Tried & Tested: Kate Middleton’s Hair Colour

Wed, 18 April 2012 9:13AM

While style watchers around the world look to every outfit the Duchess of Cambridge wears for classy, blue-blooded inspiration, it’s her hair that has us beauty buffs in a frenzy. The cut is of course simplistically elegant, but it’s those shiny ends of hers that set this dame apart from other brown-haired folk like myself. Sure, my regular semi-permanent hair colour gives me shine, but not quite like this.

While some of the credit should go to her colourist at Richard Ward Salon in Chelsea, the true star of this show is the colour itself. Called Tierra Colors by Fuente, this brand uses natural ingredients like aloe vera, comfrey, orange, grapefruit and vitamin E to achieve such lustrous results. Oh, and for bonus points it’s ammonia-free as well.

Until recently, Fuente wasn’t available in Australia as no salon had picked up on its ability to naturally colour hair, add incredible shine, and last between 4-6 weeks. But after George Giavis, owner of The Blonde Room in Sydney’s Woollahra heard about Fuente’s ability to add brilliant colour and shine, he snaffled the brand and is the first (of no doubt many to come) salon to offer this service.

“I have been searching for an organic colour brand for some time. Unlike most salons, I am not wedded to one particular brand and like to pick and choose from the best available. Fuente delivers brilliant colour with the best shine and condition I have seen. Most of my clients report that their hair is in better condition after colouring when I use Fuente. That said, it’s definitely suited more to brunettes and red heads than blondes,” he explains.

George asked me to pop in for the royal treatment the other day. Here’s what went down…

1. The Process

“For your colour I used a Fuente Gloss Colour Base. I chose mocha browns to match your skin tone, but Kate’s colour is more mahogany based. I then applied lowlights in a mixture of brands in three colours – one to match your colour, one lighter and one slightly darker,” says Giavis.

The process took about 3 – 3.5 hours but that included a blow-dry and ‘talking time’. That said, like most colour options, the time varies depending on the length and thickness of your hair.

2. The Outcome

3. The Verdict

In all honesty, I am impressed. My hair definitely feels softer and looks shinier than it did pre gloss. Not as much as Kate, but my hair is curly which naturally inhibits shine. In terms of the colour, it didn’t all wash down the sink after my first wash (something I have experienced in the past) but I have noticed my roots are a little redder than I would like. Next time, I’m going to go a deeper brown and take out any of the red that’s crept in there.

Here’s what you need to ask for if you want the ‘Kate Colour’ – Fuente or not…

• Ask for an organic vegetable colour to add a shiny, glossy finish that will slowly fade over the duration of your hair colour.
• It’s always best getting your colour done in the salon as their colours are super conditioning, give richness, texture, and intensity to your hair. That said, if you can’t afford an in-salon hair colour, look for an ammonia-free option that’s going to promote shine.
• If you are in the salon, ask for a dark brunette shade with mahogany tones combined with a colour gloss treatment with lowlights.
• And finally, like George created on me, ask for three different shades of lowlights. One lighter than your natural base colour, one about the same and one slightly darker to create a natural, multi-dimentional finish.

Fuente hair colour is available exclusively at The Blonde Room in Woollahra. Prices start at $150. Go to www.theblonderoom.com.au for more details.

 

Tell me Primpers…

What do you think of Kate Middleton’s hair?

Do you like it?

Do you like the sound of organic hair colour that lasts AND adds shine?

Posted by: Yasemin Trollope

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Tags: catherine middleton hair, duchess of cambridge hair, featured, hair colour, kate middleton hair, richard ward salon