DM: Duchess Kate looks younger because she changed her makeup

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The Duchess of Cambridge turned 35 years old in January. Over the course of the past year, I sincerely believe that Buckingham Palace has been trying to convince Kate to update and modernize her “look.” Sources claimed that the Queen even had some opinions about how Kate needed to stop dressing like a college girl and start dressing like a 30-something mother of two. There were stories about how Kate was ordered to cut her hair, which actually happened, although Kate seems to be growing it back (or she’s just wearing the same old wiglets). But something did happen and I didn’t even notice: Kate has totally changed her makeup. She’s no longer doing the heavy, black eyeliner on her top and bottom lids. She’s no longer wearing too much foundation. She’s no longer wearing really dark eyeshadow for day events. And the Daily Mail says that she finally found the right way to look younger:

She turned 35 on the 9th of January, an age when other women might be thinking of treatments and interventions to start holding back the years. But the Duchess of Cambridge has found a way to look younger without resorting to the Botox needle, simply by toning down her make-up.

Since the beginning of 2017, around the time she entered her mid 30s, Kate has ditched the rings of black liner around her eyes in favour of a simple flick on the top lift, embraced dewy make-up and stepped away from the blusher brush. And beauty experts say that Kate’s more natural look has taken years off her face.

Samantha Mercer, who runs make-up and hair company The Dollz, told FEMAIL that Kate has definitely embraced a ‘softer and fresher look’.

‘By changing a few things in her makeup routine she’s managed to transform herself,’ she said. ‘Kate’s now a mother-of-two two now and I don’t expect she has much time to get ready everyday. When she’s not being pampered by a make-up artist she needs something quick and easy to do herself and with her perfect skin she really doesn’t need to be adding much coverage, just highlighting in the right places and a touch of pink blush. I’m sure everyone will agree that she looks fantastic and her new look is much more suited to her.’

[From The Daily Mail]

While I always complained about the eyeliner, I admit that I didn’t even notice the change this year. It’s true though – she has toned it down and she’s currently going with a more natural makeup look. Kate famously took makeup-application classes before her wedding because she wanted to be able to look duchess-ready herself. I don’t know what they taught her in those classes, but I’m glad someone finally sat her down and told her that she was doing it all wrong.

Also: um, Kate DOES Botox. She also gets fillers. But I don’t think Kate’s face is “collapsing,” like some claim.

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77 Responses to “DM: Duchess Kate looks younger because she changed her makeup”

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  1. Ever bloom says:

    Daily Fail is trolling her.

  2. RedOnTheHead says:

    I often see everyone discussing her hair, makeup, clothes, etc. But I’ve not seen any discussion on her eyes beyond comments about the makeup. Kate has heavy eyelids and pronounced bags under her eyes. IMHO, that is the primary thing that ages her. There’s zero shame in that, it’s likely hereditary. I had visible bags under my eyes and heavy eyelids by age 5. Exactly like my mother. I had upper and lower eyelid surgery 12 yrs ago and the difference was astounding. I still looked exactly like me, except my “new” eyes no longer looked like I was 90. I often wonder why she doesn’t get that surgically corrected, she’s got to notice it. Maybe she’s afraid of all the vile comments she will get on social media.

    • Bobbi says:

      Or maybe she’s okay with it?

    • Anitas says:

      Really? Why would she get corrective surgery? Perhaps she doesn’t care about her eyebags enough to go under the knife, and why would she? You said it yourself, there’s zero shame in it. It’s one thing to suggest a different style of makeup to improve her features, but an invasive procedure is something else. I’m glad it worked for you, but she’d look perfectly fine without it, just with improved makeup.

      • RedOnTheHead says:

        I guess I didn’t do a good job of expressing my thoughts. I didn’t mean to suggest that she should get surgery, only that I wonder why she doesn’t. It’s an easy fix and she seems to be very concerned about her appearance. If it doesn’t bother her then good for her. Seriously.

      • Nic919 says:

        She has had surgery on her eyes. Just click on the link for the 2012 article on kate and you see comparisons to what she looked like in 2006 and 2007 where her eyes definitely have that sleepy look which suddenly disappeared prior to the wedding. As you age your skin sags more so the sleepy look would increase not decrease without surgical intervention.

