Kate Middleton Has Got A Fringe

Stop the presses - Kate Middleton has changed her hair. She of the bouncy brunette tresses - sleek and shiny at all times - has finally shaken things up.

No, it's not an undercut or a dip-dye (come on, that's never gonna happen) but she has gone and got herself a rather fetching fringe...

Kate's choice of fringe is very clever. She's side-stepped a heavy, blunt fringe (which can be both unforgiving and a bore to grow out) and plumped for a face-framing, centre-parted number instead.

We love that she's gone for something nonchalant and unfussy - it makes it more British and much more cool.

We've learnt already not to expect anything too ground-breaking from Ms Middleton, but nonetheless, we're pleased as punch to see her having some fun with her 'do.

Tempted? George Northwood, Pureology ambassador and the super-stylist who looks after the tresses of Alexa Chung and Rosie Huntington Whiteley, told us, "My general rule with fringes is – hard face, soft fringe. Soft face, hard fringe. Meaning if you have strong features like Sarah Jessica Parker (sharp cheekbones, strong brows or a prominent nose) I’d advise to going for softer, grown-out-fringe. It will flatter the face and work with the striking features, not against them."

"Alternatively, if you have a rounder face with soft features, ala Halle Berry or Alexa Chung, a hard fringe will work best and will make a perfect statement. Alexa always rocks a fringe well and Halle’s crop and short fringe is her trademark look."

"If you have a large forehead, a fringe is great. Whether to get a short blunt fringe or a longer gringe would be still be down to your features, but it will give the illusion of a smaller forehead."

"As for Kate, she has a soft face so usually she’d suit a harder fringe, but being royal I think they needed to make a softer statement. It would be like Kate stepping out in Moschino. She’s still made a statement and got us all talking about her new fringe, but kept it cautious."

Oh, and to any fringey ladies out there - George doesn't rate your ghds. He told us, "To style a fringe, stay away from hair straighteners. That’s the worst thing you can do. Use a small round brush and blow dry flat to the face. As soon as it’s blow dried, spray Redken Pillow Proof Two Day Extender Dry Shampoo to prevent it getting oily."

See more hair transformations in the gallery below...