Sharon Peake, the award-winner owner of Ethos Hairdressing, Manchester shares her tips on going curly when you're ever so straight:

If hair is very straight it may be difficult or impossible to keep a curl in for any amount of time.

The easiest way to get curls is to use medium size straightening irons on dry hair. Ghd are the best irons to use for curling hair. One by one take a section of hair and beginning at the roots, gently to start with, hold hair in the irons and twist. Hold hair tighter so it wraps around the edge of the plates and pull the irons to the ends of your hair. The best way to describe this technique is to liken it to curling ribbons on presents with a pair of scissors. Ités not so easy to get root bounce with irons as you cant get close enough to the scalp.

The best way to get root bounce is to set damp hair on rollers. You can then either use a diffuser to dry your hair on the rollers or buy a plastic hood that can be attached to the end of your hairdryer. Your stylist should be able to order one for you if they donét stock them in their salon.

Alternatively you can use heated rollers which work well on both damp or dry hair. However they are quite heavy and can be awkward to secure if you are putting them in yourself. BaByliss Pro do a great new 30 piece ceramic set which you can purchase through salons.

Alternate

Ceramic or Porcelain curling tongs give an even, structured curl but can look a bit contrived/organised. To overcome this, simply alternate the direction you curl your hair from clockwise to anti-clockwise. The best oneés for the job are BaByliss Pro Porcelain Digital Tongs which you can purchase through salons.

Finally you could use bendy rollers or heated benders. This technique creates curls which are tighter at the ends than the root. Use perm papers on the very ends of your hair so the ends donét flyway when you try to wrap them around the roller. Iéd recommend you use BaByliss Pro Hot Sticks, which again can be purchased through salons.

So, once youéve decided on your chosen method make sure you wash your hair before trying to curl it. Apply a styling product to wet hair. If you have very straight hair use a strong hold mousse or styling spray such as Clynol Lift. If you have more wave to your hair then use a milder product that promises normal/flexible hold. Clairolés Massive volume spray and Upgrade root boost are great to add volume, especially if you are using straightening irons and cant get close to the root. Clairolés Twister curl energizer, TIGI Curls Rock amplifer and Curls Rock curl booster are also great for helping to create curls on straight hair.

Then blowdry hair until damp or dry, depending which method you are using from the list above. Generally when using electric products you should use them on dry hair.

With any of these curling methods the smaller the section the tighter the curls and the more curls you will get. When working with rollers you have the option of dry or damp hair but the result will be tighter and firmer if you curl damp hair. Do be careful if the ends of your hair are tightly wrapped inside around the roller as they can stay wet for a long time so you may need to dry for longer than youéd expect.