by
Black Girl With Long Hair
A new report by the research company Mintel finds that relaxers are declining in popularity as the natural hair industry grows;
…Natural may be the new normal in Black haircare, as relaxers account for just 21% of Black haircare sales and the sector has declined 26% since 2008 and 15% since 2011 when sales reached $179 million—the only category not to see growth.
Mintel’s research estimates the relaxer segment will reach $152 million this year, down from $206 million in 2008. Furthermore, in the past 12 months, nearly three-fourths (70%) of Black women say they currently wear or have worn their hair natural (no relaxer or perm), more than half (53%) have worn braids, and four out of 10 (41%) have worn locks.
“The natural hair trend is driving an increase in sales of styling products such as styling moisturizers, setting lotions, curl creams, pomades, etc., but the increase has caused the relaxer segment to decline in sales,” says Tonya Roberts, multicultural analyst at Mintel. “A look at expenditures from 2008-2013 shows steady growth in the Black haircare category for all categories except relaxers/perms.”
The report doesn’t touch on whether the increasing popularity of weaves has to do with relaxers’ decline. Still, it highlights an encouraging trend towards acceptance of textured hair.
Click here to read the full summary of the report.
Ladies, what are your thoughts?
103 Responses
I am not usually a fan of “statistics”, but this one is refreshing. 🙂 Slow and steady wins the race. 🙂
(Don’t bite my head off, please :-))
A few days ago, a commenter remarked that the level of negativity she found in BGLH’s reader comments had finally pushed her away from BGLH and towards Curly Nikki, where she found commenters to be more constructive. It’s saddening, but she does have a point: some comments here can be amazingly negative. However, it looks like a shift might be occurring.
I’ve been following BGLH for about 2.5 years now and this is the first time I’ve seen a topic generate virtually 100% positive comments (so far) AND thought-provoking discussions–a truly united front here, ladies! Don’t get me wrong: every topic produces positive, stimulating comments, but they’re often followed by combative remarks (and a whole mess of thumbs-downs). These are, however, conspicuously absent from this post (so far). It’s almost silly how happy this makes me LOL.
Let’s keep up the great work, ladies!
Well ladies, y’all might stone me, but I’m still relaxed (having some transition thoughts though). Regardless this is good news, because it means that should I continue to do my touch ups (I’m a DIYer, have been for YEARS) that it’ll cost me SO much less, lol. Especially considering that I stretch for at least 3 months since being on my journey (prior to my journey I was a religious 6-8 week person, I am so happy to be a stretcher now). Currently I am 16 weeks post and I might even stretch to 20 (which is also why I’m having transition thoughts, I’m intrigued by the shapes and kinks of my 1.5 inch new growth) I love coming to BGLH even though I am not natural (yet), one can never get too much advice on caring for the crown you wear every day.
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I think this is the new trend. I have been seeing this for quite a number of years. People are more willing to accept African American hair in the workplace as being “American”. Now we have more natural hair products coming out like Lia naturals, KeraVada http://www.etsy.com/shop/keravada AfroVeda etc. and the Ayurvedic Hair products it just gives more options in think.
Not arounf here. Most women I see still use weaves and relaxers and heat. Some do have natural hair under their weaves, but seem far more found of their weaves than their natural hair. Although I do see more naturals it seems like some women actually feel stupid about not having natural hair these days, they just seem to be following a fad or the “thing to do”. But all of the Ethiopian immigrants have beautiful natural hair! It’s great.
I live in Minniapolis,MN btw
I used to live in Kansas City, MO where there was a growing natural hair community and now I am in San Diego, CA where I have seen MANY naturals. It really is great to see!
I too live in NC! Right outside of Raleigh! And I agree with Stephanieb. The small town that I live in still isn’t very accepting of natural hair. You see a few naturals, but not nearly as many as when you visit the larger cities like raleigh, durham, charlotte, etc! I bc’d in February 2013 and it was the best decision that I ever made for my hair! I love it! I definitely don’t miss having a relaxer! lol. It’s just a distant memory!
I remember at least three years back you couldn’t get an Optimum Relaxer under $7 and I have seen them on sale in my area, RI and MA, for $2.99 that says a LOT
$1.99 and buy one get one free in my area lol, I was shocked!!!
Shoot for $1.99 those perms are probably dusty and stale anyway.
HAHA they are giving them away and I’m still not getting a relaxer.
