Whether you want to take inspiration from Kate Middleton’s make-up and skincare routine or you’re simply a curious royal fan, we’ve got all the beauty details on the Princess of Wales’ regime.
Known for her effortless and classic style, Princess Catherine never ceases to amaze us with her fashion and beauty looks. Lucky for us, many of her go-to skincare and make-up products are super attainable, from Kate Middleton’s favourite perfume to the styling products that give her iconic head of hair its lustrous shine.
Ahead, we’ve broken down the makeup and skincare buys that have reportedly been part of the princess' beauty routine over the years, making it easier to copy her gorgeous signature style.
Inside Kate Middleton's hair, make-up and skincare routines
If you're looking to replicate the Princess of Wales' signature effortless makeup look, or perhaps even add her go-to fragrance to your own collection, here are the staples she reportedly uses.
What make-up does Kate Middleton wear?
Princess Catherine no doubt has access to all of the best mascara, best eye shadow palettes and best long-lasting lipsticks on the market. However, that doesn't mean that all of the products inside her stash are super expensive. Plenty of the items that reportedly feature in her makeup bag are cult mid-market staples rather than from luxurious brands – and she has some iconic beauty favourites in there, too.
RRP: £23 | Number of shades: 6
Known as Kate Middleton's favourite lip balm, Clarins' Natural Lip Perfector is a balm-gloss hybrid. The princess was spotted holding the shade Rose Shimmer at Wimbledon 2019, so it's clearly one that she likes enough to keep in her handbag. It yields the perfect glossy pink lip and nourishes, plumps and hydrates in one swipe. As well as being Kate's favourite, because we love the finish it's also one of our picks of the best lip plumpers for a natural-looking result.
RRP: £50 | Number of eyeshadows: 12
The Princess of Wales reportedly does her own makeup before important events and, like many of us, loves an Urban Decay Naked palette. With 12 interchangeable matte and shimmering pigments, these sleek, portable palettes can be used to create looks for any occasion (which explains why one is sold every five seconds in the US). Having been discontinued for years, the original is back for a limited time in the US, but the Naked 3 palette is a good alternative to recreate Kate Middleton's eye make-up.
RRP: £43 | Number of shades: 38
Opting for Bobbi Brown products for her big day, the Princess of Wales reportedly wore the Skin Long-Wear Even Finish Foundation for her wedding to Prince William. This particular product has since been given a makeover and is now the Long-Wear Weightless foundation, with a beautifully light texture that keeps excess shine at bay but stays on the right side of dewy all day. While the best foundation with SPF contains some protection, see this as a bonus; you should always apply a separate facial sunscreen as part of your morning skincare routine first.
RRP: £29 | Number of shades: Two
In our opinion, this is one of the best Lancôme mascaras (and we've tested them all). But Lancôme Hypnose has also long been rumoured to be Kate Middleton's favourite – and we're not surprised. The cult mascara has a fluffy, incredibly volumising brush that easily – in just a few swipes – helps to create Kate's trademark smokey eye look.
RRP: £27.50 | Number of shades: 5
Kate reportedly also wore this long-lasting gel liner from Bobbi Brown on her wedding day. The princess often enhances her eyes with makeup and is known for her love of black eyeliner. Create her defined look with this gel pot, which, applied with a separate brush, we find is generally a bit easier to control than traditional liquid liner. Follow our simple cat eye tutorial to create that effortless flick.
RRP: £27.50 | Number of shades: 5
Another eyeliner loved by the Princess of Wales, this felt pen can be easier to use for liner novices. Quick drying and smudge-resistant, this liquid liner means she can enjoy whatever event she's attending that day without worrying about regular touch-ups. Pair with your best waterproof mascara for a chic eye makeup look that won't budge.
What skincare does Kate Middleton use?
Over the years, there have been various reports of the products that make up the Princess of Wales' skincare routine, which we've detailed below.
RRP: £48 | Key ingredients: Active oxygen, salicylic acid
Kate is reportedly a fan of more than one product from skincare brand Karin Herzog, including the Oxygen Face Normalizing Cream. Formulated with 2% active oxygen, it works to slow down the production of sebum and prevent breakouts – plus it's brilliant at reducing shine. No wonder the Princess of Wales's complexion always looks great.
RRP: £34.50
Kate's skin often looks glowy and radiant, and it has been reported that Trilogy Rosehip Oil is one product responsible. Rich in fatty acids omegas 3, 6, and 9, this natural formula delivers optimum hydration while helping to smooth the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Catherine's mother, Carole Middleton, is also said to be a fan of this cult product.