        And the non photoshop photographs show kate with lines in her forehead and then other photos where she makes grimaces and her her forehead remains unlined. Her cheeks are suddenly rounder despite being thinner than ever. She is using Botox, fillers, extensions, everything really.

      • ash says:

        Anitas…. angry much non understanding much
        RedOnTheHead…i got exactly what you’re saying and kudos to the lovely results on the correctvie procedure….

        one would be ok questioning Kate’s decision to not…because she seems so vain and shallow and concerns about appearance elsewhere….

    • Rk says:

      What type of ice surgery did you get my bro haven’t heard of an eye surgery that can get a rid of Ibex what’s the procedure called

    • Megan says:

      I have the same issue, but I get Pelleve treatments twice a year. Takes care of the bags and the eyelids. Kate should really try it.

    • Alix says:

      For whatever reason she has bags under her eyes, skipping lower-lid liner was the best and easiest move to draw attention away from them. Now, will Pippa take the hint and lighten up the liner as well?

    • Melissa Melissa says:

      What surgery did you have? Where? Please share because I’m currently looking into that and know no one who’s done it. Thank you!

      • RedOnTheHead says:

        Melissa, it’s called blepharoplasty. I had it done in San Diego 12 yrs ago by a plastic surgeon. The best advice I can give you is to do lots of research. And if you can get a Doctor recommendation from someone you know and trust, that’s the way to go. Like any surgery, there are some risks but in the hands of a skilled surgeon it’s not a difficult procedure. Just please make sure you find someone very well practiced in this procedure. You know, since they’re operating on your eyes! Good luck.

    • isabelle says:

      I have genetic eye bags and heavy lids as well, thanks to the Italian side of the family who also have them. People have told me often I look younger than my age but have got the “sultry” comment a lot. Honestly I’ve got used to them and try not to anything to make them look puffier. Also I figure when i do get older I will look the same while others will just be getting them and people will just think “say hey you haven’t aged a bit”, lol. Well I’m hoping anyway.

    • Katherine says:

      I have heavy eyelids and I love them. People even told me I could do ‘something about it’ and I thought they were mad, I like how it looks

    • Wilma says:

      It’s actually the one procedure I would consider if my eyelids do end up drooping too much. My father-in-law had it done and got rid of his daily headaches. He did have a suprised look for the longest time, but after a month we all got used to it.

  3. Margo S. says:

    FINALLY! I’ve been commenting on here about her makeup forever. She looks sooooo much better. Im in canada and have a friend in England. I was asking her why Kate’s makeup is so fug. She said apparently she does it herself. Well, looks like she finally got a makeup artist that knows what they’re doing!

  4. AnnaKist says:

    She looks as if she has botoxbrow – the sharp arch makes her look a bit hard. It’s nice that she’s toned down the horrid eye makeup, too, but she still looks her age, which is as it should be. Now she needs to do something with that hair – a good few inches chopped off! Having it always hanging drags her face down, but boy, she looks fantastic when it’s up and off her face and shoulders.

    • isabelle says:

      My Dermatologist say Botox on too young of a face is very aging. The fat, muscle and tissue underneath is still firm so when you use Botox is has a slide effect on young skin. She only uses Botox on those under 40 to correct asymmetrical features or if its really needed.Guess people think if they stop too much facial expression those lines won’t appear but sagging really ages you a lot more than wrinkles. Botox can sag a young face.

      • nic919 says:

        And that is what happened to Kate. In the unphotoshopped photos you can see how she seems to have jowls, even though she is very skinny. And then they disappear… and then return once the botox has faded. Whoever initially suggested that she use botox is the problem and I suspect it was her mother.

      • Joannie says:

        I think its the lighting myself. When you see her in person up close she has lovely skin and appears much younger. Photos dont do her justice. She’s really pretty and tall. That surprised me actually.

  5. Mel M says:

    Does she look younger though? Those last two pics are not convincing me.

    • MellyMel says:

      Yeah, she looks the same to me. Though I can notice a slight difference in that first pic.

    • Matomeda says:

      +1 I actually think she still looks really old for her age. I love her hair color and I think she’s pretty. And I actually like her, too 🙂 but I see a face full of wrinkles and a little droopy, for her age.

    • notasugarhere says:

      It is difficult to know what she looked like in reality. All of these pictures, especially the top one, are still photoshopped.

