Just call it the Markle sparkle.
Meghan Markle may have opted out of official royal life, but her flawless glow is worthy of a crown. And the man behind the As Ever founder’s fresh-faced beauty is makeup artist and Tatcha Global Director of Artistry Daniel Martin, who has been working with the duchess for years.
With clients including Elisabeth Moss, Jessica Biel, Jessica Alba, Gemma Chan and more A-listers, Martin is an expert at flawless faces that start with natural radiance and seamlessly integrated skincare. He’s also responsible for Markle’s 2018 wedding day makeup.
“The key [to natural-looking skin on the red carpet] is balance — hydration without heaviness,” Martin exclusively tells Page Six Style.
“I always start with Tatcha’s The Essence ($110) to plump and prep the skin, followed by the new Dewy Milk Moisturizer ($64) for that healthy, lit-from-within glow,” he says, referring to the just-released lighter version of the Japanese brand’s beloved Dewy Skin cream ($72), out today.
“I focus on sheer layers, both in skincare and complexion products. Instead of overcorrecting, I enhance what’s already there,” he added.
“A little pinpoint concealing where needed, and I let real skin show through. That’s what makes someone look expensive — not overly done.”
When it comes to Markle specifically, he features natural beauty in a very intentional way.
“When I’m working with Meghan and I want her freckles to come through, I tend to apply her foundation with a smaller complexion brush rather than a traditional foundation brush,” he advises.
Martin recently responded to a fan asking on Instagram how exactly he added a touch of bronze to Markle’s red carpet look for the Paley Honors Gala in December 2024, revealing that he used the Live Tinted Hueglow Liquid Highlighter Drops ($38). He tells us that the placement of such products is paramount.
“Dewy skin is controlled and strategic — it’s about radiance in the right places: tops of cheekbones, bridge of the nose, maybe a tap on the lids or cupid’s bow,” he says.
As for skin prep? It’s not always about changing your products with the seasons. In fact, Martin says he’s not focused on winter versus summer skin — but rather products that work with a client’s particular skin type and concerns.
“The new Dewy Milk Moisturizer was designed for the oily/combination skin type to deliver the brand’s signature glow in a lightweight and bouncy formula,” he says of the product, which is formulated with a blend of zinc and hyaluronic acid.
“When experiencing dullness or uneven skin, I lean on a product such as The Brightening Serum ($89).”
And when it comes to the biggest day of all — a wedding day — Martin’s go-to routine for that, of course, focuses on skincare (“that’s the foundation of everything,” he says) as much as the makeup that lies on top.
“Start with a gentle exfoliation, hydration and targeted treatments for any concerns. Avoid anything too rich or heavy that might interfere with long wear; this is where I would turn to Dewy Milk Moisturizer to provide bouncy and glowy skin while maintaining oil. The Liquid Silk Canvas ($54) is my go-to — it grips makeup while giving skin a soft-focus finish,” he says.
Martin also warns: “Keep glow products cream-based and set strategically with powder — only where needed. And don’t forget the blotting papers for touch-ups — you want to glow, not glisten.”
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