These Are The Beauty Products Used (And Prohibited) On The Set Of ‘Downton Abbey’

It turns out the Kardashians aren’t the only rich, powerful and predominantly female family to make a return to our screens. The Crawleys are back with the release of Downton Abbey‘s second film. Since premiering 12 years ago, the show has seen death, marriage and even a world war. But, one thing that’s remained a constant? The flawless, minimal and entirely undetectable makeup worn by each character. 

The show’s makeup artist, Ann Crockery, who collaborated closely with the on-set historian, once described the overall look as, “beautiful without seeming to wear makeup at all.” Speaking to Daily Mail UK, Ann detailed the juggling act of camera-ready glam, during a time where little makeup even existed. “For the Downton girls, I leave the eyelids free of makeup,” she explained. “That allows you to see a slightly pinker area of skin, which gives the impression of no makeup on the rest of the face.”

Products that were used…

Bronzer? Forget it. The porcelain, even-toned complexions came down to diligent application of SPF and the use of two illuminating base products. The line-up? Chanel’s Le Blanc Primer ($69, Myer) paired with the Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation ($105, Adore Beauty). “Pale foundation highlights dark shadows, so I use one shade darker than their natural skin tone,” says Ann.

Even though a bronzed glow was not in vogue over at Downton, it is clear that flushed, rosy cheeks were. To achieve this look, Ann used Stila’s Convertible Colour ($37, MECCA), across the apples of the cheeks and the lips to “enhance their natural pinkness,” she explained.

Perhaps the most fascinating on-set glam intel of all? Not only was mascara not allowed to be used, it was actually prohibited from even being brought onto the set. “No mascara is allowed at all on set,” Michelle Dockery told Vogue. “Historically, women wouldn’t have been introduced to those kind of products then, so we can’t use them.”  Instead, to achieve the doe-eyed look that seems to have been inherited by every member of the Crawley clan, Ann revealed her clever mascara work-around: “we dyed the actresses’ lashes,” she revealed.

The exact dye she used went unnamed, however if you’re asking us, we’d recommend 1000HOUR Brush-In Lash & Brow Dye Kit ($17.95, Chemist Warehouse) as an affordable and easy-to-use option to mimic the on-set lashes crafted by Ann.

So there we have it; SPF, a touch of foundation and a hint of blush is all it takes. Who knew period dramas held the title of simplest beauty routine to recreate?

Main image credit: @downtonabbey_official

Have you seen the new Downton Abbey movie? What did you think of the looks?