Whether you want to mimic Kate Middleton’s make-up and skincare routine or you’re just a royal fan who’s curious, we’ve got all the beauty details on the Princess of Wales’ regime.
Known for her effortless and classy style, Princess Catherine never ceases to amaze us when it comes to her fashion and beauty looks. Lucky for us, many of Kate’s go-to skincare and make-up products are super attainable, from Kate Middleton’s favourite perfume to her Kérastase shampoo, which gives her iconic hair that beautiful shine.
We’ve rounded up some of Kate’s repeated makeup and skincare buys below, making it easier to copy her gorgeous look.
Kate Middleton's make-up and skincare secrets, revealed
If you're looking to replicate the Princess of Wales' signature and effortless makeup look or perhaps add her go-to fragrance to your own collection, we've rounded up all the staples she's reported to use...
What make-up does Kate Middleton wear?
While Princess Catherine no doubt has access to all of the best mascara, best eye shadow palettes and best long-lasting lipsticks on the market, it doesn't mean that all of the products inside her stash are super expensive. Plenty of the items in her make-up bag are cult mid-market staples, rather than products from pricier luxurious brands, and she has some iconic beauty favourites in there, too.
RRP: £23 | Number of shades: 6
Known to be Kate Middleton's favourite lip balm, the Clarins Natural Lip Perfector is a balm-gloss hybrid that the Princess of Wales uses for her signature rose-coloured lip. She was spotted holding the shade Rose Shimmer at Wimbledon back in 2019, so it's clearly one she likes to keep in her handbag. It yields the perfect glossy pink lip and nourishes, plumps, and hydrates in one step, this is Kate's favourite – because we love the finish, it's also one of our picks of the best lip plumpers for a natural look.
RRP: £50 | Number of eyeshadows: 12
The Princess of Wales reportedly does her own make-up before important royal events and, like many of us, loves an Urban Decay Naked palette. Containing 12 interchangeable matte and shimmering pigments, these sleek, portable palettes offer looks for any occasion – which explains why one is sold every five seconds in the United States. Although the original palette has been discontinued, the Naked 3 edition will still help you to recreate Kate Middleton's eye make-up.
RRP: £42 | Number of shades: 38
Opting for Bobbi Brown products for her big day, the Princess of Wales reportedly wore the brand's 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 beautifully light texture that keeps shine at bay and stays on the right side of dewy all day. While the best foundation with SPF comes with the added benefit of some sun 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 it's also long been rumored to be Kate Middleton's favourite – and we're not surprised. The cult Lancôme Hypnose Mascara has a fluffy and incredibly volumising brush that easily, with just a few swipes, creates Kate's trademark smokey eye look.
RRP: £27.50 | Number of shades: 5
Kate reportedly also wore this long-lasting gel eyeliner by Bobbi Brown on her wedding day. Kate plays up to her features and draws attention to her eyes and is known for her love of black eyeliner. Create the Princess' defined look with this gel pot, which we find is generally a bit easier to apply and control than a traditional liquid liner. Follow our simple cat eye tutorial to create that effortless flick.
RRP: £27.50 | Number of shades: 5
Another eyeliner the Princess of Wales loves, this felt pen may 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 make-up touch-ups. Pair with your best waterproof mascara for a chic eye make-up look that won't budge.
What skincare does Kate Middleton use?
If you're looking to upgrade your skincare regime, look no further than Kate Middleton's go-tos...
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 Middleton's skin rarely falls short of flawless and it has been reported that Trilogy Rosehip Oil is one product responsible for her glowing complexion. Rich in fatty acids omega 3, 6, and 9, this all-natural formula delivers optimum hydration whilst smoothing fine lines and wrinkles. Catherine's mother Carole 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 it ideal for a youthful skin boost. This dreamy product has Princess Catherine's approval, according to HELLO!. It has also been reported that Michelle Obama is a fan of this buy. Make-up 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?
Naturally, we all want to smell like a Princess and according to reports, the Princess of Wales is a floral fragrance lover...
RRP: £118 for 100ml | Notes: Clementine flower, orange blossom, water lily, white lilac, orriswood, balsamic vetiver
It's no surprise that 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 cheaper alternative to the Princess of Wales' signature, this scent from Bon Parfumeur offers an orange blossom-centric blend, with added earthy hints of bergamot.
RRP: £8.99
We love Essie's selection of affordable – but quality – 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 haircare does Kate Middleton use?
From combatting tangles to boosting shine, these are the haircare heroes Kate Middleton is said to love...
RRP: £12.50
Richard Ward, the celebrity hairdresser who was on hand at the royal wedding, previously told People his go-to tools for creating the "Chelsea blow dry", 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, and is crafted with 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 make-up artist Arabella Preston. And it's rumored 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, promoting a reflective shine that lasts for up to three washes.
Does Kate Middleton do her own make-up?
It's well known that Kate Middleton often does her own make-up for public appearances. She even reportedly did so for her wedding day with a little assistance from then-Bobbi Brown Pro artist Hannah Martin. Clearly, she's a natural.
What brand of make-up does Kate Middleton wear?
While the Princess of Wales generally doesn't discuss the contents of her make-up bag, we have been made aware of some of her favourites 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 it's one of her favourite brands. Some of her other long-rumoured go-tos include picks from Lancôme and Essie, and she has also been pictured using a Clarins lip product in public.
Does Kate Middleton contour her face?
While we can only speculate, the Princess of Wales' signature make-up looks tend to lean towards a more natural-looking, soft glam, rather than heavily contoured and sculpted. However, we can imagine that she adds subtle warmth and dimenson to her face through one of the best bronzers.
