At a Glance
- Selena Gomez uploaded a bare-faced photo to Instagram Stories on Jan. 16
- The 33-year-old had just hosted a Rare Beauty launch on Jan. 14 and attended the Golden Globes on Jan. 11
- Her hair was slicked back, she wore a white tank, and posed against a blush-pink backdrop
- Why it matters: Fans rarely see the star without glam, making the casual moment a refreshing glimpse into her off-duty life
After three straight days of red-carpet styling, Selena Gomez hit refresh. The singer-actress posted a fresh-faced selfie to her Instagram Stories on Friday, Jan. 16, trading contour and lashes for a clean complexion and easy updo.
The Photo That Broke the Glam Streak
Gomez, 33, lounged against a soft-pink wall with her dark hair twisted into a sleek bun. A simple white tank top replaced the sequined gowns and Old Hollywood tuxedos she had worn earlier in the week. The shot radiated ease, a stark contrast to the full glam that had dominated her previous posts.
The Rare Beauty Launch
Two days earlier, on Jan. 14, Gomez had headlined a splashy event for her cosmetics label. Rare Beauty teamed with lifestyle company Tezza, founded by Tezza Barton, to debut the Warm Wishes Soft Matte Powder Bronzer. The product dropped Thursday, Jan. 15, and the launch party lit up social feeds with artfully bronzed faces and champagne toasts.
Gomez launched Rare Beauty in 2020 with a mission statement that still frames every launch: “embracing our own uniqueness.” She told followers at the time, “You’re not defined by a photo, a like or a comment. Rare Beauty isn’t about how other people see you. It’s about how you see yourself.”
Golden Globe Weekend
The beauty rollout followed Gomez’s Sunday, Jan. 11, appearance at the Golden Globe Awards. Nominated for Best Actress in a Television Series – Music or Comedy for Only Murders in the Building, she walked the carpet in a figure-skimming black gown alongside co-stars Steve Martin and Martin Short.
Inside the Beverly Hilton, the trophy ultimately went to Hacks star Jean Smart, yet Gomez kept the celebration alive. After the ceremony she and husband Benny Blanco joined Martin, Short, and executive producers Dan Fogelman and Jess Rosenthal for a late-night bite.
The group hit Max & Helen’s, the Los Angeles diner owned by Phil Rosenthal and Nancy Silverton, still dressed in their black-tie finest. Gomez snapped a photo of the impromptu party and captioned it, “Breakfast for dinner after globes.” All six guests remained in evening wear, Gomez and Blanco coordinating in throwback Hollywood glamour.
Social Feed Snapshot
The timeline tells the story:
| Date | Event | Look |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 11 | Golden Globes | Floor-length black gown, glam waves |
| Jan. 14 | Rare Beauty x Tezza launch | Sharp suit, glossy makeup |
| Jan. 15 | Product drop | Promo shots in warm bronze tones |
| Jan. 16 | Makeup-free selfie | White tank, bare skin, relaxed bun |
Gomez’s Instagram Stories cycled through each moment, building from high-octane glamour to the quiet Friday frame that let her skin breathe.
Key Takeaways
- Selena Gomez balanced three days of events-an awards show, a product launch, and a collaboration reveal-before choosing comfort
- The makeup-free selfie offered fans an unfiltered look at the star, underscoring the self-acceptance message behind Rare Beauty
- Between red carpets and brand duties, the singer-actress proved a quick wardrobe reset can speak louder than another styled shoot
According to News Of Losangeles, the star’s stripped-down snap landed as a breath of fresh air for followers used to seeing her in full glam. Jonathan P. Miller reported the moment on Jan. 17, 2026.
