The easy secret behind Kate Middleton’s signature beauty look
Better still, it simplifies your regime
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to W&H Newsletter Newsletter

Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.
Thank you for signing up to . You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Kate Middleton’s make-up trick is simple yet oh-so effective at creating a fresh-faced glow, time and time again.
Like most of us, the Duchess of Cambridge has spent the best part of a year conducting her meetings and public engagements on Zoom. But unlike us, she always looks effortlessly pulled together and seems to have sidestepped the grey pallor that video calls impart on even the healthiest of us.
On closer inspection, we can divulge that the Duchess’ fallback make-up look relies on a ‘monotone’ palette – one where the same or similar shade of color is applied across the lids, lips and cheeks. In Kate's case, this is a warm, coral-pink hue that breathes life into her skin.
A post shared by Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@kensingtonroyal) (opens in new tab)
A photo posted by on
More from woman&home.com:
• Best mascara: lengthen, define and volumize your lashes with our favorite formulas
• Best foundation: our favorites for all skin types
• Best hair straighteners: smooth, style and care for your hair with these top tools
This failsafe make-up trick was revealed in all its glory during the Duchess’ recent St Patrick’s Day message. During their address, the couple wore green for the occasion – Kate wore a bright green blazer from Zara, while William sported a dark green sweater before trying his hand at speaking Irish.
“We're delighted to wish you all a very happy St Patrick's Day,” said the Duchess of Cambridge after her husband’s greeting in the Irish language. He then joked, “How come you got that easy bit?”
The video message for the holiday comes one week after Prince William spoke out on royal family racism allegation in the wake of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Oprah interview.
A post shared by Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@kensingtonroyal) (opens in new tab)
A photo posted by on
Of course, over the years matchy-matchy makeup trends have come and gone. There was the ‘matching lips and tips’ trend for using the same shade of lipstick as your nail polish, and coordinating your eyeshadow with your outfit.
But now that our beauty regimes have become more streamlined, an easy to pull off make-up look is what most of us crave.
Generally speaking, monotone make-up is rooted in beige, brown or pink. It doesn't, thankfully, involve buying a whole new season's make-up wardrobe. Simply group all your existing eyeshadows, lipsticks and blushers into pairs or trios based upon that particular color family.
Et voila, a modern, quick-fire monotone make-up look awaits.
Fiona Embleton is a beauty writer who is now Acting Beauty Editor at Stylist. She is obsessed with Isabel Marant and cats.
-
-
Ashton Kutcher opens up about divorce from Demi Moore and feeling 'like a failure'
In a candid new interview, Ashton Kutcher speaks up about his much-talked about divorce to fellow celebrity Demi Moore
By Anna Rahmanan • Published
-
Why is the Dr. Phil show ending? Legendary daytime talk show wraps up after over two decades on the air
Phil McGraw announced the end of his popular daytime talk show Dr. Phil after over two decades on the air
By Anna Rahmanan • Published