I’m cautiously optimistic. This study doesn’t seem to take into account the fact that relaxer sales could be down because women are not DIY relaxing and going to salons to have stylists relax their hair. While I hope more of us are embracing our natural beauty, I fear that Mintel (which is a global marketing company) may be using this study as propaganda to get us celebrating while working with companies to figure out marketing strategies to get us hooked on their products.
But wouldn’t that mean salons buy more relaxer to compensate so it’d balance out and not affect the numbers.
Salons aren’t buying relaxers from retail stores. They are ordering directly from companies like Dudley and Mizani. This study is related to sales of relaxers in retail stores.
Now if we can see numbers showing increased numbers for black-owned hair products being bought!!!!!
this is an opportunity for black people to be wise and take advantage of the situation.We all know most relaxer companies are owned by non blacks. Since there is a decline in sales,there is a decline in the money they are making and somebody else will get that money.People need to make a conscious effort to channel their money now towards black or predominantly black owned hair care businesses .Come on y’all our people need it. This is not an issue of being discriminatory against other races.It is purely taking care of your own first before others.We need to learn from asians. see the figures, the amount of money from our hair care, imagine this flowing into the black community. think about it
Looks like relaxers are gonna be about as extinct as jheri curls are now. This doesn’t mean more sisters are gonna sport ‘fros though. Keep in mind people stretch their relaxers for months and months now as well as use hot combs or flat irons to straighten their hair. I think many sisters just don’t want to deal with the chemicals in their hair at the end of the day.
Sales might decrease for relaxers, but will NEVER be extient…I personally am natural, but I know a lot of women that wont go natural no matter what and thats their choice and a few women that were natural and couldn’t handle all the work and went back relaxed.
this is good news.
i prefer baby steps to no steps.
woot! woot!
This is the reason that companies that used to make relaxers are now coming out with lines for natural hair.
Yes. That is why I am very conscious of the brands that I choose to buy. I only buy products for us by us and will continue to as long as it’s good quality and reasonably priced.
Great point, and many of the ingredients used in these products which are supposed to be so “natural” really aren’t natural at all. That’s why we have to be careful which companies we buy producs from. Even Carol’s Daughter isn’t as natural as it used to be.
YES! I have noticed every major brand for black hair is now trying to target naturals…I still remain to stick to brands that always catered to naturals or my own homemade products.
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I love that more Black women are wearing their hair natural. However, I’m concerned that the economics of natural hair care is becoming high jacked by those outside of our community. It’s not enough for us to just wear natural hair. We have to be mindful of the economic and political implications as well.
Putting thumbs up and hit thumbs down on accident. I’m on my phone. Anyway,
Agreed!
Remember that saying, “Dance with the one who loves you.”
I never heard that saying but I liiiiike it!!!
That’s very good news. It’s also good news for those black owned natural hair care companies. I love those.
Over-processing, breakage and thinning of the hair, no thanks…perm!
wow that is exciting news for us, it means that many of us are learning or have learned to love our own hair without chemicals.
I can’t say I’m really surprised though. I was in walmart not too long ago and the shelves once overstocked with relaxers were down to a few brands while more, albeit overpriced, natural hair products were sold.
Can’t wait till the day when most of us figure out we don’t need to pay $50 bucks for Ms Jessie when water and coconut oil will do…the struggle LOL
One big thumb up sister, you got it so right!!! I’ve always wonder what’s the hype with Miss Jessie’s. They might work for some but for me, I don’t see why I should pay $50 for products geared towards naturals when they are loaded with petrolatum, mineral oil, parabens, silicones, fragrance (???) and well known EDCs (estrogen and endocrine-disrupting chemicals) like DMDM Hydantoin, Propylene Glycol, Triethanolamine, sulfates and other nasty stuff we are trying hard to avoid when going naturals. These are hormonally-active chemicals found in most African-Americans hair products and are the reason why African-Americans women tends to have two to three times more fibroids than other races and why our daughters reach menarche at 7 years 0ld or earlier.
I avoid these chemicals in my products. I still use silicones though but only to detangle. It’s hard sometimes when you have a 4axyzs hair type like mine and have to use products with slip (silicones) to detangle but I get around it by having a healthy diet with as much organic food as possible, drinking plenty of water, herbal teas, ACV tonic and internal clay detox. But I digress, sorry. Happy hair journey y’a all and no more relaxers yeah!!!
Wow, that’s really good information Linda. I had no clue about the fibroid stuff. Thanks for the insight!
