Should I be using curl products?

Should I be using curl products ?

Ok so my hair was pin straight growing up. The past few years the nape of my neck started turning ringlet-ish. Recently I’ve noticed I’ve got a couple pieces of hair like this one that are fully curled now. The rest of my hair looks like photo 2. I generally brush it after I shower when it’s wet, and it looks like the second pic. but when I don’t, these curls happen. I don’t use products generally, except once in a while I will put some smoothing cream with heat protectant if I’m going to straighten it, or some black castor oil, just on the tips. Other than that, I just wash it with whatever shampoo/conditioner is tickling my fancy that time. Right now I’m using Aussie shampoo with a tresemme heat protectant conditioner, and then as I said, brushing it when it’s wet and then shaking it out like a dog and that’s about it. I’m thinking I need to lean into the curly girl world, I feel like my hair is screaming for it, but I have no idea how. I’ve tried a curl cream by John Freida, and it was okay but it didn’t seem to do much, if anything. I am wondering if you guys have suggestions on ways to bring these curls out more? Or maybe I am just SOL. Also, do you guys have suggestions on colour or cut..? I posted this in r/haircare and they referred me over here. Thank you!!☺️