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Does Queen Elizabeth wear mascara?


As the longest reigning British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II has become an icon of style and elegance over her 70 years on the throne. With her colorful hats, prim dresses, gloves, and pearls, the Queen’s look is distinctive and immediately recognizable. But does she accentuate her eyes with mascara like many women do? Let’s take a closer look at what we know about the Queen’s makeup routine and whether mascara is part of it.

The Queen’s Subtle Makeup Style

The Queen takes a very natural, minimalist approach to her makeup. She opts for neutral, natural-looking colors that enhance her features without being overdone or distracting. Her choices tend to be subtle and understated rather than bold or trendy. This allows her natural beauty to shine through while still looking polished and put-together for royal duties and public appearances.

As makeup artist Bobbi Brown told PEOPLE, “She’s very, very minimal, to the point of having almost no makeup on.” Brown should know – she created makeup looks for Princess Diana in the 1990s. Other experts agree that the Queen uses makeup sparingly, applying just enough to define her eyes and lips without heavy products or colors.

This extends to her eye makeup as well. The Queen is not known for wearing dark, dramatic mascara or eyeliner. At most, she may apply a touch of brown mascara to lightly define her lashes. But in general, bold mascara does not seem to be part of her routine.

Analyzing Official Portraits

One way to analyze the Queen’s makeup over the years is by looking at her official royal portraits. These paintings carefully capture her looks and can provide insight into her cosmetic choices.

Portrait from 1953

In 1953 after her coronation, the Queen posed for renowned photographer Dorothy Wilding. Her eyes look defined yet natural, suggesting light mascara on the upper lashes. But there is no evidence of heavy mascara or eyeliner.

Portrait from 1992

Painted by Michael Noakes between 1972 and 1992, this portrait shows the Queen with neutral, natural-looking eye makeup. Her lashes are defined but there are no signs of clumping or thick mascara.

Portrait from 2012

On her Diamond Jubilee in 2012, the Queen sat for renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz. Her eye makeup remains simple and natural, with no visible mascara or eyeliner.

Analyzing portraits from different decades shows the consistency of the Queen’s pared-down approach over time. While she may use a touch of mascara on occasion, heavy, bold mascara does not align with her preferred style.

Occasions When Mascara is More Likely

While the Queen typically eschews bold mascara in her day-to-day look, there are certain occasions where she may apply a more defined eye makeup.

Evening Events

For fancy evening occasions like state dinners or gala events, the Queen may use slightly heavier mascara and eye makeup. Low lighting calls for a bit more eye definition. So in these situations, mascara helps make the Queen’s eyes stand out. But she still keeps the application minimal.

Television Appearances

Bright studio lights tend to wash people out on camera. So when making televised speeches or appearances, the Queen may wear more mascara than usual. This ensures her eyes pop on screen. A touch of extra mascara balances her look for the cameras.

Younger Years

As a young woman before and just after her coronation, the Queen may have experimented with bolder makeup compared to her current look. Some color photographs show her with darkened lashes and eyeliner in her 20s and 30s. But as she matured, she seemed to move away from heavy eye makeup in favor of her signature natural look.

So while rarely seen today, bolder mascara and liner may have been part of the Queen’s beauty routine in her youth during the 1950s and 60s.

The Queen’s Makeup Routine

While the extent she uses mascara varies, reports over the years give insight into the Queen’s daily makeup routine:

Keep it Simple

The Queen prefers quick, simple makeup she can apply herself. She likes to be self-sufficient and is not one to sit still for hours of primping.

Focus on Eyes and Lips

She defines her eyes lightly with neutral shadows, possible light mascara, and pencil on the upper lashline. Her lipstick is typically a warm rosy shade.

Favorites Products

Products she reportedly likes are Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector, Elizabeth Arden lipstick, and Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey.

Apply makeup Neatly

The Queen takes care to apply her makeup neatly and precisely. She uses lip liner to get sharp, precise lipstick edges.

Natural Look

While polished, her makeup gives off a fresh, natural glow. She avoids heavy foundation, contouring, false lashes, or bold eye makeup.

Does Assistance Apply Makeup?

While the Queen prefers doing her own basic makeup, there are times when professional assistants may help:

Official Portraits

Makeup artists are brought in to do her makeup for important portraits. These cosmetics pros ensure she looks perfect for the sitting.

Weddings

At royal weddings, makeup artists likely assist with her look. They make sure her makeup is photo-ready for these highly photographed events.

Television

For on-camera appearances like televised Christmas speeches, artists may powder her face and touch up her makeup before filming.

So while the Queen maintains agency over her everyday look, experts lend a hand for major events where photography is involved. Their artistry brings out her best for the cameras.

Does She Do Her Own Makeup for Public Appearances?

The Queen is said to do her own makeup for most public appearances and engagements. Even well into her 90s, she applies her own everyday cosmetics.

Part of this is practicality – with a busy schedule of appearances, doing her own makeup saves time and fuss. She also takes pride in being low-maintenance and self-sufficient.

She follows the same simple routine whether she’s greeting diplomats, viewing installations, or visiting schoolchildren. The Queen believes in consistent, understated makeup that lets her dignity and duty take center stage.

Has Her Makeup Style Changed Over Time?

The Queen’s makeup has gradually evolved to be more pared down and natural looking.

1940s and 1950s

In her youth, the Queen appeared to wear heavier, more glamorous makeup in line with mid-century styles. This included darker eyes and lips.

1960s and 1970s

As she settled into her role as monarch, her look became more understated. By the 1970s, she favored lighter, more natural makeup.

1980s to Today

From the 1980s onward, the Queen has maintained her signature sheer, neutral makeup with little change. She sticks to what works for her age and status.

While she’s updated her skincare, hairstyles, and fashion over time, her cosmetics remain simple yet elegant. She’s refined a timeless look that flatters her without overshadowing her regal presence.

Does She Do Her Own Nails?

The Queen is said to paint her own nails as part of her beauty routine. She’s reportedly quite particular about her nail polish.

Custom Color Created

The Queen has her own custom nude-pink nail polish shade made by Essie. The color is called Ballet Slippers.

Subtle and Classy

She prefers nuanced, pale nail shades that are not too bold or distracting. Understated nails align with her refined style.

Well-Groomed Hands

With constant handshakes and public appearances, the Queen makes sure her nails are neatly groomed and polished. Well-kept nails project poise.

So the Queen attends to her own nails, favoring classic, muted polish colors applied with precision. Her meticulous nails complete her elegant look.

Conclusion

Queen Elizabeth has perfected a signature beauty look that flatters her age, status, and personal preferences. While she may occasionally wear mascara for evenings or events requiring heavier makeup, in general, bold mascara does not align with her understated style. The Queen favors a natural, minimalist approach to makeup that enhances without overpowering. By doing her own everyday cosmetics, she maintains control over how she presents herself to the public. For 70 years, her subtle, refined beauty has remained constant as fashions change around her.