If you want to subtly lighten your hair this summer, get inspiration from the
Kate Middleton eases into summer with subtle highlights
Just ask the Princess of Wales Kate Middleton, who's been quietly transitioning her signature rich cocoa lengths into something a touch lighter within the past few weeks with subtle highlights.
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.
As we can now see, prior to her most recent public appearance, Kate's hair held a much lighter brunette hue. And I think it's safe to say that she's well and truly within the mocha territory, aka, the chocolatey brown hair club that'll have you craving something sweet.
While this isn't the first time the Duchess has lightened her hair for the season, this year's style is an especially light golden hue, accented by a center part and freshly layered hair for a bright and bouncy look. Summer highlights aren't Kate's only beauty secret.
But how did the Princess of Wales achieve such a subtle look for the summer? Glamour reported, "To achieve this result, as is likely for Kate Middleton, a colorist uses a freehand technique such as balayage, painting very fine babylights into the hair with a brush.
The answer is her trusted hairdresser Amanda Cook Tucker. While the Duchess still frequents Richard Ward's Chelsea salon for colour, she entrusts her lengths to Cook Tucker who, along with stylist Natasha Archer and personal assistant Sophie Agnew, forms part of Kate's 'A' team for royal engagements and overseas tours.
Kate Middleton has been a style influencer since well before she married Prince William, but her effortless, understated beauty look is equally coveted by fans—and made all the more lovable by the fact that Middleton often does her own makeup, even on her wedding day.
But it seems as though there's a genuine reason for the Duchess's style choice. It turns out Kate Middleton has a large scar on her hair line, on the left side of her head. This scar has only ever been photographed once in the media, in 2011 when her hair was pulled back from her face.
The Duchess of Cambridge is famed for doing her own makeup (even on her wedding day!). Below is a list of the products you'll find in Kate's beauty bag, plus the skincare and haircare products she uses to create her flawless complexion!
L'OREAL PARIS Elnett Satin Hairspray
While the post was swiftly removed (as was Tyler's whole account), it was live long enough for fans to discover what Kate uses to hold her hairdos. Her secret? The budget choice L'Oreal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray.
Except Kate doesn't use any of those brands to get such healthy strands. She uses Kérastase's Bain Oleo-Relax Shampoo to nourish and smooth her beautiful locks. The formula targets wavy, curly and coily hair types and those with medium to thick hair.
The celebrity makeup artist and hairdresser has used Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray to prep Meghan's hair, "to give it that boost" and Kevin Murphy Smooth Again frizz-reducing cream to make the royal's locks sleek and shiny while protecting them from heat.
Markle's hair concentrates most of the color at the very front, particularly around her face — it's the same style of highlights worn by fellow A-list humanitarians like Amal Clooney and Angelina Jolie.
The Princess of Wales's unveiled a richer, darker shade of brunette hair. Putting a royal spin on the popular mocha chocolate hair color trend, as trialed by everyone from Bella Hadid to Emily Ratajkowski, the Princess's hair looked expensive, glossy, and oh-so-healthy.
Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner
Kate plays up to her features and draws attention to her eyes and is known for her love of black eyeliner. Create her dramatic look with this gel pot, which is generally a bit easier to apply and control than liquid liner.
Her smokey eye makeup was definitely accentuated using false lashes." The talented professional explains how to create the look at home.
While it remains unknown whether there is a reason behind Kate's choice to go polish-free in public, she has frequently been spotted biting her nails during public appearances over the years, which could possibly explain why she prefers a natural nail.
While Middleton has donned red toe polish on several occasions, she's never worn dark colors on her hands, choosing to go with a clear or nude manicure, or in many cases, no polish at all.
However, the royals still have a London base at Apartment 1A inside of Kensington Palace, and did you know they have a rather unusual sleeping set up? Inside their regal abode, it is believed that the royal couple sleep on the ground floor of the property rather than upstairs, as the upper floor is reserved for staff.
Orange Blossom Cologne by Jo Malone: Kate Middleton's perfume. A warm, sweet, floral scent.
Kate Middleton's signature (and effortless) smokey eye look reportedly comes from Lancôme's mascara. And it's no surprise why.
And if you've got $18,000 lying around, you can probably get hair almost as luscious as Kate Middleton's. Back in 2012, we reported on the royal beauty budget and estimated that the Duchess of Cambridge spends just under 20k per year on Kératase and keratin treatments, along with regular cuts and colors.
Kate's trusted hairdresser Richard Ward, also known as the man behind her signature bouncy blow-out, told People back in 2016 which tool he trusts to give Kate her iconic 'do. It's not a hefty product with a price tag. In fact, he stated that his hairstyling magic is thanks to the Tangle Angel Detangling Brush.
Faced with the elements of tropical island weather, the then-Duchess of Cambridge's normally sleek and glossy mane had become voluminous and wavy, giving royal fans an extremely rare glimpse of Kate's natural curls.