I agree. Instead of using silicones to detangle, have you tried detangling with a prepoo? I found this is the BEST time to detangle. Water, coconut oil and a lil bit of conditioner in the hair at least 30 minutes before you shampoo. I have 4b hair and its sooo easy to run a comb through it this way. Lots of slip and no breakage because I gave it time to penetrate the hair and its not sopping wet so it wont stretch and break either. Then wash the hair in sections to keep it detangled.
You’re very welcome Kan. We need to do our research, keep ourselves informed and share our knowledge whenever possible. To NaturallyPhoxxie, thank you for your insight. I do prepoo, that’s my BF and the only way I can detangle. My hair hates wet and dry detangling so I work on damp hair. Straight coconut oil isn’t my friend either, it needs to be mixed with another oil. I’m working on a combination of aloe vera juice or gel mixed with shea or avocado butters, castor, hemp, coconut and grapeseed oils. AVJ/G alone works but the 100% shrinkage I get from it is not a joke. Also butter or oils on dry hair coupled with a 45 minutes steaming session work excellent. But sometimes, I don’t have time on my side and that’s when a conditioner with silicones becomes handy. Still doing my research to find the right products combinations with things I have handy in my kitchen and my homemade mayo with egg yolk, oils, essentials oils, a little bit of ACV and AVJ is the best deep conditioner I’ve ever done ( I add garlic juice sometimes for extra strength or use a homemade garlic infused ACV). I protective style a lot (6-8 weeks at a time) not only because it’s more convenient for my professional life but also because it allows me to use the least products possible on my hair. But I’m still learning as my hair is changing the longer it gets. Also the older I get, I can notice the change in my hair from season to season and diet to diet. It’s amazing because the Human body is a constant changing wonderful “machine” and the more you learn about it and what it can accomplish, the less abuse you want to do to it. The simplest is the best way to go. Sorry for this long post, it’s becoming an habit lol!!!
I forgot to mention that diluted ACV is a habit too. I use it in different ways. It helps in my detangling session and is a must to control itchy and dry scalp, dandruff and smells in long term protective styling. It makes a great drink too.
I agree. Miss Jessies is such a waste of money. Most, if not all, of their products contain mineral oil, lanolin or petrolatum—inexpensive products—with a very expensive price tag.
I hope this report is true. As a man I don’t have to suffer with the issues and pressure that society places on black women and their hair. But I don’t like it one bit. There are a few articles at http://www.blackbuying.com that talk about this issue. The consensus seems to be that the worst part about it is all the money that women spend/waste on these products and the self hate that results.
While more women have stopped relaxing some have switched to weaves and wigs. I’ve talked to women who want wear their hair out but are just lost when it comes to hair care so more education is needed.
this is certainly good news, but to be honest….i still see that the majority of black women seem to wear their hair relaxed. maybe it’s just where i am, but like….all of them almost in this little community where i live relax. when’s the change going to come to south georgia? clearly the winds missed us.
Come north to Metro-Atlanta; lots of fellow naturalistas here
Yep. I live in Baltimore and many women here are natural. When I go home to rural NC however, I’m a bit outta place.
I hear ya breanne, I live just outside of Raleigh, and the smaller towns almost noone is natural, but when you go to larger areas like, Raleigh, Durham, Charlotte, etc. it does get a lot better. Nevertheless, the majority of the women I know are relaxed too or wear weaves/wigs, but at least things are going in the right direction.
I agree! Were here in Decatur,Ga,also. My daughter who is an area Firefighter did her big chop in April,after I cut off the last of my relaxer the same month.
Yeah, Mochachick10 is right. There are tons of naturals in Atlanta.
come to new york city, especially where all the boho and hippie/black pride blacks are. I went to the Afro punk festival 2 weeks ago and I felt so proud of all of my young fellow natural rockin the hottest/most creative styles I have ever seen.
I live in NYC too and I missed that. I didn’t even know about it 🙁
I wish I lived where there is a more black population. Down here where I live…south Texas…anytime I see another natural I get soooooo excited!!!!
However, I do not agree that natural hair is a “trend”. Relaxers were invented in the last 100 years or so…I think Relaxers are more of a trend.
Don’t make assumptions. What looks relaxed to you could be me flat ironing my hair for the day or I might have gotten it blown out at the hair dresser.
I agree ’cause not all straight hair is relaxed hair. Some people got those good flat irons, too.
I have been natural (no relaxer) for about 4yrs and I continued to flat iron my hair. I did a semi big chop in October 2011 and continued to flat iron my hair. February 2013 I went fully natural no heat no relaxer. Relaxers never really took for me I would always get the same results from a good wash and conditioner. But an arrival that should be written is why black women continue to believe and pass on the lie that to have coily and curly hair you have to be mixed or have good hair.
