If you’re on the hunt for some royal beauty inspiration for your upcoming wedding, look no further. From Meghan, Duchess of Sussex to Queen Rania of Jordan, here are 7 royal hair and makeup looks to consider for your wedding.
So you’ve got the dress, the date’s been set, invitations have been sent, and now you’re on the hunt for a stunning royal beauty look to go with that princess cut ring. Luckily, there’s no shortage of beautiful inspiration to draw from. Whether you have your heart set on a classic look, a la Kate Middleton or a low-key look that Princess Lindy Klim would certainly approve of, there’s bound to be a screenshot-worthy royal beauty look you love in this extremely unofficial list.
To help you articulate what to ask your wedding hairstylist and makeup artist for, we spoke to Karly Drever, lead makeup artist at Professional Makeup & Hair Artist – Karly Drever, and Andrea Athans, salon manager at Finest Hair for their hot take on some popular royal beauty looks.
Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge
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For her 2011 royal wedding to Prince William, Duchess Kate, unbelievably, did her own hair and makeup. The Duchess of Cambridge opted for a sophisticated hair and makeup look to go with her custom Alexander McQueen gown.
What the experts say: Of Kate’s stunning look, Karly says, “Kate Middleton is a natural beauty with a fair complexion. She’s achieved an elegant, fresh look with minimal makeup by focussing on defining the brows and using a flush of blush tones on the cheeks to highlight.” As for Andrea, she says, “Kate wore her beautiful, luscious hair with both sides pinned up under her veil to create an elegant half-up, half-down look. Adding a piece of royal history from the Queen’s collection, she opted for a Cartier Halo tiara, creating a look to remember.”
What to ask for: Makeup artist Karly says, “Soft pretty tones and to lightly accentuate the eyes and cheekbones”. After Kate Middleton hair? Andrea says to request “hair down in a voluminous, bouncy blow-dry with loose curls” with the sides pinned under your veil.
Meet Hair & Makeup Artist Karly DreverGrace Kelly, Princess of Monaco
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A classic beauty, Grace Kelly, well, graced the big screen for years before retiring her title of queen of movies for Princess of Monaco. At her 1956 wedding to Prince Rainier III, Kelly leaned into her sophisticated image with a high bun and red lip.
What the experts say: “Grace Kelly’s classic look was achieved with soft bronze on the cheeks and temples to shape the face. True to the era, Grace went with a red/orange-toned lip but opted for a softer eye and brow for a softer finish,” said Karly. As for Andrea? “Grace opted to have her hair sleeked back away from the face, into a high bun. Created by curling the hair and intertwining layer upon layer creating a beautiful and timeless wedding hairstyle.”
What to ask for: Feeling Grace’s makeup? “Ask your artist for bronze tones, red lip, and softened eyeliner.”
View Finest Hair & makeupPrincess Lindy Klim (now Rama-Ellis)
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Lindy Klim is a Balinese princess with a mean sense of style. Known for her beauty company, Fig Femme, this former model – unsurprisingly – knocked her bridal beauty look out of the park.
What the experts say: If Princess Lindy’s bridal look has you scrambling for an eyeshadow palette, you’re not alone. In fact, Karly says this look is all about the eyes. “Princess Lindy Klim has olive skin and black hair, and to achieve a natural look she has chosen to feature the eyes and cheekbone area, but her lips have a more natural nude finish”. In terms of hair, Andrea explains, “Elegant yet understated, Princess Lindy opted for a simple low bun with a slightly off-centre part.”
What to ask for: Ask your wedding makeup artist for “bronze contouring where needed, nude lips, and light application of darker shadow and eyeliner”. As for your wedding hairstylist? “you can’t go wrong with a classic bridal bun paired with a show-stopping wedding dress. LESS IS MORE!”
Browse wedding hair and makeup stylistsPrincess Sofia, Duchess of Värmland
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In 2015, model and reality television star Sofia Hellqvist married Swedish prince, Prince Carl Philip. The pair married at the Royal Chapel of Stockholm Palace, and not that it’s in any way related to beauty, but the couple had pop rocks in their wedding cake.
