CURL power

Embrace your natural coils, waves and kinks with this expert-approved guide

- JESS BEECH

When our hair looks its best we feel fabulous. But often, because natural curls require a lot of care and attention, it can seem simpler to fight against what nature gave us. If you're blessed with waves or coils, we bet you've often spent many hours straightening them smooth, and had the aching arm to prove it! But accepting your natural hair texture can make getting ready each day much quicker and more enjoyable. Just understanding the natural pattern of your curls can help you care for them better, as well as encouraging increased bounce and spring in your style. Just as knowing your skin type enables you to choose the very best beauty regime, knowing your curl type works the same way.

No two curls are created equal - their texture can change from day to day, depending on a whole range of factors, from the general health of your hair, to the hardness of the water you wash in, and even the weather. 'Most people have more than one curl pattern, and it's perfectly normal to have several,' says Michelle Sultan, creative director, and brand ambassador at Imbue. Unpredictability is both the beauty of curly hair and the reason why it can be trickier to style. But instead of giving up and ironing those strands poker straight, it's time to get to know your hair a bit better and learn a few clever tricks from the experts to transform your natural hair into a mane of glory.

What's my curl type?