I live in the suburbs but sometimes I catch the bus into Philly. While there are many sisters in Philly (and a handful in the suburbs) with natural hair – Afro puffs, curly hairstyles, braid-outs, twist-outs, locs – I agree with cacey. Straight hair dominates.
I think what’s happening is that there really are more natural sistas but these natural sistas are either choosing to flat iron or their natural hair is under a weave, extensions, etc.
But hey, I’ll take it. I’m happy. Relaxers have a lot of harmful ingredients in them, can cause scalp burns, and the money for relaxers goes out of the Black community, not into it. Whereas many of the products geared towards naturals are from Black-owned companies.
Besides, we can’t expect that every natural sista will wear her natural hair naked without weaves, braid extensions, heat, etc. Some women just are not ready or simply put they don’t like their hair that way. Actually, relaxer sales being on the decline is kind of a new phenomenon, natural hair vloggers, YouTube (which was invented in 2005), and websites like this are new relative to the history of relaxers and the straightening comb. It’s going to take many years before we start seeing fewer weaves.
Kill the creamy crack campaign is successful!
Now it’s time to activate Phase 2: Brazilian Hair For Brazilians
I’m happy that women are starting to embrace their natural hair. At the same time I am worried that once natural hair care becomes so popular, prices for the most basic things are going to shoot way up.
Girl that day is Today! Lol but really these “natural hair” products are ridiculously priced at times when only 20% actually work for my hair.
Yes honey! You are better off experimenting in your kitchen!
I’m afraid of that too. My hair is healthy (and looks pretty good) and all my products (very basic) are 9.99 or less. Except for occasional pomade for my edges and henna, nothing I use on my hair is marketed for hair…
Oh wait. I do use kinky curly knot today when I don’t wash in braids (following henna or homemade banana conditioner). It’s my 11.99 splurge. Lol.
“So what’s the appeal of the natural style? Forty-eight percent of women believe natural or curly hairstyles exude confidence and the same percentage consider them daring. Meanwhile, 45% of Black women think natural coifs are trendy.”
Um….it’s my hair. You know, it grows out of my scalp. That’s the appeal. Sheesh, what a stupid question.
Agree 100%. People forget that black folks have been on this earth a lot longer than relaxers have been. Natural is the NORM, not the trend.
To the subject: As someone said above, I’m thrilled that more black women finally understand that relaxing really is a choice. Back when I went natural I sometimes got that thrown at me, but I never really believed the woman when she said it. I used to reply that yes, relaxing is a choice, and so is NOT relaxing, and both are perfectly fine. Then I’d get the side-eye and that told me the woman’s true feelings, lol…
Nowadays there’s just too much proof out here that natural hair care doesn’t have to be this huge drama we were taught it was. Of course, simply accepting our hair texture and what it can and can’t do goes a LONG way towards making natural hair care easier. We still see here and elsewhere women comparing their tighter kinks to someone else’s looser curls and moaning about how hard their hair care is. I’m happy to see more ladies with my hair type (4b/4c) providing simple regimens that celebrate, rather than camouflage, their texture.
Interesting. I do think weaves are replacing the relaxers. If anything is a fad it is the weave movement. Technology has made it so that the texture and the looks of weaves are pretty good. But here is the catch like relaxers they come with a list of horrible side effects too. Alopecia being number one. I’m happy that many are second guessing the chemicals but many trading it in for weave is probably not a step in the right direction if healthy hair and healthy psychology is the destination. While weave has its good points as mentioned by many of you, it also has many, many bad points. The price of a good well installed weave is mind boggling! Not to mention most women get them via “ghetto” hookup as I like to call it. Its the reason why we see so many bad weave jobs. Trust in believe many did not go to a professional. That leads to all sorts of mess right there
yeah i can’t fathom the price a lotta women shell out for weave. i’d go seriously broke trying to keep up another person’s hair. couldn’t do it, myself. if you can afford it, i can kinda see the appeal. kind of. but i still think that they do more harm than good, ultimately.
Yes. I don’t think this is a trend. We are educating ourselves about our hair and learning how to care for it. I live in Boston there are not too many black folks. I thought I would stand out because of my fro (didn’t know there was a natural ‘movement’ I decided to go natural so I can focus on my Masters in 2012). I was pleasantly surprised to see several black women rocking natural hair. What’s interesting to me is that the women I see fall in the 18-30 age bracket. This is good news. Relaxers can’t be good for us they never were.
