With access to some of the top beauty experts in the world, Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton know a thing or two about beauty. Whether they’re on an official engagement or working with their favorite charities, the duchesses swear by some royal beauty secrets to help them get ready.
We uncover some of the royal beauty secrets Meghan and Kate swear by, ahead.
Like Princess Diana, Meghan and Kate never leave home without mascara on. | Chris Jackson-WPA Pool/Getty Images
Never leave home without mascara
Princess Diana never left home without mascara and now Meghan and Kate don’t either. “My favorite mascara is Diorshow Iconic,” Meghan told Allure in 2014. “I also use Revitalash on my eyelashes, and I swear they are as long as they ever could be,” she added.
In addition to mascara, Meghan also swears by her eyelash curler. “Even if you don’t have a stitch of makeup on, you suddenly look a bit more alive,” she told Birchbox.
3 eyeshadows are better than 1
Fun fact: On her royal wedding day, Kate did her makeup herself. That said, the duchess had some guidance from Bobbi Brown’s Hannah Martin. Her trick for the perfect eyeshadow look? Use three shades — one for the entire eyelid, one for the lower eyelid, and one for the crease.
Rosehip oil for anti-aging
When it comes to skincare, Kate swears by rosehip oil — specifically Trilogy Certified Organic Rosehip Oil. Packed with antioxidants, rosehip oil is a powerful anti-ager that can reduce the look of fine lines, wrinkles, dull skin, and more.
To tame flyaways, Meghan sprays hairspray on a boar bristle toothbrush. | Chris Jackson-Pool/Getty Images
Tame flyaways with a toothbrush
It’s no secret that Meghan is a fan of the messy bun. After all, it’s how she wore her hair on her royal wedding day. That said, the royal family has strict rules against looking anything but put-together, so the duchess sprays hairspray on a boar bristle toothbrush to tame flyaways.
Facial exercises are a must
Another royal beauty secret Meghan swears by? Facial exercises. “I do facial exercises from one of my favorite aestheticians, Nicola Joss, who basically has you sculpt your face from the inside out,” she told Birchbox. “I swear it works, as silly as you may feel. On the days I do it, my cheekbones and jawline are waaaay more sculpted,” she added.
Say yes to cult-favorites
Royal women are not above cult-favorite beauty products. In fact, Meghan is a big fan of one of the beauty industry’s biggest cult-favorites: NARS Blush in Orgasm.
Chapped lips are a big no-no
Ever wonder what Meghan carries in her handbags? Chances are, it’s lip balm — Fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Treatment with SPF 15, to be exact. “I have searched high and low and tried every kind of lip balm, but this is the very best,” she told Beauty Banter. “Soft, kissable, buttery lips. I swear by it,” she added.
The queen does not approve of bright-colored nail polish. | Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP/Getty Images
Nude polish only
According to royal family rules, women are only allowed to wear nude-colored nail polish. Kate and Meghan both regularly rock nude manicures, as well as essie’s Ballet Slippers — the queen’s favorite nail polish.
Keep it together with a hairnet
Unlike Meghan, Kate is not a fan of the messy bun. That said, she still likes to pull her hair back from time to time. To keep everything together, Kate often wears a transparent hairnet.
Use highlighter to create the illusion of a good night’s sleep
With all the travel, meetings, and galas, being a royal is exhausting. That said, tired-looking eyes are no match for this tip. Meghan uses a touch of highlighter in the inner corners of her eyes to create the illusion of a good night’s sleep.
Meghan swears by Nivea Skin Firming Hydration Body Lotion. | Steve Parsons/AFP/Getty Images
Beautiful skin starts with body lotion
Meghan and Kate are both big fans of drugstore — or, pharmacy, as the British say — lotion. Meghan’s go-to drugstore buy? Nivea Skin Firming Hydration Body Lotion. “I use this religiously,” she told Beauty Banter. “It’s honestly my favorite lotion on the market — it’s so affordable and makes my skin look and feel amazing. I would buy a case of this at a time if I could find it.”
Go easy on the foundation
As far as foundation goes, Meghan is not a fan of caking it on. Instead, the duchess uses the cover-up on the areas that need it, then blends it into her complexion with a Beautyblender.
Don’t skip out on face wash
The key to flawless skin? Remembering to wash your face before bed. Falling asleep with the day’s dirt and grime — not to mention: makeup — still intact can wreak havoc on the complexion. That said, Meghan doesn’t always have time to go through her entire beauty routine.
On nights when she can’t bear to wash her face, Meghan reaches for Biore Cleansing Cloths. “They’re great to keep in the car and on your nightstand when you have those horribly lazy nights that the thought of getting up to actually wash your face seems unbearable,” she told Beauty Banter.
When in doubt, hair flip
The royal beauty secret for fixing a flattened blowout? “There is nothing like a hair flip,” Meghan told Birchbox. To give her hair some extra texture, Meghan likes to flip her head upside down, add some texturizing spray, then flip back up to give her hair “a little extra bounce.”
Tea tree oil for breakouts
Meghan is no stranger to natural remedies. One of her favorites? Tea tree oil. “It’s not the most glamorous thing, but if you get a cut, a mosquito bite, a small breakout, no matter what it is, it’s my little cure-all,” she told Allure. “It’s inexpensive, it’s small enough to carry on, and I bring it with me all the time,” she added.
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