The Princess of Wales, 44, was pictured with her husband Prince William and three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, arriving at a church service at Crathie Kirk in Scotland at the weekend.
The Waleses joined King Charles and Queen Camilla for their private summer break in Balmoral – a tradition started by the late Queen Elizabeth.
During Kate's break from royal engagements, she opted for a classic Sloane Ranger look, but debuted a new beauty transformation. A far cry from the traditional, minimalist makeup she normally wears for daytime events, Kate opted for a smokey eye with defined jet-black winged eyeliner.
Makeup artist shares verdict on the Princess of Wales' beauty transformation
We turned to Jo Martin, makeup artist and Brand Manager for Paul & Joe Beauté, for information about how the Princess kept her beauty look "soft" and created a "defined lift" perfect for anti-ageing.
When asked how Kate created a crisp wing that still reads as elegant and elevated rather than harsh in natural daylight, the makeup expert explained: "The wing itself can be precise, but everything else should be diffused and soft.
© Getty"Build smoke before the liner using charcoal eyeshadow along the lash line. Keep the wing low and elongated rather than a dramatic upswept line, and ensure the liner is almost invisible along the inner corner of the lash line, gradually building the thickness towards the end. Then finish by softly diffusing the liner along the lash line with the charcoal eye shadow again."
Heavy, dark eye makeup can be notoriously tricky to execute as we age, because it can make the eyes look smaller and accentuate fine lines. Careful not to fall into those traps, Kate accentuated her eyes with black eyeliner along the bottom waterline and a "lifting" wing that creates an anti-ageing effect in her 40s.
© GettyAccording to Jo, it's easy to recreate the youthful look if you follow the 'eyes open' rule, which she said "visually lifts the eye rather than outlining it." Here's her guide:
- "Draw the outer wing while looking straight in the mirror with your eye relaxed. This allows you to position the flick where it will be visible. This works well for hooded eyelids too.
- Use a brown or charcoal colour as it isn't as harsh and is more flattering.
- Always tightline the upper lashes for more of a defined lift."
While the UK has experienced a whopping five heatwaves this summer, Kate and William are likely enjoying the cooler weather in Scotland. Temperatures reached a high of 16 degrees at the weekend, but Jo explained that Kate could still achieve her smudge-proof winged look in warm weather.
When it comes to products, Jo recommended a good eye primer, a waterproof eyeliner, and a dark brown colour for a "slightly softer finish."
Princess Kate's Sloane Ranger look in the Balmoral countryside
© GettySitting in the passenger seat, the Princess of Wales looked poised in a high-neck blouse from Holland & Cooper known as the 'Audley', featuring a lace-trim, boho ruffles and French interior seams.
She layered it underneath a tweed jacket, finishing her country-chic look with Ralph Lauren chandelier earrings and a brown pillbox hat from Lock & Co, which Royal Fashion Police pointed out had been in her wardrobe since her 2012 St Patrick's Day appearance.
The Princess of Wales wore her honey-blonde hair in soft waves, and balanced her dramatic eye look with rosy cheeks and a soft, neutral lip.
