce's, someone sure as heck dropped the ball when it came to protecting the ego of the self-proclaimed leader of the “Single Ladies.” When we normally see Beyonce in photos, her skin and hair are always done to perfection, and no sign of anything amiss ever makes the magazine pages. That said, nobody, not even Bey, is really flawless, and in this unflattering unretouched pic, we can see her bumpy skin under thick and gloppy layers of foundation, blotches, and too much shine. Maybe all the makeup caused the breakout, but then Bey winds up in a vicious cycle in trying to cover it up. Where was the Photoshop genius when she needed him the most?
11 Britney Spears- Skin struggles you never knew she had
We have seen the pretty pop princess, Britney Spears in all states of appearance - from her dirty flip flops and greasy hair to her dolled-up and delightful red carpet and stage looks. But we all know that magazine pics use Photoshop to change the heck out of celebs, and Ms. Spears is no exception to the rule. She is made to look completely flawless when everyone knows the singer has got her fair share of flaws, some even “Toxic.” In this pic, we see what the magic of digital retouching can do, and all of Spears' blemishes are suddenly gone. Her chin is smoothed out and her complexion is evidently brighter. Spears probably appreciates the hi-tech touches, but when seen side-by-side, the results of editing are quite shocking. If only celebs could have real-time retouching and walk around like they have been lifted off the pages of a glossy magazine!
10 Cindy Crawford- Actually, she's still pretty perfect
As one of the most famous and beautiful supermodels of all time, Cindy Crawford is an American, if not worldwide icon. She has glamorously graced the pages of countless magazines, all with the perfect amount of airbrushing and retouching. That is why this unretouched photo of the model and mom of two was so shocking. While she is no longer a plucky spring chicken, supposedly people thought that even at her current age she would still look flawless. Yeah, she looks better than the majority of females her age, but without the helpful retouching, Crawford looks like the average woman trying to pose seductively. Even with the lumps and bumps, Crawford still oozes serious sex appeal, but surely she'd like for this photo to have had a few tweaks before it made its rounds on the web. If only she had closed that coat, then we'd have nothing to pick at.
9 Miley Cyrus- Peach fuzz
Miley Cyrus would surely like to take a “Wrecking Ball” to this unretouched pic of her that has made its way to the internet. Normally, we see Cyrus looking super-cute, styled to perfection, and nearly perfect in every pic - whether her tongue is in- or outside her mouth. Yes, Miley, we “Adore You,” but this photo is something “We Can't Stop” staring at… and not in a good way. The makeup is so heavy, making those normally unnoticeable fine baby hairs on her face really stand out - surely not something that was done intentionally, and would not be seen in a well-touched-up pic. Little bumps on her skin are showing even with all that foundation and powder. It is evident her makeup was done professionally, and in a touched-up pic, she'd look like a million bucks. But in this pic, as Hannah Montana sang, “Nobody's Perfect,” not even Miley Cyrus.
8 Olivia Wilde- A few bumps that are usually covered up
Men and women alike are “wild” over Olivia Wilde, not only for her impressive acting chops, but for her undeniable beauty. When we see Wilde in photos, they are always flawless, with smooth skin, perfect features, and romantic hair. But every so often, even the most beautiful actresses are caught in a pic that's not yet been retouched, and the common folk breathe a sigh of relief that there is no such thing as total perfection. We love Wilde in her movies such as Drinking Buddies, Meadowland, Love the Coopers, Deadfall, and In Time, and she always looks like a “perfect 10” on screen and in movie promo posters. But in this pic, we see that someone forgot to smooth out her bumps and small pock marks that tarnish her otherwise model-like face. Even with the lack of retouching, it's hard to say Wilde is anything less than gorgeous. But it goes to show ya, not even in your “wildest” dreams would you suspect to see a pic of the actress looking like this.
7 Mila Kunis- Pores and skin
Mila Kunis probably doesn't give a hoot that there are pics of her floating around that aren't totally perfect. When you've got a hubby as hot, famous, and rich as Ashton Kutcher, you must feel like a million bucks all the time. But take her romantic life out of the equation, and you are left with an unretouched pic that would make even the most confident celeb cringe with sheer embarrassment. Without the proper airbrushing and Photoshop, this heavily-made-up version of Kunis makes her look far older than her years. Her pores are deep and the makeup looks cakey. Kunis may have Friends With Benefits, but the photo retoucher wasn't such a close buddy when he forgot to fix up Kunis' mug. Of course, we all know that Kunis is a stunner, but when you find a pic in need of editing, even the biggest Kunis fan can't Get Over It.
