I have had naturally curly hair since the day I was born. Growing up, I used to hate my hair because it was different and people always questioned me as to why it wasn’t straight. As I’ve gotten older, the relationship with my sometimes out of control ringlets has definitely changed. It’s most definitely a love-hate relationship, because when you wake up in the morning, there’s no guarantee about how your hair will look. Curly hair truly has a mind of its own, so if you’re in the same boat as me, you have to just ride the waves and adjust to whatever it throws at you. In the summer however, the ball game changes because our worst enemy comes along. That jerk named humidity just has to wreak havoc on our curls, causing more frizz than imaginable. Keeping in mind the struggle of how to manage naturally curly hair during the hot, humid summer months, I’ve compiled a list of viable options to take care of the matter.

1. Light it on fire.

Should we fight fire with fire? Who knows, but at some points when the beast that lives within our hair is released, sometimes you can become desperate enough to try anything.

2. Ask a neighborhood lion if he or she would like to trade manes with you.

The exciting aspect of having curly hair, besides the sheer unpredictability of each day, is the fact that anyone who also has natural ringlets instantly connects with you over it. My friend and I always joke about taming our manes, which at times resemble a lion’s mane. Why not switch it up for once, and actually try out a mane?

3. Flee to less humid areas.

Dry Valleys, Antarctica is one of the least humid places on Earth, due to the fact that there is no snow or ice throughout the stretch, and the average rainfall is zero. It’s a tradeoff: live by civilization or have frizz-free hair.

4. Hang out with sea monsters.

If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. Make friends with creatures that have more wild hair than you. I hear Nessie has a pretty wild fro- it’s why they can’t seem to be able to catch her.

5. Dreads are making a comeback, right?

Even Shakira had dreads once. They at least seem to tighten up the ringlets, eliminating potential frizz. Save this option for a more frustrating hair day than usual.

6. Invest in a pool that is filled with anti-frizz cream.

Why not combine working out and deep conditioning? All the more reason to get your hair wet. Now hop in and show me your best butterfly.

7. Throw it up, throw it up.

*Cue Rihanna * Girls with naturally curly hair always come up with innovative ways to keep the mane out of our way when necessary. Usually this involves massive messy buns, braids, or high pony tails. I’m personally a fan of the messy bun.

As you can see, sometimes the relationship with hair can cause extreme feelings. There are times where we are so fed up with walking past a mirror, looking at our hair in the reflection, and thinking, “THAT’S NOT HOW I LEFT YOU!” Yet despite the struggle, at the end of the day, I wouldn’t trade my hair for anything. Whenever I do straighten it, which happens very rarely, there is a significant percentage of the population that does not immediately recognize me. Hair is part of our identity, and natural curls add a lot of spunkiness to life. As my mom always says, “Your hair is your thunder.” Even through these humid days of summer, love your curls. Let them be free, as terrifying as that may seem! Unleash the beast!