Queen Camilla’s makeup artist on how to create an ageless glowing look

For decades Queen Camilla has maintained a classically conservative approach to her hair and makeup, with her signature feathery bob and less is more makeup. Like many of us, she has been loyal to the same hairdresser for decades – the Queen has visited Jo Hansford for an impressive 35 years and counting. 

Her Majesty has also long collaborated with the same makeup artist too – trusting nail and makeup artist Marina Sandoval for the past 15 years (since they met at Jo Hansford hair salon where she was the in-house manicurist).

Colombian born Sandoval tells The Telegraph that her rules for ageless glowing makeup were all in play when she created the Queen’s Coronation makeup in May. While not being able to divulge exactly which products she uses on the Queen, Sandoval tells me she typically uses a mix of brands for clients, including Guerlain, Sisley and Chanel as well as some natural British brands which the Queen has introduced her to. 

Here, Sandoval shares her tips for an ageless glowing makeup look:

Create a glowing base

“Having a glow is what so many of us want and the skincare underneath the makeup is so important. During the winter and especially around Christmas time, use the most enriching face cream you have as we tend to be more dehydrated from cold wind and indoor heating.  Really massage the cream into the skin before you start. It will make the skin look more glowing. I also exfoliate the skin first if I’m doing makeup before a big event.” 

Always use an eye cream under makeup

“Don’t just use your eye cream at night. Use it under your makeup in the morning too – it makes wrinkles less noticeable. I love Guerlain’s Abeille Royale Eye Cream, £70 – it’s luxurious but not greasy and makeup sits well on top of it.”

Warm up the skin tone

“I advise my clients after a certain age to switch to a tinted moisturiser or one of the new liquid skin tints. It’s more flattering on older skin. Foundation can sit in lines and look cakey. If you can, I alway recommend mixing two colours to find your perfect shade. And if in doubt go a shade that’s a tiny bit warmer as going too light can age you. To set the product I love Laura Mercier’s Translucent Loose Setting Powder, £28.”

Go easy on the shimmer

“Shimmer is not chic or flattering, so definitely avoid it. I do like highlighter products to add to the top of the cheekbones but you must find one without any frosty shimmer. The same goes for bronzer. If you’re over 50, it’s more flattering to use a matt bronzer. Guerlain, Chanel and Anastasia do very good ones.”

The blusher trick for lifting the cheekbones

“Apply the blusher a bit higher than you’d normally think; not in the middle of the cheek but on top of the cheekbones. Just a tiny amount. It can lift the face.”

Avoid matchy matchy eyebrows

“Don’t worry about matching your eyebrow pencil to your hair colour. Just find a colour that’s flattering for you. Avoid browns that are too warm or have too much red in them as they tend not to be very flattering. And my other eye tip is to always use a waterproof mascara as it will be less smudgy. Finding your perfect mascara is trial and error as you have to find what works for your eye shape. In general I tend to avoid the false lash effect ones as it’s more eye opening – and so more youthful – to use a lighter mascara.” 

Do use a lip pencil

“A soft lip pencil as near to your own lip colour as possible is useful on thinning lips as it can add some volume too. I never use a gloss on the Queen, always a satiny matt finish as it’s more elegant.”

5 makeup bag products for an ageless glow:

By Terry Hyaluronic Global Face Cream, £66, Space NK; Guerlain Terracotta Matte Bronzer, £34.40, John Lewis; Guerlain Abeille Royale Multi Wrinkle Minimiser Eye cream, £70.40, John Lewis

Hermes Plein Air Complexion Balm, £65, John Lewis; Westman Atelier Lit Up Highlighter, £44, Liberty