newbie to the natural

hi everyone! im trying so hard to keep from putting so much heat on my hair and damaging it. im mixed, half black and half white. my hair is thin and has a tight curl when its wet. i usually use a hair dryer to get my hair straight, and have never permed it. another thing about my hair, is that it has 2 very different textures. in the top its knots an tangles very easy, and curls much tighter when its wet. the back half, however, is the total opposite. it hardly tangles and when wet, the curls aren't as tight. where do i even start?? i want so badly to keep it curly, however it never seems to do what i feel it should do. what do you all suggest? im open to any suggestions and solutions.