When Christmas time rolls around and the parties kick off, I always wish I could do more with my hair. I have long but naturally fine lengths that seem to just fall into one 'meh' straight style. If I even attempt to do a full head of curls, they go flat within a few hours.
So what's a girl to do? I've taken inspiration from Royals this festive season. Of course, I can only speculate that the perfect-haired likes of Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle sometimes turn to extensions to get their bouncy, voluminous hairstyles because very little is shared about their beauty regimes, but hair experts seem to agree that some hair-boosting gets used to transform their tresses fast.
Of course, this wouldn't be just any kind of hair extensions; you couldn't have Kate walking around with bonds on show. It's thought some Royals and A-list turn to 'secret' or 'invisible' extensions to make sure their hair holds volume and looks full.
In a bid to get a hair transformation worthy of a tiara for myself this party season, I enlisted Spectrum One Hair Extensions and London's The Extensionist salon to give me a Royal makeover.
READ MORE: The Princess of Wales' strict beauty rules for Christmas events – including no red lipstick
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Getty)What are invisible extensions?
“These small tapes are around 20% smaller than the traditional tapes, which makes them much less visible on the scalp,” Olja, founder of The Extensionist, explains. “If you’re looking to boost volume and thickness for an event where you’ll be wearing an updo, the smaller size of these also work better for ponytails and half-up looks.”
Olja also explains that for clients with very fine hair, a combination method of small tapes and microbonds to ensure they blend perfectly.
“We’ll sometimes apply small bonds around the front and sides of the hair, and then apply tapes to the back sections where the hair tends to be thicker and can hide larger extensions better. This combination is also great for anyone who tells us they tie their hair up a lot,” she explains.
And the cost? “Many people will get away with just half a head of tapes if it's the thickness they’re after. We charge from £400 for this, which includes the wash and styling. It’s from £550 for a full head. "
Zoe's hair makeover
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Zoe Cripps)As I say, I have very fine hair. It's quite long but it doesn't do anything– it just falls straight. I'm also quite a tricky shade of blonde because my roots are dark but I have highlights. In the past, I've found colour matching difficult because the bright blonde of the extensions always showed against my root colour, making them very visible.
This is my first time trying Spectrum One's hair, and I'm in love. The shades 'Creamed Ash' and 'Teak' combined together to create a slightly ashy blonde with lowlights and highlights. That second picture there looks like a highlight in my hair, rather than an extension – and that's when I look closely. I used one pack of each to give me a half head of extensions, and my technician at The Extensionist made sure to place them in discreet locations so I could wear my hair up without them showing.
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Zoe Cripps)Though I have 14 sandwiches, I forget I even have any in my hair because they're so light and thin. Spectrum One matched me with shades from the Invisible Tape range, which is suitable for all light to dark hair colours and in lengths ranging from 16" to 24" (my length).
I might never know if Kate or Meghan turn to these types of tapes to give their hair volume, but I do know that they're certainly discreet enough for a Royal.
Care for your hair extensions
Zoe shares her expert-advised products to keep your hair soft, silky and tangle-free
L’Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox Shampoo, £19.99
This helps to protect hair from excess copper deposited from water, which can cause damage and impact colour results. It cleanses my scalp but leaves my ends soft and manageable. I promise it's worth the price tag. Use it every week or so to make your colour really last.
Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Frizz Reduction and Heat Protection Hair Oil, £19.55
I'm an Olaplex girl through and through, and I never go a week without using something from the brand's styling range. I love this oil for running through my hair once it's styled. It really helps to keep my long extensions tangle-free and nourished.
Wet Brush Paddle Detangler, £6.49
I swear by my Wet Brush for helping me to get the knots out of my hair without pulling at the extensions. I leave my hair to dry a little before I do a first smooth over with the brush, and then once it's fully dry, I brush my strands through fully. Since swapping to this brush, I've noticed much less shedding.
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