If there's one thing we know for sure, it's that no one knows how to achieve shiny hair quite like the royals or, as a matter of fact, their hairstylists. They're the ones who are responsible for creating their glossy hair moments for royal engagements, whether it be a bouncy blowout or a classic updo with not a hair out of place. Have you ever seen Kate Middleton have a bad hair day? I think not.
So what is the secret behind the royal's high-shine and expensive-looking hair? The good news is that you needn't be in possession of a title nor a tiara to achieve royal-worthy hair. With the right techniques, tips and a few keys products, you can still achieve that knockout shine on your own hair.
The royals typically follow a strict etiquette and won't explicitly reveal what products they use. So I decided to do a deep dive on Kate's hair and the products she is rumoured to love for it. And to find out the expert tips and tricks behind royal-worthy and shiny hair, I spoke to Jack Merrick-Thirlway, creative director at Neville's Hair & Beauty, who is behind the hair of Lady Kitty Spencer, Marchioness of Bath Emma Thynn and many other people of nobility. Read on for the all deets.
1. Use a good shampoo—this is Kate Middleton's favourite
It's rumoured that this is the Princess of Wales's favourite shampoo. Kérastase is one of the professional hair brands stocked at her go-to hair salon, Richard Ward Hair & Metrospa in Sloane Square. So it might not be a rumour after all. This shampoo removes build-up from the hair to leave it bouncy and has a moisturising formula, which leaves an incredible shine.
"A rigorous haircare routine is a must to achieve glossy shiny hair," says Merrick-Thirlway, who also recommends this shampoo. "Kérastase Bain Satin Shampoo and Kérastase Lait Vital Conditioner are great to maintain royal worthy hair at home between appointments," he says. "I also advise using the masque intense once a week if your hair is dryer than usual, which can be caused by cold weather during the winter months.
Naturally, we'll be picking up the corresponding conditioner, which nourishes without weighing down to create the perfect foundation for bouncy and glossy hair.
For weekly intensive treatment, you can't go wrong with this hair mask.
2. Use nourishing hair treatments
With royals having their hair done regularly (and therefore being exposed to heated styling tools regularly), it's imperative to use nourishing hair treatments to add lustre and gloss—both at home and in the salon. "Nourishing treatments are a must to keep the condition of the hair looking pristine," says Merrick-Thirlway. "At Neville Hair & Beauty, we offer a multitude of deeply hydrating treatments for the scalp and the hair such as the Philip Martin’s Herbal Hair Remedy in-salon treatment, which is designed to bring back youth, hydration and moisture to your hair."
This hydrating mask intensely hydrates hair without weighing down your lengths.
3. Have regular haircuts
"Regular haircuts are also imperative to ensure royal worthy hair," says Merrick-Thirlway. "I recommend trimming split ends every six weeks to encourage growth." The right haircut for you will depend greatly, depending on your hair texture and lifestyle. "Haircuts are very dependent on the client’s hair type. Kate has beautiful thick hair, which allows long layers to be added and give movement," he says. "If the hair is not as thick, we need to be sure not to add too many layers as this will make the tips of the hair look weaker."
4. Use a round brush for blowouts
Even though there are so many styling tools available, many hairstylists still favour the traditional blow-dry to impart bounce and shine to the hair. "An old-school blow-dry using a round brush—which unfortunately is an art that our industry is losing— is what is used to create royal-worthy hair," explains Merrick-Thirlway. "I personally favour rollers or grips to pin the hair as it cools down as that is what keeps the volume and bounce," he says. "Good products also help with longevity and protection. I also advise the use of heat protectors, a non-sticky blow-dry lotion and a nice hair spray to finish."
Plastic bristles can get very hot when used with a hair dryer and cause damage. Instead, opt for boar-bristle brushes, which also help to distribute oils from the root to the lengths of your hair for extra lustre.
A good hair dryer will help you create shiny hair, and the smoothing nozzle on this hair dryer ensures a smooth finish.
A heat-protection spray is a must for shielding hair when using any form of heated styling. Merrick-Thirlway recommends this one.
In a now-deleted Instagram picture from Kate Middleton's hairstylist, Amanda Cook Tucker, you'll spot a can of Elnett hair spray from the image she took of her kit when tending to Kate's hair on tour a couple of years ago. Only £5 and fit for a princess? We'll take two, please.
5. Choose glossy hair colours
Kate Middleton's brunette hair colour by nature reflects a lot of light, making it look glossy. If you're finding that your hair colour is looking dull, then switching it up can help make it shinier. " Hair colour is an important component to achieving gorgeous hair that boasts health and dimension," says Merrick-Thirlway. "Always choose a colour that will help lift and illuminate the natural colour such as winter gold, a brunette base colour featuring golden highlights which also goes by the name 'candlelit brunette.'"
If your hair is naturally dark, then choose rich hair colours to give depth and dimension. As for blondes? Choose glossy blonde hues that tend to have a lighter base colour. In terms of hair colouring techniques, shatush (a freehand colour technique) and babylights (the delicate placement of microfine hair colour) are also favoured techniques amongst the elite to re-create shiny, royal-worthy hair.
This colour-depositing mask imparts a touch of golden gloss to your hair colour.
Shop more products for shiny hair:
This heat-activated spray functions like a mini keratin treatment. Once you hit it with the blow-dryer, its sophisticated polymers form an invisible, water-repelling shield that keeps hair super shiny and frizz resistant for up to four shampoos.
I've been taking these hair supplements for a couple of months, and I've noticed my hair is growing through stronger and shinier.
You'd be hard-pressed to find a celebrity hairstylist whose kit doesn't include a brush or two from the renowned Mason Pearson brand. There may or may not be some sort of sorcery at play with these beloved boar bristles.
For mirror-like shine, try Morrocanoil's cult hair treatment. Not only does it moisturise, but it also leaves your hair with a silky finish.
Apply an argan oil–infused styling oil to towel-dried hair for an easier blowout or to add shine to dried hair.
This lightweight oil can be applied to wet or dry hair at any stage of your regimen (even before shampooing) to smooth cuticles, reduce frizz, and boost shine.
Mist your way to glistening locks with this finishing spray. It contains a combination of moisturising factors that help infuse water into the hair shaft so your tresses are left looking extraordinarily shiny.
This curl-enhancing oil is infused with vitamin C, fatty acids, and capric triglycerides to care for your hair from root to tip. Plus, it's silicone-free, so you won't have to worry about pesky build-up weighing down your strands.
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Opening Image: Getty Images