The products Queen Camilla’s make-up artist uses to perfect HRH's signature style
Few in the public eye display sartorial signatures like members of the royal family do. That’s especially true of monarchs – whose images carry symbolic weight, often conveying codes such as consistency, stability, and dedication.
For decades, the now-Queen Camilla has maintained a beauty look that’s relaxed while classically conservative. Central to this is her trademark hairstyle, a neck-length feathered bob which has only subtly evolved throughout the years. Perhaps unsurprisingly – while impressively – she’s visited the same hairstylist, Jo Hansford, for 35 years. But HRH has long collaborated with one nail and make-up artist, too, working with London-based Marina Sandova for around 15 years and counting.
“I was working at Jo Hansford [the namesake salon of the celebrity colourist] when I first started doing her nails,” Sandova tells Harper’s Bazaar. “Even though I left the salon, she still used me, which speaks volumes about how loyal she is.” The Queen’s preferred manicure of choice? “It’s very much a natural and elegant look,” Sandova says. “I use a mixture of products, some of which are from my native Colombia. For my clients I tend to use Chanel for nail varnish and Sisley for hand cream.”
Sandova also chooses top-tier brands when it comes to make-up. While unable to disclose the exact details of those favoured by the Queen, she names some labels that she uses regularly: “I like Sisley, Guerlain, Chanel, Bobbi Brown and Armani Beauty,” among others. The Queen’s signature, she feels, translates to “less is more”, meaning a “not too heavy” use of any visible products. Ergo, “I always opt for a light, natural colour as a foundation, and tinted moisturiser is preferred depending on the season,” she adds.
When deciding on the colours that will complement the Queen’s fresh, natural base, Sandova is concerned with practicality (read: the environment) and harmony (how it will wear with HRH’s outfit choice) – while remaining true to both of their beauty values. “The key for me will be what the Queen is wearing on the day, not so much the designer but the colour of the outfit and whether the engagement is indoors or outdoors. The Queen is very much her own person and has her own style which is closely in tune with my natural look.”
For the recent Coronation of Camilla as Queen, there was a lot of pressure to perfect her look – one which was photographed ceaselessly to remain indelible in memories of the historic moment. So how did Sandova ensure longevity of the look in the spotlight? “I only work with the very best products; it makes all the difference,” she shares. “The preparation of the skin was also so important given I wanted her skin to glow naturally.” But, of course, there’s a fine line between achieving a greaseless glow and granting some distracting shine.
Her secret? The skin was prepared using cleanser and moisturiser, she recalls. “I then polished the skin with a light foundation and tinted moisturiser mixed together”.
On the Queen’s cheeks, “I used a very light texture, strong colour blusher, then I contoured and illuminated her skin with a face palette,” she reveals. Then “a soft illuminating powder set the look”.
Her eye make-up was simple, while impactful. “I very much wanted to make her beautiful blue eyes stand out, so I used a very black liquid eyeliner and a very black mascara.” For eyebrows, “the key was to give a strong definition using a darker colour”. And finally, her lips. “Given the onus was very much on the eyes I opted for a soft pink for the lips,” she said – lipstick being a favourite product of the Queen’s.
“For Christmas and her birthday, I’m always inclined to buy her a new lipstick,” Sandova reveals. With HRH’s 76th birthday approaching next week, on 17 July, if you spot her sporting a new lipstick shade – likely natural, no doubt – you can guess where it came from.
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