Pamela Anderson brought back her signature smoky eyes for Vogue World in Milan on September 22, pairing dramatic black eyeliner with a sweeping gold Ferragamo gown.
The 59-year-old actress, who attracted widespread attention for her make-up-free appearances from 2023 onwards, arrived with dark eyeshadow, defined lashes and glossy pink lipstick.
The Baywatch star's platinum blonde bob was styled into sculpted, side-swept curls, completing a look that recalled the glamour of classic Hollywood.
The appearance offered a different take on the pared-back beauty routine Pamela has embraced in recent years. And, as she explained while preparing for the evening, the combination of fresh skin and striking eye make-up was intentional.
© Getty Images for VoguePamela Anderson's gold Ferragamo gown in Milan
Pamela wore a golden lamé maxi dress with a high neckline and a loose silhouette that draped over her shoulders and arms.
The fabric caught the light as she posed inside Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, shifting between rich gold and softer olive tones in the photographs.
A gathered band around the lower skirt created a billowing shape above a flared hem, while a broad black border traced the bottom of the dress and its trailing train.
© GC ImagesShe carried a structured black handbag with a short handle, a textured finish and gold-toned hardware. A substantial chain necklace, decorated with an assortment of metallic charms and clear ornaments, sat over the gown's neckline.
A gold bangle with dangling charms and a large cocktail ring completed her accessories. Close-up photographs showed the detail of her beauty look. Black liner framed her blue eyes, with smoky grey shadow extending around the lash line. Her freckles remained visible, while a soft pink lip balanced the darker eye make-up.
Her curled bob swept across her forehead on one side, with rounded curls sitting around her jaw.
The event took place beneath the glass roof of the historic shopping arcade and celebrated Italian fashion and craftsmanship through a five-act show.
© FilmMagicPamela Anderson on her smoky-eye look
Pamela offered a glimpse of her preparations in a getting-ready video, explaining that Pat McGrath's team would create a Cleopatra-inspired eye look for the occasion.
"I'm convinced that skin just looks better raw," she said. She described the eye make-up as a modern interpretation of that inspiration, chosen to complement her Ferragamo outfit.
Her explanation reflected the distinction between wearing dramatic eye make-up and covering her skin. Even with the darker liner and shadow, Pamela retained the fresh complexion that has become a recognisable part of her recent appearances.
Why Pamela Anderson started going without make-up
Pamela previously spoke about the freedom she found in stepping away from the elaborate beauty looks associated with her earlier career. In a 2023 interview with ELLE, she described her simpler approach as "freeing, and fun, and a little rebellious too".
"It's just like me to go against the grain and do the opposite," she said.
Her comments came during a period in which she was reconsidering how she wanted to present herself publicly. Rather than continuing with the same routine, she began attending high-profile fashion events with little or no visible make-up.
Pamela also spoke candidly about watching her appearance change as she grew older. "I think we all start looking a little funny when we get older," she told the publication. "And I'm kind of laughing at myself when I look at the mirror. I go, 'Wow, this is really...what's happening to me?'"
Describing the experience as "a journey", she added: "I feel rooted for. I feel good. I'm in a good place."
© Getty ImagesPamela Anderson's return to make-up at the Met Gala
The Milan outing was not the first time Pamela had experimented with a more elaborate beauty look since embracing her bare-faced approach.
For her Met Gala debut in 2024, she worked with celebrated make-up artist Pat McGrath on a look for the "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" event.
"Pam wanted to wear makeup again for the Met Gala, so we created a look that acknowledged her natural beauty, but then took it to the next level," Pat explained in comments reported by E! News.
"We wanted to explore the next incarnation of natural...and show how you can wear a full face of makeup but in a very fresh and beautiful way."
That appearance demonstrated that Pamela's interest in a simpler routine still left room for experimenting with cosmetics on particular occasions.
Pamela Anderson's personal approach to beauty
Pamela addressed the attention surrounding her make-up-free appearances in a 2024 interview with Allure, explaining that the decision began with what felt right for her. "It wasn't to make a political statement, I just wanted to have my little weird face sticking out of the top of those great clothes," she said.
While the photographs prompted a much wider conversation about beauty expectations, Pamela said she had not planned the reaction. "I don't think you should give me the credit of it being a stunt because that's not how I think. But the timing and the stars aligned."
