Nobody did a signature look quite like the late Queen. The headscarves, the handbags, the sensible heels and the slick of bright lipstick. A look as influential now – approaching what would have been Her Majesty’s 100th birthday – as it was in the 1960s, and still appearing on many a fashion mood board (from the Traitors to Stella McCartney).
A new exhibition at Buckingham Palace – the largest ever collection – on display of Queen Elizabeth II’s wardrobe negates the myth that she wasn’t interested in fashion. Similarly, her beauty choices show an appreciation of the power of a good lipstick and hand cream.
Not surprisingly, her beauty essentials, like her wardrobe, showcase the best of British brands, and echo her no-frills approach to food (remember her preferred breakfast was Special K or Quaker Oats stored in Tupperware to preserve freshness?). And while not much is published about her dressing table ritual, there are a handful of well-documented, non-extravagant beauty essentials we know she used for many years.
The lipstick
The Queen understood the instant uplift to one’s complexion from a slick of bright lipstick. Bright corals and pinks were favourites and suited her complexion. The Queen knew these photographed well, and similarly to her the see-through Fulton umbrellas, they would make her more visible at events.