10 need-to-know hair tips from Kate Middleton’s hairstylist

Royal hairstylist Richard Ward blow-dries Princess Kate Middleton’s hair. He also styled her wedding ‘do. If the princess trust him with her signature mane, so should you!

Here, he shares his tips for achieving hair worthy of pulling a prince (or at least a hot personal trainer).

#1 / Get your hair cut regularly

If you have a short, edgy haircut – get it cut every six weeks to keep it looking its best. Longer hair, or growing it? Products are better these days, and styles can grow out and still look good – every three months is fine.

#2 / Don’t rough dry your hair too much

You need to start blow-drying when your hair is still about 70 per cent wet. If you’re blow-drying, you need to change the structure of the molecules in your hair to get it straight. The only way to do that is by wetting the hair, it’s like going back to a clean canvas.

#3 / Hair masks need heat

Apply one and leave it on in the bath. If you have really damaged hair, the longer you leave it on the better. Wrap cling wrap around it and sit in the sun – the heat helps activate it. We love Kiehl’s Sunflower Colour Preserving Deep Recovery Pak; L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil Mask; TONI & GUY Nourish Reconstruction Mask.

#4 / Go easy on the straighteners

People make the mistake of rough drying their hair and then pulling a straightener through it to give a smooth finish. But the secret is to blow-dry your hair (even if you’re curling it) as well as you possibly can first. Then pop your straightener on it. Straighteners are there to aid you – not to be relied on.

#5 / Bring back the half-up half-down hairstyle!

Women with long hair will love it. It gives the same feeling of still having your hair down, but with a different look. Try it in a less formal way, putting the up section in a ‘man bun’ or fishtail braid.

#6 / Use a shine serum

The secret is to rub it in your hands, like hand cream, and almost get rid of it – then apply. Less is always more, you can always go back and reapply three times, but too much will look greasy. Try O&M Frizzy Logic Shine Serum; ghd Smooth & Finish Serum; Josie Maran Argan Oil Hair Serum.

#7 / When it comes to hair product, buy what you can afford

I truly believe you get what you pay for. If you’re on a budget, prioritise your shampoo and conditioner, they’re the two you use most regularly.

#8 / Go dark

Blondes and brunettes actually shine the same, but aesthetically brunettes catch the light, so hair appears much shinier.

#9 / Prep ahead of an event

Special occasion? You need to get your hair cut three weeks before the event and colour it two weeks before. Allow time to tweak or fix if necessary.

#10 / Do a seasonal stock take

People get very loyal to a brand, but with shampoo and conditioner I think your hair can get used to it. Change to something with different ingredients to what you’ve been using. Try these shampoos to shake up your routine: Essano Argan Oil Nourishing Shampoo; TRESemmé Botanique Restore & Shine Shampoo; Natural Instinct Moisture Surge Shampoo.

For more hair tips from Who, stop by who.com.au 

Main image credit: Getty