We’ve never seen a hair out of place on our favourite princess, Kate Middleton. Although her smooth and silky signature blowout is totally swoon-worthy, we know one thing for sure: the Duchess of Cambridge doesn’t roll out of bed with flowing, frizz-free locks. Sleek hair takes work—and, in her case, a team of highly-trained hairstylists.

We sat down with Cody Alain, Hair and Makeup Artist at Page One Management, to learn how to achieve Kate’s gorgeous blown-out style at home, sans royal assistance.

Step 1: Dry it rough

Once you have washed and conditioned your hair, it’s essential to rough dry your strands before styling with a round brush, as soaking wet hair can’t hold a shape. “If you have coarser hair,” Alain tells us, “dry it to 80 per cent.” To help keep frizz at bay for a more manageable blowout, Alain swears by Tresemmé Smooth & Silky Anti-Frizz Secret Crème ($6, tresemme.ca) to tame coarse manes with minds of their own.

If you have fine or medium hair, dry your tresses to about 95 per cent, so hair is ever so slightly damp to the touch—but definitely not dripping. Add bounce, shine and volume in a pinch with a quick application of Aveda Phomollient Styling Foam ($22.50, aveda.com/locator) before reaching for the blow dryer.

There are rules to a perfect rough dry. First, make friends with your blow dryer’s nozzle attachment, and direct heat downwards. “Hair grows like shingles on a roof,” Alain explains. “By pointing the nozzle downward and working from root to tip, you end up sealing the cuticle of the hair shaft to achieve a sleeker, shinier result.”

Step 2: Divide and conquer

Section your hair into three horizontal sections, working your way from the nape of the neck up toward the crown. “Clip hair securely, leaving only the bottom section loose,” says Alain.

Heed this advice! Dividing your hair in chunks help ease the blowout process and minimizes the potential for frizz later on.

Step 3: Dry, dry, dry!

Grab a round brush and begin blow-drying the section of hair closest to the nape of the neck. “If your hair is naturally wavy or curly, the hair will bend,” Alain explains. Ladies with texturized locks should opt for an over-sized round brush to keep hair taught with the slightest bounce at the bottom à la Kate Middleton. Alternatively, women with straighter hair can enhance their ‘do by reaching for a narrower brush.

“Take an extra few seconds with each section to ensure the hair is completely dry. Otherwise, the hair will revert back to its natural shape,” says Alain.

Step 4: Finish

Finish the blowout by running your hands through your hair while the blow dryer is on cool. “That way,” Alain says, “you can tell if there’s any dampness left.” Plus, cold air helps to set the blowout for a full 24 hours of glamorous wear.

Lock in the look with Alain’s favourite finishing spray, Nexxus Comb Thru Natural Hold Finishing Mist ($15, nexxus.ca). One quick mist and you’re ready to conquer just about anything.

Interested in more insider beauty tips? Check out our Fashion and Beauty blog.