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Alicia Keys defends her decision to go make-up free after facing criticism

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Alicia Keys has addressed criticism that her decision to go make-up free is also a comment on those who do choose to wear products. The 35-year-old took to Twitter to explain that she is not "anti-makeup" and encourage her fans to do what makes them feel the most comfortable.

alicia keys© Photo: Twitter

Alicia Keys has addressed criticism of her decision to go make-up free

The No One hitmaker posted a striking selfie in which she showed off her radiant complexion, basking in the sunshine and blowing a kiss to the camera. "Y'all, me choosing to be makeup free doesn't mean I'm anti-makeup. Do you!" she wrote to her 23.7 million followers.

Earlier this year, Alicia announced her decision to ditch make-up, and has since been rocking her natural look both on and off the red carpet, including appearances at this year's VMAs and on the American version of The Voice, where she sits on the judging panel.

alicia keys© Photo: Getty Images

The singer wore no make-up when she attended the VMAs

The Girl on Fire singer had previously explained her motives for going make-up free in a powerful essay she penned for Lena Dunham's Lenny Letter.

GALLERY: 10 TIMES ALICIA KEYS GAVE US HAIR ENVY

Alicia admitted that because of her life in the spotlight, she often faced heavy scrutiny regarding her appearance, confessing that "the harsh, judgmental world of entertainment" was her "biggest test yet".

She wrote: "Every time I left the house, I would be worried if I didn't put on makeup: What if someone wanted a picture?? What if they POSTED it??? These were the insecure, superficial, but honest thoughts I was thinking. And all of it, one way or another, was based too much on what other people thought of me."

alicia keys© Photo: Getty Images

She previously explained her decision in an essay penned for the Lenny Letter

However, it was when she headed for a photoshoot for the artwork of her upcoming album that Alicia changed her outlook, after photographer Paola Kudacki insisted on snapping her completely make-up free.

"I'd just come from the gym, had a scarf under my baseball cap," she revealed. "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!' And that was it. She started to shoot me."

Posing in front of a plain white background, Alicia confessed that it was "the strongest, most empowered, most free, and most honestly beautiful that I have ever felt."

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