Once upon a time, few of us had heard of a video communication site called Zoom. But now? Daily/weekly/hourly calls (tick as appropriate) have become the new normal for so many of us - and when lockdowns, tiers and social distancing are a distant memory, we'll continue to chat virtually with friends and family around the world.
During the pandemic even the Duchess of Cambridge and the rest of the Royal family have appeared on-screen (giving us a sneak peek inside their homes at the same time). And if there's one thing we've loved about virtual Kate, it's that she always manages to look timeless and elegant; her wardrobe a clever mix of high street buys and classic designer pieces, and her hair and make up looking fresh and flattering.
We spoke to make up artists Caroline Barnes, Natalie James and Sara Sordillo from Eylure to find out how you can get the Middleton glow, while Suzie McGill reveals the tips and tricks for camera-ready hair.
1. Prep to perfect
For a natural-looking glow which doesn't rely on layers of reflective make-up, skincare comes first. "The most important step before applying your Zoom make up is to nourish and hydrate your skin," says Caroline Barnes. "This makes your complexion look super-plump, and anything else you apply on top will look better." Massaging in a rich, creamy moisturiser underneath your base or mixing a drop of facial oil into your foundation (combination and oily skin types should avoid this step as it will create excess shine) boosts moisture levels and adds radiance and luminosity. To finish, a light dusting of face powder in the t-zone (forehead, nose and chin) stops this dewy glow from 'flaring' on camera.
Kate Somerville Dilo Oil Restorative Treatment
2. Power brows
It's hard not to notice Kate's statement brows; their shape neatly frames her face while the warm colour suits her skin tone. In fact, all the make up artists we spoke to recommended filling in brows before appearing on video calls to add definition to your face. Or, for a speedy brow boost, an at-home brow tint works wonders. "The tint will dye any fine, light hairs making brows look thicker," says Sara Sordillo. "The colour should last for up to two weeks so before a call all you'll need to do is apply a clear brow gel to tidy them up."
Lookfantastic Benefit Brow Microfilling Brow Pen 0.8ml (Various Shades)
3. Layer up
We don't know if Kate rocks a red lipstick when she's making personal calls, but a Zoom video is the perfect place to experiment with textures and colours that you might not usually wear. Natalie James suggests wearing a touch more make up than you normally would for face-to-face meetings. "Appearing on camera can wash out your complexion so to compensate I wear 20% more of a handful of products. Think lipstick, brow pencil or blusher - the things which create definition and impact."
4. Better with bronzer
Camera quality and bad lighting can wash us out. Take a tip from Kate and lightly add warmth and definition with a glow-giving bronzer. 'Kate's used a bronzer that's two to three shades warmer than her natural skin tone," says Natalie. "She's applied it to the high points of her face where the sun would naturally catch; cheekbones, forehead and down the centre of her nose. This gives her face a healthy radiance while also sharpening her features." We suggest using a shimmer-free cream or gel based formula which give a hint of bronzed juiciness without looking artificial.
5. Add an accessory
If like Kate you're a fan of hair accessories then this is the time to wear them! "Hair accessories are a fantastic option for Zoom as they're one of the quickest and easiest ways to transform your hair, without having to do much work," says Suzie McGill. "Whether you wear your hair up or down, an embellished headband looks chic and pretty, and can be incorporated into most hairstyles and textures."
Remember that facing the camera straight on means that only the front of your hair has to look presentable, so you don't need to spend hours on the areas that no one will see. "Taming frizz and flyaways with a smoothing serum or cream, or using a dry shampoo to refresh oily hair, goes a long way to making you look more polished and put together," says hair stylist Suzie McGill.
Not On The High Street Evy Designs Star And Crescent Moon Hair Slides, £21
Net-a-Porter éliou Elba silver-tone, pearl and bead hairclip
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