It is a bold move for any bride to do her own makeup on her wedding day, let alone a future queen preparing to be scrutinised by millions of royal fans all over the world.
But there was no sign of shaky hands from Kate Middleton on the morning of her big day in April 2011, stepping out at Westminster Abbey with a perfect natural makeup look that radiated bridal beauty.
She had reportedly had been taking lessons from Arabella Preston, a beauty guru specialising in bridal makeovers.
The makeup artist came for a series of one-to-one meetings at Clarence House before the wedding to Prince William and said of her student: ‘I thought she looked wonderful. Absolutely beautiful.’
Kate Middleton did her own makeup on her wedding day, stepping out at Westminster Abbey with a perfect natural makeup look that radiated bridal beauty
She opted for a natural base with rosy blush, dark eyeliner and a timeless nude pink lipstick
Kate had reportedly taken lessons from beauty guru Arabella Preston who specialised in bridal makeovers. When the big day came, the results were perfect
Fresh-faced Kate opted for a glowing base to show off her natural beauty.
She had been spotted visiting The Retreat beauty salon in Newbury, close to her family home, for an Elemis facial the week before the event.
After the wedding, beauty columnist Elsa McAlonan wrote: ‘Her skin was glowing – possibly thanks to the Crystal Clear Oxygen Therapy facial she had a few days ago – but the natural radiance could be enhanced by a sheer base (such as the new Shiseido Perfect Refining Foundation), which is one notch above a tinted moisturiser and perfect for even the most foundation-phobic.’
She explained how Kate used powder to avoid any shine, adding: ‘Kate’s skin had just enough gleam under the bright lights in Westminster Abbey, with no hint of shimmer or shine, and that’s probably down to a light dusting of the finest powder applied to the bits most prone to oiliness (forehead, nose and chin).’
Her choice of an obvious rosy blush gave her a classic bridal look with a natural spring radiance that shone through on the photographs.
The glowing appearance was a marker of her move to a more polished look as she became engaged to Prince William and began acclimatising to royal life.
Michelle Abels, co-founder of Mishel Makeup, described the wedding look in glowing terms, saying: ‘The effect was stunning. Her own natural make-up was perfect for a bridal look, concentrating on the eyes and keeping things natural otherwise, with pinky brown blushers and lipsticks.’
Kate’s eyes echoed her signature style at the time, with a grey taupe shadow in the socket and her favourite black eyeliner under and above the eye.
She balanced the effect with layers of mascara, leaving a gentler image while also making her eyes the focus of her look.
Makeup artist Olivia Todd said that Kate’s choice of makeup ‘accentuated’ her eyes.
She said: ‘On her wedding day, Kate is picture perfect, her eyes are lightly accentuated and her cheekbones are sculpted in a subtle way that enhances.
‘Think well-prepped moisturised skin, complimented by light foundation, a pop of rosy blush on the apples of the cheeks, lashings of mascara, no doubt a waterproof one, and a soft wash of warm toned browns on the eyes.’
Her eyes were framed with defined brows and Elsa McAlonan said she ‘looked like she had a professional eyebrow shape a few days before the wedding.’
‘Her brows looked more defined, darker than usual and she probably used a fine pencil to draw in a little more shape,’ she added.
Kate finished off her radiant makeup with a pink nude lipstick which had a timeless feel and which stayed in place throughout the event.
The royal-to-be opted for a professional manicure for the close up of her ring finger, enjoying a bridal pampering session at Clarence House in advance of the wedding
The royal-to-be however opted for a professional manicure for the close up of her ring finger, enjoying a bridal pampering session at Clarence House in advance of the wedding.
Camilla, now Queen Consort, organised for her own manicurist Marina Sandoval from the Jo Hansford hair salon in Mayfair to give Kate a £36 ‘signature manicure’ which includes a luxury soak and exfoliation of the hands, a deep tissue massage to stimulate growth followed by filing, buffing and polishing.
Marina revealed that she blended together a special mixture of colours to apply to Kate’s nails including Bourjois no 28 Rose Lounge and Essie 423 Allure.
Speaking to MailOnline, she said: ‘Catherine wanted something very natural looking and I felt these matched her skin colour beautifully.
‘She wanted something off-white and bridal, so these were absolutely perfect.’
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