Meghan Markle brought back one of her most recognizable hairstyles on Tuesday as she stepped out alongside Prince Harry in Brussels. Dressed in an elegant all-black ensemble, the Duchess of Sussex traded her usual tightly sculpted sleek bun for a softer, more relaxed low updo. The timeless look is easy to copy for festive winter parties using just four simple hair products.
You do not need a royal glam squad or a huge beauty budget to recreate the Meghan Markle sleek bun at home. Speaking exclusively with the Daily Express, Wella Colour Expert and salon owner Georgina Murphy of The Vintage Lounge revealed the exact hair products needed for the style, with prices starting from just £5.99.
The first of the four hair products is the Living Proof No Frizz Smooth Styling Cream (£16 at Amazon), which creates a humidity-resistant, frizz-free foundation for a sleek bun. “Start with clean, damp hair, as this creates the perfect foundation for either hairstyle,” Murphy explained when breaking down how Meghan Markle gets her smooth finish. “Work a small amount of Living Proof No Frizz Smooth Styling Cream through the mid-lengths and ends using your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to distribute the product evenly.”
Next, the stylist advised blow-drying the hair downward with a paddle brush and nozzle attachment to smooth the cuticle. “For Meghan's signature glossy finish, use a cool blast of air to set each section, but if you're recreating her softer Brussels look, don't worry about achieving an ultra-straight finish, as a little natural movement can actually make the hairstyle look more effortless,” she noted. Combining proper heat prep with the right hair products ensures your Meghan Markle sleek bun looks expensive and glossy in winter weather.
Once the hair is dry, Murphy recommends reaching for the Framar Boar Hairbrush (£6.15 at Salon Direct) to sweep the strands into a low ponytail at the nape of the neck. “Once your hair is completely dry, use the Framar Boar Hairbrush to gently sweep it back into shape,” the expert said, noting that natural boar bristles distribute oils from root to tip for the light-reflecting shine seen on Meghan Markle. Using quality brushing tools alongside your favorite hair products makes it easy to adapt this sleek bun to your personal style.
Murphy explained how a simple change in brush tension can switch the look from ultra-polished to softly undone. “For her classic ultra-sleek style, create a sharp middle parting and brush the hair tightly back, ensuring the crown is smooth and free from bumps,” she shared. “However, if you're hoping to recreate the softer bun she wore in Brussels, use a gentler brushing technique, leaving a little natural volume around the crown before gathering your hair into a low ponytail.”
For the third step, Murphy named the budget-friendly Got2b Glued Wax Stick (£5.99 at Superdrug) as her ultimate “secret weapon” among affordable hair products for taming flyaways with coconut oil, castor oil, and shea butter. “Apply the Got2b Glued Wax Stick lightly around the hairline, crown and sides, focusing on any stubborn flyaways,” she advised for anyone styling a Meghan Markle sleek bun. “For the ultra-sleek version, you can use a little more product to create that smooth, sculpted finish, while for the relaxed Brussels look, I'd recommend using it sparingly so the hair retains some natural texture.”
After smoothing the hairline, it is time to coil and pin the ponytail into place. “Once you're happy with the shape, twist the ponytail into a coil and wrap it into a low bun, securing it with bobby pins or a hair bungee,” Murphy instructed. “Keep the bun neat and balanced, but don't feel you need to pull every strand tightly into place, as leaving a little softness around the hairline can create a beautifully effortless finish,” she added, showing why the Meghan Markle sleek bun remains a favorite look fueled by simple hair products.
To complete the routine, Murphy recommends a lightweight shine mist with mullein flower extract like the Colour Wow Extra Mist-ical Shine Spray as the final touch in your lineup of hair products. “Once your bun is in place, lightly mist a shine spray over the surface of your hair to create that beautiful reflective finish Meghan is known for,” she said, warning not to overload the hair if you want a natural glow rather than an overly styled look. “For a more sculpted look, you can smooth down any remaining flyaways before applying the spray, while for a relaxed finish, simply mist from a distance and allow a little natural movement to remain,” Murphy concluded, proving how easily you can master the Meghan Markle sleek bun at home.
Key Takeaways:
- Meghan Markle stepped out with Prince Harry in Brussels wearing a softer version of her signature sleek bun, sparking fresh interest in the affordable hair products behind her look.
- Wella Colour Expert Georgina Murphy of The Vintage Lounge shared a four-step guide using budget-friendly hair products starting from £5.99 to recreate the Meghan Markle sleek bun at home.
- From anti-frizz styling cream to a £5.99 wax stick, these four clever hair products let royal fans switch between a classic sleek bun and the relaxed updo Meghan Markle wore in Belgium.
