Máxima of the Netherlands is widely regarded as the most colorful royal dresser in Europe. Her love of vibrant hues usually extends to her beauty choices as well, with red or burgundy manicures and carefully applied makeup on the eyes, cheeks, and lips at almost every public appearance.
Or at least, that was the case until now. Because 2026 has officially begun very differently for the queen, with three official engagements in which she has gone almost completely without makeup.
As tradition dictates, on Monday, January 12, the King and Queen of the Netherlands hosted the New Year’s reception at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam. The event marks the official start of their annual schedule, and Máxima typically makes a strong style statement.
This year, however, she embraced two of winter’s most understated trends, minimalism and burgundy. She opted for a mid-length wool coat, a sweater, and tailored trousers in the same shade, creating a total look that was simple, practical, and flattering.
That minimalist approach extended to her beauty look as well. The queen skipped staples of her usual routine such as mascara, bronzer, and even lip color. Instead, she let her natural glow take center stage, showcasing luminous skin achieved through a dedicated skincare routine, an effect that can be subtly enhanced with a satin-finish BB or CC cream.
Her hairstyle followed the same philosophy of simplicity, straight hair worn loose, even during the formal reception that rounded out her engagements that day.
For that second appearance, Máxima brought back a light blue skirt by Natan, previously seen in her wardrobe, paired with a matching blouse from the same house, moonstone and diamond jewelry, and Gianvito Rossi stilettos in the same soft palette.
Although she did add a touch of makeup for the evening, slightly defining the eyes, natural beauty still prevailed. The third makeup-free look came less than 24 hours later, as part of the continuation of the New Year’s receptions, with diplomatic corps arriving at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam.
On this occasion, the queen opted for a more vibrant ensemble, combining a Klein blue tweed coat with an emerald green dress. Despite the increasing richness of color and sophistication in her wardrobe, Máxima remained faithful to a restrained beauty look.
For the second consecutive day, she appeared virtually without makeup, revealing healthy skin free of foundation or powder. Neither her cheeks nor her lips showed noticeable color. Only her eyebrows appeared slightly more defined than usual, subtly underscoring their transformative power.