Helpful hints to style your hair like Kate
James Pryce reveals a clever trick for creating natural-looking waves without setting foot inside a salon. By Katie Wright
Hairdresser James Pryce scooped the gig of a lifetime when he was asked to style Kate Middleton’s hair on the day she became the Duchess of Cambridge. After 22 years in the industry, wedding hair isn’t his only speciality, however.
“I’m a big advocate of using what nature gave you, it’s kind of my strapline,” he says.
The hair pro has got an amazingly easy method for achieving those waves we all want — and it doesn’t involve tongs or a barrel brush. Here’s James’ foolproof four-step guide to your easiest athome blow-dry ever.
1. Start with freshly-washed damp hair
“Everyone’s hair is different so I couldn’t really recommend a particular shampoo, but often curly hair can be a little dryer so I might recommend a more moisturising shampoo.”
2. Add a curl-enhancing product
“With the right products, you can really coax out your natural curl. Redken do a beach spray and a spiral curl cream that I’d recommend. Apply the product all over then comb it through.” Redken Beach Envy Volume Wave Aid, £11.55 and Redken Curvaceous Full Swirl Cream Serum, £11.20, both available at LookFantastic.com
3. Twist and blow dry
“I’ve been asking my clients to dig out those old diffusers, they usually have one at the back of the cupboard. When it’s wet, twist the hair in 50p-sized chunks, quite big chunks, and then diffuse it to really encourage the natural curl. You just pop the hairdryer on and hold the hair next to the diffuser.” The Airshot, £99, and The Airshot Diffuser, £15, from Cloud Nine
4. Add texture
“If you want to increase texture, use Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray. I rarely use hairsprays any more, it’s more like a dry shampoo. It doesn’t make the hair go hard, it’s slightly powdery and gives it a really nice texture.”
Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray, £41, Space NK