The Leading Ladies Of Wicked Are So Stunning Without Makeup

"Wicked," the first installment of the two-part film adaptation of the beloved Broadway play, earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Makeup and Hairstyling. Designer Frances Hannon put an incredible amount of care into creating beauty looks that would enrich each actor's portrayal of their character. "My intention with actors in this film was to always create some memorable looks that didn't just enhance the characters visually but deepened their roles within the story," Hannon told Next Best Picture, explaining how she added freckles to the design for Cynthia Erivo's portrayal of Elphaba or created ethereally luminous skin for Ariana Grande's Galinda.

But even off-screen, outside of their fictional characters, both Grande and Erivo, as well as their fellow leading ladies Michelle Yeoh and Marissa Bode, have distinct beauty looks. That's why it's so mesmerizing to come across the occasional photo of Grande without her signature eyeliner or Erivo without her dramatically long nails. Each of these women have a distinct beauty signature — part of their personal brand as a star, much like the Glinda-coded outfits Grande has worn — and it's surprising to seem them without it. But while they might each have their own look, there's one beauty secret they all have in common: seriously perfect skin.

To promote her r.e.m. beauty brand, Ariana Grande shared an Instagram video of her makeup routine from start to finish. The clip includes shots of Grande bare-faced before she gently applies powder, concealer, and her signature winged black eyeliner. Of course, Grande is stunning without makeup. She has flawless skin and bold features. Still, the singer has explained that she loves makeup as a creative outlet. "I think makeup is about self-expression," she told Glamour. "It's not about following trends per se. The point of it is to express yourself and feel beautiful."

Cynthia Erivo shared an Instagram post of herself geared up for a marathon run as part of a carousel of images and videos that depicted her training. She wasn't wearing a lick of makeup — she was there to race after all — still the star was positively glowing. If it feels like a bit of a stark contrast, that's because, on red carpets, Erivo tends to prefer more dramatic looks. "I have no eyebrows," she told W Magazine. "I shave them off on purpose. Whenever I'm talking to my makeup artist, I tell her that I just want to look like a pretty thumb."

Impeccable skincare is key to Michelle Yeoh's jaw-dropping glass skin. "My earliest memory of taking care of my skin is seeing my mom do this every day — morning and night," Yeoh told Vogue. "She's 83 and she looks stunning." The same approach seems to be working for Yeoh, who looked spectacular in a make-up free selfie she shared to Instagram in November 2025. Her strict skincare regimen — her makeup artists reports that she uses a hydrating sheet mask every day — has paid off in the form of plump, glowing skin.

Marissa Bode shared a gorgeous Instagram selfie in which she appeared to be totally makeup free. In fact, the actress regularly appears fresh faced on her social media page, and she revealed to Teen Vogue that her beauty routine is heavily focused on skincare. "I looove Paula's Choice," she explained. "Everyday, I and my skin thank Miss Paula for all the choices she's made." But when she hits the red carpet, Bode is no stranger to glam. Her beauty looks include a signature bold brow, often paired with a smokey eye or statement lip.