    • Sharon Lea says:

      I don’t see a difference either. I think the real issue is that she seems stiff in public, there isn’t an inner joy or ease that comes through her. It shows on her face.

  6. Lucy says:

    I know she’s not everybody’s favorite person here, and that most of you have qualms about her looks/style (I do too), but I do have to say, she’s a beautiful woman. Always thought she was (and this is not a matter of her being “more” or “less” so than others).

  7. PIa says:

    Honestly, we complain when others celebs are shamed and overly-criticized for their looks, but often engage in this behavior for KM.

    • Nancy says:

      I don’t think anyone is shaming her by giving their opinion. If she wanted a nice quiet private life, she wouldn’t have married the future King. People are/were more than willing to give their opinions of Michelle, and now Melania and Ivanka. Just the way it is when you’re in the spotlight.

    • HappyMom says:

      I think people are just annoyed by her and looking for anything to criticize.

  8. Nancy says:

    She never did know how to apply makeup. Less is more. She has good bone structure so that helps. Now to work on the hair! Has to suck to be the daughter in law of a fashion and beauty icon, but she is okay. Her kids are cute!

  9. JaneDoesWork says:

    Funnily enough, I think she’s looked pretty haggard lately. Its almost like she’s trying to make herself look run down so that the family doesn’t ask her to do anything. And don’t give me the “she has two small kids!” guilt trip because she has plenty of help.

  10. Digital Unicorn (aka Betti) says:

    The Fail article was very much a passive aggressive mean girl take down of Waity.

    Thou if you actually read it, it confirms that she’s vain, been using botox/fillers for years and has too much spare time on her hands that she spends a lot of time/effort on her appearance. Thou I don’t buy she has a makeup artist on call – even thou its been toned down it still looks terrible. I’d say she got advice from a pro and still applies it herself.

    She has long term smoker and tanner skin, plus all the foundation she used to slap on only made it worse. In a past career I used to work for a fashion publisher and organised shoots etc.. The models all said that constantly wearing heavy makeup effs up the skin and thats why a lot of actresses/models have problem skin. The tips I picked up (and were in the article) is that BB Creme and tinted moisturiser are def the way to go, along with exfoliating every day. Also Sudocrem is amazing – I’ve used it for several years, it has cleared up my skin and I don’t have as many issues as i used to.

    I have seen her in person and her skin is quite bad with large pores and dryness. Even under all the make up it had that leatherly look to it. Am sure she moisturises all the time but unless she stops smoking and tanning then the damage will be difficult to undo.

    • HK9 says:

      I started using Shu Umeura oil cleanser to take off make up. (It works on all skin types-mine’s oily and I didn’t break out) If this works for you, it’s the best. It was formulated for heavy make up removal. (Tip: when you emulsify it with water do it 2-3 times not just once) It really does take off makeup properly hence avoiding the skin problems of make up residue left on the skin.

      • Digital Unicorn (aka Betti) says:

        I have sensitised skin so I try to avoid oil cleansers as they can irritate me. I use Ren’s EverCalm Cleansing Milk to take my makeup off, its really good.

        I’ve been following a version of the Asian skin care regime – where you double cleanse, tone, exfoliate and then use an oil as a moisturiser (I use Rosehip). It has also helped my skin and people have commented on how youthful and clear my skin looks. I don’t use overly expensive products either. The only expensive item is my toner which is alchohol and oil free.

        I live in a smoggy city so I need to cleanse and tone twice a day, otherwise I’ll get breakouts.

      • applecore says:

        Oops. Sorry first time commenting and meant to respond to HK9 using shu uemera oil.

        Mineral oil and fragrance are not doing any favors for your skin. You’re just slathering a nasty petrochemical all over your face. I’m obsessive about researching ingredients for skin care and mineral oil and fragrance are 2 of the absolute worst. I would recommend Drunk Elephant’s Pekee bar soap or Estee Lauder’s Verite light lotion cleanser (both are fragrance free) and use a non-fragrance cleansing cloth, like Burt’s Bees for sensitive skin, to wipe away any remaining makeup if necessary.

      • Aurelia says:

        I saw her when she was in new Zealand on tour a few years ago. She had pitted skin in some places and a huge amount of make up on. like stage make up. Defo ciggie skin and awful posture. Nuf said

  11. littlemissnaughty says:

    It took years off her face? Does she look 29? I didn’t even notice the missing heavy liner.

