Whether she’s going makeup-free or extolling the virtues of a consistent skin care routine, Meghan Markle has long been revered for her naturally glowing skin. For Balenciaga’s SS26 show last week—Markle’s first appearance at Paris Fashion Week in over a decade—the Duchess of Sussex stepped out with her most luminous skin to date, sparking a fervent debate as to how she created the glass-like finish.
With fans theorizing about the products and techniques that could mimic the same radiant finish, her makeup artist, Daniel Martin, has now taken to social media to reveal exactly how he masterminded the viral beauty look. “What an overwhelming reaction you all have had to this look of Meghan’s last Saturday night for the Balenciaga show!” he shared on Instagram.
“I did my usual skin prep [for Meghan] using Tatcha skin care—it’s a skin care ritual that’s been in my kit for years,” he revealed in the video. When it came to creating that supernatural glow, though, Martin employed the clever use of skin care to amplify Markle’s natural radiance. “What I changed was I mixed the Tatcha Longevity Serum with her foundation, which added another layer of radiance to her makeup—the result is juicy and glowy,” he revealed. He also employed the same technique to her cheeks, blending Tom Ford’s Contour Duo with a touch of Tatcha’s Serum Stick on the high points of her face.
Martin also eschewed brushes to create the dewy finish. “I like to use my fingers when I’m applying makeup: I always start with a facial massage, and then I add more coverage if needed. I never apply foundation with a sponge or directly to the brush.”
To illuminate the cheeks, he also added powder (the Parisian-favorite, Paris Berlin Compact Pressed Powder) just to the T-zone, allowing the rest of her makeup and skin care to shine through.
Since she’d just flown in from the U.S., Martin revealed that he wanted to keep the look really light, with a focus on moisture. “It’s about looking polished, hydrated, and fresh,” he said. Elsewhere, he used Tom Ford lipstick, a slick of mascara, and kept her brows structured. He concluded by saying that the look was “all about skin, skin, skin.”
Tatcha The Longevity Serum
Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate Contour Duo
Paris Berlin Poudre Compacte
