EMMA HILL

Vogue editor, Alexandra Shulman’s comments (see Daily Telegraph clip below) on how Kate Middleton might look on her Big Day just goes to show how tight lipped the Palace has been over who’s doing her dress.  Not to mention her make-up (her hair is the only cert: team Richard Ward, why break a habit?).  That she’s reportedly doing it herself I sympathise with… but I think she should reconsider (if this really be the case).  She should be working with an expert such as Lisa Eldridge (my hot favourite for the job), Ruby Hammer, or Barbara Daly, the hand behind Princess Di’s make-up.

They will approach her look with an understanding of photography, the value of optical illusion and a knowledge of where less is more (yes, less – especially concealer and foundation).

This is what they’ll make sure of – all three, experts in naturally flattering make-up – in other words, how every woman really wants her make-up to look on her big day.

1.  That if she does follow through with her trademark black eyeliner, it’ll be delicately smudged so that it disappears into her lash line.  The result being naturally defined, soft, slightly exotic, eyes – beautiful on a brunette like Kate.

2.  They’ll advise both Kate and her sister, Pippa on where to blot (!) and how often, so nose, forehead and chin don’t shine for the photos.   (Note to Pippa: do keep a few things to hand: powder compact, natural lipstick, a couple of cotton buds – if possible the kind with make-up remover at one end).

3.  They’ll use all those artful, insider secrets they use on celebrity clients for the red carpet like splashing light onto the eye without creating a panda look, which flash photography mercilessly picks up (Touche Eclat or like blended over the upper inner corner of the eye and perhaps, the slightest dash just under the eye); or making her lashes look sumptuous without looking fake (a couple of single lashes glued to the outer half of the eye – there’s no way her hands would be steady enough to do this, before embarking on the longest bridal walk ever unless she is an alien); or adding natural fullness to her lips (a dab of highlighter or Touche Eclat on the Cupid’s bow); or opening up her eyes (a dash of white gold eye shadow just to the left of the tear duct). Kate’s mind will be on other things…

So my advice to you Kate.  Get on the blower to any one of the above three and I can guarantee that you’ll look 100% you, on-the-cusp-princess, future Queen and perhaps most importantly William’s babe.