I hear this question quite often in hair forums, groups and on blogs. It’s a funny word that has been around forever (or so it seems) and if I try and think back to the first time I ever heard it was when A Different World was on TV. Jada Pinkett was one of the new cast members and she was rocking a short cut, what we would now today call a TWA and her hair was curly or wavy.
Everyone loved it and said she just has a texturizer in her hair to make it look that way. Sorry, but back in the day, if you had wavy hair or curly hair and you were brown you must have put some chemicals in it to look that way, pardon our ignorance but that’s what we all thought. Anyway, fast forward to today and the word is popping up again and with less restrictions.
Back then, it was understood that if you had a texturizer you could only wear your hair ultra short and honestly, I have no idea why. Maybe it was because longer hair needed higher maintenance and most women were already using full blown relaxers on their longer hair.
I’m not sure, but the word has resurfaced with a new branding because it’s a way for some naturals to “calm down” their coils without going completely straight. First and foremost let us get the “is it natural?” question out of the way quickly, Texlaxing or using a texturizer changes the texture of the hair and is not considered natural. On laymans terms you can refer to it as a mild relaxer. If you need a text book definition we have that too:
A texturizer, tex-lax or any other spelling variations is “a mild form of a relaxer which is applied for a brief amount of time in an effort to only slightly relax the curl instead of straightening it. This is a chemical-based straightener. A relaxer can be used as a texturizer; simply leave it on the hair for less time than designated for straightening.” About.com
I’ve done this bc I was never a fan of bone straight hair.. I used a kiddie relaxer at the time.. Then I got tired of it and let it all grow out bc my hair wasn’t untamable as I thought
Did you discover breakage using the kiddie perm?
any process that permanently changes the curl pattern of ones hair in my opinion is not natural hair.
All in all, if it’s growing out of your scalp, IT’S NATURAL because it’s yours. The state that you decide to keep your hair in is completely different only because of the texture. All hair you can see is DEAD anyway, so these hair debates people create mean nothing. It’s all in how you care and present it that matters.
I see your point, but having non-natural hair does not mean it’s not your own hair.
Natural means in it’s original state meaning not chemically processed.
It’s not a hard concept to grasp.
A chemical is a chemical. If it is man made it is a chemical.
Ni Ni hair on the head is not dead hair. Where are u getting your info? Hair is the only thing that keep growing after you die so where do u get the assumption that hair is dead?
Hair does not continue to grow after you die. You may want to recheck that. That is a myth.
No it’s not natural. Come on now
If you put something on your hair that isn’t from the earth your hair is not 100% natural. Using man made products is also a chemical (everything is a chemical). I do not consider myself 100% natural because I do use man made conditioners that aren’t 100% natural. I know some people who only use water and oil on their hair they are natural lol.
Oh my! Seems like several of you didn’t learn about this in science class. I clearly said that the hair you SEE is DEAD. The hair under your scalp is what is alive and pushes out. You know…The hair folicle?
So it looks like everyone who tried to tell me to research something or ask me where I got this COMMON information from when learning about hair, skin, and everything else that makes up your body should begin doing research BEFORE assuming I don’t know what I’m talking about. I learned this in elementary schoolvand my teachers went more in depth about it when I was in middle school and it continued throughout college.
Catch up on some research along with other things that should be common information to all adults who’ve been to school and have a lovely day!
VJ RLester, please pic up a science book or something. The hair you see anywhere they grew on your body is DEAD. You should have learned that in a science class at some point in your life.
Hannah Okorafor, most people in the black community refer to natural as the state a person’s hair is in…Relaxed, texlaxed, or virgin/untouched by any chemical that alters how your texture normally is are the usual states as you know. Others would beg to differ with you and say that natural is free of products, accessories, color, extensions, and the list goes on.
I personally see all of this as yet another way to divide black people even more than we already are, (but that ain’t my business, and a waste of breath as usual).
Your hair doesnt continue to grow when your dead. Your skim pulling back from decaying or something like that gives the illusion that the hair is growing. Same with your nails
Nope…there is no texturizer in my hair….natural except for color…:-)
If you chemically alter your hair’s original texture, then it is NOT natural. No research or science textbooks needed. Period.
I makes me sad how the “natural hair movement” went from having healthy hair and being healthy inside and out to a debate about every little thing and name calling. No matter what anyone does to there hair perm, relaxer, texturizer, all natural products, or half natural products whatever I just hope there hair is healthy they are healthy and they feel good about how they look and dont let any negative comments bring them down. Love peace and hair grease…..or whatever you use 🙂
Everybody has an opinion, but I feel like it’s based on how the person that’s texlaxed feels about it. Hell, are all those products we buy from the store to put on out hair natural? Hell no, so are you then no longer “natural” when you put that Kinky Kurly on? That alters your natural curl pattern….j/s
This shit always turn into a debate DAMN IT WAS A SIMPLE QUESTION.
Stop playing…. You know texlaxing and relaxing are the same thing! It’s all chemicals and nobody cares…
NO body is all natural!
if hair is dead how is it able to grow? I don’t believe that.
I am on accident and I love it… My wash and goes are soo easy and it’s been the only way I were my hair now… But to answer the question no it’s not natural because I have a perm tht was put in after being natural for a while but the perm didn’t really take to well and loosened my curl pattern… I’m goin to keep this goin because I love it so much!
Hell no its not natural. Its a chemical. If it grew out if yo head and you didnt put any type of chemicals then its natural. Definition: chemicals putting a substance on something to turn it into something oppisite that is not ! Stupid question
I feel the next woman should be able to do what she wants with her do, Rather its natural,relaxed,texlaxing as long as she keeps her hair healthy..Am sorry but most women who’s into the natural is often millitant and rude.Most not all!
Oh this hair debate! This is simple! Just take care of your hair no matter what condition its in. Relaxer, natural whatever! If your happy with your choice great!! If your hair is healthy, wonderful!!
I just wish I never put nun of that shit in my hair, dead or whatever… And those who do more power to them it just wasn’t for me.. I’m #natural and that I will remain.
Damm… black ppl find every dumb ish to go at it for. Smh don’t nobody care….who gives….it moved from skin shade to hair texture…to arguing about chemicals…
Man people its really no need to argue back and forth maybe you have a texturizer a relaxer or nothing as long as you like it is all that matters im natural but its nothing I useto have a texturizer for years but its all about you love the skin you’re in have a beautiful day ladies
Yes I texlax. I tried natural & its a lot of work. Easier to manage now.
I don’t know how any texlaxes their hair at home …. My past attempts were epic fails .. I ended up with bone straight hair lol
I’ve heard it wasn’t easy to do at home because you cannot determine how long to keep them in.
I need help. I wanna go from relaxed short, extremely thick hair to natural with colour any ideas on styling. Someone suggested rolling on perm rods while wet . Help please.
Jada wore it in “A Different World”.
she was so pretty before surgery
It’s a chemical, so no it’s not Nstural.
If you put ANY chemicals in for any amount of time it’s no longer natural
Chemical
Same thing as a relaxer
The answer is no