How to Achieve the Princess of Wales’ Glossy ‘Winterlights’ Hair

The Princess of Wales has long been a reference point for polished, timeless hair – but her latest extra-glossy, light-catching ‘winterlights’ shade takes royal shine to another level. Think multi-dimensional brunette, ribbons of soft warmth, and a reflective finish that looks expensive from every angle, especially under the softer, cooler light of winter. While few of us have a palace glam squad on standby, UK colourists and stylists agree that this look is absolutely achievable with the right approach to colour, care, and styling.

This guide breaks down what ‘winterlights’ hair actually is, how to discuss it with your colourist, and the practical at-home steps to maintain that luminous gloss between appointments – even in central heating season.

What Is ‘Winterlights’ Hair?

‘Winterlights’ is less a single shade and more a technique-driven finish. Where summer hair often leans into brighter balayage and sun-kissed ends, winterlights is about controlled, luxurious shine that looks seamless from root to tip.

In UK salons, colourists are using a mix of multi-tonal brunettes, soft lowlights, and ultra-sheer highlights to create a shade that seems to change with every movement. On the Princess of Wales, this translates to:

• A deep, glossy brunette base that suits her skin tone and eye colour.
• Very fine, diffused highlights – often just 1–2 levels lighter than the base.
• Strategic placement around the face and mid-lengths for a halo effect under light.
• A high-shine finish, usually from a glaze or gloss service applied at the backwash.

Unlike more obvious balayage or chunky highlights, the winterlights effect is almost undetectable as individual streaks. Instead, it delivers that ‘is it the colour or the lighting?’ moment – very much the point of this trend.

How to Ask Your Colourist for ‘Winterlights’ Hair

The most realistic route to recreating the Princess of Wales’ transformation is through a professional colourist, particularly if your hair has previous colour, is very dark, or very light. In the UK, many salons now list glossing, glazing, or ‘expensive brunette’ services that align closely with this aesthetic.

When you sit down for your consultation, focus less on exact shade names and more on overall effect and maintenance. Stylists generally respond best to descriptive language and visual references.

Key talking points to use in the chair:

• Bring photos – imagery of the Princess of Wales’ latest glossy hair from different angles, plus any brunette inspiration that shows multi-tonal shine, not stripes.
• Explain your lifestyle – how often you can commit to salon visits (every 6–8 weeks versus a few times a year) will affect how bold or subtle the colourist goes.
• Ask for ‘barely there highlights’ – request ultra-fine lights one or two levels lighter than your base, placed around the face and mid-lengths.
• Mention lowlights and gloss – many stylists will deepen and enrich faded colour with lowlights, finished with a gloss service to unify tone and enhance shine.
• Prioritise condition – tell your stylist you want the hair to look thicker, healthier, and more reflective, not over-processed.

If your hair is naturally very light blonde, your colourist may recommend first returning you to a richer brunette before layering in winterlights. If you are already brunette, they might simply refine your tone, soften old highlights, and focus on shine-boosting techniques.

Salon Techniques Behind the ‘Winterlights’ Finish

While approaches vary from salon to salon, many UK professionals lean on a few key techniques to achieve this kind of royal-level gloss:

• Root smudging or shadowing – softening the root area so there’s no harsh regrowth line, and the colour looks more natural as it grows out.
• Micro-weave highlights – extremely fine weaves of colour that add dimension without obvious streaks; very effective around the fringe and face frame.
• Lowlights – slightly darker pieces threaded through faded areas to restore depth and body, especially helpful for hair that’s gone too warm or flat.
• Glazing or glossing – a semi-permanent, often ammonia-free colour used to add tone, reduce brassiness, and dramatically increase shine.
• Cut and finish – a clean, blunt or softly layered cut can make mid-lengths look thicker and more reflective. A smooth blow-dry, finished with a large round brush, maximises the mirror-like effect.

Many stylists recommend booking colour and a professional blow-dry together at least for your first winterlights appointment. That way, you can see how the shade behaves once styled, then aim to emulate the finish at home.

At-Home Care for Light-Catching Winter Hair

Winter in the UK is not gentle on hair. Central heating, cold winds, and low humidity can strip moisture and dull shine – the exact opposite of the Princess of Wales’ high-gloss finish. A few small routine tweaks can protect both your colour and your cuticle.

To keep your winterlights hair luminous between salon visits, focus on three pillars: protection, hydration, and styling.

