The Princess of Wales is that rare combination of intelligent, kind, beautiful, and charming that makes even the most staunch anti-royalists reconsider their position.
It’s near impossible to find fault with our poised and elegant future Queen. The only thing that springs to mind that people do feel the need to criticise, or perhaps comment on, is her commitment to heavy dark liner (and they’re clearly clutching at straws).
© GettyPrincess Kate's commitment to eyeliner
No matter if she's attending royal functions or marrying Prince William, the Princess of Wales' eyeliner is in place, and most recently, I found myself marvelling over how it stayed immaculate following her Three Peaks challenge.
© X.comAs someone whose eyeliner doesn't last a day in the office, how the royal scaled a mountain (three, in fact) and kept her eyeliner intact is a mystery.
Lessons from royalty
Princess Kate's commitment to her look is a lesson to us all. If you like something, don't listen to the detractors. Why should she change her makeup of choice, one that she's worn since her twenties, because critics have deemed it inappropriate for a senior royal?
Sure, sometimes liner needs to be toned down - a smoky eye probably isn’t ideal for a visit to a children's hospital, but if she feels comfortable and happy with her sultry look, why change it?
We should always stay true to ourselves in our makeup choices, and if that's a heavy liner, a red lip, or no makeup at all, you should do what feels most comfortable for you, even if you're climbing mountains.
© Getty ImagesLocking in your liner
If, like me, you marvelled at the royal's liner looking flawless post three peaks, here’s a little advice from the pros that I've picked up along the way, starting with advice from Naoko Scintu, who paints the faces of Hollywood royalty including Kate Hudson and Yerin Ha, and works as a global makeup expert for D&G Beauty.
1. Preparation is key
"Long-lasting eyeliner always starts with good preparation," Naoko says. "If your eyelids tend to become oily, applying a lightweight eye primer or lightly dusting a translucent powder across the lid before eyeliner can help create a smoother surface and improve longevity."
2. Choose your formula wisely
Naoko says the formula you choose is ultimately what makes the biggest difference. "For all-day wear, liquid eyeliners typically offer the greatest staying power because they dry down and set into a film that resists smudging and fading. Gel pencils are another excellent option, especially modern long-wear formulas that are designed to set after application while offering a little more flexibility during application."
Makeup artist Drita Paljevic, Head of Artistry for Kevyn Aucoin, favours a gel formula for long-lasting liner. "My personal preference is a gel‑based pencil because it gives control, softness, and flexibility - but there's no right or wrong choice. It really depends on the look you’re trying to achieve. Just keep in mind: liquid liner cannot be used on the waterline or cannot be smudged, while gel‑based pencils can, which makes them more versatile for everyday wear."
3. Try these formulas
For staying power, I rate ELF's H2O Proof Eyeliner Pen, £8. It's foolproof to use thanks to the firm nib, which helps even the most unsteady hand create flawless liquid liner flicks.
Drita uses the Kevyn Aucoin Precision Eye Definer, £33. "The gel‑based formula glides on smoothly, gives you time to smudge or shape it, and then sets into a finish that looks almost like liquid liner with sharp edges."
As for pencils, my favourite for easy precision is Charlotte Tilbury's The Classic Classic Brown, £24. Even when it hasn't been freshly sharpened, it draws a solid, wobble-free line.
