There's a royal phenomenon that's been dissected and discussed for years known as the "Kate Middleton effect" — that is, the Duchess of Cambridge's unique ability to instill retail fever in adoring fans around the globe. It's been almost two decades since Middleton stepped into the public eye and she's continued to sell out dozens of items, from the Reiss dress she wore to meet the Obamas to the Zara coat she wore out and about in London.
"The Kate Effect may be worth £1 billion to the U.K. fashion industry," Newsweek reported back in 2012. Clearly, the international public wants a slice of the royal pie — or at least the look. However, while all eyes have been on the Duchess' wardrobe, we've turned to analyzing her beauty signatures.
After all, Middleton has been known to accessorize everything from gowns to casual riding ensembles with the same glam: barrel curls, nude lip color, and heavily-rouged cheeks, but it goes a lot deeper than that. For one, she never wears a sharp hair part, always has her bottom lashes lined, and we've yet to find a picture of her signature bun positioned above her ears. It's calculated, to say the least.
Middleton takes this look and adds her own flair. We've rounded up five things she always does so that you, too, can get that royal glow.
The Princess Mullet
What's sleek up top and barrel curled on the bottom? Middleton's perfectly polished blowout. Middleton doesn't subscribe to the Hollywood hair trends. Instead, she opts for styles that are always smooth above her ears, but voluminous below.
Diffused Bottom Liner
Rather than reach for bold colors or sharp lines, Middleton always opts for makeup that softly defines her eyes — and always wears liner on the bottom. A diffused wash of color tends to adorn her top lid while a thick, yet smudged, line of classic black color always lines her bottom lashes. The result? A soft, daytime appropriate smoky eye that flatters any ensemble.
Soft Hair Parts
Seriously, just try to find an image of Middleton with a crisp hair part. Go ahead — we'll wait. Now you see what we're talking about. Middleton isn't a fan of crisp lines, whether they're on her eyes or in her hair. To complement her bouncy curls, Middleton employs soft hair parts that are just jagged enough to make the hair look casual and soft.
Low Buns, Chignons, & Ponytails
When Middleton isn't wearing her hair in her standard barrel curls, she's usually wearing it in a sleek, low chignon or classic ponytail. You've probably spotted the Duchess rocking this 'do at countless events, but look closer and you'll learn that all her looks — no matter how her hair is pulled back — are positioned below the top of her ears. Perhaps it's just what she likes, or it's what some secret royal council has decided is best, but she rarely strays.
A Healthy Dose Of Blush
Heavy contouring isn't exactly Middleton's cup of tea. Instead, Middleton uses blush to subtly lift her cheekbones and brighten her complexion. Her go to shades? Variations of rose and pink.
