Meghan Markle has long been associated with sleek, straight hairstyles that feel polished without looking severe.
While straight hair can sometimes read flat or overly structured, Meghan consistently avoids that pitfall with one subtle but impactful trick: soft face-framing pieces that gently break up the silhouette of the style.
Rather than wearing her hair uniformly straight from root to tip, Meghan often incorporates barely-there layers or wispy tendrils around the face. These pieces aren’t dramatic curtain bangs or obvious layers, instead, they’re strategically cut and styled to skim the cheekbones and jawline. The effect is instantly softening, creating movement and dimension that makes straight hair look lighter and more youthful.
This technique works because it mimics the natural way hair falls when it’s healthy and relaxed. Perfectly blunt, pin-straight hair can emphasize sharp angles in the face, while subtle face-framing softens features and adds a lived-in quality. On Meghan, the result is hair that looks effortless yet intentional, never stiff, never dated.
Styling plays an equally important role. Meghan often wears her straight hair with a center or slightly off-center part, which keeps the look modern and balanced. Instead of overloading on shine serums or heavy oils, she opts for a smooth but natural finish. A light smoothing cream or heat protectant helps tame flyaways while allowing the hair to move freely.
To recreate the look, start with a precise cut. Ask your stylist for long, blended face-framing layers that begin around the cheekbones or lips, depending on your face shape. The goal is softness, not volume overload. When styling, blow-dry the hair straight using a paddle brush, then lightly pass a flat iron through the mid-lengths and ends, but avoid clamping down too hard near the front pieces.
For the final touch, bend the face-framing sections ever so slightly away from the face using a flat iron or round brush. This micro-curve is key. It keeps the hair from looking pin-straight and adds a youthful lift without turning the style into waves.
Meghan Markle’s approach proves that straight hair doesn’t have to be boring or harsh. With thoughtful layering and subtle styling, sleek can still feel soft, fresh, and undeniably modern.
