A beautiful DIY make-up job...with a little advice beforehand

The woman behind Kate’s make-up look yesterday heaped praise on her saying: ‘She did a great job.’


While most women would have called on the services of the country’s top beauty experts before stepping in front of a TV audience of two billion, the Royal bride opted to apply her own make-up.

It is believed the newly-elevated Duchess of Cambridge wanted to be surrounded by as few people as possible as she prepared for Friday’s ceremony.

However, she did enlist the help of little-known make-up artist Arabella Preston to teach her the tricks of the trade in a series of one-on-one meetings at Clarence House last month.


And while there has been criticism from some quarters that the bride’s make-up appeared a little heavy for a wedding, the woman behind the look said yesterday: ‘I thought she looked wonderful. Absolutely beautiful.’

Mrs Preston, a former Press officer for upmarket lingerie brand Myla, was contacted by Kate in April following a recommendation from a friend.


The mother-of-three is married to City-banker-turned-author Alex Preston. He is the older brother of Celebrity Big Brother star Samuel Preston, the former frontman of indie band The Ordinary Boys.

According to her website, Mrs Preston charges upwards of £125 an hour for bridal consultations. Sources close to the 32-year-old said: ‘She has never been paid by Catherine for her work but I think she was happy to help ahead of such an important day.’