I think Jewel is about a bazillion times hotter when she's not all done up. Those photos? Meh. Sort of generic Hollywood hot, if you ask me.
But I'm currently watching the bonus disc from the collectors edition of Serenity, and there's a few shots of the first book read where she's just her, without the pounds of makeup or the teased and moussed hair (why women with wavy hair feel the need to do that, I'll never understand) or any of that nonsense. And THAT is the hottest I've ever seen her. Smokin'.