THE BEAUTY HABITS THAT MADE GRACE KELLY AN ENDURING ICON
What made Grace Kelly a beauty icon? From understated makeup to healthy skin-care habits, here’s why her beauty routine still holds up today.
The Gist
Grace Kelly’s elegant, less-is-more approach to beauty still holds up today.
From her understated makeup and luminous skin, here’s how she created her signature look.
Long before the era of beauty influencers and celebrity brands, Grace Kelly captivated the world with a look that still feels remarkably fresh today. Her glowing skin, minimal makeup, and refined hairstyle helped define an ideal of beauty that has endured for generations. “Grace was the epitome of her name—grace,” says makeup artist Alison Raffaele Tatem.
“Grace Kelly understood something that still resonates today: beautiful makeup should enhance the person’s natural beauty rather than compete with them,” says Jenna Kristina, a makeup artist based in Los Angeles. “Her skin always looked flawless and never heavy, her brows were softly defined, her eyes had subtle structure without feeling overdone, and her lips looked polished but never distracting. What makes her style feel so modern is that it’s built on balance. Nothing feels excessive or trend-specific.”
Rather than chasing trends, Grace Kelly relied on consistency, embracing healthy habits like drinking plenty of water, avoiding smoking, and staying active through exercise—proof that many of the beauty principles she lived by still resonate today.
Ahead, experts share the beauty routines and grooming habits that helped make Grace Kelly one of Hollywood’s—and royalty’s—most enduring style icons.
Meet the Expert
- Doris Day, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.
- Lisa Eldridge is a New Zealand-based celebrity makeup artist.
- Eric Wright is the owner of Eric Marshall Salon in Nashville.
- Jenna Kristina is a makeup artist based in Los Angeles.
- Alison Raffaele Tatem is a New York City-based makeup artist.
- Dominic Latella is the owner and head coach of SwimBox.
1. The Beauty of Her Understated Makeup
Grace Kelly’s makeup was remarkably restrained, especially during an era when bold lips, dramatic eyes, and glamorous Hollywood looks dominated the screen. Rather than chasing trends, she developed a signature beauty look that remained consistent throughout her life, one that emphasized timeless elegance over excess. “She wasn’t trying to follow a trend; she was enhancing her natural beauty,” says celebrity makeup artist Lisa Eldridge. “The focus was on beautiful skin and soft definition, rather than anything overly done. It’s the kind of makeup that allowed her unique, natural beauty to shine through. Everything felt balanced. She obviously had an understanding of what suited her. The makeup was always polished but never overpowering.”
According to Tatem, Grace Kelly favored full, softly defined brows, minimal eye makeup, and a touch of blush (she often used a deeper shade beneath the cheekbones for definition and a lighter pink on the apples to create a natural-looking flush). She also preferred natural pink and coral lip colors, nude eyeshadow, and mascara on her upper lashes during the day and a classic red lipstick (Christian Dior’s Rouge Dior 999), silver eyeshadow, and black eyeliner after dark.
Dior Rouge Dior, 999
“I always tell people that elegant makeup isn’t about doing less—it’s about editing,” says Kristina. “Every product has a purpose, and every detail works together. When you focus on harmony instead of making one feature the star, the overall result feels elevated and sophisticated,” says Kristina. “Her complexion always looked fresh and flawless, never masked. Her eye makeup enhanced the shape of her eyes rather than relying on bold colors or dramatic techniques, and her brows framed her face without overpowering it. Her makeup never announced itself when she walked into a room—it simply allowed her natural beauty and confidence to shine through. That’s the kind of sophistication that never goes out of style. That’s the glamour of a princess.”
2. The Habits Behind Her Healthy Glow
Grace Kelly’s luminous complexion wasn’t just the result of good genes. She prioritized habits that dermatologists still recommend today: staying hydrated, avoiding cigarettes, and maintaining a consistent skin-care routine. “Hydration can make a very big difference,” says Doris Day, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. She explains that dehydrated skin is more prone to inflammation, leaving it focused on managing that stress rather than its normal repair processes. Equally important was Grace Kelly’s decision to avoid smoking at a time when cigarettes were commonplace among Hollywood’s biggest stars. “Smoking is directly toxic to the skin,” says Dr. Day. “It accelerates aging, increases the risk of skin cancer and deprives the skin of oxygen, which gives it a sallow look.”
During her Hollywood years, Grace Kelly reportedly followed the famed Erno Laszlo ritual, beginning with Phelityl Cleansing Oil, followed by the brand’s Sea Mud Deep Cleansing Bar, and finishing with 30 splashes of warm water. She was also known for moisturizing her hands faithfully, believing they were often the first place to show signs of aging. Her approach emphasized daily habits rather than quick fixes, and Dr. Day agrees that consistency is key. “Regular sun protection, a healthy diet, proper hydration, exercise, and a great skin care regimen can help anyone’s skin age beautifully,” she says.
Erno Laszlo Phelityl Cleansing Oil | Erno Lazo Sea Mud Deep Cleansing Bar |
3. The Elegance of Her Signature Hair
Grace Kelly’s hair was as memorable as her understated makeup. Rather than embracing changing trends, she stayed loyal to soft, polished looks that emphasized healthy, beautifully maintained hair. Whether she wore a smooth blowout with gentle volume, an elegant French twist or chignon, or a simple style tucked neatly behind one ear, every look reflected the same philosophy: classic style over trends. “Her hair was structured yet breezy,” says stylist Eric Wright, owner of Eric Marshall Salon in Nashville. “There was a softness to her style that made it feel like she could have almost done it herself.”
In fact, according to multiple biographers, after becoming Princess of Monaco, Kelly often styled her own hair, preferring a hands-on approach. “She wore the styles with elegance and grace,” says Wright. “The styles did not wear her.”
4. The Perfumes That Defined Her Style
Grace Kelly’s beauty routine extended beyond skin care and makeup to the fragrances she chose, which reflected the same refined sensibility that guided her approach to beauty. According to fragrance historians, she often wore Château Krigler 12, a floral composition of lily of the valley, mimosa, rose, and musk. As she prepared to marry Prince Rainier III of Monaco, the House of Creed reportedly created Fleurissimo to complement her wedding bouquet. Blending bergamot, tuberose, iris, and Bulgarian rose, the fragrance has become one of the most enduring symbols of her royal wedding and remains closely associated with Princess Grace decades later.
Krigler Château Krigler 12 | Creed Fleurissimo |
5. The Exercise Habits Behind Her Beauty
Long before posture became a wellness buzzword, Grace Kelly embodied it. Biographers consistently credit her early ballet training—and later modeling career—with giving her the poise and effortless posture that became hallmarks of her style. Grace Kelly remained committed to staying active, and swimming became one of her favorite forms of exercise. “Swimming trains posture, mobility, strength, and cardiovascular fitness at the same time. It requires the ribcage, pelvis, and head to remain organized while the body moves through the water,” says Dominic Latella, owner and head coach at SwimBox. “Over time, that can improve postural awareness and strengthen the muscles that support an upright, balanced posture.”
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Read the original article on InStyle
2026-08-06T21:09:42Z
