Sometimes it’s the smallest sparks that bring a whole look to life. Case in point: the latest beauty look from Sophie Duchess of Edinburgh. From a distance, you might have missed it but take a closer look and you’ll see there’s a pop of electric colour that adds an unexpected touch to an otherwise very soft, girlie summertime makeup. In fact, it channels the original royal renegade herself, Princess Diana.
Sophie has been living the elite British summer of dreams so far, ticking off all the must-dos, from days out at Royal Ascot and country fairs to floating around garden shows and tucking into gourmet ice-cream. It’s all been accompanied by an appropriately ladylike uniform of elegant designer frocks and pretty, feminine beauty looks.
But perhaps there’s a beauty free spirit hiding beneath that poised, regal exterior. Earlier in the year, we spotted Sophie wearing the ‘anti-spring manicure’ with a deep merlot nail polish taking the place of typical pastels. And now we have further evidence that she loves to add her own unexpected touches.
Her appearance yesterday at the Hampton Court Garden Festival was a masterclass in sunshine chic, right down to the pretty floral tea dress and peachy eyeshadow. Zoom in, though, and you’ll spy a touch of electric blue liner – the exact look so beloved of Princess Diana. Who, by coincidence, would have marked her 64th birthday yesterday.
Whether it’s total coincidence or a subtle tribute to the beloved late princess, we’ll never know. However, blue liner is certainly a key part of Diana’s aesthetic that made her such a beauty icon in the 1980s and 1990s and evergreen inspiration to this day.
Blue liner is definitely a look that’s making a comeback for 2025. Just ask the newly-crowned Lady Beckham herself, who recently added a denim blue shade into her Victoria Beckham Beauty kajal line-up.
If you haven’t given blue liner a thought since Toyah’s heyday, it’s well worth revisiting. Adding a simple, slim line of colour to your everyday makeup is a brilliant way to gently push the boundaries of your comfort zone without feeling self-conscious.
An electric blue a la Sophie (and Di) adds a vibrant touch, but you can also go for more low-key shades to dip a toe in. Tones such as navy, indigo and deep denim are an easy substitute for black or brown. And even if you opt to go for a brighter royal blue, you can do it Sophie-style by adding just a small amount to the outer corners of the eyes
Makeup Revolution Super Flick Liquid Eyeliner Blue
