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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.
