Digital media has been a revolution in the hair care industry. As little as ten years ago there was precious little information online about black hair and even less about natural hair. There can also be no doubt that the natural movement gained momentum in the beginning mostly because of forums, websites and blogs.
It may seem silly to say now but in the past a lot of women never really saw the connection between weak breaking hair and relaxers. Even today at a hair shop on any given Saturday you will see a stylist suggest to a client that the relaxer should be left of a bit longer than normal. ‘You’ve got resistant hair’ being the mantra.
The fault in this instance is not necessarily the relaxer’s, rather it’s the stylist’s method of application that is facilitating breakage. That along with inadequate information to the client on how to care for their hair between appointments leads to average length of relaxed hair being neck to shoulder length.
Even so, it’s no wonder than when the idea of going natural so that your hair could grow longer was introduced, a lot of us jumped ship without question and had our suspicions about relaxers confirmed when our hair finally became longer than it had ever been before.
Since then there have been different sects of naturalism that have developed. There are those who never use heat, those who wear their hair heat straightened most of the time, those who concentrate on curls be it via wash and go’s or twist outs, those who shun the idea of curls and even those who keep their hair in low maintenance braided styles majority of the time.
As the natural movement hots up and gains traction, a lot of women who have gone natural themselves have taken to putting down women who choose to remain relaxed. The term ‘creamy crack’ that refers to hair relaxers has many negative connotations to women who choose to remain relaxed. The suggestion that you are literally a crackhead doesn’t sit right with many for obvious reasons.
With so many self styled natural hair gurus online and with the sheer number of natural blogs and websites outpacing relaxed ones 2-1, the natural movement will certainly go from strength to strength. Far fewer relaxed ladies have reached ‘long hair nirvana’ (as compared to natural sisters) and there is definitely a need in the relaxer industry to reinvent itself if it is to survive.
I hope so, enough love what god gave you
60%??? Is that accurate?
They should be cus I’m not going back b4 I do I’ll go bald but they shouldn’t be natural isn’t 4 everybody.
Lia Jackson i think women do.some straighten their hair because its what they prefer. 🙂
Yeap ^^^ I still straighten mine Its easier to much stress on my back and neck having scolios I don’t have time to detangle for 45 minutes lol I was natural for a year I believe
60% that’s not a lot! Super amazed.
I get a blow out. That’s about it. I’ve been natural since 2010 and I haven’t looked back. Perms used to eat my scalp and I don’t miss it one bit.
60% ?????? Sure about that?????? I was thinking more like 10%. It seems as if almost every black woman is natural except me. Too time consuming for me. But one day all the relaxer/perm companies might go out of business and then we will all be FORCED to go natural.
lol. Online majority of us are natural but in real life, women on the street, relaxers still rule.
I believe it will go 50/50..
They are not worried. They have a whole new market. These companies are now making natural hair care products & still making tons of money.
Yes I need that in my hair now. I haven’t put a perm in my hair for 4 months
I actually just permed my hair from being natural after a year, less stressed my hair looks healthy and is more manageable, natural wasnt for me. And this perm is awesome along with hairfinity
I love my creamy crack, natural isn’t for everyone!
I didn’t know there was a natural hair movement.
Where have u been?
Been natural all my life, didn’t know about a movement.
Prior to the last 3-5 years have you seen all of the natural hair care products, blogs, you tube videos, FB pages, natural hair seminars, women with natural hair etc devoted to natural hair? I’m sure u haven’t, because there wasn’t a movement/realization like there is now! Women and various companies all over the world are realizing the beauty in natural hair and what it takes to care for it.
Been natural nine months, it takes time ive wanted to perm it, cut it but got braids instead lot of work doing natural.
No one needs relaxers. You just need a good blowout. Dominicans are usually good.
not true. i relax my hair to make it manageable. not for a look. blowouts would not work for ppl who sweat alot in there hairline. that would be a waste of time and money and i would most likely suffer from heat damage
I love my relaxed healthy bra strap length hair. It’s not about “not loving what god gave you” it’s about this being MY hair and I can do what in the world I want to do with it! I’d rather get a relaxer than get a blow out all the time then have heat damaged natural hair.
I haven’t had a perm in almost 7 months and I was tempted to get one but I decided to just get a protected style(braids). It’s very expensive going natural but we shall see how it goes.
Jamillah natural is how I wear my hair been wearing it this way for 10 years now. I just thought women were just taking a break from perms didn’t know it became a movement.
was there a survey taking to come up with this percentage?? if there was my family aint get it. smh .
I have been natural all my life, many others also. When did it become a movement to be your natural self?
Natural isn’t for everyone…relaxers isn’t for everyone. Wear what pleases you-no one else.