• Switch to colour-kind cleansing – many hairdressers suggest sulphate-free or colour-safe shampoos to help preserve gloss treatments and prevent accelerated fading.
• Mask regularly – a weekly deep-conditioning mask, left on for 10–20 minutes, can restore moisture lost to heating and mechanical styling.
• Cool your rinse – finishing with a short burst of cool water can help the cuticle lie flatter, which often translates to more visible shine.
• Never skip heat protection – whether blow-drying or using a straightener, a heat-protective product is essential to maintain the Princess’s sleek, reflective finish.
• Dry hair thoroughly – rough-drying until around 80% dry, then smoothing with a round brush, is a classic pro technique for glossy, long-lasting blow-dries.

In practical terms, a simple winter routine might involve washing with a gentle shampoo and hydrating conditioner, masking once a week, applying a leave-in cream or oil to damp lengths, and always using a heat protector before you style.

Styling Tricks for a Royal-Level Shine

You don’t need a televised event to justify a glossy blow-dry. With a few carefully chosen tools and techniques, you can bring that winterlights radiance into everyday life – whether for the office, a December drinks party, or simply a mood-lifting weekday.

Stylists often recommend the following approach for long to mid-length hair similar to the Princess of Wales:

• Use a nozzle on your hairdryer – directing airflow down the hair shaft helps the cuticle lie flat, resulting in a smoother, shinier surface.
• Work in sections – divide hair into horizontal sections. Start at the nape, working forwards. This gives you more control and an even finish.
• Choose the right brush – a medium to large round brush with a smooth barrel can help create that signature bend at the ends and a polished surface through the mid-lengths.
• Finish with a cool shot – a burst of cool air helps set the style and increase shine, in much the same way as a cool rinse at the basin.
• Add a touch of serum – a pea-sized amount of lightweight serum or finishing oil smoothed through the mid-lengths and ends (avoiding the roots) can mimic that red-carpet sheen.

For those with naturally wavier or curlier hair, many UK stylists suggest embracing a softer version of the look: enhancing natural texture with a diffuser, then smoothing selected face-framing pieces with a large-barrel tong for a more relaxed, yet still luminous, interpretation.

Key Takeaways

• ‘Winterlights’ hair is a multi-dimensional, glossy brunette effect that shifts beautifully under winter light, rather than a single rigid shade.
• The Princess of Wales’ version relies on ultra-fine highlights, rich lowlights and a high-shine gloss to create subtle movement and a luxurious finish.
• To recreate the look, bring clear visual references to your colourist, ask for micro-highlights and glossing, and be honest about how often you can maintain salon appointments.
• At home, prioritise colour-safe cleansing, weekly masking and consistent heat protection to safeguard shine against winter dryness and central heating.
• Simple styling tweaks – like directional blow-drying, round-brush smoothing, a cool shot and a tiny amount of serum – make the difference between everyday hair and a truly polished, light-catching finish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ‘winterlights’ hair only for brunettes?
Not exclusively, but the look is most effective on brunette or deeper bronde bases where subtle tonal shifts are visible without looking stripy. Blondes can adapt the idea with very soft, cool or neutral lowlights and a high-gloss toner, but the effect will naturally be more delicate.

How often should I top up winterlights colour?
This depends on your starting shade and how visible your regrowth is. Many UK colourists suggest every 8–12 weeks for micro-highlights and lowlights, with a gloss service in between if you want to refresh shine. If your budget is tight, prioritise the gloss; it’s often the quickest way to revive the look.

Can I achieve the look without permanent colour?
In some cases, yes. Semi-permanent and demi-permanent glosses can deepen or refine tone and add shine without a long-term commitment. However, if you want lighter ribbons through darker hair, some form of lightening is usually required, which is best handled professionally.

Will this colour work on curly or coily hair?
Absolutely. Winterlights can look beautiful on textured hair, where the curls naturally catch the light. Many stylists simply adjust placement and technique, opting for slightly thicker highlights to ensure the effect is visible within the curl pattern, and focusing heavily on moisture to maintain definition and gloss.

What if my hair is already damaged?
If your hair feels fragile, a cautious approach is essential. Many stylists recommend starting with conditioning and strengthening treatments, then adding only minimal, low-lift colour paired with a gloss. In some cases, improving condition and shine with treatments alone can deliver a result that feels transformational without aggressive colouring.

Can I maintain winterlights hair if I rarely heat-style?
Yes. While a blow-dry can enhance the glassy effect, air-drying with a leave-in conditioner or cream, then smoothing a small amount of oil over dry lengths, can still produce a soft, healthy-looking sheen that shows off your colour.