Texture, texture, texture… it’s an important subject for deliciously curly hair. Any sistas remember the crunchy days of 90s moussing? Sadly, many of today’s products that tame wild, bouncing spirals still leave hair hard or stiff.

Not Vernon François’s product range, though, which has been lovingly designed with touchable hair in mind. Vernon was my stylist a few years ago, before he jetted off Stateside to style the likes of Lupita Nyong’o and Solange. Having experienced his deep understanding of Afro hair, I’ve got the utmost respect for his talent.

Hair is political, after all, both in terms of how the world sees us and in our personal lives. I once dated a boy who told me he didn’t like my hair short – he thought he had ownership over my look. But I’m free-spirited with my barnet… dying it pink, shaving a bit off (I shaved the One Direction logo in the back when I was a Radio 1 presenter).

I thank Vernon for creating something for kinky-haired women everywhere. His new styling cream has scent notes of carrot and fennel, and there’s a tutorial vid at vernonfrancois.com.

Follow Gemma on Twitter @gemcairn and Instagram @gemagain