Princess Diana gave up alcohol & blue eyeliner so her skin would look better
We’re coming up on the anniversary of Princess Diana’s death. Every year in late August, I do tend to take a moment and remember. It’s something about the late summer… remembering how devastating it was, how it felt like so much of the world halted to remember her. All of those people in the streets in London, the backlash, Charles Spencer’s eulogy. Iconic. Unforgettable. Anyway, to mark the anniversary, Stylist did an interview with a makeup artist named Mary Greenwell, who worked with Diana back in the day. You can read the piece here. Note: I think this is an interview from a few years ago, but sites like E!, Vogue and the Daily Mail are running it like it’s new. So… I have no idea. I’ve never seen these quotes before. Some highlights:
Diana was ‘aware’ of taking care of her skin: “Diana was very aware of her beauty regime, cleansing, toning and moisturising twice a day. She’d be now using serums and definitely using sun block every day. Diana would also be wearing a heavier foundation which is important as women age. I mean heavy in the sense of coverage but still sheer. In your teens and early twenties, tinted moisturiser is fine. But in your 30’s, 40’s and beyond, you need something more flattering.”
She always took her makeup off: “Diana was very sensible when it came to her skin, she would always make sure she took her make up off at the end of the day and make sure she always had a clean face before applying make up. Not enough people do this and you should.”
Diana stopped drinking to improve her skin: “Lots of sleep is also essential, as is exercise and a good diet. After I started working with her, Diana did everything in moderation. She cut back on drinking so her skin was 100%. Women today need to take care of themselves the same way. If you smoke, drink or do anything to excess, you will destroy your most important beauty asset – your skin. You must look after yourself.”
Removing the blue eyeliner: “Well the first shoot we did with her where she was sat in bed with her arms folded, that was the first time we got her out of blue eyeliner and she loved the change! It made such a difference (Blue eyes should never wear blue pencil or shadow – it dulls your eyes!). From that moment on, she was open minded about trying new looks and colours! It’s all about experimenting. And women should be experimental and try not to get stuck in a make up rut. We should try new things. Whatever our age.”
Diana really did have amazing skin. Her makeup? Not so much. But AMAZING skin. She always had that peaches-and-cream complexion and it definitely helped that she was never a smoker and didn’t drink that much. It’s probably also important to remember that she A) had great skin genetically and B) that she spent money on facials and such. And yes, take off your makeup at night. I do not understand how people can sleep without washing their face at night. Also: i wonder if anyone in the world has the stones to tell Duchess Kate to give up her beloved liquid liner.
Photos courtesy of Mario Testino, Getty, WENN.
