How Laura Carmichael's Real-Life Look Compares To Her Downton Abbey Glam

Although "Downton Abbey" ended as a show years ago, the show has proved it still has longevity even today. Case in point? We're still thinking about Laura Carmichael's glam on the show. While Lady Edith Crawley's look (played by Carmichael) was polished and featured a lot of period-heavy hairstyling, you might be surprised to learn that Carmichael's real-life beauty routine is a lot more relaxed. In 2015, she told The Guardian that she's actually pretty low maintenance and can be ready in 10 minutes. But if she has the time, that's a different story. "I really enjoy makeup, so will spend the most time on applying it," she said. "I love the packaging and the rituals of buying a new lipstick, but I don't really wear loads."

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She's also picked up some minimalist beauty hacks that allow her to spend even less time making up her complexion. "I've worked with some amazing makeup artists and picked up tips along the way, like using lip balm on your cheeks," she continued. "There's a really nice rose lip balm pot by Terry, which gives you a subtle, dewy color and smells great." While we got used to seeing Edith wear elaborate headbands, a sharp brow, and some lipstick, it's nice to see Carmichael's more natural approach to makeup. Even on red carpets, she keeps it simple but elegant.

If you've thought about what the cast of "Downton Abbey" looks like in real life, Laure Carmichael is the perfect example of just how gorgeous they all are. And trust us, she isn't the only one — see Downton Abbey star Joanne Froggatt's major style transformation in her 40s and Downton Abbey's Elizabeth McGovern's stunning hair transformation. If you're curious about the rest of Carmichael's look, including her fashion choices, you won't be disappointed there either. Lady Edith wore some gorgeous and elaborate dresses on "Downton Abbey," and in real life, Carmichael's fashion choices are equally as stunning. The actor wore a beautiful green Erdem gown to the 2025 Inaugural British Museum Ball, which felt very Edith-coded with the subtle '20s embellishments.

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Another one of our favorite looks from Carmichael is this Harris Reed gown that she wore to the "Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale" premiere in 2025. The construction of this dress is so unique, and we love the vintage-style lace overlay. The actor also donned a Tiffany & Co. diamond necklace for the occasion, which she thought appropriate considering her character. "The Crawley girls loved diamonds," she told British Vogue in 2025 while getting ready for the night. "We were always giggling that every night they would dress for dinner, so it feels very fitting to be celebrating with diamonds tonight." The necklace really tied the whole look together and took it to the next level. It's so fun to see Carmichael's real-life style become one with her ornate on-screen wardrobe.