6 Harry Styles- Puberty can suck
Girls love One Direction boy bander Harry Styles for his stage presence and A-lister celeb status. With hits like “Best Song Ever,” “Kiss You,” “Story of My Life,” and “Steal My Girl,” the singer is on fire with his career and likeability-factor. But even with fame and fortune, a fella can still be snapped by the paps and wind up with a photo that's in need of serious retouching. While Styles is a cutie, this pic shows off all his skin problems in the worst possible light. His lips seem to be awfully raw and rosy too. Poor Styles, this pic seems like an ad for a zit cream when it's just a regular evening out for the music maker. If only his reps slid this photo past the editing department before it was released to the public, then we'd say he's “Perfect.” Then again, “What Makes You Beautiful” isn't what's on the outside, but what's in Style's heart… right?
5 Kathy Griffin- Fine lines, everywhere
Funny gal, Kathy Griffin is no stranger to making fun of people, so when this unretouched pic of the comedian surfaced, the shoe was on the other foot. Surely all the folks she had poked at in the past took one look at this horrible shot and shot right back at her. Griffin has admitted to dabbling in plastic surgery, so she must have a good amount of vanity. And this pic makes the usually relatively put-together celeb look pretty lousy. Her makeup is heavy and it settles deeply into her lines and pores. Perhaps it's the expression on her face making things even worse, but with a handy dose of Photoshop, this pic would have looked like the Griffin we're used to seeing. Hopefully the comedian is able to have a laugh at her own expense too, and she can use this photo as part of a self-deprecating standup routine.
4 Natalie Portman- Pores galore
Normally, actress Natalie Portman is as gorgeous as it gets. She is an A-list actress with blockbuster movies like Black Swan, V for Vendetta, No Strings Attached, and Garden State in her varied and impressive repertoire. Her petite frame, doll-like facial features, and shining self-confidence make Portman one to watch. And when we see her photos in magazines, they are always flawless - thanks to her good genes paired with the magic of retouching. But in this one pic, Portman doesn't look as great as usual, thanks to the absence of Photoshop. She appears to have a bit of a double chin and her pores are showing off a thick layer of makeup. Retouching would have made her look line-free and stunning. Most would agree that Portman still looks pretty darn good here, but we know how magazines take even the most exquisite women's photos and find something still in need of correction.
3 Avril Lavigne- The melting pot
Avril Lavigne is not quite as prominent in the spotlight as she was in her heyday, but we still come across pics of the star now and then, and some are not as great as others. When you see this unretouched pic, you'll be wondering, “What the Hell.” Yes, Ms. Lavigne is known for being a little bit more “punk rock” than the average pop singer, but without a little retouching, this photo looks like “the morning after.” Her youthful skin looks far too oily for a red carpet moment, the messy eye makeup is melting down her otherwise cute face, and her whole look could use an all-over softening in order to make this pic pop. Perhaps the Photoshopper was “Losing Grip” over his computer mouse and couldn't make Lavigne look “Hot.” Whatever happened, it's not too “Complicated” to airbrush this photo into something that will make us “Smile.”
2 Penelope Cruz- Some extra hair here and there
Penelope Cruz is one of the most exotic and beautiful women in Hollywood. She's always dressed to the nines, her long brunette hair is always perfectly done, and her makeup is never applied without precision. Her roles in films including Vanilla Sky, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Blow, and The Counselor, to name a few, have made Cruz a fan favorite and she's sure to remain an A-lister until the end of time. Part of her appeal is her stellar talent, but a good deal of it has to do with her fantastic looks. When we see Cruz in magazine spreads, her beauty shines through, but all her “imperfections” are carefully disguised with makeup, lighting, and retouching. This pic mustn't have made it to the editing room, as we see blemishes, errant hairs, and uneven skin. Sure, Cruz still looks hotter than most of us could ever dream to be, but even she probably wishes this pic got lost somewhere in the Sahara.
1 Lana Del Rey- A few whiskers
With songs under her belt like “Summertime Sadness,” “Blue Jeans,” “West Coast,” and “Video Games,” we all know that Lana Del Ray is a musical talent. She's quite attractive as well, making her the total package. But when her photo isn't retouched just so, what was once beautiful becomes bad. In this pic, it looks like the photo retoucher forgot to airbrush her whiskers away, leaving Del Rey with an unsightly mini-mustache. Celebs want to look flawless in their photos - even close up - so this was a big fail on the part of whomever was in charge of making Del Rey look her best. Yes, Del Rey is “Young and Beautiful,” but with that upper lip hair showing, Del Rey must feel like one “Sad Girl.” If you can get past the bristles, the rest of the pic looks pretty nice. Her lip shade is perfect for her skin tone and her teeth look pretty white. Too bad she missed her waxing appointment for the whole world to find out about.
