The Duchess has had a style update and we’re taking tips.
“Have you done something to your hair?”
When someone compliments you, but can’t quite put a finger on what you’ve updated, it’s a sure sign your stylist has nailed a subtle seasonal style update.
So when Kate Middleton spoke from her @Kensingtonroyal Instagram recently, we listened attentively to the details of her 5 Big Questions initiative, revealing insights around the early years of childhood, and how they might inform support and education going forward.
But afterwards, the office chat also involved pondering, “Has Kate lightened her hair? And how do we get those flicks?!”
“It’s nice to see Kate has updated her hair, she has lightened it slightly and added a beautiful golden finish,” confirms Gene ‘Ed’ Edwards, Creative Director at Auckland’s Oscar & Co salon. “Adding more layers to her hair cut has given her hair more bounce and accentuated her new colour.”
Ed has a few tips but most importantly, he advised if you want to achieve a particular colour, rather than trying to stumble around descriptions, take the particular image you like to your stylist and say “I want this”. Hair type and texture allowing, it means you’re both likely to understand the end goal much better.
To copy Kate’s look, he suggests going for a double pronged approach with highlights toned a caramel colour and slightly deeper roots that give beautiful dimension and shape. To keep hair in healthy shape and make the most of those waves, a bonding treatment used concurrently with the lightning process is a good idea.
“Ask for a full head of highlights, making sure to ask for a treatment like Redken pH Bonder to maintain the health of your hair. Then, ask for it to be toned using a gloss colour like Redken Shades EQ, with a chocolate brown root smudge and deep golden caramel medium blonde.”
To get the turned out waves Ed recommends starting with a good foundation by using a volumising shampoo and conditioner like Redken High Rise.
“Add a mousse like Redken Full Effect 04 throughout towel dried hair, focusing on your roots to hold the volume. Then blow dry making sure to add lots of lift at the roots, and smooth out with a natural bristle brush.
“Using a large-barrel curling tong, curl your hair holding the tong vertically, making sure all the curls roll away from the face. Leave curls to cool before giving it a thorough brush. Finally, add some shine spray like Redken Shine Flash to finish.”
GHD Curve Plus Soft Curl Tong, $290, Redken Shine Flash, $38, Redken Full Frame Mousse, $38
