While Meghan Markle's fashion and beauty styles are definitely ones to watch, and it was her hair that stole the show when she first reappeared in 2020 during lockdown from her and Prince Harry's new Calfornia home with gloriously long tresses. Then, with the release of the new Harry & Meghan Netflix documentary, royal fans were again admiring Meghan's brunette locks - and wondering what are Meghan's secrets for perfect hair?
RELATED: All the beauty products Meghan Markle has said she loves
We have the answers for you, from whether the Duchess has hair extensions and naturally curly hair, to Meghan's favourite haircare products. We even will show you how to create her famous messy bun – so let's get started...
READ: Meghan Markle reappears with her natural curly hair – and Doria and Archie are all smiles
Does Meghan Markle have hair extensions?
Hairstylist George Northwood, who has styled Meghan's famous tresses, told the Telegraph, "People think that Meghan has had hair extensions, but I never put any extensions in her hair in the two years that I worked with her. It's all her own hair." The hair expert also commented on the significance of Meghan's super long locks, which she debuted in 2020.
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Meghan Markle stunned fans with her super-long lockdown hairstyle in July 2020. The Duchess was speaking at the Girl Up Leadership Summit from her home in California
"She's making a statement with hair that long – it represents strength and a sense that she's really got everything sorted. This straighter, longer hairstyle marks a new chapter in her life without such strict protocols."
Is Meghan Markle's hair naturally curly?
While Meghan prefers to wear her hair straight, with slight waves or in her signature messy bun, she has, rarely, shown her natural curls. For example, in August 2022 the Duchess appeared on a Zoom call from her LA home rocking her natural waves.
RELATED: Meghan Markle discusses natural hair struggles after showing off curls
And photos from the former actress' childhood teen years show that when she was younger she was just as gorgeous with a head full of naturally curly hair. In 2011 the Duchess, who is from a mixed-race background, described her stunning locks: "My mom [Doria Ragland] is Black and my dad [Thomas Markle] is Dutch and Irish, so the texture of my hair is densely curly."
Meghan has described her hair as 'densely curly' and uses Keratin treatments to straighten her tresses
In a conversionation with Mariah Carey on the Duchess' podcast, Archetypes, in August 2022, the Duchess talked about what it was like growing up with natural hair.
"My hair is so curly and it's so thick," she remarked before recalling how her maternal grandmother Jeanette would do her hair. "She'd go, 'Just hold onto the sink,' and I would grip my little hands on both sides.
"You have no luxury of being tender-headed because she would take the brush and just whoosh, whoosh and tie it."
And Meghan empathised when Mariah commented how, as a mixed raced girl, she found that hairdressers didn't know how to style her hair.
The pair bonded over memories of budget-friendly classic Lusters Pink hair lotion, and especially Murray’s pomade. "Yeah, I know, so much… so much heavy hair grease," the Duchess laughed.
What hair products does Meghan Markle use?
As a Hollywood actress and lifestyle guru with her own now-defunct blog The Tig, Meghan has spoken numerous times in the past about her favourite hair products – and let's just say she's left Murray's far behind!
One of the haircare lines Meghan has said she loves is Kérastase's Oleo-Relax, which you can shop on Amazon.
Kérastase Bain Discipline Oléo-Relax shampoo, £23.37 / $32.50, Amazon
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While her favourite Kerastase deep conditioner, Kérastase Nutritive Oleo-Relax Anti-Frizz Masque, has been discontinued, have no fear! You can try the new formula, Kérastase Nutritive Masque Magistral, a similar detangling high shine formula.
Kérastase Nutritive Masque Magistral, £26.55 / $32.98, Amazon
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Meghan raved about Wella Professionals' multi-tasking Oil Reflections Luminous Oil in an interview with Beauty Banter. "It smells like vacation and makes your hair slippery and touchable. I love this stuff! It also doubles as a pretty amazing body oil post bath."
Wella Professionals Luminous Smoothing Oil, ,
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Meghan's former hairstylist Lydia Sellers has also spilt some secrets about hair care products that have helped keep the Duchess' hair camera ready.
The celebrity makeup artist and hairdresser has used Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray to prep Meghan’s hair, "to give it that boost" and Kevin Murphy Smooth Again frizz-reducing cream to make the royal's locks sleek and shiny while protecting them from heat.
Kevin Murphy Smooth Again Anti-Frizz Cream, £35 / $38
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Oribe Dry Texturizing travel spray, £19.50 / $24
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Does Meghan Markle straighten her hair?
In 2011, the actress said she was a fan of Brazilian blowouts, but her go-to hair straightening technique seems to have changed in recent years. While in the UK during her pre-Harry days, Meghan saw hairstylist Theonie Kakoulli at Nicky Clarke for Keratin treatments to straighten her curls. "She has really beautiful hair," Theonie told People. "Her hair was in such lovely condition, and you could tell that she really looks after it and that she was proud of it – it's really stunning."
How does Meghan Markle create her messy bun hairstyle?
When Suits star Meghan began attending royal engagements, one thing royal style watchers fell in love with was her signature messy bun hairstyle. If you'd like to create it for yourself, this video gives a 90-second tutorial on how to create Meghan Markle's messy bun hairstyle.
WATCH: How to create Meghan Markle's messy bun, step by step
Has Meghan Markle always been brunette?
We've yet to see a photo of Meghan rocking blonde hair – well, we've seen her as a 'blonde', but not officially – but the Duchess has experimented with different shades and tones over the years. In the summer of 2009, the up-and-coming star wore her hair in a pretty warm auburn hue, and a year later she went NEARLY blonde with a light brown highlighted look.
Meghan has experimented with hair colours but generally stays close to her signature brunette shade
Has Meghan Markle ever had short hair?
With the exception of her shorter locks during her childhood and high school curly hair days, Meghan has preferred to stick to her tried-and-true straight, or sometimes wavy, locks that cascade at least an inch or two below her shoulders.
Meghan at the 2013 Global Gift Gala in London
Meghan had the illusion of shorter hair at the 2013 Global Gift gala, but the short hairstyle was just the effect of her Old Hollywood waves.
What does Meghan eat to get such shiny hair?
It's hardly surprising that health-conscious Megan eats a balanced diet, which translates to healthy hair and skin! The star loves to kickstart her day with a green juice, previously revealing she blends apple, kale, spinach, lemon, and ginger together. Lunch is often sushi or a salad, and she's also a big fan of avocados. Leafy greens are rich in vitamin E, which work at the cellular level to protect and strengthen hair and encourage its growth.
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