Kate Middleton's hairdresser tells us how to recreate her perfect blowdry
January 3rd 2012 04:51
When it comes to popular hairstyles of the moment, there are few that are more highly sought-after than that of the young Duchess of Cambridge. While there's nothing particularly unique - let alone edgy! - about Kate Middleton's hairstyle, it has nonetheless inspired envy among women the world over, due to its incredible lustre and soft waves. It also has just the right amount of volume which creates a beautiful movement, returning to a perfect resting state regardless of how windy the day is, or how often the Duchess runs her hands through her hair. No wonder we all want to know how she does it!
Good thing, then, that her hairdresser has finally spilled the secrets of her perfect style! Speaking with the UK's Daily Mail last month, Kate Middleton's long-time hairstylist Richard Ward shared some excellent tips on how to create a Duchess-worthy blowdry by yourself at home.
First of all, your hair will need to be at least as long as your shoulder blades for this style to work, and preferably all one length, so that fresh long layers can easily be cut in by your hairdresser.
"Long layers are the key to this look," Ward says. "They give free-flowing hair lots of movement - if the layers are too short you don't get that kind of fluidity throughout the cut. Aim for a side-swept, chin-length fringe and then ask your hairdresser to gently graduate longer layers down from there."
And while it may be a pain for those among us who need to patiently grow their hair from a shorter cut before they can achieve Kate's look, take heart: once you get there, you won't need to get it trimmed as often, saving yourself time and money.
"[Kate's hairstyle is] proving popular with so many people because you don't have to cut every six weeks as usual, you can actually get 12 weeks out of this cut," says her stylist.
To learn how to make your hair grow at its fastest possible rate, take a look at these Great Hair Style Tips articles here, and here.
As for the blowdry itself? Richard Ward tells us that the secret to Kate's incredible shine is to not overdo it. "The main mistake people make is waving a hairdryer at it to rough dry it," he says. "It becomes over-dried and hard to style."
In other words, by allowing your hair to air-dry for a few minutes before turning on the blowdryer, you'll not only minimise the time you spend listening to that irritating high-pitched drone, you'll also minimise the long-term damage caused to your strands by cutting down on heat styling. Sounds pretty good, no?
Here's Richard's 6-step guide to creating a beautiful Kate Middleton-esque mane.
1) Thoroughly shampoo and condition your hair using salon quality products: Richard recommends the Kerastase Satin Range or his own Richard Ward Couture Hair HydraSlim range, but just get the best that your budget will allow.
"Use the flats of your fingers - not your fingertips or nails - to massage in the product and encourage increased circulation to the scalp," says Ward.
Rinse well to ensure that all product residue is removed, and finish with a cold water rinse to flatten the hair's cuticles and enhance your hair's natural shine. Gently towel dry.
2) Use a small amount of your favourite shine-enhancing product (such as a smoothing serum) on the mid-lengths to the ends of your hair, and spray a root-boosting product on the two inches of your hair closest to your scalp, to promote volume.
3) Wait until your hair is about 80 per cent wet before you begin blowdrying, as this will give you the smoothest finish.
4) Begin with the front sections of your hair, then work your way around to the back. "[The front is] the bit others will see," says Richard. If you start at the back then the front of your hair may be dry by the time you get to it, making it harder to manage and increasing the likelihood of over-drying.
5) Dry each section using a radial brush pointing downwards, keeping the hairdryer at least five inches away from the section you're drying. Move the hairdryer and brush slowly and smoothly down the hair shaft as you go, and once each section is dry, roll it up in a medium-sized velcro roller and pin it to your head.
6) Leave the rollers in for at least half an hour while you get dressed and do your makeup. Once you've carefully removed the rollers, tip your head upside down, and separate the curls by running your hands gently through your hair.
If your tresses are especially fine, you can finish with a light spritz of hairspray to give the waves some staying power, but don't overdo it, as this hairstyle is meant to move. A final word from Kate's hairdresser: "Whatever you do, don't brush your hair! Simply toss your head the right way again and you're good to go."
