The glitz and glamour of China’s entertainment industry often rests on flawless appearances carefully crafted with makeup, filters, and editing tools. On red carpets and in dramas, every star seems picture-perfect. But when stripped of cosmetics, not every beauty icon lives up to their glamorous image. Recently, Chinese media outlet 163 highlighted five actresses whose bare faces left fans disappointed.

Yang Zi

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Born in 1992, Yang Zi rose to fame as a child star and is now one of the most well-known actresses of her generation. However, her looks have long been a subject of debate. Reports suggest she underwent multiple cosmetic procedures, from nose reshaping to fillers, to refine her features. With makeup and editing, Yang Zi can appear radiant, but without them, critics say her uneven eyelids, coarse skin, and bulky nose reveal a striking difference. Many note she blends in as “just another face in the crowd” without cosmetics.

Song Yi

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The 1989-born actress, often praised as the “Camellia Girl” and “Republic-era beauty,” is admired for her elegant presence in traditional qipao looks. Yet barefaced, Song Yi’s refined aura seems to vanish. Stripped of foundation and bold lipstick, she has been spotted looking tired, with dark circles and less striking features than expected.

Qiao Xin

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Heiress-turned-actress Qiao Xin, born in 1993, has the nickname “Shanghai Princess” thanks to her wealthy background. Despite her privileged lifestyle, her makeup-free face shocked many. Without her usual glamorous styling, fans pointed out her pale, lifeless complexion and diminished charisma, leaving some disillusioned.

Guan Xiaotong

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Dubbed the “Gen Z beauty with million-dollar legs,” Guan Xiaotong entered showbiz at the age of four. While she dazzles on-screen, her past barefaced photos sparked disappointment. During her arts school entrance exam, where makeup was banned, Guan looked far from her radiant self, with her signature sparkling eyes noticeably dulled.

Wang Ou

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Born in 1982, Wang Ou is famous for her sharp, elegant looks—but only with makeup. Without it, she has admitted her appearance is underwhelming. Darker skin tones, deep laugh lines, and sagging features leave her looking far less like the “goddess” fans know. Even Wang Ou herself once joked on TV: “Don’t I look scary without makeup?”

This list is a reminder that even stars praised for their beauty are human, with imperfections like anyone else. Makeup artistry, filters, and lighting remain powerful tools in building the shimmering image of today’s showbiz icons.

Sources: K14