We know how important nailing that bridal glow is – and it's no exception for royal brides. The Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Sussex both looked flawless on their wedding days, and so did sisters Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice. Here are the wedding makeup rules followed by these royal brides – take note of the top tips…
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Meghan Markle
Let your natural beauty shine through
The Duchess of Sussex was proof that you don’t need to wear heavy makeup for your wedding. Meghan enlisted close friend and celebrity makeup artist Daniel Martin to do her wedding makeup, with the Dior Beauty brand ambassador choosing to let her natural beauty and famous freckles shine through.
"I just balanced and neutralised any discolorations where needed with concealer and foundation," Daniel told Glamour. "I like to use water-based foundations because it absorbs well into your skin without becoming oily over time."
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What to use:
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk foundation is a favourite of Meghan’s, which will give light coverage with a dewy finish, perfect to get gorgeous glowing skin like the Duchess. Available for £42 from Selfridges, Lookfantastic and other leading retailers.
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Princess Beatrice
Tie your makeup in with your hair
When Princess Beatrice married Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi during the coronavirus pandemic, she kept both her face and hair natural. Her makeup included a soft peachy lip and coordinating eye shadow, while her hair was styled in loose waves.
Kate Middleton
Stay true to your everyday style
In the same vein as showcasing your natural beauty, you should also stay true to your personal style. If you don’t normally wear bold lipstick, then your wedding day is not the time to experiment. Likewise, if you don’t feel right without your trademark eyeliner, like the Duchess of Cambridge, then find a way to incorporate it into your bridal beauty look.
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What to use:
The Duchess of Cambridge reportedly used Bobbi Brown long-lasting gel eyeliner on her wedding day. The award-winning formula offers 12 hours of waterproof wear and is available in an array of shades, although the chocolate shimmer or espresso ink would be ideal for defined wedding eye makeup. £21, Bobbi Brown.
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Princess Eugenie
Avoid wearing SPF for the perfect photos
Finding a foundation without SPF is recommended for brides who will be having flash photography on their wedding day. Princess Eugenie’s royal wedding makeup artist Hannah Martin revealed that this is a bridal beauty rule she always follows, and suggests other brides do too.
What to use:
Hannah recommends Bobbi Brown Cosmetics Skin Foundation Stick, which has a buildable formula and is available in 31 shades. Buy yours for £32 from Bobbi Brown.
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Don’t be swayed by current beauty trends
It can be easy to get swept up by current beauty trends, but this is something Meghan’s makeup artist said he was particularly keen to avoid. “Right now in makeup, so much is covered up and masked by contouring, strobing, and creating this false dimension to what you naturally have. On your wedding day you want to look back at your photos and think about how great you felt in your dress and not be distracted by how trendy your makeup was in 2018,” Daniel told Glamour.
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What to use:
You can still give your face a glowing, defined look with a dusting of bronzer along your cheekbones, temples and jawline. Charlotte Tilbury’s Filmstar Bronze & Glow Duo has earned a cult following among her celebrity clients, and is available for £49.
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You can’t go wrong with natural rosy cheeks
Get that blushing bride look with a dusting of rosy pink blush on the apples of your cheeks, just like Princess Eugenie. The right shade will make your cheeks pop and give a healthy glow in your wedding photos.
What to use:
Princess Eugenie’s wedding makeup artist swears by Bobbi Brown Pale Pink Blush for brides. The powder blush has a matte finish and long-lasting formula, and is available for £21.
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Amp up the drama for your evening reception
Even if you go for stripped back natural beauty during the daytime, you could still switch up your makeup look for the evening reception, by adding a different lipstick or creating a beautiful smoky eye.
What to use:
Urban Decay’s Naked palette has long been a favourite of the Duchess of Cambridge, and is perfect for creating a day to night look. The Naked Reloaded palette has recently launched and features several shimmering metallic shades that would look perfect for an evening wedding look. Buy yours for £39 from Urban Decay.