We can’t help noticing how good Queen Camilla is looking right now. At 78, her skin has a definite glow (that’ll be her facialist’s new hormone-supporting skin cream), while her makeup is all about subtly adding brightness and definition. And the biggest overall impact? It’s all in the brows.
During this week’s royal visit to Scotland, the Queen proved just how flattering a defined, darker brow can look on a mature face, with a little know-how.
Rather than going for a fair shade that’s closer to her hair colour, Camilla has opted for a look that gives a noticeable contrast yet doesn’t look harsh. It’s a simple trick, yet it’s one many older women miss out on, according to brow guru Karen Betts.
‘For years, women were told their eyebrows should match their hair colour, but that’s not always the right approach, especially as we get older,’ says Karen. ‘Our brows naturally become lighter and sparser with age, so adding depth and definition helps frame the eyes and brings the focus back to the face.’
‘Queen Camilla is a great example of how the right amount of brow definition can really flatter a mature face,’ she says.
Finding the right shade is the key to creating this sort of flattering, ageless effect. ‘It’s not about creating darker brows, it’s about creating the right amount of definition and restoring balance to the face,’ explains Karen. ‘The tone is just as important as the depth of colour. Choosing the wrong undertone can make brows look heavy or unnatural.’
As Karen explains, Camilla’s brow look works so beautifully because she’s opted for defining depth plus a muted, cooler tone. ‘For many women, especially those with grey or lighter hair, cooler ash or taupe shades tend to create softer, more natural definition than warm tones,’ says Karen.
In her view, a fine brow pencil is the easiest way to achieve an ageless, defined look. ‘Use light, hair-like strokes to gradually build definition, then brush through with a spoolie to soften the finish,’ she advises. ‘If your brows are naturally quite full but have become lighter over time, a tinted brow gel is another great option.
‘Done well, people shouldn’t notice your brows; they should simply think you look fresher and more awake.’
Queen Camilla’s own eyebrows appear to have been professionally enhanced, with semi-permanent makeup artist Suzanne Martin recently sharing that she’d seen the royal for her ‘Couture Brow’ service.
Karen explains, ‘Semi-permanent makeup can also be a great option for women whose brows have become sparse or uneven with age. Modern techniques are designed to enhance what’s already there, creating soft, natural-looking definition rather than obvious tattooed brows. It would certainly explain why Queen Camilla’s brows have more depth.’