To read the full Daily Mail article, which includes Richard Ward's advice on conditioning treatments and how Kate maintains that glorious chestnut-brown colour, click on this link here.
Not a hair out of place, and yet it moves like she's in a shampoo commercial.... yep, we're definitely jealous!
Good thing, then, that her hairdresser has finally spilled the secrets of her perfect style! Speaking with the UK's Daily Mail last month, Kate Middleton's long-time hairstylist Richard Ward shared some excellent tips on how to create a Duchess-worthy blowdry by yourself at home.
First of all, your hair will need to be at least as long as your shoulder blades for this style to work, and preferably all one length, so that fresh long layers can easily be cut in by your hairdresser.
"Long layers are the key to this look," Ward says. "They give free-flowing hair lots of movement - if the layers are too short you don't get that kind of fluidity throughout the cut. Aim for a side-swept, chin-length fringe and then ask your hairdresser to gently graduate longer layers down from there."
And while it may be a pain for those among us who need to patiently grow their hair from a shorter cut before they can achieve Kate's look, take heart: once you get there, you won't need to get it trimmed as often, saving yourself time and money.
"[Kate's hairstyle is] proving popular with so many people because you don't have to cut every six weeks as usual, you can actually get 12 weeks out of this cut," says her stylist.
To learn how to make your hair grow at its fastest possible rate, take a look at these Great Hair Style Tips articles here, and here.
Sorry Kate, your secret's out!
As for the blowdry itself? Richard Ward tells us that the secret to Kate's incredible shine is to not overdo it. "The main mistake people make is waving a hairdryer at it to rough dry it," he says. "It becomes over-dried and hard to style."
In other words, by allowing your hair to air-dry for a few minutes before turning on the blowdryer, you'll not only minimise the time you spend listening to that irritating high-pitched drone, you'll also minimise the long-term damage caused to your strands by cutting down on heat styling. Sounds pretty good, no?
The perfect hairstyle for all occasions.
Here's Richard's 6-step guide to creating a beautiful Kate Middleton-esque mane.
1) Thoroughly shampoo and condition your hair using salon quality products: Richard recommends the Kerastase Satin Range or his own Richard Ward Couture Hair HydraSlim range, but just get the best that your budget will allow.
"Use the flats of your fingers - not your fingertips or nails - to massage in the product and encourage increased circulation to the scalp," says Ward.
Rinse well to ensure that all product residue is removed, and finish with a cold water rinse to flatten the hair's cuticles and enhance your hair's natural shine. Gently towel dry.
2) Use a small amount of your favourite shine-enhancing product (such as a smoothing serum) on the mid-lengths to the ends of your hair, and spray a root-boosting product on the two inches of your hair closest to your scalp, to promote volume.
3) Wait until your hair is about 80 per cent wet before you begin blowdrying, as this will give you the smoothest finish.
4) Begin with the front sections of your hair, then work your way around to the back. "[The front is] the bit others will see," says Richard. If you start at the back then the front of your hair may be dry by the time you get to it, making it harder to manage and increasing the likelihood of over-drying.
5) Dry each section using a radial brush pointing downwards, keeping the hairdryer at least five inches away from the section you're drying. Move the hairdryer and brush slowly and smoothly down the hair shaft as you go, and once each section is dry, roll it up in a medium-sized velcro roller and pin it to your head.
6) Leave the rollers in for at least half an hour while you get dressed and do your makeup. Once you've carefully removed the rollers, tip your head upside down, and separate the curls by running your hands gently through your hair.
If your tresses are especially fine, you can finish with a light spritz of hairspray to give the waves some staying power, but don't overdo it, as this hairstyle is meant to move. A final word from Kate's hairdresser: "Whatever you do, don't brush your hair! Simply toss your head the right way again and you're good to go."
'Red carpet event with your prince husband, anyone?'
To read the full Daily Mail article, which includes Richard Ward's advice on conditioning treatments and how Kate maintains that glorious chestnut-brown colour, click on this link here.
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