One of the most striking things about the Rebekah Brooks saga over the past few days is how she opted to appear in front of world press and TV crews with a soap scrubbed face. Completely bereft of even a dab of Carmex there seemed to be a message emanating from a woman who quite frankly must have make-up artists and hair stylists on speed dial; "I am an innocent party, wronged even, by these allegations."
A face untainted by make-up has always underlined purity, from Joan of Arc to Angelina Jolie on a Unicef mission. Hell, even Madonna tried it in Malawi. The message of a naked face has always been clear. No make-up equals no guile.
Renowned for not giving television interviews she has only once made it onto a chat sofa, that of Andrew Marr. Then, she opted for subtle mushroom shadow and a sheer peach lip colour. Coupled with a neatly applied pale base the make-up although subtle was slick in that New York understated way.
Footage behind the scenes under her editorship at NOTW saw her occasionally slipping into that make-up staple of the powerful exec woman, red lipstick. Along with her Titian locks this must have proved quite a dominant look ,one that although different, puts you in mind of Margaret Thatcher's static power do and powdered face.
Now denuded of power and about to face the commons will she opt to maintain this "victim chic" look, or will she put on the comforting shield of cosmetic armour? Roll on Tuesday for more clues as to how to spin your beauty regime to tell the story you want the world to see.