Christina Aguilera went makeup-free to talk about female empowerment

Christina Aguilera stripped away her makeup to open up about being comfortable with who you are, no matter what others may think.

Christina Aguilera recently went makeup-free for the cover of Paper magazine. The famous pop star showed off her stunning blue eyes, freckles, and natural flowing locks, while speaking to the mag on everything from female empowerment to fashion. When it comes to her sense of style, the 37-year-old singer said she is going for a more laid-back look.

Aguilera explained:

"I’ve always been someone that obviously loves to experiment, loves theatrics, loves to create a storyline and play a character in a video or through stage. I’m a performer, that’s who I am by nature. But I’m at the place, even musically, where it’s a liberating feeling to be able to strip it all back and appreciate who you are and your raw beauty."

Aguilera has come a long way from her “Genie in a Bottle” days. She discussed how she has grown up a lot and became super comfortable in her own skin. However, she has not always felt that way, having dealt with extreme criticism over her sexuality. The singer says that this is something every woman in the spotlight must go through.

“Either women are not sexual enough or we’re not fulfilling enough of a fantasy for you,” Aguilera told Paper. “But then if we’re overtly sexual or feeling empowered in a certain kind of way, then we’re shamed for it.”

She brought up how the ever-iconic Madonna paved the way for Aguilera’s generation in terms of being criticized and powering through. As for those  just starting in the music industry, Aguilera says she loves what she’s seeing come forward.

Another movement the Burlesque singer is all for is being yourself no matter who disapproves — especially on social media. When it comes to social media, Aguilera says it has a light and a dark side.

“There’s always gonna be the good and the evil, the dark and the light”, she says. ” I think now is the time, more than ever, that we’re seeing that in every sense of the word.”

Aguilera feels that even if people don’t like you, it doesn’t matter. Just keep being you.

“There’s always gonna be those trolls out there or people that have their own definition and ideals of beauty, but I think we’re progressing to a place of pushback and more people coming out”, she told the magazine.

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As a titan (or shall we say, goddess) of the music business, Christina has already given incredible advice to the next generation during her time as a judge on The Voice.

She said she wants newcomers to be bold in whatever moves they make. “Be fearless in breaking new boundaries and don’t be afraid to go against the grain of criticism along the way.”