  12. Cerys says:

    I can’t see much difference. The usual non-story from the DM.

    • Tania says:

      Agreed. I don’t really see much of a difference. I think when you’re pale (which she is these days) you need to not use harsh colors and blend really well, so everything looks seamless and glowy. Like you, but better. I just think everything she uses is so harsh.

  13. Joni says:

    Nah, she still looks 50.

  14. TyrantDestroyed says:

    Maybe she went with the same dietitian than Olivia Munn and discovered the life changing magic potatoes.
    To be she still looks older than her age and is not only due to “makeup”.

  15. L84Tea says:

    I might be way off here, but is the general consensus that Kate dresses like a college girl?? Seriously? I see her way of dressing in the last year or so as quite the opposite. I think a lot of her choices lately have been on the frumpy side. I know people like to snark on her but I do think she’s very attractive and I would kill for her legs. I used to love her Sloane Ranger style when she was dating PW and I actually miss it. Instead it’s been all high collars and doily dresses. That’s dressing like a college girl??

    • Deedee says:

      It depends on the day. Sometimes, she’s dressed in the most matronly looking outfits and other times she’s wearing outfits which would better suit Lady Louise. Her styling is off as well. She might wear something darling and then pair it with boring accessories. She doesn’t hit that sweet spot of age appropriate and occasion appropriate wear very often.

  16. Disco Dancer says:

    I have pimple prone skin and I have found the following helped clear up my skin:

    – drinking lots of water
    – limiting sugar and salt and fried foods. At least eating raw sugar
    – using tea tree based cleansers and face masks
    – put toothpaste (peppermint) overnight over zits and redness. It works like magic and a lot of my pimples have disappeared or greatly reduced by morning.

    Maybe Kate could try a few of these low cost methods, lol.

    • Beckysuz says:

      I use Boudreaux’s butt paste on my pimples, or if I pick too aggressively. I swear to God in the morning there is no redness and the zit heals in a day instead of several. The zinc in the cream is super healing. And it works great on diaper rash too, which is what its intended use is

  17. sorrybutnotsorry says:

    Wills and Kate look 40+

  18. Apples says:

    I don’t know how anyone can believe in stories of the Queen “ordering” Kate to cut her hair and “stop dressing like a college girl.” As if the old woman doesn’t have more pressing and interesting things to oversee.

    • notasugarhere says:

      HM has dress codes. She has one for people who attend fancy dinners with her. See Rita Wilson’s funny article about trying to find a dress, gloves, and hosiery for dinner at Buckingham Palace. HM even has a dress code for anyone who attends horse races in the same enclosure she’s in.

      HM has a dress code she requires of everyone who does work in her name. Diana talked about it, including in a documentary about preparing for a royal tour. When KM flashes at a memorial in India 5+ years into the marriage because she still doesn’t use hem weights? Yes, HM does have to worry about it because this 35-year-old seems to enjoy flashing on the job.

      • Christin says:

        The flying skirts have to be intentional, since the fix is known and simple to get done. It’s not as if she personally must alter the garment to weight the hems.

      • Joannie says:

        Letizia has had her dress fly up exposing her underwear.

      • notasugarhere says:

        One up-skirt in 13 years is understandable.

        Kate Middleton is on two dozen+ flashes in five years. When newspapers publish articles on how to weight hems after yet another of her upskirts, you know it is a problem. A problem she chooses not to solve.

        Once is a mistake, twice is a coincidence, three times is a pattern.

      • Joannie says:

        Oh Nota you are so predictable. Lol

      • notasugarhere says:

        Yes Joannie, I’ll keep sharing facts when faced with fiction. Just keep up your “she’s so beautiful in person” spin. Kate Middleton fans are nothing if not predictable – over-the-top or nothing.

        We can see the photos of the dry skin, smoker’s mouth lines, crow’s feet, and pock marks for ourselves. Nothing wrong with any of that, but the fan’s obsessive need to photoshop it all away, pretend not to see it, and make her look like a Barbie? Takes a special kind of obsessive to only like the photoshopped doll version of a human, instead of embracing her flaws and all.

      • Nic919 says:

        Kate has exposed more than her underwear in some of the skirt flyups. How professional is it to wear a thong under a skirt when representing a country ? She is low class despite the title.

