Yahoo News How the Duchess of Sussex's simple make-up style has caused a shift in beauty trends
It has been almost a month since the wedding of the year, but I am still not ready to stop talking about it. While everyone in the Telegraph newsroom on the day was analysing the dress, I was taken aback by how simple her make-up looked. In the best possible way, the Duchess’s skin looked like real skin, freckles and all, with a fresh glow and just a smidge of tinted lip balm (yes, really).
It was the perfect example of the recent move away from the overtly shovelled-on make-up aesthetic that seems to clutter social media. I’m bored of the ultra-chiselled jawline and cheekbones that take three products to perfect; the brows painstakingly coloured in and Bambi-esque lashes that reach quite frankly obscene lengths. It feels like this has been the beauty ideal for the past two or three years – but not mine, nor my friends’. It’s just an exhausting reminder that we barely have five minutes to apply any make-up at all in the morning before running out of the house.
And it’s not just an anecdotal observation. The NPD Group, which carries out research into the beauty industry, found that sales of skincare in the UK were up by six per cent in the first three months of this year, with make-up sales falling by two per cent. The company puts this partly down to the trend of ‘glass skin’, a Korean term for a smooth, luminous complexion. Glass skin or not, it definitely seems like the pendulum is swinging back from heavy make-up to fresh, ‘barefaced’ skin.
As a time-poor skincare obsessive, I couldn’t be more pleased. It seems like the industry is finally moving back to a less-is-more approach, especially for women over 40. Do you need countless products to make your skin look youthful and glowing? No. Arm yourself with a few select buys that will enhance and define your face, but crucially keep your skin looking like skin – including those freckles. To the left are some of my favourite glow-enhancing products.
Telegraph's top five products
No7 Protect and Perfect Intense Advanced Serum, £34
A suits-everyone serum at an affordable price.
Skinesis Skin Tone Perfecting Booster, £59
Created by the Duchess of Sussex's facialist, Sarah Chapman.
Tata Harper Resurfacing Serum, £77
A brilliant product that helps to promote a youthful glow.
Sunday Riley Good Genes Serum, £85
A lactic acid-based serum that will leave your skin looking visibly brighter.
Clinique Fresh Pressed Daily Booster, £25
A stable vitamin C product that delivers results in seven days.
