6 Times Meghan Markle, a Woman Who Does What She Wants, Pushed Royal Beauty Rules in 2018

Updated on 12/16/2018 at 12:40 PM

Meghan Markle: Duchess of Sussex, mom-to-be, philanthropist, actress, dictionary definition of elegance and grace, master of messy buns — you get the point. She's a woman of many talents, she does what she wants, and she looks incredible doing so. Whether she's going against the norm with adorable PDA with Prince Harry, her impeccable fashion taste, or even her beauty choices, she's not afraid of bending the royal protocol to suit her wants and needs, and we're all for it.

While there are no hard-and-fast "rules" per se for royal family members, there are certain expectations when it comes to their beauty routines, which makes the fact that Markle isn't afraid to test the waters when it comes to hairstyles, makeup tricks, or nail polish choices a breath of fresh air. Read on for some of the best ways the duchess has pushed royal beauty boundaries this year. We can't wait to see what beauty tricks and looks she has in store for 2019.

Meghan Markle's Messy Bun

When it comes to hair, Markle is definitely known for her messy bun. During her first royal engagement as Prince Harry's fiancée, she wore her hair in the kind of messy bun we walk out of the house with in a rush (royal-style, of course), and we loved it. The ever-relatable royal has since worn the messy bun multiple times; however, since getting married, the look has definitely gotten more polish.

Meghan Markle's Minimal Makeup

When it comes to sister-in-law Kate Middleton's makeup, she likes to stick to her signature smoky eye with lots of liner and a good dose of blush. But Markle prefers her freckles to be on display, with a touch of bronzer and a light pink lip.

Meghan Markle's Dark Nail Polish

Markle caused a media frenzy when she turned up at the British Fashion Awards wearing dark nail polish — shock, horror. This is very rarely seen on the royal family. Middleton opts for either no polish at all or a very light pink shade, and the queen has famously been wearing the same pale Essie shade for decades.

Meghan Markle's Makeup Tricks Match the Trends

Although Markle prefers a subtle makeup look, that doesn't mean she hasn't got a few beauty tricks up her royal sleeve. In line with the trends, beauty bloggers aren't the only ones who overline their lips; Markle is a fan of this hack, too. She keeps her lips looking plump, but in the most natural way.

Meghan Markle's Wedding Hair

In keeping with the messy-hair preference, the duchess wore loose strands of hair for her big day, which, yes, was intentional. Typically, a royal bride would wear her hair in a more polished half-up style like the Duchess of Cambridge or opt for a sleek updo like Princess Eugenie.

Meghan Markle's Toenail Polish

Yes, we're aware this is a weird one, but here we are. Rarely, if ever, are the royals' toenails on display, for obvious reasons. But if they're visiting a beach (Middleton even wears heels to the beach, though, because of course) or as a mark of respect, shoes are not necessary. And we can assume the usual nail rule still applies, either bare or very pale pink. But in this case, Markle opted for a deep red hue on her toes. Get it, girl.