When it comes to beauty and style, the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, has always adopted an understated elegance. Her cosmetics palette is usually a celebration of minimalist beauty with a focus on soft, bronze skin, subtle blush, and a glowing complexion. The Duchess finds a balance between natural and chic in her beauty routine which often features subtly defined eyes enhanced with warm brown or gold shades, full lashes, and a soft pink or nude lip. Meghan’s beauty mantra appears to be that less is more in showing off her natural radiance.
Her take on makeup is modern and polished, comprising of choices that hardly cause a stir. However, it wasn’t always this way. Post her encounter with Prince Harry, her makeup style began to evolve. Before transitioning to royal life, the former actress didn’t shy away from experimenting with the popular aesthetics of the 2000s.
A clear divergence from her now well-established aesthetic was seen when she attended New York Fashion Week in 2013. Sitting front row at Tory Burch’s fashion show, Meghan sparked interest with a bold move towards neon beauty. She sported a vibrant, hot pink lip that was contrasted with a natural complexion, ample application of mascara, and a millennial-friendly, soft, rose-tinted smokey eye.
Her style also made a statement. In true 2000s spirit, Meghan donned a blouse similar to styles sported by Kate Middleton, featuring a flattering pussybow and adorned with silver studs. To complement the top, she wore slim-fit black trousers and towering black pumps, epitomizing the glamorous Noughties look well-known at the time. These style choices and her then surprising makeup look was a far cry from the minimalist aesthetic that the Duchess embraces today.
Fast rewind to the 2000s, the era was marked by bold and experimental love for makeup. It consisted of blending playful styles with club codes, frosted eyeshadows in the shades of icy blues and silvers, all paired with glossy lips in toned-down nude or pale pinks. The thin, sharply arched eyebrows of the Noughties era, a stark contrast to today’s fuller eyebrow trends, was also a signature look. Smoky eyes with dark eyeliner and heavy mascara were common, contributing to sultry and dramatic vibes, as replicated by Meghan’s energetic look back then.
The 2000s also saw excessive use of bronzer for that sun-kissed glow, often coupled with a matte complexion. Lipgloss was pivotal, offering a shiny finish to the overall look. Body glitter added a fun, sparkly touch, bringing an edgy playfulness to the aesthetic.
It is apparent how much her beauty preferences have evolved over the years since her makeup choices no longer rock the boat. These days, Meghan Markle is famously known for her simple and sophisticated look with an emphasis on natural, glowing beauty. The Duchess of Sussex has moved away from the bold, experimental makeup of the Noughties to a softer, more refined aesthetic which has become influential among beauty enthusiasts around the globe.
This evolution of beauty choices paints a story of Meghan Markle’s journey from Hollywood and the bright neon lights of the 2000s to British royalty. Despite the changes and the minimal aesthetic she now embraces, one thing that remains constant is her confidence to carry off whatever style she chooses with grace and elegance.
