This is a woman who has control over her naturally curly hair. In its curly state,
it hangs in separate individual ringlets, never appearing frizzy. When worn straight
and smooth, there is not a ripple anywhere and no frizz to be seen. Others endowed with natural curl may wonder how this magic is achieved.

Most curly hair, even when worn in its natural state, requires styling products to control it and to keep it formed into individual curls. A frizz-correcting product containing silicone or light oils is often a good base for other products. Over this, apply one of the many gels specially formulated for curly hair. These usually have ingredients to add extra shine and to leave the hair pliable. A hair creme may also be used. This gives a much softer 'set' but less control.

Drying procedures depend on the individual texture of hair. After thoroughly combing the products through wet hair, use neither a comb nor a brush again. For very curly hair let the hair dry completely without any manipulation. To encourage more curl and for fullness, scrunch and lift the hair. Scrunching is gently grabbing a handful of hair and pushing the ends toward the root while squeezing. Never run your fingers through the ends of the hair while it is drying. After your hair is dry, gently separate the curls and lift for the amount of fullness desired keeping in mind that the more the hair is manipulated the frizzier it can become.

For a style change, Ms Kidman goes dramatically straight. In smoothing your own
natural curl use moisturizing and smoothing products to help keep it in optimum
condition. Carefully use a vent or paddle brush on small sections of hair. Dry from the root to the ends. If moisture is left in the hair, it will revert to its natural wave.

There are new appliances on the market to help you straighten hair. There are various sizes of flat irons to smooth the hair after it is dry. The wide irons are great for long hair. The more narrow irons are used to get close to the root of the hair to rid it of unwanted wrinkles. Clamp the iron onto the hair shaft and slowly slide it to the end, being careful not to apply heat to any one area for too long. This can cause dry, brittle hair.

Naturally curly hair can be irritatingly uncontrollable, but with patient styling and the correct products, just like Nicole Kidman, you've got the look!