Kate Middleton's favorite nail polish is 20% off and the pretty shade has a sophisticated sheer finish (2024)

FAQs

What nail polish do the royals use? ›

Essie is obviously a royal family favourite, as reported on the nail polish brand's website, it was the brand “chosen by Princess Catherine Middleton on the day of her marriage.”

Dark polishes, particularly stark black, run the risk of making mature hands appear less youthful, especially when it comes to cool-toned shades like deep navy, bluish reds, and wine purples. These exacerbate any skin dullness or dark spots caused by sun damage that you might be worried about.

The likely reason is that it's simply a personal preference. Middleton talks often about how much she values her time outside in the country with her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—and when you're a busy mom, it's much easier to rebuff a nail than it is to repolish.

Navy Blue

Navy has always been such an expensive-looking colour, in my opinion. What I love about this shade is that although it's a classic, it still manages to make a statement. Blue emerges as a nail trend in some iteration each season, but a deep navy blue is as timeless as a classic black manicure—it never dates.

In particular, Princess Di preferred a a squared-off, short white French tip with a sheer pink base.

Essie's Ballet Slippers Nail Polish ($8) is the perfect hue for every day wear. A few years after the lacquer came out, Queen Elizabeth II immediately started wearing it.

Beware Of The Blues When Choosing The Best Nail Color

As you get older, your skin is more likely to be showing your bluish veins. I suggest avoiding pale or cool tones such as blues and greens or blue-based reds and plums. These will emphasize any veins that are visible.

“If you have a lighter skin tone, the color would differ depending on how fair your skin is, but corals, greens, and red would be good for older hands because it draws attention to the nails,” according to Orly. According to Orly, older adults with darker skin may look best in orange, gold, and gray shades.

Neutral Shades: Opt for neutral colors like nude, beige, rose, or soft pink. These shades create a clean and elegant look, giving the illusion of youthful hands.

There are three colors, though, that Kate rarely gravitates towards: orange, purple, and dark brown, The Daily Express reports. Why? The outlet dug into it with fashion stylist Francesca Cairns. Orange, for example, is a color that Kate rarely employs.

What makeup does Princess Kate wear? ›

Kate is a big fan of the long-wearing and undertone correcting Bobbi Brown foundation with medium coverage and sun protection. Offering a subtle glow while enhancing her comely complexion, the princess loves the fade resistant matte 16-hour foundation for a flawless finish.

Only natural-looking polish or bare nails are allowed. “The royal family tends to favour sheer, neutral shades on shorter, squoval-shaped nails,” Sarah Gibson Tuttle, founder and CEO of Olive & June, told Harper's Bazaar. “It's a super-classic, clean look that looks timeless and royal appropriate.

White nail polish exudes sophistication. It's well suited to any event, whether you're going out for dinner or shopping with friends. This shade is also incredibly versatile. You can go for a classy full coverage look or use it to create the perfect nail tips on a French manicure.

The princess is known for her groomed fingertips, regularly stepping out with a pink manicure courtesy of Essie's 'Allure'. Although this color was discontinued, Kate's favorite shade was reinvented with the name 'Ballet Slippers' and is now available at a discounted price.

Pastel colors, blue-based reds, and jewel tones are also very flattering. If you're choosing brown nail polish, lean toward taupes. This dark, blue-leaning red almost has a wine quality that makes it feels moody and classic at the same time.

As for Meghan Markle, while her wedding-day nails are widely considered to be a mixture of CND shades executed by top London nail salon, DryBy, it is thought that she has also been a fan of Essie polishes.

Ballet Slippers was the queen's favorite nail polish

According to illustrious nail polish brand Essie, in 1989, founder Essie Weingarten received a letter from Queen Elizabeth's hairdresser asking for a bottle of the shade Ballet Slippers. And it was "the only color" the queen would wear since then, the website claims.

Asked what her favourite colour in the collection is, she instantly mentions the classic red, Rock 'n Roll (before remembering to say that she 'loves them all"). And when I want to know what nail shade she always finds herself returning to, she plumps for that classic of classics, Chanel's Rouge Noir.

The most documented guideline relates to nails, and while the rule isn't technically protocol, it is widely followed as a matter of being appropriate. Royal nails are expected to be kept short and clean, with the fold favouring a squoval shape in a sheer, neutral shade—particularly pinks, whites and peaches.