Princess Diana's clothing, hairstyle, and makeup are still inspiring countless women over 20 years after her tragic death. The royal's depiction in The Crown has only crystallized her status as a true fashion and beauty icon and now, a younger generation is picking up the baton and recreating her looks.
- Princess Diana's understated glam is having a renaissance.
- The secrets behind her makeup have finally been revealed.
- In other royal news, the Queen spends quality time on a picnic with her great-grandchildren.
While an entire hair and make-up squad was responsible for Princess Diana's effortlessly chic looks at royal engagements, many have revealed some of their expert tricks over the years.
Clayton Howard, the make-up artist Lord Snowdon often used for photoshoots, created Princess Diana's look for the Vogue magazine shoot that would produce the official engagement picture. He helpfully revealed a bespoke face chart of the makeup he used on the bride-to-be.
While some products have now been discontinued, the brands Howard used—both high street and high end—are still bestsellers today so we've found some handy dupes for you to copy Diana's iconic look at home.
Max Factor Sheer Genius Foundation in Honey Touch
We know from royal makeup artist Mary Greenwell that she favored a light-handed approach to foundation for Princess Diana when she started working with the young royal. A 'skin should look like skin' ethos meant a three-pronged attack of moisturizer, sheer foundation "and always concealer to lift the eye area," she says.
While Max Factor Sheer Genius Foundation in Honey Touch is no longer available, the sheer coverage of Max Factor Miracle Touch Second Skin Foundation—a foundation/skincare hybrid with skin-loving coconut milk and probiotics—is a good alternative.
Max Factor Blusher Stick in Blushing Frost
Cream blusher works on almost everyone and creates a youthful dewy look, especially a universally flattering pink shade.
Max Factor has moved away from the stick format of the 80s to a handy pot of solid blush. Simply warm a little of the Miracle Touch Cream Blush between your fingertips to transform it into an easy-to-blend cream and blend outwards from across the tops of the cheekbones for a believable bona fide flush.
Max Factor Tint of Pink Lipstick
With a few rare exceptions, Princess Diana favored a natural lip shade.
Max Factor's Tint of Pink Lipstick used on this shoot is now discontinued but the coral pink tones of Max Factor Colour Elixir Honey Lacquer Lip Gloss in Honey Rose is a good dupe and just as flattering today as part of a modern makeup look.
Max Factor Highlight in Platinum Frost
Highlighter applied atop cheekbones brings light to the skin and contours in a more flattering way than adding shadows with muddy tones.
Max Factor's best-selling Facefinity Powder Highlighter makes light work of the application thanks to a soft cushion tip for sweeping across cheekbones and down the bridge of the nose.
Elizabeth Arden Blue Kohl 636
As a young royal, Princess Diana initially loved to wear blue eyeliner—until Greenwell weened her off it. "Blue eyes should never wear blue pencil or shadow—it is dulling for the eyes," she says.
Instead, Greenwell started experimenting with a more subtle brown smoky eye.
For the engagement photoshoot, however, Howard used a blue kohl pencil by Elizabeth Arden to ring around Princess Diana's eyes. The brand still has a blue shade option, the High Drama Eyeliner.
Thanks to the appeal of Emma Corrin in The Crown, blue eyeliner sales have shot through the roof but you'll still find stock on Amazon.
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