It look great both ways. My hair is weird. Is super curly and I kept it like that for many years. My family did not support changing it. When I became an adult and could have it my way I started to relax it and let it grow. I went back to curly 5 years ago but wasn't me any more, so I let it grow again. I have it relaxed every 6 weeks. Usually do it myself, but is easier to get someone else to do it. I them wash it and wrap it around my head over night. I n the morning I blow dry it and use the flat iron to straighten it further. I have done it for so long that it now takes me 20 minutes to do the whole thing. My hair is a few inches shorter than yours.