With September just around the corner, autumn is starting to weave itself into our minds. We’re already seeing the likes of Olivia Colman leaning into those darker moods, with her deep chocolate hair transformation. However, Catherine, Princess of Wales, has proved that she’s not one to follow the crowd — in fact, her new hair suggests summer is far from over.
Kate seems to have been on something of a hair journey as she continues her recovery from cancer. Her hair has already been shifting from her signature chocolate brunette to lighter toffee tones in recent months.
This weekend, she caused more buzz than ever after being photographed on her way to church in Balmoral with William and their children. Kate’s hair has become the talk of the town, after she appears to have undergone her lightest colour transformation yet.
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Kate is currently enjoying the traditional royal break to Scotland, and tantalising glimpses of the princess through the car window seems to show she's said goodbye to the bronde and embraced the full blonde.
Becky Sutherland, hairstylist and OSMO ambassador, told GH: ‘Over the weekend, the internet was buzzing with pictures of HRH Kate looking noticeably blonder, though it’s worth saying the shots we’ve seen so far are just quick glimpses from a car window, so the full transformation is yet to be revealed.'
'Even so, the idea of Kate embracing a brighter blonde is exciting and going lighter can instantly refresh your look and add vibrancy, and it certainly seems to suit her.’
She adds: ‘From what we can see, it could be the result of carefully placed highlights or balayage to lift and add dimension, or perhaps a more all-over blonde for a uniform finish.’
It’s safe to say that the GH beauty team are eagerly awaiting a closer look. As Jonathan Andrew, global ambassador for Fudge, puts it: ‘It’s quite a bold shift from her usual look, and a big colour process to achieve. It’s actually refreshing to see her changing things up.’
In a recent shift, it seems the royals are becoming unlikely beauty disruptors. Earlier this year, we saw Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, embrace the ‘anti-spring’ nail trend with a bold merlot red mani. Now, Kate’s sunlit blonde is set to be the ultimate anti-autumn hair trend.
‘For anyone inspired to go lighter, it’s always best to talk to your colourist about three things: the shade you want to achieve, whether you prefer a softer technique like balayage or a bolder full head, and how much maintenance you’re willing to commit to,’ Becky advises.
Of course, anyone who has tested the old theory that ‘blondes have more fun’ knows it isn’t the easiest colour to maintain. ‘Blonde can be gorgeous, but it does need regular care’, says Becky. Unlike Kate, most of us don’t have a glam squad on standby — but that doesn’t mean blonde hair can’t stay fresh. ‘With the right care, blonde hair can look luminous and healthy for weeks between salon visits,’ says Becky.
To keep brassy tones at bay, Johnathan recommends adding a purple shampoo into your hair wash routine, ‘A gentle purple shampoo helps prevent unwanted brassiness. I’d suggest Fudge Everyday Clean Blonde Damage Rewind, which keeps blonde tones balanced while strengthening hair’
And for those like Kate, who have gone from brunette to blonde, extra nourishment is key to keeping locks healthy and glossy after bleaching. ‘I recommend the OSMO Dual Action Repair Leave-In Conditioner for daily hydration and protection, plus a weekly hair mask will help to restore strength and softness’ says Becky.
Osmo OSMO Keratin Dual Action Repair | Intensive Leave-in Treatment | Deep Moisture | Dry, Damaged & Coloured Hair | Vegan. 250ml.
Osmo OSMO Intensive Deep Repair Mask | Jojoba Oil | Over Stressed & Traumatised Hair | Improves Moisture & Elasticity | Vegan. 1200ml
With Kate setting the tone, it seems the season ahead will be all about breaking the beauty rulebook — we can't wait for a full look at her new-season gold.