I’ve been natural for 8 months and did another big chop. I love it short.
It was four almost five inches long and it took too much of time.
I didn’t know that taking care of what naturally grew out my head was a movement. But to each its own
They shouldnt be bc like most “trends” those who went natural just bc of the movement will return relaxed again. Nothing wrong with it. Im only natural bc relaxers werent good on my scalp not bc i wanted to find myself or find who God made me. Relaxed hair didnt make me forget who i was and what God gave me. Only made doing my hair, faster and manageable
I get mine relaxed but I go to a professional. I’m scared to do it myself.
I love my healthy relaxed hair
I was natural for 9 months! I gave in to the “creamy crack” last night, don’t judge me lol
i think go back natural( like me since last june) or be with relaxed hair is a choice,not by force or because is trendy. why do we have to create much think to make natural hair look relaxed hair without perm the jair. anyway whatever yr choice just keep up( natural,relaxed)take care of it and don t be a freak products or freak heat too much, even if it is not easy sometimes. PEACE EVERYONE
Absolutely! That’s the reason natural hair care products cost 3x as much.
Is it really “natural” when you still have to put so much product in your hair to achieve a desired result. What ever works for each individual is what’s best for them.
Why do so many women think you hate yourself if you straighten your hair, when in fact, most women were brought up getting their hair pressed and got perms when they were older. Our parents did our hair, not us. We grew up getting our hair straightened and continued the “process” as adults. Now that we know how horrible relaxers are for the hair and body, and how beautiful our natural hair is, we’re starting to embrace it and are learning/have learned what products and styles work best in our hair.
Jamillah I in fact like several of the pages and have seen several you tube videos but I guess what you all called a movement I just look at it as women learning to care for there natural hair.
No.
I just wonder why people can’t just mind their own business? What’s good for one may not be good for somebody else. Live and let live!!
Amen to that Stacey Lawrence
No, because they think it’s a fad and they’re right for some it is just a fad!
Seems like people always get a additude wen u trying to teach them something rite n its sad,I’m sure we did get perms n press wen we were kids bc our parents didn’t know any better, just like u can’t c God dont mean he’s not real,just bc u can’t c the cancer doesn’t mean its not real,u can feel the sores tht it cause from the damage of the perms
Do you realize that each religion have a different name for God? That been said just because you are giving out information does not mean that anyone person has to follow or believe what you are saying. There maybe a link to cancer with the use of relaxers but their is also a link to cancer with smoking and people still smoke. Please be open mind when you are sharing knowledge or a message, because not everyone will want to listen or care for your message.
Team relaxer!! Whoop whoop!! ❤️
I don’t think they’re running scared. It may have an effect, but there will always be women who prefer to use relaxers.
Why do black women feel the need to put down each other? Whether you have processed or unprocessed hair, your hair is natural. There is not such thing as natural vs relaxed just processed vs unprocessed but then in my book who cares. Women of other ethnicity process their hair and you don’t so any hoopla about it, so we need to get real about it. What I love about the black hair movement is the information on how to take really good care of my hair whether it be processed or unprocessed.
Natural is for everyone! You just simply choose not to have it
Not for me
As a stylist im pro-chemical but not buy relaxers or colors in a store (box kind) they are harsh on the hair, leaves calcium build up, has rat poison, dosent last and metallic salts in them. If you’re natural and want to have the flexibility of wanting to wear your hair straight and or curly then I recommend a keratin treatment i use the Pavonia brand and my clients love it and it works wonders.
They should be….
I always get a professional licensed stylist to apply my relaxer
Whatever we choose to do ladies, let’s just uplift each other! Be encouraging and kind to one another. That goes a long way….
You can keep that creamy crack! Natural hair is beautiful!
I relax my hair 3 times a year and probably always will. So, they can count on my business.
Team healthy hair relaxed or natural !
Idk know about their relaxer but that oil spray and deep conditioning pack is good
As long as my hair is healthy I’m still going to use relaxers. I love my relaxed, healthy hair. I actually used the relaxer that is shown in the picture and I like it a lot. Of course I used regular strength though. Relaxed or natural we still must treat our hair with care. #Relaxedhairocks #Healthyrelaxedhair
Relaxers still get my money
They should be scared… We now have products that make our hair healthy long or short…I went natural… Will not perm my hair anytime soon…on the long hair mission…its working so far…
I’ve Returned back to natural since I big chopped in July. It wasn’t til then I learned how to properly take care of my hair. I never was bald and always had thick hair but it wasn’t as healthy as it is now! Also the perm always left scabs due to burning … It’s fine if you perm your hair or have it natural just learn to properly take care of it..
