I think it was Camilla Tominey who mocked the Duchess of Sussex for being friends with her hair colorist and makeup artist. The royalists are of the opinion that a royal woman should not be so friendly with “the help,” and that having close relationships with one’s glam squad is somehow tacky. Beyond the classism of that perspective, it’s stupid from a personal and business level. When Meghan and Harry moved to California, she got a recommendation to see colorist Kadi Lee, and it was not only the start of a beautiful friendship, it was the start of a business. Kadi Lee’s Highbrow Hippie salon/brand is now making a hair product and wellness line, and Meghan has invested in it. We learned that last week, when Meghan attended the launch party and gave some comments about Kadi and the business.
Meghan Markle shifted her beauty routine in a relatable way during the COVID pandemic: boxed hair color. The Duchess of Sussex, 43, made the relatable revelation at the Nov. 15 launch party for her close friend and hair colorist Kadi Lee’s new Highbrow Hippie Haircare and Wellness line at Gjelina restaurant Venice, California, showing support for the female-founded venture she backs as an investor.
After Lee spoke about how her friendship with Meghan influenced the evolution of her business, the Duchess of Sussex said, “I was using boxed dye when I met her!” eliciting laughs from those in attendance.
At the launch party, Meghan presented Lee with a thoughtful gift—roses from the garden of her Montecito home, where she lives with Prince Harry and their children, Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3.
Meghan’s glossy tresses have long been one of her signature style features, and she ordered her hair color online for just a few dollars during the pandemic. Celebrity hairstylist Serge Normant, who did Meghan’s hair when she married Prince Harry in 2018 and has remained a friend, told her that she only needed to know one person in California: “Kadi Lee.”
PEOPLE understands that the pair struck up a friendship following the introduction, and Meghan has turned to the celeb colorist for the past four and a half years. Lee is a strong supporter of BIPOC businesses, and Meghan is one of the lead investors in her brand.
The celebrity hair colorist runs Highbrow Hippie with her business partner, Myka Harris, and the two are introducing the new namesake range to curb the root causes of hair loss to promote the healthy aging of hair. The hair pro has highlighted her work with Meghan on Instagram several times this year, from the Invictus Games 2025 countdown in February to the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Gala in October.
“She was in a joyful mood,” a source tells PEOPLE of Meghan’s infectious energy at the event. “She was dancing and celebrating with her friends.”
That answered some of my questions about Meghan’s investment – People Mag describes her as “one of the lead investors in her brand.” That’s so cool, and Meghan is getting in at the ground floor. Clevr Blends was already a brand (a small, local brand) when Meghan invested. Cesta Collective was already a brand when Meghan invested. Now Meghan is part of the start of Highbrow Hippie’s first product line. Meghan also invited her friends to the product launch party – she was there with Daniel Martin (her longtime friend and former makeup artist) and Vicky Tsai.
As for Meghan’s box-dye comments… I use box-dye. I have ever since I started dyeing my hair in my early 30s. I get compliments on my hair all the time too! But yeah, I totally understand why Meghan would want to go to a real colorist. I’m fascinated by Meghan’s hair journey and I sort of want to know which brand of hair dye she used before she met Kadi!!
Photos courtesy of Getty, Instagram.
It’s weird if the they think being friends with people who see you when your vulnerable is somehow lesser. I guess though this is their new approach since they can’t pretend she doesn’t have any friends anymore? Also are people bothered by the box dye comment? Nothing wrong with box dye, but sometimes you realize for what you’re putting your hair through you need a professional. I never thought I would be someone using anything fancier than Pantene, but here I am spending $40 on shampoo and conditioner because it works best for my natural hair. I know this because of my stylist it is what it is.
If being friends with a colourist is a crime, then presenting Royal order for a hair stylist just for adding wigs and hairspray is a sin.
Hell, my mom’s hair dresser was “must include” guest at my wedding! They’ve been friends for decades.
I love the write-up that is quoted here, because People mag readers had vicious comments, saying she was out-of-touch for “deriding” box color, which “normal” people use. This article indicates her intent, which is that Kadie Lee upgraded her in a way.
