What Addison Rae’s Makeup-Free Tour Teaches Women About Authentic Branding
By Shannon Kate Murray, Founder & Editor of High Flying DesignWhen Addison Rae went makeup-free on stage, the internet noticed - but for women in business, it was more than a beauty statement. It was a masterclass in authentic branding.
When Addison Rae’s latest music video dropped, it wasn’t just the track that got people talking - it was her look.
Bare-faced and glowing, her youthful, “pop princess blush” aesthetic signaled a shift toward beauty that’s lighter, freer, and far less performative.
But it was her live tour that made headlines.
The Makeup-Free Movement: A Cultural Shift Worth Watching
Addison Rae stepped on stage - entirely without makeup. TikTok exploded with admiration.
Users called her brave, raw, real. It felt like a bold departure from the over-glam celebrity culture of the past: the age of heavily contoured perfection, photoshopped skin, and curated appearances.
Addison’s choice aligned her with a growing makeup-free movement - a rebellion against pressure, not beauty itself.
This isn’t new:
Alicia Keys went makeup-free publicly in 2016, including at the Grammys
Pamela Anderson walked Paris Fashion Week bare-faced in 2023
Jamie Lee Curtis called it “an act of courage and rebellion”
And she was right.
Because whether you're walking into a boardroom or stepping onto a stage -the expectation to be “on” is still very real, especially for women.
What Female Entrepreneurs Can Learn From Going Makeup-Free
For women in business, showing up as yourself isn’t always easy. There's an invisible weight:
Booking a brand photoshoot… but hesitating to post a candid
Curating a perfect Instagram grid… but avoiding Stories
Feeling “not ready” to be visible because you’re not camera-ready
We’ve internalised the idea that we must look the part to lead. But what if that’s wrong?
Because now more than ever, authentic personal branding is what truly resonates.
More than 80% of consumers say authenticity influences who they choose to buy from.
In a world of scroll fatigue, what stands out isn't polish - it's presence.
Why Showing Up as You Are Builds Real Power
When you stop waiting to be “perfect,” you open the door to something more powerful:
You build trust
You attract aligned opportunities
You enjoy your business more (because you're not performing)
And maybe most importantly - you give others permission to show up, too.
This isn’t about rejecting beauty. It’s about rejecting the pressure to be flawless in order to be worthy of attention.
Addison Rae didn’t lose influence when she went makeup-free. She deepened it.
And you can, too.
You Don’t Have to Wait to Be Seen
So many women wait.
We wait until:
The branding is final
The website is perfect
We feel “ready” to be visible
But Addison’s tour is a reminder that you don’t need permission to lead.
You don’t need filters. You don’t need to fit someone else’s aesthetic.
You are already the part. You don’t need to look it first.
Now, grab your favourite journal - here come some inspiring prompts for female founders looking to show up more authentically ✍️
Where are you still “wearing makeup” in your business?
2. Where could you remove the filter and connect more honestly?
3. What would it look like to lead from real confidence - not just polish?
Your presence is more powerful than your polish. You don’t need permission - or perfection - to be worth following.
