I've always wanted to be a Princess. Not for the waving or the tiaras (although, obviously, yes to both), but for the hair that moves in slow motion and the kind of glow that suggests you drink eight litres of water and never check your emails after 6 pm... or like, ever. The good news? Thanks to Kate Middleton, the beauty part of princessing feels surprisingly attainable. No fairy godmother required–just restraint and an allegiance to polish over panic.
The Princess of Wales has mastered the art of looking impeccable with ease. Her beauty philosophy (as I have found by deep diving into her best looks) isn't about trends; it's about doing more with less. And honestly, in an age of overlining and overcontouring, that might be the most radical move of all.
Here are seven lessons we can learn that'll get us one step closer to Windsor residency (one can dream, hey)...
Movement makes hair look expensive
The secret to Kate's trademark Royal curls isn't just a good blow-dry; it's the bounce. Hair that moves reads as healthy, and healthy hair reads as wealthy. I'm talking about a blinding mirror-like shine that's so glossy it requires sunglasses. Kate's curls are soft, brushed-out, and most importantly, never crispy. The key? Heatless curls.
Let one feature shine
Kate never goes overboard when it comes to her makeup; instead, she always lets one feature shine. If the eyes are defined, the lips stay neutral–and vice versa. Now, as a makeup maximalist, I tend to live by the mantra "more is more". But to make like Catherine, you best believe I'll be attempting this method. You could say it's Royal beauty maths: one focal point at a time, one step closer to the palace.
Skin comes first
Just like the lesson above, Kate's minimalism to makeup lends itself to glowing skin. AKA, you never see the foundation before you see her. The glow is believable; it's real, achievable, and gracefully ageing skin at its best. The lesson? Skincare comes first!
Sculpting > heavy contour
When Kate does wear makeup, there's shape and dimension, no stripes or harsh lines. Instead of carving cheekbones within an inch of their life (guilty), the Princess opts for gentle definition and lift via a warmed-toned bronzer. Sunkissed is the goal!
When in doubt, go understated
Neutral nails. Soft blush. Gloss instead of glitter. Understatement isn't boring–it's regal. You could argue that there's a quiet confidence in choosing beige over bedazzled. After all, pared-back timelessness will long outlast punchy.
Blonde doesn't have to be dramatic
In September 2025, Kate made headlines with a new hair look. And while it was dubbed dramatic at the time, the actual transformation was subtle. Think: sun-kissed highlights over peroxide bleach. Kate's highlights were diffused and seamless, and added dimension rather than drama. The lesson: Proof that blonde can be a suggestion, not a statement.
Fashion + beauty = A match made in heaven
While I, personally, love Kate for her beauty, there's a lesson to be learned from the Princess's fashion statements, and more specifically, how the two work together in perfect harmony. A bold coat is paired with quiet makeup; statement earrings mean restrained hair. Nothing competes, everything converses, and that, frankly, is the most royal trick of all.
Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from viral celebrity hair and makeup news to the latest trend predictions, she’s an expert in recognising the season’s next big beauty look (before it ends up all over your social media feeds). You’ll usually find her putting TikTok’s recent beauty hacks to the Hype Test, challenging the gender-makeup binary and social stereotypes, or fangirling over the time Kourtney Kardashian viewed her Instagram Story (yes, it’s true). Find her also on LinkedIn.
