If scientists are correct, the effects of global warming in the 21st century will be numerous and far-reaching: Sea levels will rise by several feet, fragile ecosystems will perish, and destructive weather events--floods, hurricanes, droughts, tornadoes--will continue to accelerate. If that's not enough to make you invest in solar heating and a hybrid car, just think about the impact global warming will have on curly-haired girls (with all those heat waves and downpours, you'll look back on your summer 2006 frizz as the gold old days). What's a girl with kinks to do? Well, you can begin by investing in a product that's potent enough to tame your wild mane for decades to come, like Miss Jessie's Curly Buttercreme ($58; missjessies.com).

Just a dab of Buttercream transforms seemingly uncontrollable fuzz into soft, shiny curls (the smooth, cascading kind you almost never see outside of the salon). Infused with peppermint oil, the formula also smells delicious and feels wonderfully cooling on the scalp (like you just arrived in an air-conditioned lobby after a two-day trek in 100-degree heat). Plus, the container will last you a long time (a relief, considering the hefty price tag). However, as with the brand's classic Curly Pudding, moderation is key (a little Buttercream goes a long way, so think a drop, not a dollop, to avoid flakes, crunchiness, and greasy residue). If you continue to apply the formula correctly, your strands should be sufficiently smoothed no matter what the future brings, but for added insurance, there's Miss Jessie's Baby Buttercreme ($58)--a version designed to keep the next generation of curly-haired girls looking cool. --Kai Alexis Smith