Meghan Markle's beauty evolution, from her Deal or No Deal days to becoming a British royal
Meghan Markle has recently undergone a major beauty and fashion transformation: from Hollywood actress to British royalty. It’s been a real treat to see how Markle‘s new role has inspired and evolved her beauty and fashion choices.
The former Suits actress has always had timeless style but there has been a shift in the last few years. Lately, it’s rare to see Meghan wear bold makeup, but that doesn’t mean she didn’t play around with her beauty looks before becoming a royal. While she’s embraced a more natural aesthetic more recently, it’s fun to see her past beauty choices.
Let’s take a look at Meghan Markle’s beauty evolution, shall we?
12006
When Markle hit the scene as a briefcase model on the game show Deal or No Deal, her makeup was more on the heavy side. Her eyes here are heavily defined, though not overlined, with big, fluttery lashes.We call this super glam.
22006
At an event for The National Kidney Foundation, we saw the very beginning of Meghan’s legendary messy bun. She paired it with smoky blue eyeliner and a pink lip, which, to us, seems super youthful and sweet.
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Meghan attended the Golden Globes gifting suite with long, wavy hair. Those parted long bangs were so 2007, too. She also rocked a similar eyeliner and pink cheek look as the year before.
42009
At the DPA pre-Emmy Lounge, she opted for a more natural look, one that we’re used to seeing today. Her makeup was a lot more subtle with a hint of blush and minimal eye definition.
52010
Meghan visited the Some Kind-a Gorgeous Style and Beauty Lounge at the Chateau Marmont. She looked like a total L.A. cool-girl. Meghan kept her hair straight and paired it with soft, pastel makeup. The pale pink blush, icy eyeshadow, and lip gloss were very on-trend for the time.
62011
Looking like the duchess we know today, Meghan arrived at the Anti-Defamation League Entertainment Industry Awards Dinner with fresh-looking makeup. She kept her lips nude and her blush subtle. Her hair was also longer than we had seen it, and she added layers and caramel highlights, too.
72011
At the launch of Alexa Chung’s Madewell Collection, Meghan went for her signature natural look, but she spiced it up with a frosty pink lip. It gave her a fun, summery vibe.
82012
In 2012, Meghan started upping the glam factor. Her dress was more sophisticated, and it perfectly matched her long, wavy hair. We love her flirty, sultry eye makeup and bold brows.
92012
The pop of purple on Meghan’s eyelid was a fun twist to her usual style. We’re into the combination of her simple, slicked-back ponytail with her makeup.
102012
Meghan gave us a ’70s vibe with her retro-inspired outfit, sultry makeup, and big curls.
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Meghan showed up at a Golden Globes after-party with elegant and timeless makeup. She wore her hair in what has now become her signature loose chignon, minus the middle hair part. Her skin looked radiant and glowy.
122014
The actress was an absolute vision at the 2013 Elton John AIDS Foundation Enduring Vision Benefit. This is one of her more regal pre-royal looks: her hair was in its trademark chignon; her makeup was even more subtle than in years before.
132014
We love how sweet and subtle Meghan’s cat-eye was at the NBC Upfronts. She kept her eye makeup glam with false lashes and black eyeliner. Her hair was simple but not boring.
142015
Meghan brought the glamour to the CFDA Awards in 2015. She went a bit heavier on the foundation and added a dramatic smoky eye, which paired perfectly with a nude lip. Her makeup didn’t look caked on or overdone; it was perfect for the occasion. And by flipping her hair to the side, she gave her look a touch of sultriness.
152015
Meghan briefly brought back her baby pink lip and rosy blush. It complemented her wispy false lashes beautifully. Her hair being pulled back allowed her natural features to shine.
162016
In one of her most dramatic makeup looks yet, Meghan wore a berry red lip with a bold smoky eye and loose waves.
172016
Meghan clearly loved wearing long, full lashes in 2015 and 2016. It gave her a lot of room to go more natural with the rest of her makeup. The soft pink lip, her rose-colored cheeks, and full brows gave her an Audrey Hepburn-esque look. She is still rocking this style today.
182017
During this time, Meghan was publicly dating Prince Harry. In this Invictus Games appearance, she had her classic middle hair part and fresh-faced makeup. Her eye makeup was a bit heavier than usual, but she looked smoldering. She was starting to skew more conservative in her outfits while still remaining true to her own aesthetic.
192017
Who can forget how gorgeous Meghan looked when she and Prince Harry announced their engagement? Her hair was voluminous and perfectly wavy with subtle caramel highlights. Her makeup was natural and very much styled the way we’re used to seeing her now.
202017
Christmas 2017 was the first time we saw Meghan in a very British look and she, of course, knocked it out of the park. She kept her hair simple with loose waves. Her beige coat and fascinator are what really stole the show here.
212018
Meghan spent the winter before her wedding going to royal events. While these would’ve intimidated most of us, she stayed true to herself the entire time. She refused to let go of her beloved messy bun. Fly-aways be damned.
222018
We can’t forget Meghan’s royal wedding beauty look. She started a new trend of fresh-faced bridal beauty. She had the most natural makeup in royal wedding history (at least by our account) and even wore her go-to messy chignon. Two words: flawless and unforgettable.
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Post-wedding, Meghan has maintained her style beautifully. Rumor has it that she does her own makeup, and we love that she’s kept it subtle yet sexy.
242018
Recently, Meghan sported a chic Wimbledon look that is the epitome of summer goals. From her signature bun to her soft, nude makeup, we need to copy this asap.
