From ignorant questions to sore hands, natural hair has proven to be the cause of many joys and many struggles. Throughout history, natural hair has been condemned, appropriated, and criticized, only to be celebrated secretly within the Black community among individuals who possessed these lovely locks. Unfortunately, modern day ideals of natural hair have proven no different. Today, our brothers and sisters with long curls, dreads, twists, and braids have learned to hate their hair and feel the need to change it in order to fit into our western standards of beauty.

As a young African-American woman, it breaks my heart to see little girls who look like me wishing so deeply that they had anything other than the mop of messy kinks on the top of their heads. Despite these past negative connotations, natural hair is slowly beginning to make a comeback, allowing individuals to comfortably embrace their hair and wear it proudly.

The young men and women of our generation in particular have made an effort to encourage each other to wear their hair raw not only to make a point of pride, but to revive their natural roots (both literally and figuratively). So, as an ode to curly fros everywhere, here are 28 things that we natural hair fanatics can appreciate and hate about the beautiful beasts atop our crowns:

1. Having to switch hair products once a month because none of them ever work

2. And finally finding that one amazing product, only to realize it’s not sold anymore or you’re too broke to buy it consistently

3. Combing

Need I say more?

4. Dryness

5. When humidity does this:

6. “Do you wash it?”

7. The type of brush you use is crucial to avoiding breakage

8. Having to plan your week around when you’re going to do your hair

Oh sorry, I can't go out. I have to braid my hair tonight...

9. But knowing you’ll look super fly when you undo your braids/twists for a weekend turn up

10. You can’t go to any random salon and get a simple haircut

11. And learning the hard way that not everyone can cut curly hair without jacking up your shape

12. Trying to avoid water at all costs

13. Finding that one person who can do your hair for you

#Blessed

14. “Do things get stuck in it?”

15. Wrapping it at night is literally an art form

16. Doing your hair so often you can do it in under 20 mins

#Hairmaster

17. It’s unique

18. Looking back at your childhood full of cornrows and strange braid formations and cringing

19. Shaping your fro perfectly, only to have it crunched by someone’s curious hands

20. Reading natural hair tip articles and magazines like they're the Bible

21. “Can I try to straighten it?”

22. “Is that all your hair? Or is it a weave?”

23. “Oh my God, my hair is so curly, it’s just like yours”

Girl, bye

24. Just because I have an afro doesn’t mean I’m super “Pro-black,” or neo-liberal

25. There’s a difference between sister-locks and dreadlocks

vs

Educate yourself, please

26. The look of admiration little kids give you when they see your hair is just like theirs

27. These:

28. And reminiscing the feeling of relief when you finally embraced your natural state for the first time