  19. JHDC82 says:

    I think she would look so much younger overall if she gained a little weight. I’m not saying she needs to pile on the fish and chips recklessly. But given that she’s athletic and works out, if she puts on 15 pounds or so, it would fill out her figure better AND her face would naturally look more youthful. As women age, the trick is to maintain a weight that’s not TOO skinny for your frame, so that your skin doesn’t look as saggy.
    Kate is tall, but looks underweight for her height. My sister is 5’10 and when she lost too much weight, it showed–her face aged her (she’s 4.5 younger than me and she looked older), and she just overall LOOKED unhealthy— too skinny for her frame.
    I hope I’m not coming across as insulting the Duchess here, it wasn’t my intention at all. I have girlfriends that are naturally very tiny and have a hard time gaining weight (I wish that were my case, LOL). But Kate has doctors and trainers at her disposal. She can gain weight the right way to look better overall. And some curves wouldn’t hurt her look body-wise either. Meghan Markle, for example, has a fit body. For her frame, she’s a good weight. She fills out her clothes the right way when she’s dressed up in fitting clothes, which gives the impression of curves in the right places (whether she has them or not). Curves on women are very flattering!
    Side note, not quite sure why the trend in fashion (and Hollywood nowadays) wants women to look like pre-adolescent boys—stick straight. It’s the most unfeminine look ever, and yet we’re supposed to accept that as the ultimate feminine look to emulate when we see these models on the catwalk and in magazines. Oh well.
    But yeah overall, I think some weight gain would benefit the Duchess in more than one way! Unless Ol’ Willy likes his woman super skinny and that’s why she maintains the look. I wish she’d go back to her weight around the time they were engaged. She looked great at that time!

    • Fiorella says:

      I have to point out, sadly some people gain in the gut first. Maybe that’s why she doesn’t stray from thin -extra thin. (And I think she looks ok but I know what you mean.)

      • nic919 says:

        Kate had a fuller face when she was pregnant, so when she does gain weight it does not just go to her stomach. During her university days Kate looked much better because she had a bit of extra weight, but was still very fit. Now she is too thin for her frame. There is over a decade of photographic evidence that shows how Kate suddenly dieted herself to this size just prior to the wedding and returns to it post pregnancy.

      • jeanne says:

        i’ve said this before but i’ve never seen kate look more beautiful than when she walked out of the hospital in that blue polka dot dress after delivering prince george. her face was absolutely perfect there. she looked young and adorable.

    • Maria says:

      Totally agree with you. IMO she doesn’t look any younger, when her face is fuller, then she looks younger. I wonder why she is so intent on keeping so thin.

    • Kitty says:

      But Kate is not 5’10 though.

  20. Nicky says:

    The best she ever looked was outside the hospital with baby George. Lighter hair colour and not too heavy makeup. Her face was a little bit fuller and she looked lovely.

  21. Anguishedcorn says:

    What on earth is happening around her mouth/jowls? It’s all so lumpy!

  22. Starlight says:

    It looks like she has a false eye lash on her top lid but look at that first picture she bites her nails and her hands look so dry. I wonder if she is suffering stress Wills can’t be the easiest

  23. Needlehole says:

    This is a load of BS. Who really cares if she looks hagard or not? Why aren’t we discussing how her husband has aged in his face? Or how the family dog is getting a bit “white in the muzzle”? The reason is simple. Because the media tells us we should care, that signs of aging in women need to be fixed. Getting older isn’t something that requires a fix, it’s a natural progression of life – if you’re fortunate enough to live long enough to experience it that is.

    • notasugarhere says:

      People do talk about how William appears to have aged exponentially in the last six years. How he looks like his Uncle Edward’s contemporary when he is almost 20 years younger than his uncle. We also talk about his too-tight pants, slovenly appearance, poor job performance, his constant lies, and how he never prepares for his engagements – he even admits it himself.

    • Nic919 says:

      There are tons of comments about Will’s hair loss. Even comments about Harry getting a bald spot.

  24. Lainey says:

    I think the fact nobody really noticed says a lot. Not to mention there’s no way in hell she looks 25 now!

  25. The Original Mia says:

    They have to be trolling her. She hasn’t looked youthful since her college days. She & William are aging fast.