Daniel Martin Reveals Duchess of Sussex-Worthy Makeup Secrets (Without the Royal Price Tag) 

If you’re even slightly beauty-obsessed (or just obsessed with Meghan Markle, because, same), then you already know Daniel Martin is the mastermind behind Hollywood’s most stunningly natural, luminous looks—including Markle’s now-iconic wedding day glow. The way he pulled off that effortless, I-woke-up-like-this glam? Magic. And now, he’s sharing all his juiciest tips on Breaking Beauty.

As if that weren’t enough, Martin is starring in the first episode of With Love, Meghan, which, if you’ve been keeping up with us (and you should be), you know has been THE topic of conversation lately. With Love, Meghan was just renewed for a second season because we’ve all been soft-lifing our way through TikTok trends and throwing flower sprinkles on everything like Tinkerbell.

Meanwhile, the Duchess herself is launching a new podcast called Confessions of a Female Founder with Lemonada Media, and yes, we will absolutely be tuning in. 

The Man, The Myth, The “Ratchet Friend”

Daniel Martin is a beauty industry legend but doesn’t take himself too seriously. Self-described as Markle’s “ratchet friend” (his words, not ours!), Martin has been by her side for years. He’s seen her through the Hollywood hustle, the royal whirlwind, the post-palace era, and somehow still manages to make her look perfect through it all. That level of consistency? Unmatched.

Being a makeup artist for one of the most-watched women in the world comes with its own set of pressures. Martin knows exactly how to balance enhancing her natural beauty while keeping her looking like, well, herself. On Breaking Beauty, he gets real about his approach: “It’s all about enhancing, not masking. The biggest mistake people make with makeup is trying to erase themselves.”

The Royal Glow Secret

We all remember Markle’s wedding day look—fresh, radiant, like she just stepped out of an actual fairytale. The secret to that glow wasn’t created with expensive products but with Martin’s skincare-first philosophy. “You can’t fake healthy skin with makeup. If your base isn’t hydrated and taken care of, it’s not going to look good no matter how much highlighter you throw on.”

What’s his holy grail skincare move? Layering hydration: “You want moisture on moisture,” he says. “A lightweight serum, a solid moisturizer, and a mist to seal it all in. That’s how you get skin that looks alive.”

And before you run off to buy every expensive skincare product out there, Martin is all about budget-friendly hacks. “You don’t need to spend a fortune,” he insists. “Drugstore skincare has stepped up in a major way. It’s about how you use the products, not how much they cost.”

The Markle Effect on Makeup Trends

Markle has been setting beauty trends for years without even trying. Minimalist makeup? Check. Soft glam with a defined eye? Check. That dewy, barely-there foundation look that’s now everywhere? You can thank her (and Martin) for that.

Martin spills that Markle has always been into a less-is-more approach: “She’s never been the type to pile on makeup. She likes looking polished but not overdone.” That’s a breath of fresh air in an era where some influencers think ‘natural’ means three layers of foundation and a ring light.

His biggest tip for achieving that effortless look? “Sheer out your foundation. Mix it with moisturizer or a little face oil. It lets your skin shine through while still evening things out.”

Another trick he swears by? Cream products. “Powders can sit on the skin in a way that looks aging. Cream blush, cream bronzer, even a little cream highlight—it all blends in better and just looks fresher.”

The Markle-Approved Lip Look

One thing we’ve all noticed? Markle always nails that perfect, natural-but-better lip color. Turns out, Martin has a method for that too. “She’s into a bitten-lip look, nothing too defined or overdone,” he shares. “I like to press a lip color into the lips with my finger instead of swiping it on straight from the bullet. It makes it look more natural, like you just ate some berries.”

And the best part? It’s an easy look to recreate. “You can even use a tinted lip balm,” he adds. “It’s about enhancing, not covering up.” Sense a theme here?

Martin: The Ultimate Ride-or-Die

Now, let’s talk about why Martin isn’t just Markle makeup guru—he’s one of the most important people in her life. If you’ve followed Markle journey, you know she’s had to navigate some things (understatement of the decade), and Martin has been there through it all—blending, buffing, and hyping her up.

It’s rare to find someone in the beauty industry—or, let’s be real, any industry—who is this loyal. But Martin? He’s got her back in every way that matters. Their friendship is proof that real ones stick around, no matter how bright the spotlight gets. And honestly, if we all had a Martin in our corner, the world would be a much more fabulous place.

Steal These Duchess-Worthy Tips

We might not all have Daniel Martin on speed dial (tragic, really), but that doesn’t mean we can’t apply his genius tips to our own routines. Here’s how to bring a little Duchess-worthy glam into your everyday life:

• Skin first, makeup second. Hydration is key, and layering your skincare will make everything else look better.
• Sheer out your foundation. Mix it with moisturizer or face oil for a skin-like finish.
• Ditch the heavy powders. Cream products blend in better and make your skin look youthful.
• Enhance, don’t erase. Makeup should make you look like the best version of yourself, not like someone else entirely.
• Press, don’t swipe. Whether it’s lip color or blush, pressing it in gives a more natural, lived-in effect.

At the end of the day, Daniel Martin’s approach to beauty is refreshingly simple: Less is more, skin is queen, and confidence is everything. And really, if it’s good enough for Meghan Markle, it’s good enough for us.