If further proof were needed of the ubiquitousness of this season’s hottest hair trend, then look no further than Kate Middleton. Snapped on royal duties yesterday, the Princess of Wales looked chic in a navy trouser suit by Alexander McQueen, however it was her tousled chestnut hair that caught everyone’s attention. Unlike recent purveyors of the trend (think Amal Clooney and Victoria Beckham), Kate updated her long locks with the addition of the sweeping “Farrah fringe.”
Made popular by original Charlie’s Angel and ’70s beauty icon Farrah Fawcett, this wispy curtain-style fringe is a softer take on more traditional bangs. “It’s a great thing to do if you want to put a feature in your hair, but don’t want to do something drastic like a full fringe,” adds hairstylist Roi Nadin, who is based at Josh Wood’s Atelier. “It’s also much softer and literally suits everyone. It’s really good for fine hair too, as it thickens out the front bit,” he adds. If you’re tempted to give it a go, head to your hairdresser armed with these specific instructions. “Cutting wise, if you are worried about it being too short, [get them to] cut the shortest point at your chin. If you want a stronger look, cut the shortest point at the tip of your nose,” advises Nadin.
As demonstrated by Kate Middleton, this winged fringe is a flattering face-framing trick and given it tends to be longer than most regular fringes, it’s also easier to maintain and grow out if you decide to. When it comes to day-to-day styling, there are options. “To get a cool Bardot vibe, blow dry it all forward just with your hands or a brush, or blow dry it back to get a more voluminous, Farrah Fawcett vibe,” Nadin adds.
This article first appeared on British Vogue.