When you have fine, mature hair and are looking for ways to make it appear fuller, layers might be the last thing you’d consider. Removing weight from already fine strands can sound counterintuitive. But Queen Camilla proves otherwise, showing strategically cut layers can actually make fine hair look thicker and fuller.
Yesterday, King Charles and Camilla were spotted enjoying an outing in Cardiff for the Ceremonial Opening of the Seventh Senedd.
King Charles and Queen Camilla were seen in Cardiff yesterday
Camilla may have looked radiant in her cherry red ensemble. But, it was her hair that caught the eye of the GH beauty desk. She’s always seemed to have had a knack for boosting volume in her fine, mature hair. Take a closer look, and you can see one of her secrets: cleverly placed layers.
Camilla’s feathered layers makes her hair look full and bouncy
‘Queen Camilla’s hairstyle is a lovely example of how the right layers can create the illusion of fuller, more voluminous hair,’ says Jason Collier, celebrity hairstylist, founder of Studio23 and Key Opinion Leader at Jerome Russell Bblonde.
He explains: ‘Her hair has a soft, feathered shape around her face. This, combined with lift at the crown and movement through the ends, gives her hair body. It’s particularly flattering on mature hair because it frames the face beautifully while maintaining a soft, elegant finish.’
Well-placed layers add movement, even to fine hair
For those with fine hair, adding layers might sound daunting, especially when you want to preserve fullness. But, as Jason explains, strategically placed layers will work hard to boost volume and movement, creating the illusion of thicker locks.
‘The key is to introduce layers without removing too much weight. I’d keep the ends relatively blunt and full, then add softer layers through the mid-lengths and around the face to create movement,’ he says.
He also notes, ‘avoiding too many short or choppy layers is important, as this is what can leave fine hair looking wispy and thinner at the ends.’
Experts recommend keeping the ends blunt to create the illusion of fullness
In the salon, Jason recommends discussing your end goals with your stylist: movement and lift without sacrificing thickness through the ends. ‘They should be able to tailor the layers to your hair’s natural density and texture, rather than simply copying a photo.’
When it comes to the flicky, feathered finish that Camilla has, styling is key. Here, you’ll just need a few products in your roster, a trusty hairdryer and a round brush. Easy.
‘I’d recommend starting with a lightweight, volumising mousse such as Bstyled Thickening Mousse, then blow-dry using a round brush to lift the roots and create a gentle bend through the lengths,’ Jason says.
If you want to go a step further, Jason says you could also add in large rollers at the crown, these will help volume set as the hair cools.
While layers and fine hair might sound like an unlikely pairing, Camilla serves as a royal reminder that it can work wonders.