Princess Diana's make-up artist recreates her iconic '90s beauty look (but you'll need 24 products to emulate her natural glow)

  • Mary Greenwell recreates Diana's look from her first Vogue photo shoot in 1991
  • The make-up guru also shared some anecdotes from her time working with her
  • The princess used to invite her over to discuss beauty products

By Sophie Inge For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

She is considered to be one of the greatest beauty icons of our time.

Now, as the world gets ready to commemorate 20 years since Diana's tragic death, the princess' make-up artist Mary Greenwell has revealed the beauty secrets behind her '90s look.

In a video published on Lisa Eldridge's YouTube channel, Greenwell recreates the look she perfected for Diana's 1991 Vogue cover, using a staggering 24 products to create the pared-back, natural effect.

Princess Diana's make-up artist  Mary Greenwell has revealed how to achieve the royal's signature natural look

Princess Diana's make-up artist  Mary Greenwell has revealed how to achieve the royal's signature natural look

Greenwell began working with Princess Diana in 1991 for Vogue’s December issue, for which she was photographed by Patrick Demarchelier.

Asked about her favourite encounter with the princess Greenwell said it was the moment they first met on the shoot. 

'The results were so great,' she said. 'It was groundbreaking. And the princess was so easy. 

'She was so excited and happy to be on the cover of Vogue because she was such a normal person. 

Diana pictured in 1991. Greenwell said the thing she changed most about Diana's look was moving her away from blue eye liner

Diana pictured in 1991. Greenwell said the thing she changed most about Diana's look was moving her away from blue eye liner

The 24 products behind Diana's 'natural' glow for Vogue 

  • Baume de rose by Terry 
  • Intraceuticals Rejuvenate - 3 Step Layering Set 
  • Laura Mercier Foundation Primer 
  • YSL Fusion Ink Cushion Foundation 
  • Guerlain Parure Gold Fluid Radiance Foundation 
  • Shu Uemura - Kolinsky Sable - 10 
  • Bobbi Brown BBU Palette 
  • Chanel Small Contour and Shadow Brush 
  • Bourjois - Smoky Stories Quad Eyeshadow Palette 
  • Chanel - Large Eyeshadow Brush - 25 
  • Hourglass 1.5mm Mechanical Gel Eyeliner 
  • Urban Decay - Naked 2 Palette 
  • Sensai - Eyelash Base 38°C 
  • Sensai - Mascara 38°C 
  • Lancôme - Hypnôse Mascara 
  • Tom Ford - Fiber Brow Gel 
  • Surratt - Shadow & Light Contour & Highlight Palette 
  • ZOEVA - Luxe Cheek Finish - 126 
  • Chanel - Powder Blush 
  • Wayne Goss - Powder Brush - 11 
  • Hourglass - Ambient Lighting Edit - Surreal Light 
  • MAC - Lip Pencil 
  • Lancôme - L'Absolu Rouge 
  • Charlotte Tilbury - Air Brush Flawless Finish
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A-list make-up artist Mary Greenwell began working with Princess Diana in 1991 for Vogue¿s December issue, photographed by Patrick Demarchelier

A-list make-up artist Mary Greenwell began working with Princess Diana in 1991 for Vogue’s December issue, photographed by Patrick Demarchelier

The model pictured before the makeover. In the tutorial, Greenwell recreates Diana's look from her first Vogue cover

The model pictured before the makeover. In the tutorial, Greenwell recreates Diana's look from her first Vogue cover

Top tips for the Princess Diana look 

  • Apply lip balm before anything else 
  • Give yourself a face massage while applying moisturiser to release tension and get the blood flowing
  • Use a primer for a perfect base for your foundation
  • Use two foundations: one for underneath and a slightly warmer colour on top
  • Apply the base foundation as a concealer under the eyes using a brush
  • Use a subtle, pale eye shadow to highlight under the brow
  • Apply the eye shadow by sweeping the brush across the lid and blending
  • Apply the eye liner to the roots of the lashes then use a cotton bud to gently blend it   
  • Apply a brown eye shadow into the roots of the bottom lashes using a small brush to keep the eyes looking soft
  • To apply mascara, start in the corner of the eye and work into the roots, before brushing it through the lashes  
  • Use a brow gel to help the brows to stay up then use a toothbrush to brush down any hairs that stick upwards
  • Use a contour colour to accentuate the cheek bones by sweeping it under the cheek bones
  • Apply a highlighter by sweeping downwards onto the cheek bone then apply blusher to the apples of your cheeks
  • To warm up the face, apply bronzer to the outside of the face using a big brush
  • There are two lip lines. Choose which one you want to outline with lip pencil depending on how big your lips are
  • Apply a salmon-pink lipstick and rub your lips back and forth
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'Even though she was the future Queen of England, to be on the cover of Vogue meant so much.' 

She said she hadn't known that she would be working with the princess until she arrived for the shoot. 

'She came in and we were all like "Wow! What a gorgeous secret this has been." She was so natural, so lovely and so charming.'

Greenwell said she then asked the princess what she wanted and she replied: 'Whatever you want. Just make me look fresh and new. Just do something different on me.' 

Greenwell recommends using two foundations: one for underneath, and a warmer colour on top

Greenwell recommends using two foundations: one for underneath, and a warmer colour on top

Use a subtle, pale eye shadow to highlight under the brow and sweep a darker tone across the lid, making sure to blend as you go

Use a subtle, pale eye shadow to highlight under the brow and sweep a darker tone across the lid, making sure to blend as you go

Greenwell blends in a brown eyeshadow into the roots of the bottom lashes

Greenwell blends in a brown eyeshadow into the roots of the bottom lashes

Greenwell displays the model's finished look 

Greenwell displays the model's finished look 

She added: 'The thing that I changed most about Princess Diana's look was actually moving away from the blue liner which was very aging for her. 

'I wanted to have her with a very soft eye, a very workable eye - but never too much.' 

She revealed that the princess used to call her up and invite her over to discuss beauty products.

'It was lovely with Princess Diana because she really was so relaxed. It was so easy and everything went and there were always the kids running around. It was a very relaxing time.' 

Diana, pictured here in 1994, used to invite Greenwell over to discuss beauty products

Diana, pictured here in 1994, used to invite Greenwell over to discuss beauty products

 

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