She appeared dressed to the nines on the red carpet recently, but this week Gwyneth Paltrow was pictured without a scrap of make-up. Some felt it allowed her beauty to shine through, others were not so kind. We asked cosmetic dermatologist at the Harley St Medical Skin Clinic, Dr Aamer Khan and celebrity make-up artist Julia Biddlecombe for their views on these women.

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Make-up free and made up (right), Gwyneth Paltrow, 35

GWYNETH PALTROW, 35

Cosmetic dermatologist Dr Aamer Khan says: 'Gwyneth has enlarged pores along her forehead, nose and chin (T-zone) area due to a condition called rosacea, which also causes broken blood vessels and redness and this can get worse with age.

'The pigmentation across the T-zone and cheeks can also be caused by the contraceptive Pill or even pregnancy. It doesn't help that she has a fair amount of sun damage, too.'

Celebrity make-up artist Julia Biddlecombe says: 'Gwyneth is a beauty even without makeup as this picture show combination, when the forehead, nose and chin are oilier than the rest of the face.

'The skin under her eyes is discoloured and this would normally be disguised with concealer. She looks very natural but a tinted moisturiser and a sweep of face powder would really improve the look as it would even out her skin tone, calm down the red and help disguise the openness of the pores around her nose and cheeks.'

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Mother-of-two Uma Thurman, 38, with and without make-up

UMA THURMAN, 38

Dr Aamer Khan: 'She has a lot of sun damage which you can see from the little brown marks all over her skin.'

Julia Biddlecombe: 'Her skin is pale and washed-out, and she has dry lips. She looks distinctly unhealthy without make-up. I think her eyelashes may have been tinted to save applying mascara every day.'

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Before and after:  Model Gisele Bundchen, 27

GISELE BUNDCHEN, 27

Dr Aamer Khan: 'The scarring on her forehead and cheeks is most likely due to acne. The discolouration in this area could be down to the contraceptive Pill or sun damage.'

Julia Biddlecombe: 'She has the remnants of last night's make-up on. Her eyelashes look clogged and it's not a very clean look.'

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Supermodel Kate Moss, 34, as she is (left) and with a little help

KATE MOSS, 34

Dr Aamer Khan: 'Kate has a bit of discolouration, which might be down to sun damage or acne. The dark circles around her eyes are mostly due to late nights and an intense smoking habit.'

Julia Biddlecombe: Kate can look pretty washed-out without make-up, especially after a big night out. A light-reflecting concealer would even out her skin tone.'

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Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron, 32, make-up free (left) and made up

CHARLIZE THERON, 32

Dr Aamer Khan: 'She has acne scarring and sun damage, which fair people are susceptible to.'

Julia Biddlecombe: 'She's obviously had a bad bout of acne and has gone without make-up to assist the healing of the skin. Her eyes are completely lacking definition without any make-up to help bring them out.'

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Natural Spice: Victoria Beckham, 34, with and without make-up

VICTORIA BECKHAM, 34

Dr Aamer Khan: 'Posh has had dreadful acne. The discolouration of her skin is partly due to this and sun damage. '

Julia Biddlecombe: 'Posh would never be seen without any makeup. Her "no make-up" look consists of at least three different shades of eyeshadow, heavy mascara and lashings of lip liner and lipstick.'

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Big difference? TV presenter Davina McCall, 40, make-up free (left) and made up

DAVINA McCALL, 40

Dr Aamer Khan: 'Dark circles round her eyes are caused by ageing but could be evidence of her former drug habit.'

Julia Biddlecombe: 'She's used foundation and mascara to feel comfortable. Her strong cheekbones don't need blusher.'

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Singer Lulu, 59, au naturel and on the red carpet (right)

LULU, 59

Aamer Khan: 'The cheek implants Lulu seems to have had are starting to sag and are taking the skin down with them. The dimpled chin is caused by age and so are the broken blood vessels.'

Julia Biddlecombe: 'Lulu looks great for her age but without make-up she does look older. Her skin's a good texture. Her eyebrows may have been tattooed on with permanent make-up.'