Alright, I’m low on funds🥲 but I’d love to order the highbrow hippie hair products. Meghan has gorgeous hair so I have to think other people are going to be trying this. It wouldn’t surprise me if someone living at Windsor ordered a year’s supply, just saying. I love how Meghan is with her friends. Loyal and supportive. She’s investing in what you’d expect her to invest in. Staying tru to her values. Oh but wait, let’s see how Tina Brown turns this into a flop or evidence that Megan is all over the place. Please, Meghan is focused on where her interests and values lie. It’s not hard to see the pattern unless you’re actively looking to be negative. And finally, the roses from her garden? Gorgeous.
Before covid, I used boxed dye. During covid I was going through cancer treatment and lost all my hair. Twice. The first time it grew back mostly grey, the second time it came back slower and I just let it do its thing, not adding any chemicals or heat. Now, 3 years later, all the curls have grown out/been cut out and it’s this variegated dark brown/mahogany strands and grey pieces scattered about. My hairdresser says other clients ask for ‘whatever she did to me’. It’s glorious and glossy and happy and I am so grateful to have it for however long the cancer lets me keep my hair that I will never dye it again. As I relapse and my oncologist talks about putting me back through the treatment that caused the balding, I think I will just keep shaving my head if that’s the case. I don’t have the patience to go through that awkward growing out again only to lose it over and over again based on cancer’s whims.
I’m sorry you’re going through this. <3
Much sympathy to you in your cancer struggles. I too am going through what feels like endless chemo but fortunately it hasn’t caused any hair loss. It’s really dried out my skin though and I literally bathe in moisturizers.
RMS and Jaded, I keep you in my thoughts. You are unbelievably brave and I admire you. I am sure your beauty shines through.
@RMS and @Jaded, my heart goes out to you both, I can only imagine how you two feel. Huge cyber bear hugs to each of you darlings, may the good Lord comfort you always. Kindest regards from one of your cyber friends/celebitchers.
I am so sorry you are going through this, I know someone who used a device called a cold cap to keep from losing their hair during treatments, not sure if it would work for you, but thought I would leave the idea here just in case.
I am sorry you are going through this.Bit so happy you ended up with beautiful hair! It is so hard. I am currently going through chemo and the hair loss is more difficult than I ever thought.
If the BRF or the royalists would not consider being friendly, or (gasp) friends with people who provide services to them, it’s only because they treat them poorly.
Meghan should bring back the Tig. I have no doubt that members of the royal family looked down on her for being friends with her hairdresser and makeup artist.
Meh, none of them know what it’s like to have real friends, so of course they’re confused. Next.
Not Meghan making my Raised-Baptist-Turned-Agnostic ass want a cross necklace SMH. Oh well, these are crazy times. I need all the protection I can get ahahaha.
In all seriousness, Meghan’s cultivation of friends from all places is so telling (in the best of ways) to her character. There’s not nair person she can’t find herself connecting with, which is why her warmth is so apparent. Of course that frosty ass family she married into could never possibly understand how to truly “light up a room”.
I needed to scroll back up to look and indeed, it seems to be a cross in these photos — from the way the light hits the necklace.
It’s a medallion-shaped pendant by Logan Hollowell, it’s got three diamonds, and the names of Archie and Lili engraved.
There’s a pic on Insta, the link should go directly to the necklace
https://www.instagram.com/dukeandduchessofsussexdaily/p/DCZ5iECIrDw/?img_index=4
Wasn’t the queen close with Angela Kelly? I guess her majesty was tacky too.
😄😄😄
Now I’m guessing that Meghan relaxes her hair as well because the pretty curly coils don’t even spring up in the rain from video I’ve seen in the past. So going to the salon for color is the wisest choice. Chemical relaxer on top of color is risky, you definitely need a pro. And Meghan’s hair looks gorgeous and glossy all the time.
It’s not surprising that CT and some royals think that hairstylist and makeup artists are less than, they treat some in the royal family as less than.
Her hair is not relaxed, it’s a silk press. You can see that when she was in Africa and some other countries with high humidity. Big tell is the edges.
Interesting that Meghan is featured before Julia Robert’s in the Instagram carousel!
I used box dyes and did my hands myself for a long time, but it left rings of color as my hair grew out and the longer it got the harder it was to disguise. I see a professional now so I completely understand. I’m am excited about the hair products because Meghan’s hair has never looked better. The results of how well these products work are hanging down Meg’s back,
I have a feeling it’s not just the royals that frown upon this . I imagine that the upper class of British society would be appalled and think it is such a lower class thing to do .
I must say I don’t think I’ve seen Megan happier . She looks so healthy and is glowing looking so much younger then her years .
She has survived and is thriving . I’m really happy for her .