Team creamy cracked Brittny WorknProgress Lmaoooo
Yes indeed LaQuisha Conway
They have my support. Healthy relaxed hair is the way to go <3 natural just isn't for everyone.
Love my relaxed hair, and I will continue relaxing my hair. For the ladies who’s rocking natural hair , go for it if you love it. I have no problems with breakage …… 🙂
I highly doubt relaxers will go out of style. I actually hated relaxing my hair but that’s what I knew. I toyed around with going natural in the past but thought it was too much work. Then I got a bad relaxer from a professional and my beautiful hair fell out immediately. Once the breakage stopped I began wearing braids. After 8 months, I chopped off what relaxed hair was left and I actually love it. My hair has thanked me for it.
Everyone makes his own choice.i dt understd why some people act like they r God just becoz they r natural now.please hair is gd bt its not everytg.im transitioning at the moment just bcz im curious to see if i can handle my natural hair bt all the judgement on relaxing hair makes me sick.
Even those natural natzis have hair issues!! They want that naturally curly mixed look and are buying products by the dozen to achieve it!! If you have to do twist outs and braid outs to achieve a look, is it really the natural you??
good point,that is something to really think about.
I’m natural because I sweat in my head so perms were a waste of time. Haven’t had a perm in 14 years.
Yes, they are. I know the beauty supply stores are.
What’s with all name calling it’s only hair for peek sake
that natural look is not for me!…..but I applaud others that have gone this route kudos to u!
I say stay away from the chemicals as long as possible
Natural hair movement…? Since when did this become a movement ? Was there ever a relaxed hair “movement”? Y’all are taking this waaaaay too seriously..no one I even know has gone natural ^^;
Boxed relaxor is already cheap for the most part, but I just go to a stylist o.o
They should go out of business.
I loved my hair relaxed but I love it more natural! 2 years later still buying and trying new products these companies will start catering to both sides.
I’m in a process of going back to natural, so no more chemicals for me. It’s our choice to decide which route to take. As long as we take care of our hair and keep it healthy.
No because now the sane companies are producing, packaging, and marketing natural hair products.. Sometimes under the same name and other times not.
The smatest thing stated on here was from @abbie Pracket
the same companies that make relaxer have simply starting marketing products for natural hair. they go wherever tha money is
I hope so.
Well I had to get a new relaxer I have never tried because it was sold out in 2 places so yah their getting their money still for sure
The relaxer companies are making natural products too so they will not go out of business.
This is my “product”! I enjoyed! There is as great relaxer! Especially based “argan oil”!
The companies aren’t scared because the majority of Black women will ALWAYS keep their hair relaxed and that’s fine for them…. I personally will NEVER relax my hair again.
I don’t beauty supply store bought products on my natural. I use what’s in my kitchen. Eggs, honey, coconut oil, yogurt, vinegar, raw shea butter and olive oil. Only buy Shea moisture shampoo.
I Like than
They should run scared, I hope all african women become natural ir is a good thing.i think we are more beautiful natural
Why ? Cant i chose ! IT’S MY HAIR AND MONEY !
it think it’s sad that some women dont even know what their hair even looks like unprocessed lol
Right people. Always asking *how u get ur hair like that*
Yes….they are scared and that’s a good thing
I am a newbie natural. I don’t think they are worried. The natural hair movement is not for everyone. I say to each her own. I have been natural for almost a year now but I keep my hair straightened. I am considering going back to relaxers. I applaud my beautiful natural sisters who wear their coils. No matter if it’s relaxed or natural it is about healthy hair.
No because most of these same companies make products for natural hair and everyone isnt natural.
Hey, I’ve been Natural for 15yrs & hair care companies didn’t make any hair care products for most of my Natural hair journey either(…and FYI- A lot of natural hair care products can be used on relaxed hair too). As far as Naturals having more blogs etc,…there’s nothing stopping these relaxed ladies from starting their own blogs or YouTube channels(I myself subscribe to a relaxed lady’s “PrettyWitty77” YouTube channel).
Ug I hate the term movement. Why the need to label?
As long as the media and those in the lime light, make US feel our hair isn’t for US perm companies will always have money in their pockets.
Relaxer nazi’s get on my nerves! We have so many diverse styles, embrace them all! I Texlax my hair, that is my personal preference!
I don’t know that they’re running scared?!… Because the generations that are up-and-coming may want to straighten their hair?.. They may feel pressured to wear their hair straight?!. who knows?!
I’m having a hard time understanding HOW wearing your hair in it’s natural state is considered a “Trend or movement”. #Ignorance
I dont think so.women will always want hair relaxed and unrelaxed.i dont knoxk it.i used to relax and dont but will invest in a flat iron. Its good but not that serious.
