There comes a moment in every woman’s life when she has to consider a drastic change of hairstyle.
With a baby to care for and less time to spend on her trademark chestnut-brown locks, could that moment now have come for the Duchess of Cambridge?
Certainly Britain’s most famous tresses were not looking their best yesterday when Kate, sporting a £225 LK Bennett dress and jewels worth nearly £11,000, visited a West London school in her role as patron of The Art Room charity.
Her usually glorious mane was less thick than is customary, perhaps a clue that, like many new mothers, she is shedding some of the hair she gained thanks to her pregnancy hormones.
Even though it had more waves than a royal walkabout, Kate’s ‘do’ seemed to have lost its usual healthy bounce and the straggly ends made it seem in desperate need of a good cut. Recent public reaction has been mixed to say the least. ‘Love the dress but the hair is getting ridiculous,’ said one online critic.
‘It looks like she rode 20 miles in a convertible with the top down,’ said another.
So, is it time for Kate to try a radical new look?
To help her decide, the Mail asked professional Kate lookalike Heidi Agan to try some of the most fashionable hairdos, using a combination of ingenious styling and clever wigs (understandably, Heidi wouldn’t dream of cutting her hair unless the Duchess does).
Then we asked celebrity hairdresser Andrew Barton, who has styled long-haired celebrities such as Jerry Hall and Elle Macpherson, to give his verdict.
Plaited bun
HOW WE DID ITThe Mail’s hair stylist Julie Read clipped the back of Heidi’s hair out of the way. She plaited the front section into a French braid following the hair line, pinning it in place behind her ear.
Then she clipped in a dozen hair extensions to add extra volume.
She plaited some strands and gathered the rest into a ponytail, coiling them together to make a large bun, which she pinned at the nape of the neck and added hairspray to fix.
HEIDI’S VERDICT
This would look fabulous on Kate if she wore it with a backless dress.
It would also be great for walkabouts on windy days when she needs to keep her hair under control.
ANDREW’S VERDICT
This plaited look was pioneered by Sienna Miller and is appearing on lots of catwalks.
But I feel this is a little too bohemian for Kate. It’s youthful but it wouldn’t work too well with a tiara at more formal functions.
Mini beehive
HOW WE DID IT
For Audrey Hepburn’s classic Breakfast At Tiffany’s look, Julie first made a defined side parting. Then she gathered the hair at the nape of the neck and drew it up into a high ponytail.
With a fine-tooth comb, she backcombed the hair at the crown of the head to create volume, then rolled the excess into a French pleat, pinning at the side — and adding hairspray to secure.
HEIDI’S VERDICT
I know it’s supposed to look retro, but I thought it was ageing. Kate also likes to make use of the natural texture of her hair so I don’t think she’d want a style that’s so stiff and formal.
ANDREW’S VERDICT
I think this is a wonderful look for events when Kate wants to feel elegant. It would show off the gorgeous neckline on her gowns — as well as her fabulous jewellery.
Sleek ponytail
HOW WE DID ITThis is an easy style to copy. First, Julie made a low side parting and used hairspray to keep stray strands in place.
Then she pulled the hair back into a low ponytail, keeping a section free on the underside to wrap round and conceal the hair band.
Finally, she used hair straighteners on the ponytail to make it super-sleek, finishing with serum.
HEIDI’S VERDICT
Whenever Kate ties her hair back, she tends to keep some strands loose at the front to soften it. For that reason, I thought this off-the-face look was much fresher and more fashion-forward for her. For evening events, with some dramatic eye make-up, it would accentuate her cheekbones.
ANDREW’S VERDICT
This would be ideal for a lazy day when Kate has to look smart if she has to pop down to the supermarket.
With styling, as has been done here, it could also be dressed up for a formal fashion event. A ponytail can look severe, but Kate has the good skin and bone structure to pull it off.
Shoulder skimmer
HOW WE DID ITJulie found a human hair wig that matched Kate’s colour and cut it into a loose shoulder-length style — about five inches shorter than her current look.
Then, to add lift and texture, Julie added a good blob of mousse and tonged the hair in sections.
The waves add movement and volume to the style and lift the hair just above the shoulders — a flattering length as it focuses the eye on the collarbone.
HEIDI’S VERDICT
I adored this look. I think this is the most likely cut Kate would try because it’s not too drastic and it wouldn’t take long to grow out if she had second thoughts.’
ANDREW’S VERDICT
This style is not particularly royal — it looks borrowed from Cheryl Cole — but that’s no bad thing.
It gives a lighter, more playful, edge to Kate’s look.
I think part of her loves to look like a Hollywood star and this is perfect for that.
Classic bob
HOW WE DID ITAgain, Julie used a wig and cut it into a sharp bob, designed to fall exactly on the jawline, adding layers and a sweeping fringe to soften the look.
Julie backcombed it a little at the crown to add volume and ran straighteners over the rest to make it sleek.
HEIDI’S VERDICT
If Kate was to cut her hair, I believe this length would suit her — and me — the best. However the world seemed to go mad when she got a slight fringe, so the idea she would suddenly cut 12 inches off is unthinkable — at least this side of 40.
ANDREW’S VERDICT
Kate’s hair is too long at the moment and it’s ready for a trim. When women have a baby, getting their hair cut drops to the bottom of the priority list, even for a royal.
Although a bob would suit Kate because she has the perfect oval face, this is too short. Such a length would not make the most of her hair’s wavy texture which gives her such a girlish look.
For that reason, it makes her look older.
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