Kate Middleton’s new ‘teak brunette’ hair is fall’s next big color trend

Kate, the Princess of Wales, has given fall’s biggest hair trend a royal seal of approval. During this week’s three-day state visit from the Sultan of Oman, she stepped out at Windsor Castle with warmer, honeyed lengths — a shade color experts are already calling “teak brunette.” The change is subtle, but it glows against the forest greens and rich blues she wore for the engagements.

Siobhan Haug, a color specialist and founder of Haug London Haus, coined the term after the golden grain of teak tree timber. “On hair, it translates into a medium to dark brown with golden, tawny undertones,” she says, “and it moves from sun-warmed gold to a deeper, softer brown, much like teakwood itself as it matures.”

Woody brunettes with soft, botanical undertones are already among the most-requested colors at her salon, and she predicts the shade will dominate as the colder months set in. “There’s something sophisticated about shades like this thanks to the balance of depth, which highlights warm undertones without a trace of brassiness,” Haug says.

It is a predictably regal take on the honey-bronde wave that has been creeping across Pinterest boards. Where summer’s bleachier version leaned beachy, teak brunette keeps the depth — the kind of low-maintenance grow-out colorists love to sell in autumn.

The Princess, who usually has her color done at Chelsea’s Richard Ward salon, wore the glossier finish with subtle waves rather than a slick blowout. A flaxen shade like hers works best on a brunette base, Haug notes, because it adds warmth and dimension without washing the hair out.

What to ask your colorist

Rather than traditional foil highlights, Haug recommends balayage, the freehand technique that lightens strands for a more natural result. “Ask for honeyed tones that sit within two levels of your brunette base, as these will lend the richest, most natural-looking dimension without any harsh contrast,” she advises.

The finishing touch should be a shine-enhancing gloss, which blends the blonde tones seamlessly into the brunette strands. “And if you’re covering grays, a permanent tint combined with baby lights — essentially thinner, subtler highlights — builds the same multitonal base,” Haug adds.