RRP: £44 | Key ingredients: Spilanthol, imperata cylindrica plant extract, hyaluron
When smoothed over the face, this hydrating complex works to help reduce the look of fine lines, making for a youthful skin boost. This dreamy product reportedly has Princess Catherine's approval, according to HELLO!. It has also been reported that Michelle Obama is a fan of this buy. Makeup artist Carl Ray confirmed: "Michelle Obama has been using this organic Botox gel regularly on the recommendation of Kate Middleton."
RRP: £67 | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin CG
Lancôme's Advanced Génifique Serum packs potent skin benefits and, according to reports, the Princess of Wales carries a bottle in her tour make-up bag to help combat the signs of late nights, long flights and big events. A few drops of this silky serum helps to restore a youthful radiance to tired and worn-out skin. Not unlike the best face masks, this pick will revive your complexion.
What fragrance and nail staples does Kate Middleton use?
Many of us would like to smell like a princess and according to reports, Catherine is a floral fragrance lover. Find out more about her signature scents – plus her go-to affordable nailcare buy – below.
RRP: £118 for 100ml | Notes: Clementine flower, orange blossom, water lily, white lilac, orriswood, balsamic vetiver
Like many, Kate Middleton is a fan of the best Jo Malone fragrances – and, fortunately, reports have confirmed which one is her go-to. Orange Blossom is said to be her all-time favourite and she even burned candles of the same scent in Westminster Abbey on her wedding day. With light and sweet top notes and a hearty orriswood base, we would describe this as a timeless fragrance.
RRP: £45 | Notes: bergamot, lemon, mandarin, neroli, jasmine, lavender, petitgrain and orange blossom
If you're looking for a more affordable alternative to the Princess of Wales' rumoured signature scent, this one from Bon Parfumeur is an orange blossom-centric blend with added earthy hints of bergamot.
RRP: £8.99
We love Essie's range of quality-yet-affordable nail polishes, which cover almost every shade you could possibly want in your collection. Kate Middleton has long been reported to be a fan of the brand's Allure nail polish, which she is even thought to have worn on her wedding day, mixed with a Bourjous polish for a more unique shade. It's also thought that the Princess of Wales is partial to the late Queen Elizabeth's go-to shade, Ballet Slippers.
What hair products does Kate Middleton use?
From tackling tangles to boosting shine, these are the haircare heroes that Kate Middleton is said to love...
RRP: £12.50
Richard Ward, the celebrity hairdresser who was on hand at the royal wedding, previously shared his go-to tools for creating the "Chelsea blow dry" with People, including this Tangle Angel brush. Said to maximise shine and prevent breakage, the brush is designed to be used on both wet and dry hair, plus features flexible teeth that bend and glide through hair without snapping delicate strands.
RRP: £25.05
Everyone needs the best shampoo and conditioner in their beauty arsenal and the Princess of Wales is no exception. “The secret of her shiny hair is a glow booster,” says Kate's makeup artist Arabella Preston. It's also rumoured to be one of the luxurious Kérastase Nutritive Bain Satin Shampoos, which deeply cleanse and moisturise the hair. Also available in a Riche edition, the results are obvious – just look at Kate’s shiny, lustrous hair.
RRP: £27
Kate is known for her luscious and shiny hair and to achieve a similar glass-like finish, we (and the pros) recommend Color Wow's Dream Coat. This heat-activated spray smooths your hair, yielding a humidity shield and reflective shine that lasts for up to three washes.
Does Kate Middleton do her own make-up?
It's long been reported that Kate Middleton often does her own makeup for public appearances. She even did so for her wedding day – with a little assistance from then-Bobbi Brown Pro artist Hannah Martin. Clearly, she's a dab hand.
What brand of make-up does Kate Middleton wear?
While the Princess of Wales generally doesn't discuss the contents of her makeup bag, we have been made aware of some of her go-tos over the years. For her wedding day in 2011, Catherine's bridal look was created using products from Bobbi Brown, so it's a safe assumption that this is one of her favourite brands. Some of her other long-rumoured favourites include picks from Lancôme and Essie – and she has been pictured using a Clarins lip product in public.
Does Kate Middleton contour her face?
We don't have official confirmation, but the Princess of Wales' signature makeup looks tend to lean towards a more natural-looking, soft glam, rather than heavily contoured and sculpted. However, we imagine that she adds subtle warmth and dimension to her face by using one of the best bronzers.
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