Yahoo Lifestyle We Found Meghan Markle's Complete Beauty Routine, and It Costs $255
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No matter where you stand on Meghan Markle, we can all agree that she's absolutely gorgeous and has the no-makeup makeup routine down to a flawless T. Publications have been trying to nail down the Duchess's makeup for years, from securing coveted interviews with makeup artists that have worked with her to even pulling quotes from stories published long before she met her husband. But one beauty influencer may have just cracked the code — at least in the most comprehensive way we've seen.
Victoria Lyn, @victorialyn on Instagram, posted a video that's a comprehensive look at the Duchess's full makeup routine, even trying it out on herself. She pulled everything we've been told in the past about Meghan's beauty favorites into one place, which gives us all the perfect opportunity to take some royal pointers.
Pure Canvas Primer Illuminating
According to the video, the Duchess starts out her routine by applying Laura Mercier's Pure Canvas Primer in Illuminating ($46). The info comes from a 2016 interview with Beauty Banter (which now appears defunct), where she said, "...this is what I put on everyday after moisturizer to give my skin a dewy glow. It's not sparkly, it's true to its name...illuminating." The article is old, so take it with a grain of salt, but it's been widely reported that Meghan is a huge fan of the brand as a whole, so it wouldn't be a surprise if she still uses the primer.
Tinted Moisturizer Oil Free Blurred Matte SPF 30
It's fairly common knowledge among beauty insiders that Meghan is not a foundation fan, as it covers up her beloved freckles. She's said in the past that foundation was generally reserved for filming, but that was back in her Suits days — we have no idea if she wore any when filming With Love, Meghan. Lyn, in her video, acknowledges this and opts for the Laura Mercier Blurred Matte Tinted Moisturizer, which the Duchess also mentioned as a favorite in the Beauty Banter interview.
The tinted moisturizer is a great pick, but reporting is a bit mixed on whether or not this is a true favorite of the Duchess. Town & Country previously reported that Meghan's longtime makeup artist Lydia Sellers used Armani's Luminous Silk Natural Glow Foundation, and just last year HELLO! cited an Instagram comment from longtime-bestie and makeup artist (who also appeared on the first episode of With Love, Meghan) Daniel Martin in which he said he used the aptly-named No Makeup Makeup Foundation on Meghan for the Espy's. So, take or leave the tinted moisturizer/foundation. In my opinion, I doubt Meghan is wearing it on the daily.
Touche Eclat Radiant Concealer
Next up (and what I would guess is the Duchess's daily staple in terms of coverage) is the YSL Touche Eclat Radiant Concealer Pen, which will run you $40. Lyn mentions that the concealer is sheer coverage, a feature the Duchess is probably a big fan of. The recommendation comes from a 2014 Allure interview with the then actress in which she says that the concealer is the only coverage she uses for her five-minute face. "It's just Touche Éclat, curled lashes, mascara, Chap Stick, and a little bit of blush. That is my favorite kind of look." The Duchess has several other mentions of using the concealer pen over the years, so it's a safe bet that it's likely still a favorite.
Blush
Lyn then applies Polite Pops Powder Blush Stick in Malibu($28) but mentions that Meghan "likes the NARS blush." The Duchess is a well-documented fan of NARS Orgasm blush, which is slightly more expensive at $34. The two do appear to be pretty similar, so it's really user preference and price point on this one — do as you please — but, for the sake of honest reporting, I'm going to go with NARS Orgasm being her go-to blush.
Filmstar Bronze & Glow Contour Duo
To bring a little more dimension to the face, Lyn suggests that the Duchess of Sussex might use the Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow palette ($68). I can't find any solid mentions of Meghan using this palette, but it's worth noting that Tilbury has been a favorite makeup artist of the Duchess in the past, so it's likely been used on her and never mentioned. Her previously mentioned bestie Daniel Martin did go on record saying that he used the similar Dior BACKSTAGE Glow Face Palette for the royal wedding — in fact, most of her wedding-day makeup was from the line, seeing as that was where Martin was working at the time.
The Charlotte Tilbury palette gives you a bit more bang for your buck, especially if you're going for the more natural look, which I would assume you are if you've found yourself here. With just a contour and highlighter, it's a simpler palette that you'll get tons of use out of and won't bulk up your routine with unnecessary products. For that reason, I believe that the Duchess would pick the Charlotte Tilbury palette over the Dior one.
24/7 Waterproof Waterline Eyeliner Pencil
Meghan's signature smokey eye has definitely gotten more of a natural look since she became a royal, but the subtle swipe of some eyeliner is definitely still evident. Lyn opts for the Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in a brown shade called Tootsie ($23), but it's more commonly reported from an Allure article that the Duchess once preferred MAC's Kohl Eyeliner Pencil ($24). Both are right around the same price, so I'll go with the cheaper option here since the Allure article mentioned is years old.
Lash Sensational Washable Mascara
To finish the eyes, Lyn grabs RevitaLash's Double Ended Volume Set, a lash primer and mascara all in one. I can't find any explicit mentions of Meghan loving this product, but the Duchess said in the previously mentioned Allure article that she loves the brand's lash serum, and considering we know she goes for a more pared-down routine, it wouldn't be surprising if she did have the primer/mascara duo in her own makeup bag.
Surprisingly, the one mascara Markle has been vocal about (at least in the past) was a drugstore brand. According to an article from Hello! the former actress's Suits makeup artist, Lydia Sellers, said that the Duchess is a big fan of Maybelline Lash Sensational ($9). “Meghan actually introduced me to a drugstore mascara, Maybelline Lash Sensational Luscious Mascara," she told the magazine. "I keep it stocked in my kit now at all times thanks to her! This mascara really helps to amplify your lashes and polish off the entire look. It's great for full volume and lengthening, the formula is super hydrating. I love how it builds, and that the price point is accessible for all budgets.”
Matte Revolution Lipstick
The overall routine is finished with a swipe of Charlotte Tilbury's Matte Revolution Lipstick in Very Victoria — a shade fit for a royal if I've ever heard one ($35). She reportedly wore this exact shade for her engagement photos, according to Hello!, and there are quite a few mentions of her wearing similar shades to other events. Daniel Martin revealed to Allure that he used Olivia Pamero's Matte Lipstick in Rosebud, though that exact shade appears to be out of stock.
And, with that, the Duchess's everyday look is complete! Obviously, for a more glam look Meghan has eyeshadow, eyebrows done, and plenty more, but for the sake of this being a "no-makeup makeup" look, I'm going to tally up just the basics here. With primer, concealer, blush, bronzer/highlighter, eyeliner, mascara, and lipstick, the total for her everyday face comes out to $255. It's definitely not drugstore prices, but considering the long-lasting wear she gets out of each product, I'd say it's a fairly reasonable routine, budget wise.
Of course, I'd be remiss not to note that it's rumored that the Duchess of Sussex's new line of products, As Ever, will likely include cosmetics, based on trademark applications that were filed last year. So, there's always the chance that she's been sporting her own makeup for a while now, and even on the Netflix show. Guess we'll find out!
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