What the experts say: Of her gorgeous makeup look, Karly says, “Sofia has an elegant but natural look. She has a combination of dark hair but also fair skin. Her makeup is on the softer side and mostly shadow and eyeliner are added for light definition.” As for her lips? “Sophia has opted for pale lips mostly in the centre of the lips.”
Sofia’s hair was – and this can’t be stressed enough – absolutely stunning. Andrea explains, “Her hair was parted down the middle and rolled into a low, full chignon, which her veil was placed underneath. It was clean, chic, flattering, and the perfect style for a tiara with a twist of emerald gemstones at the peaks. A very sophisticated look for any bride who wants to add a touch of elegance to her bridal look.”
What to ask for: As Karly mentioned, Sofia has pale skin so this makeup look may not work for everyone. “Ask for minimal blush and shading, light definition added to the eyes, and pale pink glossy lips”.
Princess Tunku Aminah
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Princess of Johor, Malaysia, Tunku Aminah, married Dutchman Dennis Muhammad in a large ceremony in 2017. Apparently, more than 1000 members of the public were invited, and Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls performed at the reception.
What the experts say: Makeup guru Karly says, “Princess Tunku Aminah has chosen a balanced makeup look which emphasises each of her features. Detail has been added to the brows and longer lashes have been applied to add length and beauty. The lip colour suits the fresh and soft look she was going for her day.” Giddy over Tunku’s hair? Hairstylist Andrea says, “Princess Tunku opted for a very simple style, created using soft GHD curls and a centre part. A beautiful wedding look if you are after a simple but definitive style.”
What to ask for: “Ask for defined brows and cheeks, purple/taupe tonings on the eyes and pink/mauve lipstick,” says Drever.
Mohena Singh, Princess of Rewa M.P, India
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Princess Mohena Singh, also known as Mohena Kumari Singh, is an Indian television actress, dancer, and choreographer. You might recognise her from wildly successful Youtube channel, Mohena Vlogs. Mohena married politician Suyesh Rawat in 2019.
What the experts say: There’s no denying Mohena looked drop-dead gorgeous on her wedding day, with her brow game an impressive 10/10. Of her look, Karly says, “A stunning Indian bride with an olive complexion, strong dark features (which allow the use of darker well-defined brows), eye makeup, and a rich tone on her lips to complement the beautiful colours in her outfit.” As for her locks? Andrea says Mohena opted for “a beautiful, chic, low bun and a pop of colour using fresh flowers to suit tradition and tie everything together.”
What to ask for: To get Mohena’s dazzling look, “ask for copper/bronze tones for the lips and eyes, defined brows, and false lashes to add dimension.” Then, ask your stylist to fashion “a softly structured low bun or chignon”. Elaborating, Andrea says if you want “princess-worthy status in an instant” to add a “decorative veil or crown or tiara that suits your wedding style”.
Browse wedding hair and makeup stylistsMeghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex
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Do we need to explain who this beauty is? Meghan Markle played paralegal Rachel Zane on Suits before marrying Prince Harry in 2018. The pair have two children together, Archie Harrison and Lilibet Diana.
What the experts say: When Meghan Markle married Prince Harry in 2018, we’re not sure there was an office watercooler conversation that didn’t touch on Meghan’s laidback look. Karly says Meghan’s look was all about natural beauty. “Meghan Markle, a royal look: a combination of simplicity and softness to give her a natural appearance, with soft toning allowing her natural beauty to shine through on her wedding day. Minimal foundation was also applied.” Similarly, Andrea notes Meghan’s look was “softened” by her stray tendrils. “For the royal wedding, Meghan Markle’s hair was centre-parted and placed in an elegant, pinned-up low bun with slight face-framing, which added softness around the face. She then added a gorgeous headpiece given to her by the Queen.”
What to ask for: If it’s a must to have Meghan Markle makeup at your wedding, “Ask for minimal foundation, glowy skin, waterline liner, wispy lashes and soft pink lips.” Looking to steal Meghan’s hairstyle? Andrea says the style was “created by styling the hair and adding volume to achieve a full low bun”.
Special thanks to Karly Drever, lead makeup artist at Professional Makeup & Hair Artist – Karly Drever and Andrea Athans, salon manager at Finest Hair.
