Aussie stars reveal what they really look like makeup-free as they hit back at age-shaming trolls

A new trend is sweeping social media, with Australian stars proudly sharing filter-free photos of their ageing faces without makeup. 

The movement began with actress Rachel Ward, 68, who last year weathered an onslaught of negative comments for simply daring to show her natural face. 

Now, other celebrities have followed suit, with Millionaire Hot Seat host Rebecca Gibney, 61, posting two makeup-free selfies on Monday in solidarity with Rachel. 

'Scrolling through social media all I see is bad news, AI rubbish or perfect photoshopped lives. Then I came to images of @rachelwardofficial and I breathed a sigh of relief,' she began. 

'I've followed Rachel for a while and @thegoodfarm.shop and it's just so lovely to see real faces and real lives so I thought I might add my unfiltered sun damaged face and my funny old cowl lick fringe and fine over processed hair to the mix,' she continued. 

Reflecting on life as a performer, she said: 'As actors we are always colouring, changing, adapting - trying to keep up - to stay relevant in an ever changing world - but one of the greatest things about ageing is you finally stop trying to please and appeal to others and you recognise that the only person whose opinion matters, is your own.' ️

The Packed To The Rafters star received a deluge of praise from her followers, including fellow media personality Deborah Hutton, 64, who wrote: 'God love you Bec! Always keeping it real.' 

Celebrity journalist Angela Bishop, 58, added: 'Beautiful always', while 7 News presenter Angela Cox commented: 'Gorgeous'. 

Rachel Ward even expressed her approval, commenting: 'Thanks Rebecca. Lovely post. Big hug.' 

A day later, former Home and Away star Debra Lawrance, 69, shared her own makeup-free post. 

'Following the post from the fabulous @rebeccagibney_ my 69 year old face au naturel,' she captioned the image.

'Changing the algorithm one pic at a time. Let's do this ladies.'

It comes after Rachel Ward hit back at nasty trolls who criticised her appearance.

Late last year, the Thorn Birds star was met with a deluge of unkind comments after she uploaded a video of herself promoting her ethical meat initiative Farmthru.

'I read she's 68. Looks way older! I'm 62 and can't believe she's only a few years older than me,' one wrote, while another offered a similarly cutting: 'OMG what the hell happened to u? U were so pretty???'

Another critic claimed that Rachel's appearance was due to 'years of neglect'.

Several followers leapt to Rachel's defence, with one saying: 'For god's sake, horrible comments - she was, is beautiful and doing an incredible job.'

Replying to the comment, Rachel said that she felt sorry for those who were critical of her appearance in the clip.

'Thanks, you dear lady, coming to my defence,' Rachel wrote.

'I just feel sorry for those poor souls who fear ageing so much. They will learn that it's ultimate freedom as a woman to let youth and beauty go.

'It was lovely while it lasted, but so much more to life. You can't know its pleasures until you get there.'