25 Beauty Secrets to Steal From Princess Diana (2024)

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Follow a consistent skincare routine.

While DNA can influence your complexion, a few small habits can go a long way. "Diana was very aware of her beauty regime,cleansing, toning and moisturizing twice a day," her former makeup artistMary Greenwell toldStylist. To keep your skin looking fresh, stock up onface wash — and then use it every,single day.

Lather on moisturizer before any makeup.

"We always started with a moisturizer, a foundation to suit her skin tone exactly, and then used a concealer to lift the eye area,"Greenwell said. Not sure where to begin? Find out how tochoose the best moisturizer for your skin.

Try a natural-looking cream blush.

For her engagement photo shoot, makeup artist Clayton Howardused a Max Factor blusher stick called "Blushing Frost" on the bride-to-be. According to beauty guru Laramie, cream blush works on almost everyone and creates a youthful, dewy look.

Everyone can have glowing skin.

While many people envied Diana's complexion, the Princess reportedly suffered from rosacea. Severalblogs claimshe used both rose oil and avocadomasksto soothe her cheeks. Not into mixing up your own concoctions? Try this rose sheet mask from Sephora, recommended by the Good Housekeeping Institute's Beauty Lab.

Brush mascara from the roots up.

A strong makeup look requires the right technique, according to Greenwell. "I always taught her to make sure — when applying mascara by herself — that she covered the roots of the lashes too," she told Stylist. Try starting in the corner of the eye and then working across before brushing it through the lashes, Greenwell recommends.

Have a signature scent.

"She always, always, always wore fragrance," says Greenwell. "It's kind of the final touch of beauty, walking out smelling divine and chic and individual." For her wedding day, Diana misted on Quelques Fleurs, a floral scent with notes ofrose and jasmine.

Listen to the experts.

When hairstylist Sam McKnight first met his future client, he faked shorter hairby tucking it under a tiara."As she was leaving Diana asked, if I had free rein what would I do to her hair,"he wrote. "I suggested cutting it short and she, to my surprise, agreed, and we did it there and then."

Never wear eyeliner that matches your eyes.

The young royal initially loved to wear blue liner — that is, until she met Greenwell. "Blue eyes should never wear blue pencil or shadow — it dulls your eyes," she says. For a flawless application, Greenwell recommends blending the color into the lashes with a Q tip.

Switch up your mascara.

While Greenwell laid down the law on blue eyeliner,the hue of yourmascara is fair game, she says. Cameras caught Diana wearing black, brown and even navy on many occasions.

*Always* take your makeup off.

Dermatologists say it again and again: NEVER sleep with your makeup on, and the Princess agreed. "Diana was very sensible when it came to her skin," Greenwellsays. "She would always make sure she took her makeup off at the end of the day and make sure she always had a clean face before applying makeup."

Sleep in.

Greenwell always encouraged the Princessto look after herself — and that included getting plenty of rest. Besides, no concealer can erase under-eye circles like a little shut eye can.

Laidback style can still look elegant.

McKnight believed Diana looked her best at her most casual, evenpost-workout. "I loved Diana looking more spontaneous," he wrote. "She even looked great coming out of the gym with freshly showered hair ...sowe decided she would try it out in public." Thatslicked-back style earned glowing reviews.

Hide a bad hair day with a hat.

Instead of turning to dry shampoo again and again, take a page out the royal handbook. A chic hat can disguise even the worst second day hair.

Experiment with your lipstick.

Diana would often test out new lip colors based on her mood, Greenwell remembers. In the '80s, the young newlywed favored blush pinks. Later on, she preferredbolder hues with hints of brown or orange in them.

Appreciate the value of a put-together look.

Like any celebrity, the "People's Princess" recognized the importance ofbeauty."Diana was always very open and willing with her style," said Greenwell."I think as soon as we worked together she realized the power of hair and makeup and that is something that should never be underestimated, by anyone."

Eat healthily.

Don't treat your hair like a security blanket.

As a young mom in the '80s, Diana originally embraced a poofier 'do before going short."Like many women, she used to hide behind her hair," McKnight told theDaily Telegraph."But she looked her best when she didn't do anything to it."

Perms aren't your friend.

While they defined the era, tight curls didn't flatter many ladies. That didn't stop Diana from feeling tempted, though. "Sometimes she'd go off and have a sneaky perm when I wasn't there," McKnight told theDaily Telegraph."We used to laugh about it together afterwards."

The secret to great brows is a toothbrush.

Don't forget face-framing eyebrows. To copy Diana's well-groomed arches, Greenwell recommends applying brow gel to keep hairs in place, and then using a toothbrush to groom any wayward strays.

Enjoy vices sparingly.

While the Queen is known to sip bubbly, her daughter-in-law rarely did the same. "After I started working with her, Diana did everything in moderation," Greenwell says. "She cut back on drinking so her skin was 100%. If you smoke, drink or do anything to excess, you will destroy your most important beauty asset — your skin."

Don't skip SPF.

According to the magazine Longevity, Princess Diana was "scrupulous about using an SPF-8 sunblock." While the American Academy of Dermatology recommends applyingat least SPF 30, protection against UV rays can prevent both sunburn and dangerous skin cancers.

Subtle eyeshadow is all you need.

Although the Princess of Wales loved other bold hues on her eyes, she usually stuck to a neutral shadow palette. To replicateher look, Greenwell advisesapplying brown eyeshadow alongthe bottom lashes, adding pale pink just under the brow, and blending a darker tone across the lid.

Bronzer goes on the edges of your face.

Use a contour color under the cheekbones to accentuate them, Greenwell says. Blush goes on the apples of your cheeks, and for a warm glow, use a big brush to apply bronzer along the outside of your face.

Two is the magic number.

It's no secret Diana loved her eyeliner pencils, even favoring thicker kohl on some occasions. But Greenwell warns women against overdoing it. "You can combine full lips with a heavy eye;the trick is to wear a light blush," she told Stylist. "You just do two elements and not three. You never, ever do a full lip, eye and blush!"

A smile is the best thing you can put on.

While Princess Diana experienced many hardships during her short life, any royalfan knows that the "People's Princess" looked her prettiest at her happiest.