Beauty Secrets That The Royals Swear By
They always look picture-perfect when they're spotted in public, and now we know how the women in the royal family manage to pull it off. The Queen and other stylish royal ladies have a slew of beauty secrets and tips that they use to ensure that they look gorgeous no matter what the situation. From the easy eyeshadow application technique Kate used on her wedding day to the beauty product Meghan carries with her wherever she goes, these are the top royal beauty secrets to try on your own.
Facial Exercises Can Work Wonders
Even people with a dedicated exercise routine might not know that working out can benefit the face as well. Facial yoga and massage can help reduce wrinkles and tone sagging skin.
Meghan Markle swears by the facial exercises, which she learned from with esthetician Nichola Joss, to keep her face in "A-Plus" shape. "I swear it works, as silly as you may feel. On the days I do it, my cheekbones and jawline are waaaay more sculpted," Meghan revealed to Birchbox in 2014.
Rosehip Oil Is A Princess's Best Friend
It's reported that Kate Middleton is a big fan of Trilogy's Rosehip Oil, which has a wonderful brightening effect on the skin. Her mother Carole is said to use the same product, which acts as a deep moisturizer and leaves the skin looking dewy and radiant.
US Weekly reported from an anonymous source that the Duchess uses rosehip oil in her daily skincare routine and that she loves what it does for her complexion.
Be Sure To Apply Mascara To The Roots Of Eyelashes
When it comes to mascara application, it's best to start at the roots and work your way up. This is a technique that Diana's makeup artist, Mary Greenwell, shared with the Princess.
Before brushing it through the lashes, "I always taught her to make sure — when applying mascara by herself — that she covered the roots of the lashes too," Greenwell revealed to Stylist. This ensures thorough coverage and offers a dramatic effect.
The Queen Created A Custom Lip Color (And So Can You)
Clarins is among the Queen's favorite beauty brands. She even had the company create a custom red lip color to match her ceremonial robes for her coronation in 1953 – how fancy!
Luckily, this is a service available to regular, non-royal people as well. A variety of cosmetics companies, including Sephora, Ulta, MAC, and Bite Beauty, allow customers to make their very own custom lipstick shade, finish, and even flavor.
Neutral Nails Are Preferred
The Queen of England famously has a favorite nail polish color: Essie's Ballet Slippers. She's so enamored with the subtle pink shade that her hairdresser wrote to the company in 1989 and said that it was "the only color Her Majesty would wear."
She's been wearing it ever since, and other royals such as Kate Middleton are also fans. According to Essie, 30 bottles of Ballet Slippers are sold in the U.S. each hour!
Always Be Prepared
When you're a member of the royal family, you’re constantly being photographed. This means bringing your beauty products with you wherever you go. Princess Eugenie is even known to apply her makeup in the car, which she revealed to Harper’s Bazaar in 2016
The Princess also routinely applies her own makeup for events. "I’m really good at doing it on the move," she confessed. She’s particularly fond of Bobbi Brown’s bronzer and Charlotte Tilbury mascara.
Kate Middleton's Eyeshadow Application Is As Easy As 1, 2, 3
She might be a princess, but Kate Middleton is known for doing her own makeup… even on her wedding day! When it comes to her eyeshadow application, three is the magic number.
The Duchess received pointers from Hannah Martin, a makeup artist with Bobbi Brown cosmetics, before the big day. Martin revealed that Kate uses three different shades on her lovely lids: first, an ivory base all over the area. She tops that with a medium grey in the crease and a frosted light-medium taupe on her bottom lid.
Lip Hydration Is Vital
You'll never see a photo of the royals with unsightly chapped or dry lips. That’s because they carry lip treatment products with them wherever they go. Soft, supple lips are a must for smooth lipstick application, and Meghan Markle achieves this effect with Fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Treatment with SPF 15.
"I have searched high and low and tried every kind of lip balm but this is the very best. Soft, kissable, buttery lips. I swear by it," she told Beauty Banter. We’re sold!
A Good Highlighter Can Perk Up Tired Eyes
There's a reason you never see photos of the royals with tired, baggy eyes, even at early morning engagements. That’s because they know the power of a good highlighter and are experts at applying it.
Meghan Markle learned this back in her days as an actress on Suits, she told Birchbox. "To open up your eyes, apply a highlighter like Yves Saint Laurent’s Touche Éclat in the inner corner," she said. "This trick is especially good when we are filming at 3 a.m. and I need to look bright eyed and bushy tailed."
Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize
Well into her 90s, Queen Elizabeth still has smooth, beautiful skin. Her secret? Moisture, moisture, moisture.
