After a recent drought of Taylor Swift content, fans were treated to two glimpses of the musician on Monday.
First, in a pre-recorded skit at the Emmys, and secondly at Arrowhead Stadium, where she was watching her husband, Travis Kelce, play in the NFL.
While her Emmys clip has fans fiendishly trying to decode every line from her script for clues (or easter eggs, as Taylor calls them) about upcoming music, I was distracted by something else altogether – Taylor's hair.
© AFP via Getty ImagesThe 36-year-old had her hair cut into a newlywed bob in the summer - again causing a rush of speculation that she had new music up her sleeve - and since she's ditched the length she's been known for for many years, her hair is looking thicker and glossier than ever -and I've started to think that maybe I'll cut my hair the same as hers. Easily influenced, me?
© Getty ImagesWhy does Taylor's hair look so glossy?
I spoke to celebrity hairstylist Adam Reed, founder of Arkive headcare, about how Taylor's made her hair look more princess-esque than ever, despite cutting it.
"People often associate growing their hair with having 'more' hair, but sometimes taking length away can actually make it look significantly thicker," he says.
He says that cutting off dead ends to thicken the appearance of your hair isn't always about how much hair you take off - the density you're left with is what matters.
© Getty ImagesDensity is what matters for thick hair
On why Taylor's hair looks so much healthier now it's shorter, he explains: "As hair gets longer, the ends can naturally become finer through everyday wear, heat styling, colouring and breakage," Adam says. "By removing those more fragile, wispy ends and bringing the perimeter back to the point where the hair has greater density, you immediately create the illusion of thicker, fuller hair."
On determining how to help hair looking thicker, Adam adds: "I look at the hair and ask, 'Where does the density start to disappear?' That's the point we need to work with."
© Getty ImagesWhile I muse on whether I'd lop off my hard-earned locks to emulate Taylor's new, thicker look, Adam confirms that when someone has fine hair (me!), a shorter cut can be better for full hair – or at least the illusion of it.
"Length creates weight, and that weight can pull the hair down and make finer hair sit flatter at the root. Taking some of that length away allows the hair to lift and move more freely."
He cautions that the cut is important. "If fullness is the goal, I wouldn't automatically add lots of layers because over-layering finer hair can actually remove the density we're trying to create.
"I love keeping a strong baseline and then adding just enough internal shape and movement to stop it feeling too solid. It's about putting the weight in the right places rather than simply cutting the hair shorter."
Taylor's ultra-glossy hair
Taylor's new cut also has a hand in how glossy her hair looks now, Adam says.
"Shine creates a beautiful continuous reflection along the surface of the hair. When the cuticle is smooth and the lengths have that uninterrupted gloss, your eye travels down the hair, which can give the impression of greater length.
© Billboard via Getty Images"Conversely, dry or damaged ends can make long hair visually stop before it actually ends because the outline becomes less defined.
"That’s why I always say condition is as important as length. Sometimes removing an inch and improving the quality of the ends can actually make the remaining hair look longer, thicker and considerably healthier."
Will I go for the Taylor chop?
Maybe… but Adam is quick to caution that I do not fixate on the centimetres I'm going to cut off. "It's about the quality and density of what you leave behind.
"Sometimes a tiny maintenance cut is enough, and sometimes taking a little more away gives you a much stronger, fuller result. Healthy ends, a considered shape and beautiful condition will always make the hair look its best." Noted!
