When it comes to looking radiant in your seventies, we think it’s safe to say that Queen Camilla has mastered the art. Whether she’s spending a day at the races or being papped in the back of a car, she never leaves behind that signature royal glow.
With every look of Camilla’s comes a beauty lesson worth learning. Her simple tricks prove that mature beauty doesn’t have to be complicated and that sometimes one subtle tweak is all it takes.
Naturally, on the GH beauty desk, we’ve been keeping track. Here, we’ve compiled seven of Queen Camilla’s best tricks worth borrowing for your own routine.
Don’t write off eyeliner
When we reach a certain age, there are beauty products we’re often told we’re better off without – eyeliner being one of them. Queen Camilla, however, proves some ‘rules’ are worth breaking, after showing just how flattering a dark sweep along the lash line can be.
As top makeup artist Ruby Hammer puts it simply: ‘Beauty has no age limit and neither does eyeliner.’
The worry is that eyeliner can make mature eyes appear smaller and can look severe. However, Ruby says that, when done right, it actually has the complete opposite effect.
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‘As we get older, our features can naturally lose a little contrast and eyeliner is one of the simplest ways to bring that back,’ she says. ‘On Camilla, the liner subtly frames the eyes and works in harmony with her lashes, making the eyes appear brighter and more expressive.’
The key to making it work lies in gentle definition. Ruby recommends opting for softer shades – think charcoal or a deep brown – worked into the lash line and gently smudged for a more flattering finish.
Choose a lipstick that lifts your complexion
Finding the perfect shade of lipstick might not be an easy feat, but Queen Camilla proves it’s well worth getting right. Her signature pink lip isn’t just a pretty colour – it works hard, too.
As Ruby explains: ‘Picking the right pink for you can lift your entire complexion. It can counteract sallowness or tiredness in the skin, giving the illusion of a full night’s sleep.’ Who knew a swipe of lippie could do so much?
‘Camilla’s shade adds instant warmth and vibrancy across her whole face,’ says Ruby. However, she notes, it’s not just about picking any pink, but understanding what works best for your skin tone.
Here, Ruby says the secret is simply knowing your undertones. To get it right, she advises: ‘If you’re cool toned, look for blue-based pinks or berries, and if you’re warmer, a punchy watermelon or coral pink.’
Co-ordinate your colour
Queen Camilla’s signature pink doesn’t just work beautifully on her lips – it flatters the rest of her face, too. Matching your blush to your lip colour might be one of the oldest tricks in the book, but Camilla’s Ascot look proves there’s good reason it has stood the test of time.
As Stila’s lead UK artist, Sascha Jackson, puts it, ‘It’s one of the most effective beauty techniques, since it creates colour harmony and balance across the face.’
It takes some of the guesswork out of your routine, too. Repeating similar tones across the lips and cheeks helps your makeup feel instantly more cohesive and pulled together, with little effort required.
Better still, it’s a technique that’s especially flattering on mature skin. ‘When you co-ordinate tones that mimic a natural flush, the complexion will appear fresher, healthier and more youthful,’ says Sascha.
Go for glow
When it comes to makeup, formulas and finishes matter more than you might think – especially on mature skin. With a luminous complexion, Queen Camilla makes a strong case for choosing glow.
As Ruby explains, a glowing finish can be much more forgiving on mature skin. ‘Matte products absorb light and draw attention to lines and texture, but luminous products create a soft-focus effect.’
As a result, it can help create a more younger-looking complexion. ‘Youthful skin naturally reflects light, so mimicking that with a glowing finish helps create the illusion of health and vitality.’
Give hooded eyes a lift with lashes
Hooded eyes can be notoriously tricky to navigate when it comes to makeup, particularly as they can become more noticeable with age. But, as Queen Camilla proves, opening up the eyes doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, a great lash can be all it takes.
Notice how long, dark, fluttery lashes not only lift Camilla’s eyes, but also help to minimise the appearance of her hooded lids altogether.
No, it’s not magic. As Ruby explains: ‘By opening up the vertical space and drawing the eye upward, it creates an immediate, wide-awake effect. It’s the easiest, most non-invasive way to look instantly more refreshed.’
So, consider this your sign that a good mascara is well worth the investment.
Add depth with a darker brow
We all know the power of a good brow, but what exactly makes a good brow? It would be easy to assume that your brows should closely match your hair colour, but as Queen Camilla proves, a little extra depth can make all the difference.
‘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 brow guru Karen Betts.
Look closely at Queen Camilla and you’ll notice that her brows are distinctly deeper than her blonde hair – and there’s good reason for it.
Karen explains: ‘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.’
Brighten up the inner corners
Think concealer is the only way to brighten tired, mature eyes? Queen Camilla has another trick up her sleeve – and it couldn’t be simpler.
We couldn’t help but notice that Camilla looked especially refreshed at this year’s Wimbledon Championships. Taking a closer look, one clever makeup detail caught our attention: a touch of light eyeshadow in the inner corners of her eyes.
It’s a trick approved by the pros, too. As celebrity makeup artist Fiona Florczak explains: ‘By reflecting light from the inner corners, you create an instant brightening effect, making the eyes appear wider and more awake.’
Here, subtlety is key. Fiona stresses that the effect should always look natural, so steer clear of anything brighter than the whites of your eyes. Instead, she recommends opting for a matte, light flesh-toned or off-white shadow.
