Shakira has always felt like her hair 'has been her identity'

Shakira has always "had a love-hate relationship" with her hair.

The 48-year-old pop music icon described her blonde locks as her "identity", which helped inspire her to launch Isima, her brand of eight hair care products.

She's quoted by Women's Wear Daily as saying: “My hair has been my identity for a long time. "My entire life I’ve felt that way, and I’ve had a love-hate relationship with my hair.

“I love it because I need it, but I also hate it when it makes me suffer.”

The 'Hips Don't Lie' hitmaker revealed she's been left in tears after trips to the salon, and she has long been looking for the "right product".

She added: “I’m one of those women who has left many times from the salon crying, feeling that life is over after they burn your hair trying to bleach it.

“It’s been an adventure my entire life to try and search for the right product for my hair, a hair that has very complex needs.”