Meghan Markle Humiliated: Critics Rip Apart 'Unnaturally Orange' Makeup at Sundance Debut

When the Duchess of Sussex stepped onto the red carpet at the Sundance Film Festival on Saturday, Jan. 24, all eyes were supposed to be on her latest creative venture. Yet within hours of her appearance promoting the documentary Cookie Queens, the internet had redirected its focus entirely — and not on what she was saying. Instead, thousands of social media users scrutinised her makeup application with unrelenting scrutiny, with critics highlighting what many described as a glaring mismatch between her face and neck tone.

Walking alongside Prince Harry, Meghan presented herself to cameras for interviews discussing the 91-minute coming-of-age film, which she and her husband executive produced through their Archewell Productions banner. However, the overwhelming online commentary suggested that her beauty team may have miscalculated their bronzer application. The colour disparity became the focal point of countless social media reactions, drowning out discussion of the actual project.

The Internet's Beauty Verdict on Markle's Sundance Look

On X, viewers were remarkably vocal about their observations. One commenter posed the question directly: 'Do you think she's aware of how unnaturally orange her bronzer looks?' A second user admitted, 'I was too distracted by the face/neck colour mismatch.'

Multiple others echoed similar sentiments with surgical precision. 'What's up with her foundation, it doesn't match her neckline,' one viewer noted, whilst another confirmed the obvious: 'Her face is so much darker than her neck.'

The consensus was almost universal in its disapproval. A fifth voice chimed in with blunt assessment: 'What's with this kind of makeup? Bad bad bad.' Beyond the foundation controversy, some viewers also took aim at Markle's hairline, with one particularly pointed comment referencing online beauty critics who were 'already referring to it as TenHead'. Another viewer declared, 'I didn't hear a word she said. I can't get over that hair. I see it when I close my eyes.'

What made the criticism particularly striking was how thoroughly it overshadowed the actual event. Here was a significant milestone — Markle's first appearance at the prestigious Sundance festival — yet the narrative had been entirely hijacked by beauty commentary.

The Documentary's Creative Vision

Despite the cosmetic catastrophe, Meghan and Harry maintained composed smiles throughout the event. Both serve as executive producers on 'Cookie Queens', which was screened in Sundance's Family Matinee category following its announcement in December. The production represents a collaboration between Archewell Productions, Beautiful Stories, and AJNA Films — a partnership that Meghan described with clear enthusiasm to media outlets present.

In interviews, the duchess articulated the documentary's thematic heart. She explained that the project takes 'something that is rooted in nostalgia' and reexamines it through director Alysa Nahmias' creative lens to present a modern perspective on 'the girlhood experience — with all the layers and complexities that come with that.'

Markle emphasised that while the young female subjects are undeniably 'cute' and 'adorable', they possess considerably more substance beneath the surface. 'They are also layered, beautiful girls who are about to become very strong leaders and young women,' she told People magazine.

The project carries personal resonance for the duchess. As a former Girl Scout herself — with her mother serving as her troop leader — Markle articulated a genuine affinity for the material. 'I'm proud that all our conversations and collaboration have led to Archewell Productions partnering with this award-winning team to executive produce this incredibly captivating documentary,' she revealed to Deadline.

Upon viewing early footage, she and Harry immediately recognised its potential. 'The creative point of view, the edgy yet humanising tone, and the glimpse behind the scenes of such a nostalgic — and also modern — tradition of Girl Scout Cookie season are absolutely irresistible,' Markle reflected.