Followers of royal women will know that natural makeup is a must in this territory. It’s a look that the late Queen Elizabeth and Princess Diana perfected back then, and it’s a look that Meghan Markle and Duchess Kate continue to perfect today.
Barely undetectable makeup has become a daily routine for Europe’s duchess and princesses, with the help of an all-important skin care regime, and royal style is abandoning the rulebook in pursuit of something bolder. I rarely get to see the set (except for when the late Princess of Wales wore red nail polish and dripping pearls at a charity gala in 1995, and that image captured my beauty-obsessed self). It will remain etched in my mind forever.)
Even with the yakuza wife trend in full swing, the viral “clean girl” makeup that took 2023 by storm will likely remain a classic due to its versatility for women of all ages and skin tones. . We know that’s something the royal family will continue to hold onto.
With the help of the experts at Fresha, I figured out for myself what all the hype about royal beauty means and how to make it happen on a budget. Spoiler alert, I may have found a new staple in my skincare routine.
Apply neutral tones to achieve a stunning natural makeup look
The brightest example of Meghan and Kate’s shared talent for using neutral eyeshadow is their respective wedding day looks. When Meghan Markle married Prince Harry in 2018, she opted for a less-is-more aesthetic, with warm eyeshadow and fluttery lashes with a hint of smoke on the lash line. Meanwhile, when the then Duchess Kate married Prince William in 2011, she used warm brown eyeshadow, but used a black pencil on her lower lash line to accentuate her contours. I set it.
This week I found myself reaching for warm brown eyeshadow and couldn’t have been happier. There’s nothing more classic than a warm brown smoky eye. I often opt for eyeshadow only at night, as I also apply it to my eyelashes, like Meghan does, but I’ve found that by using a light hand and sticking to matte shadows, I can achieve a daytime look that can transition into nighttime. I did. Eyeliner like Kate.
Fresha experts say: “The key to this method is to use natural eyeshadow tones, from hazel brown to rosy pink. This allows you to achieve a soft smoky eye that’s perfect for the eyelid and crease. This allows for a simple and It creates a bold yet bold look that will make your eyes pop.”
A simple blush that brings out a subtle rosy color
I’ve loved blush all my life, so this was part of the royal beauty routine that I accepted with open arms. Fresha experts say, “Princess Diana vowed to apply a simple cream blush to enhance the color of her cheeks and create a more youthful, glowing look.”
To recreate the late princess’s glow-from-within-the-inside look, I chose Charlotte Tilbury’s ‘Beauty Light Wand’ in ‘Glogasm’ color, £30/$42. This is a dewy pink illuminator that can be blended onto her cheeks. For natural shine. I often opt for powder blushes like Meghan Markle, but even with my oily skin, the liquid texture gave me a more natural finish and was able to catch the light beautifully on my cheekbones.
Keep your nails nude for an elegant look
It’s no secret that royal women rarely stray from their natural nail colors. It has long been believed that the late Queen Elizabeth encouraged the women of her royal family to wear shiny, pale pink Essie “ballet slippers.”
“A bright manicure is a no-no in public, say experts at Fresha. “A nude manicure is a simple but effective touch that goes with any outfit or makeup.” In the winter, I wear nail polish, but… I’ve found that lighter shades help my nails not get in the way of my outfit. Lighter shades like the Essie shade I tried called ‘Polished and Poised’, £12.04/$7.99 (how perfect!) also make your nails look longer.
Natural oils keep your skin young and healthy.
“From her pregnancy to her daily routine, Kate relied on rosehip oil to prevent dark circles around her eyes and the signs of premature aging,” say FRESHA experts, adding that Kate’s mother, Carol, also used rosehip oil daily. He added that he reportedly included rosehip oil in his diet. A beauty routine that brought her daughter successful results.
I’ve never used rosehip oil before, but I have to say it might become a new staple in my daily skincare routine. I have naturally oily skin, so I’ve always avoided oils in my skincare, but The Ordinary’s 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rosehip Seed Oil, £9.70 / $10.90, doesn’t weigh on my skin and instead softens my skin. I noticed that it helps to fix things. It feels smooth and moist.
Fresha experts also said, “Glycolic acid is one of Meghan Markle’s go-to products for creating a radiant look and soft, supple skin.” I’ve incorporated Pixi’s Glow Tonic (£18/$15), which contains 5 per cent glycolic acid, into my routine, but I only use it every other day to avoid over-exfoliating my skin, and my skin feels dry to the touch. I felt that I had become softer.
Keeps eyelashes curled long
The key to Duchess Meghan and Kate’s beautiful eyes is mascara, which emphasizes and defines the eyes. “The simplest techniques are the most effective, and Meghan makes sure to curl her eyelashes before applying any other makeup to make sure she doesn’t miss out,” explains the Fresha expert.
I picked up an eyelash curler and Barry M’s ‘Feature Length’ mascara (£5.99 / $8.30) to try a cheaper version of Meghan’s trick and it worked. To be honest, I don’t have the longest natural eyelashes in the world, so curling them adds length and makes me look more awake.
Fresha’s experts further say, “Princess Diana also learned some hacks from makeup artist Mary Greenwell, such as when applying mascara, she coated the roots of her eyelashes with the product to lengthen her lashes and make them look more dramatic. It emphasizes her piercing blue eyes.” She applied mascara while holding a mirror under her eyes so you could see under her lashes. This meant I was able to wiggle the wand closer to her roots, making her lashes look fuller.
Moisturizing before makeup is essential
It goes without saying that moisturizer is always a must. Experts at Fresha say: “Whether she’s wearing make-up or opting to go bare-faced, Kate is an avid user of moisturizer, always trying to protect herself from potentially harmful UV rays. I’m applying SPF. Even if the weather is cold and the sun isn’t shining, this is an important skin care step because UV rays can penetrate through clouds and cause damage.”
Discover: Lipsticks worn by the royal family: From Kate’s favorites to the Queen’s classic shades
I took their advice and mixed La Roche Posay’s ‘Anthelios UVMune 400 Invisible Fluid SPF50+ Sun Cream’ (£15.99/$35.99) with Grown Alchemist’s ‘Hydra-Repair Day Cream’ (£29.75/$19.99). , giving it a radiant shine. Even in the gloomy February weather, it peeked through my makeup and protected my skin.