With naturally curly hair, you encounter a lot of problems. There are some things we wish we did not have to deal with because of our curly hair, and questions we wish you would stop asking us about it.

1. “Is that your natural hair?”

First off why would you think that I would do this to myself? I understand that you think that some people still get perms, but there is a difference between people who have permed hair and people who have naturally curly hair.

2. “Can I touch it?”

Another question that drives us nuts. Do we ask to touch your hair? No. I do not understand why people are fascinated with touching my hair. Just because it's OK for me to do it, does not mean it is OK for you to do it to me.

3. Random people touching our hair.

This is even worse than people asking. If I do not know you why would I want you touching my hair? Would you like it if a random person just came up to you and start patting and tugging on your hair? I am going to take a shot in the dark and guess that you would not enjoy it either so please think before you “boing” my hair.

But we also have other problems that just come from our hair itself…

4. Brushing it.

People are told to not brush their hair when wet, but it is the only time people with curly hair can. If we try brushing it when it’s dry, it is all knotty and expands into a fro like frizz ball.

5. Shedding.

We shed like a dog and get called out for it because our hair is easily identifiable from everyone else we live with.

6. Straightening it.

Trying to straighten our hair takes forever. I need at least an hour if not more of free time and the desire to try to tame this mess I call hair. If you do straighten it you can expect to hear comments from people such as, “Your hair looks so different straight.” “Your hair is so long.”

7. Styling it.

There is not a whole lot of ways to cut curly hair, and styling it every day is either down or in a messy bun. Once you put your hair up for the day, it is up and there is no turning back.

8. Finding product for your hair.

This is like a treasure hunt or an experiment. You have to try so many things to see what your hair will work with. Often times it takes a long to find what will work for you and when you do it feels like you found the holy grail. If that product ever goes out of stock then sadly you are left to start the whole process over again.

9. Humidity.

Humidity and any other form of water does not like curly hair. It makes it grow in size a lot. It forces you to put up your hair for the day, but even then it still does not look very presentable. You will find me inside if it is humid out, for the sake of my hair.