2B, 3A, 4C. Whatever the curl pattern, there are certain struggles unique to the curly haired population that nobody else seems to truly understand.

1. The rain can be the end of the world.

The rain cannot be taken lightly. Being caught in the rain isn't a cute moment from a rom-com –– it means you have to redo all your hard work. The chance of precipitation was made to protect curls.

2. You have to plan hours (if not days) in advance for any formal function.

There is no such thing as a wash and go if you have curly hair. If you want to style your hair for a formal event, time is key. You have to wash and dry your hair (which can take hours on its own). Then it's time to curl, straighten or do whatever else you wanted to do with your locks. Only to have humidity destroy all your hard work within about half an hour of walking out of the house.

3. Shrinkage is real.

Don't be deceived by shrinkage. When my hair is soaking wet and brushed out, it reaches all the way down my back. When it's dry and in a braid, it doesn't even touch my elbows. For some, their hair length more than doubles when it's straightened.

4. Having endless hair products taking up counter space in your bathroom.

Oils, leave in conditioner, gel, mousse and more. It's a fact of life that I will never have a clean bathroom counter. Not only do I need industrially sized bottles of shampoo and conditioner to adequately clean my hair, but I need to have an arsenal of products prepared to tame the beast after a shower.

5. Everyone wants to touch your hair.

Our straight haired brothers and sisters always seem to have an instinct to reach our and touch our curls. The amazement is understandable, but it doesn't make it any less aggravating when you feel a tug and you just know it was an accident.

6. But at the end of the day, you wouldn’t change it for anything.

Despite the daily trials and tribulations, curly hair is a blessing. You can always straighten and style hair, but nobody can manufacture your natural, gravity-defying curls.