It's rumored that Queen Elizabeth uses Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant to keep dry skin at bay. The product is a cult classic, with fans calling it a "miracle" for dull or dehydrated complexions. Elizbeth Arden has held a royal warrant for over 50 years, so it must be a favorite.
A Toothbrush Can Work Wonders On Flyaways
Duchess Meghan Markle revealed to Birchbox that she has an unexpected but genius use for toothbrushes: she uses them to keep her flyaways at bay and her hair looking smooth and polished when it's styled in a chic bun.
She shared that uses a bit of hairspray on a boar bristle toothbrush and combs the flyaway hairs down with it. "This is especially good for a sleek bun when I am off-camera," said Meghan.
When It Comes To Makeup, Focus On Two Facial Features At A Time
When it comes to cosmetics, the women in the royal family generally opt for a natural look. That doesn't mean they can’t have some fun with their makeup; they just make a point to highlight one or two features at a time.
Mary Greenwell was Princess Diana’s makeup artist, and she shared this tip with Stylist in 2012. "You can combine full lips with a heavy eye; the trick is to wear a light blush. You just do two elements and not three. You never, ever do a full lip, eye, and blush!"
Invest In An Eyelash Curler For Alert-Looking Eyes
Meghan Markle isn't shy when it comes to discussing her love of eyelash curlers for providing a more rejuvenated look to the eyes. The former television actress should know -- after all, there were many days she had to show up on set before dawn.
In an interview with Beauty Banter, she revealed that using an eyelash curler makes her "look instantly awake." Her preferred brand Shu Uemura, which retails for less than $20 online. Sounds like a wise investment for anyone wanting to look royally refreshed.
Use A Hairnet To Hold Your Updo In Place
There's a reason hairnets have been around for so long – they work! The Duchess of Cambridge is known to sport a hairnet over her updo to keep every hair perfectly in place.
You might not have ever noticed them since they’re nearly invisible against her hair, but if you pay close attention you’ll see that Kate frequently wears a hairnet to protect her chignons.
No Heavy Foundation Required: Put Your Natural Beauty On Display
You don't need a heavy foundation to appear polished and well-groomed. Take that from Meghan Markle, who is known for her gorgeous freckles.
Celebrity makeup artist Daniel Martin helped with Meghan's wedding day look, and he shared his secrets with Glamour. "I just balanced and neutralized any discolorations where needed with concealer and foundation," he said. This allowed her natural beauty to shine through.
Steer Clear Of Beauty Fads
While it's OK to experiment with new products and techniques, Meghan Markle's wedding day makeup artist Daniel Martin says it's best to steer clear of beauty fads for big events.
For example, "Right now in makeup, so much is covered up and masked by contouring, strobing, and creating this false dimension to what you naturally have," he told Glamour. The royals stick with a more natural look to ensure that they don't look dated in photographs.
Princess Eugenie Always Washes Her Face Before Bed
It might come as a surprise, but sometimes even the royals are tempted to go to bed with their makeup on after a late engagement. Don't do it, says Princess Eugenie!
She revealed to Hello! magazine that she washes her face every single night, no matter how tired she is. She prefers a cleanser with eucalyptus, which helps to soothe, tone, and purify the skin. Your face will thank you for it later.
Bronzer Provides A Gorgeous Glow When Applied Correctly
Most of us have heard about the miracle worker known as a bronzer, but not all of us know how to use it correctly. Mary Greenwell, a makeup artist who worked with Princess Diana, shared her application secrets that lead to a beautiful, healthy-looking glow.
She says to apply a contour color on the cheekbones, followed by a brush of highlighter. Then, the apples of the cheeks get a touch of blush while the bronzer is applied only to the outside of the face, along the hairline.
The Beauty Product Meghan "Can't Live Without"
In an interview with Hello! magazine, the Duchess of Sussex revealed that she is never without a particular beauty product: tea tree oil. She doesn't leave home without it, tossing a bottle into her purse or carry-on wherever she goes.
"It's not the most glamorous thing, but if you get a cut, a mosquito bite, a small breakout, no matter what, it's my little cure-all," she said. "It's inexpensive, it's small enough to carry on, and I bring it with me all the time."
Sulfate-Free Shampoo Gives Kate's Hair Some Major Bounce
While it's not confirmed, Kate Middleton is said to be a fan of sulfate-free shampoos to keep her gorgeous hair shiny and full of bounce. Kerastase Bain Oleo Relax Shampoo has been cited by sources as a favorite for its nutritive properties.
A sulfate-free shampoo leaves hair frizz-free, soft, and supple. It's especially beneficial for dry hair. If you've ever admired Kate's trademark tresses, you might give this a try!
