Kate Middleton sports the "princess hair"the hair trend we’re all dreaming of for this fall

Between official engagements, red carpets and portraits that tour the world, the same hair silhouette stands out: controlled radiance, supple movement, maintained length. From crowned heads in Spain, the Netherlands or Norway to the Princess of Wales, the eye first falls on the hair.

Kate Middleton and popularized under the name of princess hair, stands out without rigid artifice. The principle seems simple at first glance… and yet, it all comes down to the details of cutting, brushing and lighting. The promise? A natural shine that does not fade.

Princess hair: royal codes that seduce

The style is based on impeccable lengths, at least on the shoulders, with clean, fluid and subtly layered cuts. The finish is silky, never stiff, with styling that maintains bounce. In terms of styling, we aim for a soft and airy blow-dry, sometimes slightly wavy, sometimes delicately straightened, but always in movement, as seen on Princess Léonor of Spain, Amalia of the Netherlands or Ingrid Alexandra of Norway.

Color brings a touch of light. The idea: blended highlights and warm highlights that catch the sun without harsh contrast. The popular shades remain soft and flattering – caramel, golden honey, hazelnut – for an ultra-natural finish. Nothing too strong, nothing too sharp, just enough to warm up the material.

Princess blow-drying: the “Kate blow dry” method at home

Hair icon, Kate Middleton has made the “Chelsea blow dry” or “Kate blow dry” a signature modernized with a slight gradient and curtain bangs. To achieve this polished and long-lasting volume, her hairdresser Richard Ward relies on rigorous preparation and controlled drying. We choose a round brush, we start with hair that is still about 80% damp, then we direct the air with a nozzle in order to smooth the fiber and avoid frizz.

The method is played in sections: we dry gently, we wind each strand on large curlers, then we leave to cool before unwinding by turning the tip around the finger. The finish remains light but precise — a veil of hairspray at the roots to set without sticking, then an elixir based on argan oil for shine. For holding the bangs, there is a tip in circulation: a generous spray of hairspray to maintain the shape even in high winds. We also remember the emblematic “Helicopter Hairspray” designed for Lady Diana, formulated to keep an impeccable hairstyle as close as possible to the propellers.

What coloring and routine for princess hair?

For color, focus on subtlety. On a chestnut base, caramel or hazelnut highlights soften the features and illuminate the facial contour. On a lighter base, golden honey adds depth without turning platinum. The golden rule: blur the boundaries, favor diffuse highlights which seem to be deposited by the sun. The result must remain elegant in all circumstances.

Signature shine is built with a careful routine: regular nourishing masks, light oils on the lengths and ends, thermal protection before each blow-dry. Always dry with a nozzle, finish with a blast of cold air to seal the scales, then work the movement with your fingers. For hold, choose a thin hairspray targeted at the roots, in order to maintain that supple fall which makes all the difference. In the end, it is this balance – maintained length, luminous color, controlled volume – that gives real princess hair every day.

FAQ: everything you need to know about princess hair

What is the “princess hair” trend?
“Princess hair” refers to a long, shiny and perfectly maintained hairstyle, often associated with the looks of Kate Middleton or other European royalty. The idea is to obtain fluid, silky and luminous hair, without a frozen effect.

How to have princess hair like Kate Middleton?
To reproduce this style, maintain a cut with clean lengths, blow-dry softly with a round brush, then add a few warm highlights to enhance the material. A light oil and a blast of cold air at the end of drying provide shine and hold.

What cut should you adopt to obtain a “princess hair” effect?
Opt for a flowing cut, slightly layered around the face, with full, shiny ends. Curtain bangs or framing highlights can accentuate movement while softening features.

What color is Kate Middleton’s hair?
Kate Middleton sports a warm brown dotted with hazelnut and caramel highlights, for a multidimensional and luminous look. This natural coloring is maintained by gloss treatments and discreet highlights.

How to do the “Kate blow dry” blow dry at home?
Start on slightly damp hair, apply a thermal protectant and work strand by strand with a round brush. Then wind the strands on large curlers to fix the movement, let cool, then unroll gently before applying a light oil.

What products should I use to get shiny and silky hair?
Focus on a nourishing routine: a gentle shampoo, a repairing mask once or twice a week, a dry oil or shine serum, and a fine hairspray to set without sticking.

Can you get princess hair on short or mid-length hair?
Yes, provided you take care of the shine and the cut. On mid-length hair, a soft blow-dry and well-placed highlights are enough to recreate this impression of fluidity and elegance.

What is the difference between a classic blow dry and Kate Middleton’s blow dry?
The “Kate blow dry” focuses on bounce and hold: the roots are lifted, the lengths curved outwards, and the ends perfectly polished. The result is more airy and luminous than a traditional straight blow-dry.