Curls have long been touted as a statement of sorts. When a woman refuses to fall into pre-existing tropes of Western beauty standards and flaunts her curls in their natural glory, she may come across as somewhat rebellious; someone who does not and will not squeeze herself thin into society’s narrow definitions of beauty. Her curls, strong and gravity-defying, is a reflection of her own self that refuses to be contained into rigid notions of femininity.

Five ways you can take care of your curly hair.