How does Taylor Swift look makeup-free? Fans say she's unrecognizable in new 'Opalite' behind-the-scenes video

Taylor Swift is marking another major accomplishment in her career after her single “Opalite” rocketed to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The 14-time Grammy winner celebrated the milestone by uploading personal, behind-the-scenes content with fans, providing a glimpse into the creative path behind the successful track.

On Monday, Feb. 23, Swift shared an Instagram carousel packed with intimate images and videos capturing the making of the track and its music video.


“Just a few Opalite memories to celebrate the Hot 100 #1 you guys just got this song!!” Swift wrote.

“I can’t even sum up my excitement and I’m so blown away by the love you’ve shown this song and video,” she further said, citing that this signifies only the second time she has achieved two No. 1 singles from the same album since her 2014 launch 1989.

“I know that’s a lot of numbers but it all adds up to me being so thankful to the fans who helped make this happen by welcoming this song into your lives with open arms,” she stated. “Seriously bouncing off the walls about this!!”

A Rare Makeup-Free Glimpse

The first video in Swift’s post featured her in the recording studio without her trademark red lip and winged eyeliner. Wearing her natural blonde curls, she worked along with longtime collaborator Max Martin while fine-tuning “Opalite.”

The candid moment was notable, as Swift is rarely spotted publicly without her classic glam appearance. Fans admired the raw and authentic glimpse into her creative space, celebrating both the music and the openness behind it.

Behind the Scenes of the “Opalite” Video

Additional videos showed Swift on the set of the “Opalite” music clip, where she seemed to be in a brown wig and an ’80s-inspired outfit.

“Never in my life have I felt so myself,” she stated in one video,citing, “This is actually who I was meant to be.”

Another clip featured Swift recording vocals and celebrating with Martin and producer Shellback, who also contributed to her 12th studio album.

Swift wrote and directed the “Opalite” visual herself. In an earlier Instagram post, she disclosed that the concept “crash landed into [her] imagination” while she was promoting The Life of a Showgirl in an appearance on The Graham Norton Show in October 2025.

“I remember thinking I got ridiculously lucky with the group I was paired with,” Swift mentioned, referencing collaborators that includes Cillian Murphy, Domhnall Gleeson, Greta Lee, Jodie Turner-Smith and Lewis Capaldi, whose work she said she has “admired from afar.”

Support From Travis Kelce

Earlier this month, Swift also disclosed that she and her fiancé, Travis Kelce, share similar musical preferences. Producer Chris Lake shared screenshots of texts showing Kelce and Swift were fans of his work, which resulted in a remix of “Opalite.”

“She loves it too!!” Kelce wrote to Lake about Swift. “She said her teams gonna reach out asap!”

FAQs

Q1. Why did Taylor Swift share a makeup-free video?
She shared the clip while celebrating her track’s No. 1 ranking. It offered fans a natural look at her recording process.

Q2. What song reached No. 1?
Her single “Opalite” topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It became another significant milestone in her career.