Unfiltered photos reveal Mariah Carey’s flawless makeup up close

She never asks for much for Christmas. However, in the future, it might be beneficial for Mariah Carey to request a more effective makeup routine. While the rest of us don’t always have the time to perfect our makeup,The Christmas Queen herselfhas stated that she does not believe in the idea of time (viaYouTube), meaning she can always appear stunning regardless of the time it takes. Right?

It appears this isn’t entirely accurate. Although Carey strives to appear perfectly put together at all times, the renowned singer is not completely free from makeup mishaps now and then. You wouldn’t know it from her attitude—after all, she is indeed a diva and likely receives no criticism from anyone. However, close-up images enable you to examine every makeup choice the singer makes.

It’s not always simple to assess Carey’s makeup. Often, when she is in public, she dons large sunglasses that conceal half her face. However, since she participates in numerous events, there are moments when we can see her complete makeup. As some unfiltered photos reveal, at times it’s challenging to get it right, and at other times, it’s due to poor decisions — and Carey has experienced both situations.

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The moment when it seemed Mariah was stung by bees

This image, captured during a 2025 Mariah Carey concert in Las Vegas, perfectly demonstrates the impact that makeup can have on your appearance. Carey naturally has prominent cheekbones, so it’s no surprise she wants to emphasize them. However, as the detailed shot shows, she applied too much blush, which clashed with her intense eyeliner — you might also assume there’s a significant amount of mascara being used, but Carey herself has mentionedUS Weeklythat she doesn’t ever put it on.

She pulled off that 2D-animation style … by accident

Mariah Carey’s makeup appearance at Lincoln Center in 2025 has a somewhat unusual vibe. She applied an intense amount of false lashes and eyeliner, making her eyes appear almost flat on camera, like a cartoon character or a mannequin. The close-up image reveals that the excessive use of foundation and blush resulted in skin that looks overly smooth, similar to what you’d see in animated shows. We won’t even mention the strange shift between her makeup and hairline, but it’s definitely noticeable. While “less is more” isn’t always the best approach, it certainly fits this situation.

She doesn’t hesitate to use poorly applied bronzer.

Yes, 2014 was a significant period in the past, but it’s hard to overlook the moment when Mariah Carey turned orange just a few years back.before Donald Trump turned it into his trademark. Of course, No one handles a poorly done fake tan quite like Ariana Grande.But at that year’s American Music Awards, Carey gave Grande a real challenge. In this instance, the close-up photo didn’t work in her favor. It appeared as though the blush was applied prior to the bronzer, and the eyebrows were neither gentle nor bold, resulting in an odd middle ground that made them seem as if they would smudge off with a damp paper towel.

Caked up is something for Mariah

As shown in earlier photographs, Mariah Carey is familiar with using an excessive amount of foundation. The issue, as illustrated by the close-up image, is that it can result in a cakey appearance, making it difficult for others to notice the contours of your face. We understand that most Hollywood celebrities aim to avoid looking aged, but at times, a more natural look can significantly enhance your appearance — particularly during the day in sunny Los Angeles. At least she wasn’t hesitant to go all out with the makeup.

The undesirable type of layered cake

Another issue with applying too much foundation is that, if not done properly, a close-up shot will clearly show that your complexion appears overly powdery, as demonstrated by this 2018 Golden Globe photo. In the image, it’s easy to spot every part of the makeup applied to Mariah Carey’s face. It’s disappointing when an uneven texture becomes noticeable like this, which is why Carey should focus on proper hydration and how her makeup works with her skin type.

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