“Ever since Suits aired everyone was like, 'Oh my God, you look like Meghan Markle,' and I was like, ‘Really?’” I’m Skyping with Lukwesa Morin, or as she’s known in her day job as an impersonator, Meghan Markle—and she's promised to teach me the tricks of the trade. Because it’s not just Morin and I who want to look like Markle. Ever since she went from Suits starlet to soon-to-be princess (well, technically: duchess), people around the globe have been trying to get her look, whether by buying whatever she's wearing or getting plastic surgery to look more like her.
Surgery wasn’t necessary for Morin, a 26-year-old Johns Hopkins graduate student and winner of the Beautifulpeople.com Meghan Markle lookalike contest. Morin's similarities to the future royal have the potential to earn her thousands of dollars. Dot Findlater, founder of Mirror Images lookalike agency based in Los Angeles, told Time "lookalikes generally earn between $800 and $1,200 for up to three hours of work." On top of that, if clients want lookalikes to travel out of town for special occasions the fees start at $2,000 and increase with the additional costs of room, board, and meals. "In some cases, the price can reach $20,000."
With so much potential for fame and fortune, I took it upon myself to find out how exactly I could break into this booming business. Lukwesa Morin graciously shared how she becomes Markle, so you can, too—handsome prince not included.
Exfoliate like a Queen
Courtsey
Exfoliation is apparently key to being Meghan Markle. “I exfoliate twice a week and use blue acai berry, blueberry acai, and a facial scrub from Whole Foods or Trader Joes,” explains Morin. Markle told Allure back in 2014 that her go-to exfoliate is a Tatcha Polished Classic Rice Enzyme Powder.
I have sensitive skin, but I tried exfoliating to get a fresh glow like Markle or Morin. The results were less future member of the monarchy than I'd hoped, but maybe my red flushed appearance would make me a perfect candidate for a briefcase girl on Deal or No Deal. Baby steps here!
Markle Morin Sparkle
CourtesyMorin
Morin actually doesn’t wear a lot of makeup when she lives her life as Meghan Markle. She says she uses mascara or eyeliner with a light eyeshadow, and she's moving more into contouring to sculpt her face for the Meghan effect. She does mention the key to Markle’s look is the brows. “She keeps her brow tamed,” says Morin. Morin goes for threading instead of waxing because it’s “much healthier for your skin and you use a lot less harsh chemicals.”
The message was clear: eyebrows really break or make the Meghan Markle look. Markle, Morin and I have a somewhat similar eyebrow shape, but both of them have a lot cleaner brows. Markle's makeup, however, is easier to achieve. Racked graciously rounded up all the interviews and beauty tips from Markle, including her freckle-friendly Armani Luminous Silk Foundation she discussed in Refinery 29. Markle also uses a Bobbi Brown concealer and Living Luminizer to achieve her no-makeup makeup look.
Makeup can work wonders, but I didn't know if I had the technique or bone structure to even begin. My brows aren't thin but I did my best to tame them, like Morin mentioned. A light shadow did help to achieve some of the look, and I kept the foundation thin to let my personal freckles shine through. I also drew in some additional freckles to really bring out my Scots-Irish heritage—long live the queen and all that. Markle and Morin also use a peachy nude-colored lip topped with a bit of gloss or balm. That part of the look was super easy and so was the signature Markle/Morin pursed lips. Mirror mirror on the wall, am I the most Meghan of them all?
Courtsey
Fit for Royalty
Morin seemed to know Markle’s diet like the back of her hand. “She tried to stick to whole foods and organic products and so do I,” said Morin. Markle has spoken a number of times for her love of green juice that includes a blend of apple, kale. spinach, lemon, and ginger. Morin also mirrors Markle's diet in that her diet consists of small salads and healthy proteins. Markle's a big fan of sashimi and Morin sticks to a pescatarian diet to achieve her Markle fit frame.
I tried to stick to the duchess' diet for a couple of hours but...did you know that in New York City you can just clickity clack a couple buttons on your computer and 30 minutes later a hamburger shows up? 2018 is wild. In my own scientific studies, I found that hamburgers are much more satisfying than a blend of fruits and veggies, which, in my professional opinion, tastes disgusting. Sorry, Meghan!
Carry Yourself Like a Future Princess
Courtesy//Getty Images
“You have to walk with your back straight,” explains Morin. The best tip for improving posture? Confidence. Walk like you own the room and deserve to be a princess in the British royal family. Another body language tip? Morin noticed that the Suits star and future royal always talks with her hands, but always seems to be embarrassed that she’s doing it. Morin shared a similar sentiment. “I try not to use my hands too much when I talk, I notice that's something she also does, which is weird, how there's so many similarities with that,” explains Morin. (Wow, same.)
The last thing I noticed on my journey to Meghandom was that both Morin and Markle smize. It's a coy pursed lip smile and small squint that makes the two seem very similar. 10 hours after plugging "Tyra Banks" into YouTube, I'm ready.
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