Black hair comes in a variety of shapes, volumes, and textures. For those of us with curls it can be a struggle to find an easy and manageable way to rock your hair everyday –- especially if the blow dryer and straightener are your worst enemies.

That's where the Ouidad salon comes in. Founded by Ouidad, a woman with curly hair who wanted to help other curly-headed women, the company has salons across the country. Each location is staffed with stylists who have been specifically trained to cut, style and manage curly hair of all types - from spiral curls to s-shaped waves.

At the salon, a friendly and patient stylist sat down with me and talked about the texture of my hair and the best way to treat my specific curl-type. She explained why the relaxer I had been using for years was not the answer for my hair type, and how - with the proper upkeep and products - I could have healthy, frizz-free curls. They used the "carving and slicing method," a technique where they remove bulkiness without thinning or layering, while keeping your specific curl pattern in mind.

For many women, a black-owned hair salon is almost like a sanctuary; a place to go to not only get your hair done, but also to catch up on the latest gossip, catch up with old friends, and have some 'me-time.'

But in the past few decades, Dominican salons have been taking over neighborhoods with cheaper prices, a more versatile blowout style, and more time-efficient results.

While black salons typically use irons and straighteners, Dominican salons use the method of a wet roller-set followed by a quick blowout.

It's an opinion that has always been a big debate in the hair community, and the fire was only fueled when the Wall Street Journal released an article on the topic in May. The article has had everyone asking, "Are black women turning their backs on black-owned businesses when they opt for the local Dominican salon?"

With heat advisories and record temperatures across the country, it's hard to go anywhere without looking like a melted, frizzy mess. The humidity in the summer air causes the cuticles in our hair to expand, which results in the frizz effect we all love to hate. Thankfully, there are a ton of hair products for every hair type that can help fight the summer humidity. Check out some of Black Voices' favorites.

If you're constantly on the go but tired of the plain old snatch-back ponytail, we have five solutions you can put together in under five minutes that will leave you looking twice as chic with half the effort.

1. Sweeping Beauty. To avoid the run-of-the-mill slick back or middle part, a low ponytail with a side-swept front looks elegant and classy. Start by parting your hair on the side, then use a brush to sweep the hair in the opposite direction of your part, down and toward your ear. If you have bangs or your hair is layered, you may need to secure the hair with a bobby pin behind your ear to keep it in place. After you've achieved the sleek look in the front, fasten the ponytail at the base of your neck to complete the style.

In the world of black hair, mixed girls are labeled as having "good hair." But for those of us who have spent hours untangling, finding the right product combination, and defrizzing, we might beg to differ. Bi- and multi-racial hair is considered "good" because it usually has a natural wave or curl which means you don't always have to straighten it. The downsides are it frizzes, dries out easily and is hard to manage. If you do have what I like to refer to as "the gift and the curse" of mixed hair, the good news is there are a few easy steps you can take to get your hair at its best.

1. Embrace Your Texture.
Growing up, I spent hours trying to flatten down my hair and hide the fact that it was big, thick and frizzy. It wasn't until someone finally told me that my hair looked so much better fuller and natural that I decided to let my hair do it's own wavy thing. Whether it's a slightly kinky fro, spiral curls, or crimpy waves, once you learn to embrace your texture and the hair you were given, you can move forward to making it as healthy as possible, finding the right product regimen to maintain it, and rocking your natural look.