Alicia Keys went completely makeup free at the VMAs and she looked beyond gorgeous

From Alessia Cara‘s all-natural free performance to Mila Kunis going sans makeup on the cover of Glamour, this is by far the year of women tossing their makeup bags (or at least tucking them away for the time being) and we couldn’t be more on board. Most recently, Alicia Keys made waves in the *best* way when she attended the VMAs completely free of makeup, and we’re so, so in love.

She’s beautiful with or without makeup, obv.

While there’s nothing wrong with choosing to wear makeup (no need for makeup guilt!), when you consider the amount of backlash women face when they don’t wear makeup — from getting paid less at work to being asked if we’re sick to being straight up insulted — it’s pretty damn revolutionary. We’re *so* here for Alicia Keys making this move.

But, for Alicia Keys, going makeup free is so empowering. Here’s her gorgeous look at the VMAs this year:

Here’s Alicia and Swizz Beatz, her boo:

In her piece for Lenny Letter, she explained the decision to get away from makeup.

“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.

I found my way to meditation, and I started focusing on clarity and a deeper knowing of myself. I focused on cultivating strength and conviction and put a practice in place to learn more about the real me.”

We support you, Alicia Keys, and we’re so happy you’ve decided to make this empowering move!