noun
face without makeup; unpainted face
Refers to a person's natural face without makeup or cosmetic covering. Common in everyday and media language.
今日は素顔で出かけた。
I went out without makeup today.
彼女は素顔もきれいだ。
She looks beautiful even without makeup.
noun
true face; real nature; true picture
Figurative use for what someone or something is really like behind a public image, official face, or superficial impression.
インタビューで俳優の素顔が見えた。
The interview revealed the actor's real self.
この番組は地方都市の素顔を伝えている。
This program shows the true face of regional cities.
noun
Rare use referring to a face or state not affected by alcohol. In modern Japanese, 素面(しらふ) is the ordinary word for being sober.
古い用法では、素顔が「酒に酔っていない顔つき」を指すことがある。
In an older usage, 素顔 can refer to a face showing no signs of drunkenness.