Dolly Parton claims she looks ''like hell'' without make-up.

The '9 to 5' hitmaker, who is known for her big hair and extensive use of cosmetics, admits she's not a natural beauty and understands what people expect her to look like on stage.

She told Radio Times magazine: ''If somebody says, 'What do you look like without that make-up?, I say, 'I look like hell!' But that's OK, who doesn't? I'm not a natural beauty, that's one of the reasons I'm over-exaggerated.

''I feel better when I put on a little make-up - I don't like looking in the mirror and thinking, 'Who the hell's that old ugly woman?'''

The 68-year-old star insists she doesn't feel like ''two Dollys'' both on and off stage but she likes to look her best for her fans and for her friends and family.

She explained: ''I'm always Dolly, because my heart is always the same, my head is always the same. And my look came from a very serious place. I wouldn't dream of going out like some of the artists do, come into a meet-and-greet with hair rollers and Clearasil on my face.''

Even when Dolly is at home with her husband of 48 years, Carl Dean, she still puts on some make-up and uses a few hot rollers in her hair.

She said: ''I don't want to look like a slouch with him. I'm not two different people, but I am responsible for the persona of the person that you know as Dolly Parton. I know what people expect me to look like. But I can also go home, take off all of this junk, and still be the same person.''