Alicia Keys Is Leading The #NoMakeup Revolution On Instagram

“I hope to God it’s a revolution.”

Alicia Keys has spoken about her decision to go without makeup in her latest photo shoots, in an effort to kick off a #NoMakeup "revolution".

In a recent Lenny Letter, the multiple Grammy-winning singer shared some of the thoughts that went into the making of her new album, leading to her #NoMakeup decision.

“Before I started my new album, I wrote a list of all the things that I was sick of,” she wrote.

“And one was how much women are brainwashed into feeling like we have to be skinny, or sexy, or desirable, or perfect. One of the many things I was tired of was the constant judgment of women. The constant stereotyping through every medium that makes us feel like being a normal size is not normal, and heaven forbid if you're plus-size. Or the constant message that being sexy means being naked.”

For Keys, the matter came to a head during a photo shoot for her new record.

“It wasn't until I walked into one of my first shoots for my new album recently that the issue was front and center again,” she said.

“I'd just come from the gym, had a scarf under my baseball cap, and the beautiful photographer Paola (never met a Paola I didn't like) said, ‘I have to shoot you right now, like this! The music is raw and real, and these photos have to be too!’

“I was shocked. Instantly, I became a bit nervous and slightly uncomfortable. My face was totally raw. I had on a sweatshirt! As far as I was concerned, this was my quick run-to-the-shoot-so-I-can-get-ready look, not the actual photo-shoot look. So I asked her, ‘Now?! Like right now? I want to be real, but this might be too real!!’”

You can read the whole Lenny Letter here. (You really should.)

Since the letter's publication, she has shared photos of Paola’s album art and other makeup-free photo shoots on Instagram.

I LOVE this!!!! Thank you @FAULT_Magazine and @zoltantombor... For a dope and honest shoot 😘😘😘😘 (Link in bio for full article)

A photo posted by Alicia Keys (@aliciakeys) on Jun 1, 2016 at 2:16pm PDT

🌞I shot @aliciakeys for @fault_magazine. #aliciakeys #faultmagazine #legend #nomakeup #incommon #zoltantombor

A photo posted by Zoltan Tombor (@zoltantombor) on Jun 6, 2016 at 5:55am PDT

Her husband, Swizz Beats, has also chimed in with support.

Keys closed her Lenny Letter by saying she’s been heartened by those who’ve shared #NoMakeup selfies in response to her post.

“I hope to God it's a revolution. 'Cause I don't want to cover up anymore. Not my face, not my mind, not my soul, not my thoughts, not my dreams, not my struggles, not my emotional growth. Nothing.”

Alicia Keys