Though she burst onto our screens as a redhead (her long, layered auburn hair in Practical Magic is one of my all-time favourite looks), Nicole Kidman has become synonymous with ultra-blonde hair in the last few years.
For the majority of her recent roles, from Babygirl to Nine Perfect Strangers to The Perfect Couple, Nicole's red, curly hair has been coiffured into a style unrecognisable from her natural hair.
So, it came as a welcome surprise this week when the actress took to Instagram to share photos from a recent trip to Iceland, with her hair worn in its naturally curly, natural coloured state.
Nicole Kidman's throwback hair
Fans lapped up the look, calling it: "vintage 90s Nicole," with countless comments praising her ringlets, with the actress looking radiant and joyful in the candid photos, and dare I say it, years younger than her age of 59.
© InstagramWe're not imagining that the always-flawless actress looks extra youthful in the photos – but it's not down to rumoured cosmetic work or good lighting; it's her hair.
Hair stylist Ricky Walters, who owns swanky Soho hair hotspot Salon64, explains that wearing our hair in its natural state can knock years off our age.
© Instagram"There's something inherently youthful about hair that feels less polished and more carefree," he says. "When we soften the styling and allow the natural texture and movement of the hair to come through, it can create a more relaxed, easy-going impression. Youthfulness isn't necessarily about looking 'done'. Often it's about looking fresh, effortless and completely comfortable in yourself."
The natural approach
Like Nicole, my hair is naturally curly, and I've spent the last two decades straightening and blow-drying it into submission.
While I feel more confident when I've done my hair, I do often think that I look nicer, and more myself, when I leave my hair in its untamed style (on the very rare occasions I do this).
According to Ricky, I'm not imagining this. While we may love to tease and style our hair into different looks, our natural hair will likely make us look our loveliest.
"Ultimately, [our natural hair is] the way nature intended us to wear our hair. When we constantly fight against our natural texture, we can actually compromise the condition and movement of the hair. Excessive heat, over-styling and trying to force it into a shape it doesn't naturally want to take can all take their toll.
"Often, the most flattering look is also the most effortless one. There's a real beauty in embracing what you have and remembering that, when it comes to hair, less can genuinely be more."
© InstagramAuthenticity comes into the equation, too, hence why I feel prettiest with my hair undone, even if it's not a look I love.
"Your natural hair tends to work in harmony with everything else about you, such as your skin tone, your features, your personal style, your energy, and even the way you carry yourself.
"It becomes part of a much bigger picture rather than something that feels imposed. When your hair feels like an extension of who you are, rather than something you're trying to be, there's an authenticity and confidence that comes with that."
I write this as I travel down to Cornwall, so while down in the sea air, I'll do my best to embrace Nicole's approach to natural hair, hoping the salt and sea create curls like the A-lister's.
