A Look Back at Princess Diana’s Best Beauty Looks

Princess Diana’s legacy is truly larger than life. Throughout her time in Buckingham Palace, the Princess of Wales revolutionized what it meant to be royal, leading with her heart and earning the title of “the people’s princess” thanks to her fearless, humanitarian approach to leadership even in the face of the utmost adversity, and her death shook more than just the United Kingdom. Today would have been Princess Diana’s 64th birthday, and to honor the princess of all of our hearts, we’ve rounded up some of her best beauty moments, because while breaking boundaries will forever be her legacy, her role as a style icon is one that has outlived her too.

July 1981, The Royal Wedding

We would be remiss not to kick off Princess Diana’s best looks with her wedding look. With her cropped hair styled sleek and straight around her face, a natural makeup look and her David and Elizabeth Emmanuel gown in tow, the Princess of Wales’ wedding ensemble is one that will forever go down in history.

February 1983, Kensington Palace

One of the earliest official headshots of Princess Diana, this stunning close-up taken in Kensington Palace showcases the princess’ initial aesthetic, complete with a perfectly coiffed bob, subtle eye makeup, extra rosy blush and a bare lip.

November 1985, The British Embassy

Taken on a visit to the British Embassy in November of 1985, this close-up image of Princess Diana donning a lace gown and a tiara gifted to her by the queen highlights the princess’ out-of-the-box beauty aesthetic. With a flush of blush across the face, a hint of silver eyeshadow on her lids, a coral glossy lip and what appears to be blue eyeliner on her waterline, this look highlights Princess Diana’s natural beauty and unconventional approach to fashion and style.

November 1998, Armistice Day

Photographed here at a wreath laying ceremony on Armistice Day in November of 1988, it’s clear that eye makeup was a key part of Princess Diana’s signature look. With the same eye-opening blue eyeliner on her water line, this time paired with a thick line of black on her upper lid and a nude lip, the look is a moodier take on her classic style.

June 1994, The ‘Revenge Dress’

Arguably one of Princess Diana’s most iconic moments, her off-the-shoulder black Christina Stambolian gown worn to the Serpentine Gallery on June 1, 1994, was not just remarkable for its stark contrast from the typical dress of royals at the time, but it also made headlines for coinciding with the day Prince Charles admitted to adultery on national television, thus earning the ensemble the “revenge dress” title. Paired with her signature pixie cut tousled to perfection, a smokey eye and a glossy lip, Princess Diana’s look is just like her: bold, unapologetic and unforgettable.

November 1995, Cancer Research Gala

Another jaw-dropping moment, Princess Diana’s look for the Cancer Research Gala in 1995 highlights her transition to a more cropped, pixie style. Her sultry eye look and muted lip are still featured, but the real standout is her glossy red nails.

June 1997, The English National Ballet

Dare we say, Princess Diana invented micro bangs and soap nails. In this ethereal look from the English National Ballet in 1997—just months before her tragic passing—the Princess of Wales is seen sporting a short, sleek bixie with ultra-cropped bangs, her classic, natural glam and subtle, shiny soap-like nails.