Need help with my hair?!?

So, naturally my hair is hideous! It's so puffy and feels so rough, only when I straighten it, it starts to look decent. I've been wanting to grow my hair long since I was a kid, I didn't know it would turn out like this. I've become absolutely dependant on those straightners. It started from a number 2 haircut and I'm about a year in growing it. Will it get better as it grows or would I have to cut it if I seriously cannot take it anymore.