50 of Kate Middleton's Best Makeup Looks

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The Duchess of Cambridge has created a worldwide phenomenon known as the "Kate Effect." Everything that Kate touches or dons is instantly sold out. But that's no big mystery — she's got great taste. Her style is flawlessly elegant and timeless, with just a dash of preppy. But we think that her style transcends her fashion taste. Her classic look is also translated through her makeup and beauty routine, and that's definitely worth noticing — even copying!

The Duchess of Cambridge is always glowing, whether she's just stepping off a plane (hello, how can we look that radiant at the airport?) or attending a red carpet event in a ravishing gown. Her cheeks are always rosy, her lips subtle, and her eye makeup, while always in dark neutrals, is often just dramatic enough to make a scene. But her makeup never looks harsh, bold, or too over-the-top.

She's the perfect beauty icon for someone who wants to channel an understated glam vibe. (And isn't that what Kate Middleton does best?)

Kate's down-to-earth sense of beauty is so real that, apparently, she did her own makeup for her wedding back in 2011. Yes, folks, the Duchess of Cambridge had a royal wedding and didn't have a makeup entourage following her every move.

Now that's a relatable beauty icon we can all get behind! For some beauty inspiration, we gathered up 50 of Kate Middleton's best makeup looks.

Brow Game Strong

We all know how our eyebrows can make or break our face. Kate has definitely perfected how to rock a strong but feminine brow.

That Glow Though

In true Kate fashion, Kate's makeup look is super natural. Her cheeks have a rosy hue that makes her look as healthy and happy as that bouquet of flowers she's holding.

Sun-kissed

Here, Kate looks sun-kissed and oh-so tan! Apparently, she's a fan of the Xen-Tan Mist Intense Self Tan, also known as "the perfect royal tan," according to Marie Claire.

Baby Blues

Kate matches her eye makeup to her baby blue outfit by dabbing on just a little bit of a pastel blue eyeshadow. It works, since she definitely doesn't look like she just walked out of the 1980s.

Post-Pregnancy Glow

Kate steps out with Princess Charlotte for the first time and she really does look glowing! Her eyes are rocking a subtle smoky eye.

Lined Up

Kate is known for lining the bottom of her eyes. As we can see here, her eyeliner is always smudged and never harsh.

Defined Eyes

Here, Kate matches her eye makeup to her dark outfit. She rocks a dark smoky eye, but uses shades of warm browns so it doesn't look too heavy.

Kitten Eye

Kate rarely goes all out with a cat eye, but will rock a pretty-looking kitten eye from time to time.

Peach Lips

Kate rocks peach-colored lips to balance out her dramatic smoky eye. The peach color is perfect for the green earrings she's wearing.

Rosy Glow

Kate's skin is never too shiny nor too matte. She also tends to stay away from contouring, and instead opts for a rosy blush.

Shades of Red

Possibly inspired by her bright red frock, Kate wears a deep berry-colored lipstick. We're so into it.

Rose-Inspired

Mixing a baby blue dress with a rose-colored lips and cheeks? Those are two colors we'd combine too, Kate!

Highlighted Eyes

Kate brightens up an otherwise neutral-colored outfit by adding some peach-colored highlighter to her brow bone.

Mascara for Days

Kate holds an adorable Prince George, but we can't stop looking at her long, luscious lashes! She knows just how powerful mascara can be when it comes to lengthening and thickening her lashes.

Metallic Eyes

Kate attends an event in a gorgeous gown and jewelry, but we think her metallic eye makeup is just as stunning. It's eye-catching without being too over-the-top.

Dark Liner

Here, Kate rocks more eyeliner than usual — and we're not mad about it! It's dramatic, for sure, but also glamorous!

Bronzed Kate

Kate looks absolutely stunning here, thanks to well-applied bronzer! That's a glowing face, if we've ever seen one.

All Glam

Kate pairs a light blue gown with a classic smoky eye and rose-colored lips. It's a Kate staple look!

Au Naturel

Kate really does know how to rock makeup that's both toned down and polished. We love the nude lip on her in this picture.

All Eyes

Kate's eyes draw all the attention, thanks to dark, smoky eyeliner and a very nude lip. It's an incredibly elegant look for a very elegant outfit!

More from CafeMom: 16 Strange Royalty Rules Kate Middleton Has to Follow

Blushing Kate

Kate's makeup look is almost always warm and polished. Here, she matches light pink cheeks and lips with a light brown eyeshadow. It goes well with her blush-colored outfit.

