Honestly, if you follow speed skating—or even if you just spend too much time on Instagram—you know Jutta Leerdam. She’s the Dutch powerhouse with the signature winged eyeliner that looks sharp enough to cut ice. But lately, there’s been a shift. The 26-year-old Olympic medalist, currently hyper-focused on snagging gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, has been stripping it all back.
Jutta Leerdam no makeup isn't just a search term. It’s a vibe.
She’s basically the most followed Winter Olympic athlete on the planet, with over 6.7 million people watching her every move. And while the high-glam, "on-brand" Jutta is what made her a global influencer, the raw, bare-faced version of her is what's actually resonating with fans in 2026. It's kinda refreshing. In a world of filters and "perfect" aesthetics, seeing a world champion with messy hair and zero concealer feels... real.
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The Reality Behind the "Ice Queen" Image
People get it wrong. They think the makeup is a mask. In reality, for Leerdam, it’s always been more like war paint. You've seen her at the start line. Those eyes are focused. The liner is thick. It’s part of the "Jutta Leerdam" brand she’s spent years building. But if you look at her recent TikToks or those "day in the life" snippets from her training camp, the eyeliner is gone.
She’s often sweaty. Her face is flushed from the brutal cardio sessions.
There’s this one video she posted about "saying goodbye" to her normal life for 10 months to prep for the Olympics. She’s waving to her fiancé, Jake Paul, and her dog, Thor. She looks exhausted. She looks human. No lash extensions, no heavy foundation. Just a woman who is "little bomb"—the nickname her dad gave her because she was always running around as a kid—working herself to the bone.
Why the Natural Look is Trending Now
Why does everyone care about Jutta Leerdam no makeup photos? It’s because the "perfect" influencer era is dying. People are tired of the polished facade. We want to see the grit.
- Authenticity over Aesthetics: Jutta has mentioned in interviews that TikTok feels like she’s "FaceTiming her friends." That intimacy is lost when you’re worried about a smudge of mascara.
- The Athlete’s Burden: You can’t skate at 60km/h with a full face of glam without it becoming a distraction.
- Confidence: Stripping back the makeup shows a level of self-assuredness that only comes from winning seven world titles. She doesn't need the liner to be the fastest woman on the track.
Jutta’s Skincare and Natural Beauty Philosophy
She isn't just "waking up like this" without a plan. Being an elite athlete means your skin goes through hell. Think about it: freezing cold air on the ice, followed by heavy sweating in the gym, and then constant travel. That’s a recipe for breakouts and dehydration.
While she hasn't dropped a 10-step routine video yet, she’s been vocal about "improving as an athlete in every aspect." That includes recovery and health. In 2026, health is beauty. She focuses on hydration and rest. She’s admitted that she’s "exhausted by 11 PM" and just has to go to bed. That sleep? That’s the real secret to the glow you see in her bare-faced selfies.
"I think being in the public eye has made me more myself," she told Numéro Netherlands. It’s a bit of a paradox, right? The more people watch, the more she feels the need to be authentic.
Breaking the "Glittery" Stereotype
For a long time, the Dutch media called her the "most omnipresent speed skater." Some old-school fans complained that she was "too focused" on her brand. They thought the fashion shoots and the makeup meant she wasn't serious.
She proved them wrong.
She won the 1000m gold at the World Cup in Salt Lake City recently, edging out Miho Takagi by a fraction of a second. She did it while navigating a high-profile engagement and a massive social media presence. Seeing her without makeup reminds the skeptics that beneath the "influencer" is a girl from 's-Gravenzande who grew up playing hockey and training six times a week.
The Jake Paul Factor and Public Perception
You can't talk about Jutta without mentioning Jake. Their relationship, which kicked off in 2023, changed the lens through which we see her. When she's ringside at his fights, she's usually "Max Glam." But the photos he posts of them at home? That’s where you see the Jutta Leerdam no makeup version.
It’s the version that’s just Jutta. Not the brand. Not the champion. Just a 27-year-old woman (as of late 2025/early 2026) hanging out with her partner.
There’s a nuance here that most people miss. By showing her natural face, she’s taking back the power. She’s saying, "I decide when I’m a model and when I’m a machine." It’s a balance she’s mastered. Even after leaving big teams like Jumbo-Visma to go solo with Team Novus, she’s kept that control.
What We Can Learn From Jutta’s Natural Pivot
Honestly, it’s about the "all in" mindset. Whether she’s perfecting her eyeliner or her 500m start, she’s meticulous. But the lesson for the rest of us? The "raw" version of you is usually the one that people actually connect with.
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- Stop Hiding the Work: The sweat and the "messy" look are signs of effort. Don't be ashamed of them.
- Focus on the Foundation: Jutta’s skin looks good because she’s healthy. She eats for performance and sleeps for recovery. No cream can replace that.
- Define Your Own Brand: You can be the girl who loves makeup and the girl who goes bare-faced. You don't have to pick a side.
Jutta is currently "hyper-focused" on the 2026 Games. She’s chasing the one thing she doesn't have: Olympic gold. And if she stands on that top podium in Italy, she might be wearing her signature wings, or she might be completely natural. Either way, the world will be watching.
Actionable Takeaway: Audit Your Own "War Paint"
Next time you’re heading to the gym or a high-pressure meeting, ask yourself: is your look for you, or for the "brand" you think you need to project? Try a "low-stakes" day where you strip back the routine. Notice how your confidence shifts when you aren't worried about how you look, but rather how you perform. Like Jutta says, "the time never lies." Whether you're on the ice or in the office, your results are what define you, not your eyeliner.