Secrets behind Kate Middleton’s glow-up including £165 dye – and how she looks better in her 40s than she did in 20s
FRESH back from her family break in Balmoral, the Princess of Wales was met with wolf whistles at the Rugby World Cup.
The regal mum-of-three is always breathtaking but fans have been hailing the 41-year-old royal as looking “tanned”, “happy” and “more radiant than ever” after the summer.
Fashion commentator Amber Graafland even claimed Kate even looks “better now in her 40s than she did in her 20s”.
But just how has Kate achieved this ‘back-to-school glow up’ - and tastefully wound back the clock in style?
Here, we reveal her top beauty and fashion secrets - and how she’s transformed her look into an unforgettable future queen.
Longer locks and £165 vegan dye
No matter whether she’s walking a red carpet in a ball gown or getting stuck into a sporting activity for one of her patronages, Kate’s greatest accessory - her hair - always looks picture-perfect.
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Although she travels with personal hair stylist Amanda Cook Tucker, the Princess of Wales famously goes to Richard Ward’s Chelsea salon for her rich chestnut colour.
Ruby Jo Lomax, founder of hair, beauty and aesthetics education centre, , told Fabulous that Kate opts for “elegance and glamour” with her hair style.
She added: “Richard Ward’s salon uses ELUMIN vegan-friendly hair colour, which is ammonia free.
“The average cost for a root application is around £165.
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“As fair as her hair colour, the Princess used to sport a mocha chocolate colour, but recently stepped out in what appeared to be babylights balayage.”
Although she’s experimented with a shorter length in the past, Kate appears to currently be favouring a longer, voluminous style.
Tina Farey, Editorial Director from Rush Hair, said: “Growing her hair to a longer length has allowed her to maintain her beautiful, bouncy blow-dry that she has grown to love and sport over the years and with the hair in the most exceptional condition.”
£47 sleep elixir skincare and bee facials
According to Dr Ross Perry Medical Director of, Kate has “perfectly flawless skin with very little lines for her age.”
And this could partly be due to her love of anti-ageing bee venom, according to
The publication claimed Kate can’t get enough of Heaven's bee venom mask from Deborah Mitchell, and hailed it as a "natural alternative to Botox."
At £359 a jar for their gold mask, you’d hope it’d provide a glow fit for royalty.
Dr Ross speculated that Kate may also get £75 microdermabrasion sessions to give her skin an extra boost.
Dr Ross explained: “This non-invasive procedure rids the skin of its dead and dull surface layers, stimulating an increase in collagen production and rejuvenation.
“You can also expect to see a difference in the tone, texture, and colour.
“For key royal events, they may have one session every two weeks.”
It's previously been reported that Kate swears by the £47 Beuti Skincare's Beauty Sleep Elixir, a facial oil "fortified with 14 precious plant oils", and even gifted it to Meghan Markle when they were together at Kensington Palace.
But forget just having a cabinet of pricey products, fans of the princess also say they once spotted her buying a tub of £5 Nivea while shopping at Boots on the King’s Road in Chelsea.
Clever make-up tricks and bushy HD brows
Many people experience eyebrow thinning as they get older - but Kate’s have done the opposite.
The Princess opts for a fuller look, which gives her a more youthful appearance.
Amy Bates, hair stylist, make-up artist and founder of , says: “If you have lines and wrinkles under the eye, the right brows can draw attention away from that area and make it less noticeable.
“In her younger years, Kate’s brows were thin and heavily plucked but now they are growing back thicker.
“I imagine a specialist has helped her using a technique such as HD Brows, where the natural brows are tinted and shaped.”
And she also appears to have ditched harsher eyeliner too.
Amy says: “Kate is still wearing eyeliner but it is much softer and not too dark. She now prefers smoky brown and bronze hues, which are more flattering.
“Thick lines can make people look older and Kate understands this.”
Get the (faux) glow
Given Kate's love of all things sports - including revealing on Mike Tindall’s podcast this week she loves “wild swimming” - it makes sense she’d spent a decent amount of time outdoors during the summer.
And it seems to have resulted in a golden tan, as we saw when Kate joined thousands of fans at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille, France, for England’s first Rugby World Cup match against Argentina.
However, she could have had a helping hand from fake tan too.
For her royal wedding day, the royal bride reportedly used the Xen-Tan Instant Bronzing Mist to achieve her natural look.
Follows the Queen's style tactic
From Alexander McQueen and Catherine Walker to high street favourites such as Hobbs and Zara, Kate sticks to timeless pieces that withstand the test of time, says Amber.
And Kate has certainly come into her stride with her personal style after hitting 40.
Amber explained: “The common denominator in all her looks is elegantly tailored shoulders, a cinched waist and a fitted torso, with a hemline that falls demurely below the knee.
“While her style has remained constant there is no disputing the Princes of Wales has refined and finessed her image of late.”
This includes copying a “style tactic” used by the Queen to “stand out in the crowd during public engagements” - by wearing block colours.
Amber added: “The Princess has always employed her wardrobe choices to nod to host nations.
"As her position within the royal family continues to grow in status, she is employing this discreet diplomatic touch more and more.
“Stylish always, fashion-forward on occasion, above all the Princess’s wardrobe has to work; for official visits not only does she have to look her best but her clothes have to be comfortable, weather appropriate and flawless.
“No mean feat, but she manages this with ease.”
£325-a-month gym and cold swims
She may have had three kids, but Kate has maintained a trim 24-inch waist.
Celebrity personal trainer and founder Tyrone Brennand says Kate’s figure is one of the most sought-after.
He said: “She's definitely got a great physique. That lean, long, slim look is something that a lot of people want to achieve.”
After giving birth to Prince George, Kate enlisted personal trainers to help get in shape, including ‘figure magician' Louise Parker, according to the
Louise Parker Method encourages clients to see weight loss as a lifestyle change rather than a diet and favours Mediterranean ingredients.
Louise says in her book: “I loathe dieting. I'm actually on a mission to end it.”
Kate is said to exercise every day and used to be a member of the pricey £325-a-month Harbour Club in Chelsea, when she lived in London.
The club which was a favourite of Princess Diana's and also commands a £1,555 joining fee for adults, totalling £5,780 a year.
The mum-of-three likes to mix up her sports - favouring yoga and CrossFit, but also tennis and skiing with the family.
Speaking to Mike Tindall, Kate said on his podcast: “I really, genuinely love all sports. Personally, I love swimming wherever I can.
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"Cold swimming - the colder, the better. I absolutely love it. Slightly to the point where William's [saying], 'You're crazy' and it's dark and it's raining.
"I will go and seek out cold water. I love it."