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'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

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Mellisa Murphy Report

KatEgan
Community Member
9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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    #3

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    #5

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    Kikkaio
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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    #6

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    KTTrondsen
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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    #8

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    Emily
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She looks better without make up. :)

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    #10

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    CathyBinder
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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    AnnaMcHugh
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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    #13

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    EHPower
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    she looks a lot happier in the first one

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    #15

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    Kikkaio
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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    #21

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    BethNewton
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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    #25

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    HelmaNollen
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    All the same doll faces, a lot nicer without.

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    Gloria Wesson
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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    #35

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    Jax Ashton
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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    Gloria Wesson
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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    AlinaSimona
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Could have just made the brows, she looks beautiful

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    SallyBrite
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

    MarieEli
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh no. She looks old and wrinkly with make-up. Very beautifull without though!

    Cool Quote Character
    Community Member
    8 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh darn she's so pretty if only she would've gone for a more natural look...

    GitteJensen
    Community Member
    9 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OMG! She look like a drag.... Horible makeup!!!

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