- Kate Middleton's beautiful, bouncy hair - Nick Warner
Kate Middleton burst onto the fashion scene in 2004 when it was revealed that she was dating Prince William. Known for her classically sexy style, Kate favours British designers such as Mulberry, Burberry, and Issa, and especially likes outfits that show off her toned legs. She has also been noted for her dramatic Phillip Treacy hats, and for making People Magazine's Best Dressed list in 2007 and 2010. Tall, willowy Kate is a poised and fashionable young woman that many hope will revitalize the Royal Family's public image.
Kate Middleton: Fashion Icon
Although she has been a longtime fashion darling and subject of much media speculation, her November 16th 2010 engagement to Prince William has launched the world into a full-blown Kate Middleton frenzy – and it's not just her style and Diana's engagement ring that have been making waves. Beauty and hair enthusiasts have been commenting on Kate's gorgeous, bouncy lush hair, and her hairstyle is slated to become the next "it" hairstyle, along the lines of the 1990s' "Rachel". Kate is reported to have her hair styled at London's Richard Ward salon by stylist James Pryce, where haircuts typically run upwards of $140.
Fittingly, the question on everyone's minds is: how can you achieve this hairstyle, cheaply, at home?
Kate Middleton's Hair: The Foundation
Starting out with healthy hair is the best way to ensure a successful hairstyle. Being genetically blessed with long, thick, healthy hair, like Ms. Middleton, is obviously a bonus, but if your hair is lacking, don't despair! A poor diet will reflect itself in your hair, which will be weak and lifeless. You can combat this by eating a healthy diet replete with fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats (such as those found in salmon or avocado) in order to revitalize your hair. Using shampoos and conditioners specifically formulated to add volume and shine, as well as using a shine spray, will also go a long way in recreating Kate's natural shine and body.
In order to maintain this healthy hair, it is important that you have your hair trimmed frequently, and use a good quality brush, preferably a boar-bristle one.
"The Kate": A How-to Guide
Kate Middleton's most famous hairstyle is a long, layered one with bouncy, curly ends. If you do not have a layered, shoulder-length hairstyle, you will need to have your stylist cut you one.
What you'll need:
- Volumizing shampoo and conditioner
- A wide-tooth comb
- A round brush (boar bristle recommended)
- Heat-protecting spray
- A hair dryer
- Hot rollers/hair curler
- A fine-tooth comb
- Shine spray
- Hairspray
Steps:
- Start by washing and conditioning your hair with a volumizing formula (or another specifically formulated for your hair type), and detangling with a wide-toothed comb.
- After misting your hair with a heat-protecting spray, blow-dry it until it is approximately 80% dry.
- Blow-dry hair in sections, curling the ends over with a round brush.
- When hair is completely dry, you can tease the underside, near the roots, for greater volume. Lift up the top layer of the hair closest to your roots, and, using the fine-toothed comb, quickly comb the hair in the opposite direction. By combing the underside of this hair, you achieve the volume of backcombing without the mess. When you lay the hair back down, it will have greater volume, but still be smooth on top.
- If you are using hot rollers, wrap your hair in large sections around the large-size curlers. Allow your hair to sit like this until they have cooled completely. If you are using a hair curler, use a wide-barrelled one, and wrap your hair around the barrel in large sections, curling up to the ear. Be careful not to clamp for too long so as not to damage hair.
- Once your hair has been curled, you should have the same bouncy, airy volume as Kate. Finish the style with a shine spray and a light mist of hairspray, to ensure that your handwork doesn't unravel.
Voila! You, too, can have hair fit for a princess! Finding a prince, on the other hand, is entirely up to you …
Want more Kate? Read on to find out she keeps herself looking so slim and fit!
Sources:
Guglielmetti, Petra. "How to Get Kate Middleton Hair (Bouncy, Shiny, Basically Perfect)." Glamour, 18 November 2010 (accessed January 4, 2010).
Hart, Gill. "How to Create Kate Middleton's Style." Suite101.com, 28 November 2010 (accessed January 4, 2010).
Lineker, Danielle. "How to Get Glossy Hair Like Kate Middleton." Mirror, 30 November, 2010 (accessed January 4, 2010).
Kotecha, Sima. "Royal Wedding: Kate Middleton Fashion Fever Hits NY." BBC, 10 December 2010 (accessed January 4, 2010).
Nichol, Katie. "Wills and the Real Girl." Vanity Fair, December 2010 (accessed January 4, 2010).
Caroline Garrod - Caroline is currently working on her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in History from Queen's University in Kingston, ON. An avid reader and ...