ALL LYES!!! After going to school for cometology the education will awaken you! All these box kits are the reason black women are going bald. It is still a lye product. The product is using Calcuim Hydroxide (no lye) vs. Sodium Hydroxide (lye) to straighten hair. It takes Calcuim Hydroxide longer to process hair (less chance of chemical burns) if you are not a professional, made for home usage. However its actually worse. Calcuim Hydroxide tends to leave your hair cuticle open, dry, and easy to snap (breakage). Ever notice how the hair lacks shine once you use a box kit? That is why salon grade relaxers look and feel different from home box kits. Also when a product says “with” anything…such as Argan oil in this case… chances are it has very little effect on any nourishment it can provide on the hair as the product will only use a drop of the active ingredient. You are better off buying your own. Queens if you MUST use a relaxer, use soduim hydroxide based products. I highly recommend going to a professional who is into healthy haircare practices as it is difficult to properly apply products to the back of your head. I want to cry everytime I see a sister in the salon or walking around with sereve breakage and balding. When using professional grade sodium hydroxide relaxers, make sure it is applied only to the new growth (curly or wavy portion of hair closest to base of scalp for touch ups). Also, dont let the lye sit on your scalp, it is to be on hair ONLY, and not longer than the suggested time on manfucture label. Make sure your stylist uses a neturalizing shampoo, deep conditioner with (no alcohol), and heat protector for heat styling tools. DONT BE AFRAID TO STAND UP FOR YOUR HAIR. You need to know what people are doing to you as you are paying them to do a great job, not a poor one. This chemical process should only be done every 2 to 3 months. If you can go longer without too much breakage…try 4 or 6 months. If you are relaxing more than that… you will be bald headed in the long run! I returned natural 4 years ago, cut my hair in a fade. Now I have a thick full healthy head of shoulder length hair. I have made many errors with my 4A hair type journey, this doesnt have to be you, educate yourself. I get a Dominician Blow-Out every 3 months and protective style it in between. NO NEED for relaxers with results like this ——>.
Beautiful! You’ve got lovely ends too 🙂
I AM SOOO TENDER HEADED. WHAT DO YOU DO FOR PEOPLE WITH THICK LONG HAIR
Hair companies will adjust and sell more products for natrual hair based on ” how corse your hair is” how tangled does ur hair get?. Companies sell based on peoples insecurities and trends they see lasting for a long time.
if half the balck women used a kiddie texturizer just for me regular your hair would last longer grow healther and not break off….. and oh to dye your hair use bigen hair rinse chinese hair dyes or indians much more better then that god forsaken dark and lovely
I hope they are running scared lol
They’re not scared, at all they know it’s a fad for most! Lots go back to the creamy crack.
It’s a damn movement because most just started doing it, going natural, do some research!
I don’t care if someone choses to have relaxed hair..it’s their business. However, Natural hair is hardly a trend; if Natural hair is a trend, then it’s the longest trend I’ve ever seen in my life. Even new articles confirm relaxer sales have gone down 26% since 2006 & down 15% 2011 & continues to decline since then…. http://finance.yahoo.com/news/hair-relaxer-sales-decline-26-172900884.html
Movement…? How ignorant =_=;
KMSLOL. What is there to run scared from? Plenty of us ladies and gents still relax our hair. . . There are people who perm (the real definition of “perm”) and texlax as well, along with so much more. Companies that manufacture those products haven’t “run scared” so why would they? There is still a demand so…I just wish the hair Nazis would sit down somewhere and stop assuming that they are better than anyone who doesn’t do what they do. Even if everyone “went natural” criticism would still spew from countless mouths. “It’s too thin…It’s too short and you look like a man with that cut…It’s dyed, so THAT’S not natural. ..It’s too nappy. Where’s your curl definition? Straight hair isn’t the natural state of black people. Nor is blonde hair, which leads back to dyed hair and introducing whether or not black people can naturally grow blonde hair. Ain’t nothin’ special about your slicked back puff. You can’t come up with more than that one style? Look at those sour dry dreads.” That’s not even the half of the negative comments that would be made.
This is one of the small things that y’all worry about, but NEVER anything of importance is resolved so we can unite as a human race for once.
I used mizani regular perm that I bought on sale at sally’s – it was 7 or 8 .00 off of a large container that was $ 12 or 17.00. these Koreans will still find a way to make a butt load of money off black hair /women with the fake hair ( nappy, braids, straight, wavy, curly, etc) and there’s so many already marketing various products for natural hair.
Please please please reconsider. Being natural is one of the best journeys you’ll ever experience. Check out my channel for hair inspiration and tips. If yo have any questions or issues with your hair, feel free to message me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xabPFakNOhA
Natural beauty is always best…..15 yrs natural for me.