ADVERTISEMENT

'Makeup is art. It's inside that really matters.' That's the motto of Melissa Murphy, an LA-based makeup artist who's amassed quite a lot of followers on Instagram due to her famous before-and-after pictures of people with and without makeup.

Murphy's work reveals how much time (and just how many and only the best makeup products are needed) is required to make people look like they do in films and magazines. In an increasingly image-conscious world where anything and everything is Photoshopped, Murphy's pictures serve as a reassuring reminder that what you see is often deceptive and doesn't always reflect reality.

Take a look at the before-and-after pictures of makeup transformations below to see for yourself what we mean.

More info: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

#1

Image before Image after

Mellisa Murphy Report

KatEgan
Community Member
10 years ago

I think she looks beautiful with and without the makeup :) she's got a kick a*s natural face

View more comments
RELATED:
    #2

    Image before Image after

    Mellisa Murphy Report

    Rcatheron
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    Definitely the best transformation.

    View more comments
    #3

    Image before Image after

    Melissa Murphy Report

    SanjeevSharma
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    She's pretty even without the makeup.

    View more comments
    #4

    Image before Image after

    Mellisa Murphy Report

    AlheyaRazeGaela
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    That tshirt on the before though!

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #5

    Image before Image after

    Mellisa Murphy Report

    Kikkaio
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    this girl is funny and spontaneous in the picture. makeup makes her look much more sophisticated

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #6

    Image before Image after

    Mellisa Murphy Report

    VictorVakaras
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    She's prettier without makeup I think.

    View more comments
    #7

    Image before Image after

    Melissa Murphy Report

    KTTrondsen
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    They don't know how to do an older ladies make up, much too harsh, makes her look cruel

    View more comments
    #8

    Image before Image after

    Mellisa Murphy Report

    Emily
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    She looks better without make up. :)

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    Image before Image after

    Mellisa Murphy Report

    IsabellaEads
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    She looks better without makeup

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #10

    Image before Image after

    Melissa Murphy Report

    CathyBinder
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    this is cool. she actually looks like the same person... only fancy.

    View more comments
    #11

    Image before Image after

    Melissa Murphy Report

    Gideon
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    Stunning without the make-up

    View more comments
    #12

    Image before Image after

    Mellisa Murphy Report

    AnnaMcHugh
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    That's amazing - it looks like a completely different girl.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #13

    Image before Image after

    Mellisa Murphy Report

    EHPower
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    she looks a lot happier in the first one

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #14

    Image before Image after

    Mellisa Murphy Report

    savannahgorman0
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    I love her eyes!!?!!?

    View more comments
    #15

    Image before Image after

    Mellisa Murphy Report

    Kikkaio
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    this girl is beautiful natural. makeup makes her look only more sophisticated and old. sometimes you can not improve on perfection

    View more comments

    Never miss a story that brings joy to the world. Add us on Google

    #16

    Image before Image after

    Mellisa Murphy Report

    JacquelineMcCal
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    I prefer the freckles.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #17

    Image before Image after

    Mellisa Murphy Report

    OlgaAilaroudi
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    she looks younger without make up

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #18

    Image before Image after

    Mellisa Murphy Report

    DebraLewis-unsworth
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    Natural beauty without makeup

    View more comments
    #19

    Image before Image after

    Mellisa Murphy Report

    DianePeters
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    Before is better. Lucky girl.

    View more comments
    #20

    Image before Image after

    Mellisa Murphy Report

    Gloria Wesson
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    Great transformation..!!

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #21

    Image before Image after

    Melissa Murphy Report

    BethNewton
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    All look better without make-up... I find it's too much, looks too fake and they all look older. Stay natural x

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #22

    Image before Image after

    Mellisa Murphy Report

    GitteJensen
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    So pretty, with and without makeup!

    View more comments
    #23

    Image before Image after

    Mellisa Murphy Report

    GuodaKuprenaite
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    She looks great both, before and after.

    View more comments
    #24

    Image before Image after

    Melissa Murphy Report

    Queenluxa
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    stunning in both though ^w^

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #25

    Image before Image after

    Mellisa Murphy Report

    HelmaNollen
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    All the same doll faces, a lot nicer without.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #26

    Image before Image after

    Mellisa Murphy Report

    Max Müller
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    Incredible beautiful before!

    #27

    Image before Image after

    Mellisa Murphy Report

    AnnariDuPlessis
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    Foundation too light

    View more comments
    #28

    Image before Image after

    Mellisa Murphy Report

    AnjulimahMootanah
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    This girl is lovely before makeup

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #29

    Image before Image after

    Mellisa Murphy Report

    Pascaline Chotard
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    Just don't put a bra if you don't feel to....

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #30

    Image before Image after

    Melissa Murphy Report

    Gloria Wesson
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    Great job!

    View more comments
    #31

    Image before Image after

    Mellisa Murphy Report

    Urs Kelsey
    Community Member
    6 years ago

    !

    #32

    Image before Image after

    Mellisa Murphy Report

    Gloria Wesson
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    Very natural and age-appropriate. Great job...

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #33

    Image before Image after

    Melissa Murphy Report

    TammyChapman
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    Beautiful girl, why doesn't she smile?

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #34

    Image before Image after

    Melissa Murphy Report

    CraigWright
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    WAAAAAY prettier without the makeup.

    View more comments
    #35

    Image before Image after

    Melissa Murphy Report

    Jax Ashton
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    Why's she look like someone told her an off-color joke in the after pic? "OMG did you just SAY that??!"

    #36

    Image before Image after

    Mellisa Murphy Report

    ELL OHYOU
    Community Member
    7 years ago

    BEAUTIFUL...

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #37

    Image before Image after

    Melissa Murphy Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #38

    Image before Image after

    Mellisa Murphy Report

    Gloria Wesson
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    Cool!

    View more comments
    #39

    Image before Image after

    Melissa Muphy Report

    Gloria Wesson
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    Nice!! Like that she took that gaudy necklace off...

    #40

    Image before Image after

    Melissa Murphy Report

    Maryy Kostadinowa
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    beautiful both ways

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #41

    Image before Image after

    Mellisa Murphy Report

    Lily Quinn
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    Nicer before. 7 first time 5 the second

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #42

    Image before Image after

    Melissa Murphy Report

    Piccolo
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    She has beautiful teeth!!!

    View more comments
    #43

    Image before Image after

    Melissa Murphy Report

    AlinaSimona
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    Could have just made the brows, she looks beautiful

    View more comments
    #44

    Image before Image after

    Melissa Murphy Report

    EmmaJones
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    Are they all porn stars?

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #45

    Image before Image after

    Melissa Murphy Report

    SallyBrite
    Community Member
    10 years ago

    That makeup is horrible! :( The makeup is horrible! :(

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT