The Professional Dancers Of Dancing With The Stars Are So Stunning Without Makeup

When it comes to landing a position as a professional dancer on "Dancing with the Stars," you not only have to be a supremely talented dancer, but you've also got to be willing to dial up the glam to look the part. Zena Shteysel Green, the makeup department head for "Dancing with the Stars," told People that it's not unusual for the show's female pros to wear not one, not two, but three pairs faux lashes when they hit the dance floor. "You need to go big with lashes, or they just disappear," she explained to PopSugar. Shteysel added that the pros also get weekly spray tans, and noted her team opts for heavy-duty cosmetics that will hold up under the hot studio lights and throughout steamy routines. "Normally, my team is made up of eight artists and two body-makeup artists who just focus on the body, making sure any bruises or tattoos are covered if need be and do the body glow our show is famous for," she said.

But while we're used to seeing the show's pros looking insanely glamorous and totally flawless on the long-running ABC series, the professional dancers haven't shied away from ditching makeup across social media. We've seen multiple "DWTS" stalwarts (including the likes of Emma Slater, Cheryl Burke, and Sharna Burgess) share makeup-free photos and videos — and they look just as gorgeous sans cosmetics as they do all dolled up on the dance floor. These snaps prove it!

Cheryl Burke's dramatic face transformation may have turned heads, but she still went without makeup for a stunning Instagram selfie in 2023. The professional dancer let her skin breathe in celebration of being six years sober, alongside a powerfully candid message. She proudly showed the beautiful freckles that covered her nose, cheeks, and forehead, as well as the natural pink flush on her cheeks. Though her eyebrows were a little sparser than we're used to seeing on the show, Burke (who retired from the ballroom in 2022) had no dark circles under her eyes or inflamed blemishes.

In 2025, Peta Murgatroyd went without makeup on Instagram for a hilariously adorable video with her dog. The dancer pulled her hair back to let her bare face have its moment, and she had a flawless, smooth complexion and plump lips — even without dark lip liner or lipstick. Murgatroyd spoke to People in 2016 about how she keeps her skin looking fresh. "I grew up with my mom moisturizing my face every day for school," she said. "But it paid off now, because having no Botox or Restalyne, I think I look pretty okay for 30." At 39, we'd argue that she looks even better.

In 2025, Lindsay Arnold proudly showed off her piercing blue eyes on TikTok as she talked her followers through her toned-down makeup look. Arnold, who stepped away from the show in 2022, began with bare skin and her complexion appeared glowy and hydrated before she even applied her foundation. She kept the cosmetics minimal — which marked a stark contrast to her heavily made up look on "Dancing with the Stars" — as her lack of dark spots or redness proved why she doesn't need heavy, full-coverage cosmetics for her day-to-day look.

Emma Slater let her followers in on of her beauty secrets in early 2026 as she went makeup-free on Instagram. In the video, Slater had skin that looked glowy and smooth, as well as perfectly manicured brows that were enviably full. "Gotta be honest with you, I'm not getting all that much sleep during these tour rehearsals," she wrote in the caption, sharing she'd been applying Ole Henriksen's Banana Bright Eye Cream under her eyes to help keep dark circles at bay. "Your skin looks so beautiful and radiant Emma," one Instagram user told the "DWTS" pro.

Shortly after winning "Dancing with the Stars" Season 34 with Robert Irwin (whose sister Bindi Irwin is also a natural beauty), Witney Carson celebrated by speaking to fans in a candid Instagram video that showed her without the heavy foundation, concealer, or faux lashes. Even without thick falsies or several coats of mascara, Carson's lashes were still visible and her brows were full with a high arch that flattered her bone structure. Her lips appeared plump and pink without obvious lipstick, and she clearly wasn't experiencing a breakout or dark spots.

Jenna Johnson Chmerkovskiy let fans in on how she gets ready for "Dancing with the Stars" live tour rehearsals in early 2026. She began a TikTok totally makeup-free as she applied her skincare products over her face and neck before layering on her makeup, which included light contouring and a pink lip stain. Fans clearly appreciated seeing the star looking a little more natural, as one TikTok user commented, "You are as real as they come! So much love and respect for you! You make me want to get my health and fitness into order."

In a 2026 TikTok, Daniella Karagach bucked the trend of filming herself while getting all made up. Instead, she took her makeup off in front of the camera for the clip she dubbed "GUWM" ("get unready with me"). That included removing her faux strip lashes and foundation alongside her "DWTS" tour co-star Danielle Fishel to show off her hydrated skin and enviably dark brows. Fans were clearly inspired by her blemish-free complexion and lack of hyperpigmentation, as one TikToker commented, "We need a skincare drop!"

Britt Stewart displayed her obvious natural beauty on TikTok amid the 2026 "Dancing with the Stars" tour. The talented dancer invited her followers into her bathroom as she prepared for opening night. She kicked off the video without any makeup and her skin had a flattering, healthy shine before she applied a single cosmetic. Stewart previously credited IMAGE Skincare's Hydrating Hydrogel Sheet Mask for her flawless skin, telling E! News, "A major part of my skincare routine is masking. I love this sheet mask for a quick uplift for when my skin is feeling dull and tired."

Rylee Arnold sashayed into 2026 with healthy-looking skin. She shared a TikTok before applying her skincare products and told fans she was preparing for a workout. The star applied what appeared to be Epicutis Lipid Serum, but clearly knows her skin will thank her for not wearing makeup to the gym. Though Arnold had a slight mark on the right side of her face, which may have been the remanence of a blemish, her skin looked enviably youthful and her lashes were still long and luscious without mascara.

Sharna Burgess showcased her makeup-free face on Instagram in 2023. The former "DWTS" dancer (she departed the show in 2022) proudly posed with healthy-looking skin and eyes that pierced through the screen without heavy eyeliner or mascara. In the caption, she credited EmFace, a skincare treatment that requires little to no downtime, for helping her achieve her clear complexion. "You're beautiful! I love that you can post natural photos," one Instagram user commented.