Refreshed

Not even strong winds can mess up Kate's rose-tinted makeup look. Her lips are done in a light pink shade that makes her look happy and refreshed.

Mellow Yellow

Kate rocks a bright yellow dress and pairs it with toned down makeup. Her eyes are done in a warm dark brown smoky eye, letting the dress really speak for itself.

All Nude

Kate rocks a nude-colored gown by pairing it with rose-colored blush and lips. She looks like the embodiment of spring!

Smoky Eyes

Thanks to a defined eye makeup look, Kate's eyes sure do pop against this otherwise light-colored look.

Low-Key Glam

Kate proves that princesses don't have to be decked out in heavy makeup with this low-key glam look. From the subtle lip color to the understated eye makeup, this is a look anyone can rock.

Royal Glow

We'd be all smiles too if we were wearing such a pretty peach-colored lip! She pairs the lips with a subtle smoky eye and defined brows.

Conservative Kate

Kate keeps this makeup look very understated with some light eyeliner and a nude-colored lip. We'd definitely wear this look when running errands or attending a meeting.

Cat Eye

During the 2015 James Bond movie premiere, Kate absolutely dazzles — and not just because of her gorgeous gown. Kate's eyes are dramatic, smoky, and done in a cat eye style.

Powerful Gaze

A pregnant Kate attends the 2018 BAFTAs in this flowing forest green gown. Dark liner on her lower lid really make her eyes pop.

Fresh-Faced

Kate visits Stockholm, Sweden, and looks incredibly fresh-faced, thanks to very little to no eye makeup.

Snow Princess

Kate stops by a hockey game in Sweden in January looking like a total winter dream. Her skin is absolutely glowing!

Out and About

Kate ditches eyeliner on the bottom lid for a more natural look while visiting a primary school in London. She still looks stunning!

Sporty Kate

During a visit to the Aston Villa Football Club in England, Kate wears her hair in a ponytail and also opts for a low-key makeup look. We love how long her lashes look.

Soft and Subtle

Kate attends a graduation ceremony in 2017 and wears a natural-looking makeup look, even going easy on her signature blush.

Birthday Celebration

At a party for the Queen, Kate pairs a bright red dress with a classic smoky eye. Check out that bottom lid liner.

Pretty Purple

Kate looks gorgeous in this purple getup! She matches her purple dress with a similarly hued eye shadow and long mascaraed eyelashes.

The Power of Blush

While in London, Kate lets her blush do all of the talking by keeping the rest of her makeup low-key. Her rosy cheeks give her such a healthy glow!

Warmth

Kate stuns crowds while attending a musical premiere at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London. She matches her makeup to her crimson-colored dress by opting for warm blush and bronze-color eye makeup.

Winged Liner

Kate attends Remembrance Sunday in 2016 in this all-black ensemble. She pairs the outfit with striking winged liner.

All Smiles

If we had this makeup look on, we'd be smiling too! Her eyes are subtle in a mauve-colored smoky eye and light eyeliner, and her lips are done in a light pink.

Polished Princess

Kate visits Scotland and dons an understated makeup look. Instead of a smoky eye or strong eyeliner, she opts for a warm brown eyeshadow.

Fall Hues

Kate is giving us some serious fall vibes with this makeup look. We love the brown-colored smoky eye and her berry-tinted lips and cheeks. So warm!

Back to Black

Kate pairs a glamorous-looking black dress with an equally glam-looking smoky eye. She looks stunning with both her entire eyes lined!

So Tan

Does Kate look tan AF or is it just us? We love how her eye and lip makeup complement her bronzed skin.

On Point Brows

We can't handle how defined Kate's eyebrows are here. We love how her well-defined eyeliner just adds to her eyes.

Her Big Day

Who doesn't agree that Kate did a fab job on her makeup for her wedding? With the rosy cheeks and lips, she looks elegant and not overdone.

The Engagement

For her engagement photos, Kate allegedly didn't like her makeup, wiped it off, and redid it herself. We think she did a great job, playing up her eyes and cheekbones!

So Subtle

A younger Kate steps out with a light face of makeup on. She looks stunning with very little eyeshadow and blush on (although she looks just as fab with it too)!

Prince George

When debuting Prince George for the first time, Kate looks dewy and glowy, which she plays into by keeping her eye makeup low-key.

Published February 28, 2018