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Though her untimely passing shook the world in 1997, Princess Diana still remains an iconic figure that’s etched into the brains of many today; in fact, her influence only seems to be growing in popularity. From her compassionate spirit to her timeless fashion choices, she undoubtedly inspired generations of people wanting to emulate her style and poise. Of course, being thrust into the spotlight of the British monarchy compelled Diana to look and feel as best as she could. And with the help of her few trustworthy beauty and wellness experts — four of who are mentioned below — she was able to execute the simple, chic and elegant demeanor that remains constantly evoked in our culture today.
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Sam McKnight
The person who Diana credited for boosting her confidence in the early ‘90s? That’s none other than hairstylist Sam McKnight. After meeting on a shoot, the two began working together and remained close friends until the Princess’s sudden passing. “At the end of the shoot she asked me what I’d do to her hair if I could do anything I wanted, and I said, ‘Well, I’d just cut it all off and start again,’ because it was 1990,” McKnight told Vogue. As it turns out, he transformed her look by snipping “the ‘80s frou-frou” hair to create her signature blond minimal short cut.
Mary Greenwell
Even though Diana favored a very natural approach to makeup, she was never anything less than glamorous. “I loved enhancing her beauty,” makeup artist Mary Greenwell told Vogue about her time working with the Princess. “And making her look and feel relaxed in her own skin the rest of the time.” Though she opted for a striking blue liner in her younger years, Diana took on a more classy beauty look — featuring soft definition around the eyes, gentle lip color, and radiant skin, with more makeup in the evening — after meeting Greenwell on the same shoot where the Princess met McKnight.
Dr. Nishi Joshi
Wellness practices might be taking a top spot in people’s priorities today, but Diana was already into it during the ‘90s before it truly became a thing. In fact, she urged Dr. Nishi Joshi to return to his Ayurvedic roots and treat patients holistically based on what the body needed, instead of treating outward symptoms. Thanks to the Princess, Dr. Joshi now offers an array of treatments for the mind and body: acupuncture, cupping, hypnotherapy, energy healing, nutrition, and holistic detox. Gwyneth Paltrow certainly digs it.
Jenni Rivett
You must live under a rock if you haven’t seen the iconic photos of Princess Diana strolling down the streets in her gym gear — after all, it remains a look that celebrities and social media influencers keep trying to recreate. But the casual fit helped Diana tackle fitness sessions with personal trainer Jenni Rivett, where the two engaged in activities like power walking, aerobics, and rollerblading in Kensington Palace Gardens. Today, Rivett holds a mission of getting women over 40 fit and healthy.