I agree that the most important portion to take away is that we are forgoing harsh & damaging chemicals; regardless if its self- awareness or not, for many the outcome of a perm is damaged hair. My landlords mother recently opened a hair salon in the basement apartment below me, and for weeks I kept smelling an awful smell that kept giving me a headache. When I finally went to complain (ok, I was going to wild out & assume they were really running a meth lab), I found out it was the smell of perms. It’s been over 3 years since I had one. That day was a epiphany, in retrospect of sorts that I actually used something like that on my head. I expect to see sales decline, in fact I rarely see perms in stores now.
I knew times were changing when I went to the grocery store and saw a huge sales display of coconut oil in the health and beauty section. Ummm…shouldn’t that be in the food section with the other cooking oils? Nope. And ain’t nobody putting coconut oil in their hair but black folks! LOL!
I’m so glad I stopped relaxing this year, I never knew my hair was this nice and I just love all the natural styles that can be done without relaxing 🙂
This is some what a step in the right direction but is still highly problematic. Not only have
1) relaxers been replaced by weave wearing, telling of how the end of the relaxer days doesn’t mean the embracing of the black aesthetic (as someone pointed out earlier) but also
2) these same companies owned and profited from by white men are creating “natural” hair products and turning probably even more of a profit. Before when we would likely buy $15 relaxer and $10 bottles of conditioner and shampoo (lasting up to a few months depending on your relaxer methods) now we’re racking up on entire Motions or Silk Elements “natural” hair care lines thats a list 5 products long (pomades, curling creams, twisting creams, moisturizing sprays, cowash, and conditioners) ranging from $10-$20.
Black women have collectively diminished the use of relaxers in the blink of an eye. How? Mostly because of a shift in what is perceived as “practical” for black women but not in all cases by a long shot for “radical” purposes.
Not all black women were trying to throw up the black power fist when we put down the relaxer, I believe many black women just realized how pointless and impractically damaging they were.
I can’t get excited about this because it really doesn’t actually signify much has changed in the way black women approach their aesthetic.
I disagree with most of what you’re saying. I agree with the part that many of these companies that make black hair products are run by white men, but a lot aren’t. I buy 100% Shea Moisture products, which is a black-owned business. People can decide where the put their money, and perhaps that will be something that continues to evolve as women continue to educate themselves about their hair. I do however believe the aesthetic is shifting. I see too many advertisements lately that include black women with natural hair that aren’t selling natural hair products. It’s used to be that you’d only see 3C and 4A naturals in commercials, but I am definitely starting to see more 4B and 4C naturals being represented. Also, you have to look at the response when negative things are now said about black hair. The response to Sheryl Underwood forced her to apologize for what she said about black hair, which means there are a growing number of black women who are no longer in agreement with her that black hair is “nasty.” The more than woman rep natural hair, the more other women may make the switch. I know a lot of my friends are considering it.
I’m curious is Shea Moisture is BLACK-OWN? Sometimes companies go mainstream, then sellout…and you will never know until something slip…Remember Johnson, SoftSheen? used to be black-own…now Ithink Proctor and Gamble own them or some white company….unless it is publicly traded you don’t know
Yes it is black owned. You can go on their fb and ask. The founder-a black woman- passed it down to her 2 sons who own it now. They even show up at some of the natural hair events in ny. I have a list of all black owned and non-black owned companies on my blog: colorfulkinks.wordpress.com. You can take a look. I contact most of them.
p.s.- I just found out that AS I AM is owned by japanese, shoot. Their ingredients aren’t even natural anyway
Stretching out the time btwn relaxers is now a big thing, so instead of relaxing every 4 to 8 weeks people are stretching for 3 months to a year at a time. That might be a big contributor as well.
That is a very interesting point!
That’s how I began my journey. I stretched my relaxer for 7 months and then I got fed up with the two textures and big chopped.
I think the “mane” point is that women are deciding to Stop putting chemical relaxers in there hair. Even if you don’t like “weave” or braids at least its not a chemical which can seep into the scalp/cranium. Let’s encourage one another and not critique so much.
I’ll qualify that, now I’ve read a bit more closely. There is clearly an interest in natural hair (it’s ‘trendy’, etc). I’ll concede that. Would be good to know the percentage increase in those figures too.
I don’t think this is “trendy.” I’d rather call it a “movement” or a “cultural shift.” In the 1970s, there was a trend toward wearing natural hair. My mother rocked an afro. The difference was, my mother didn’t know how to care for her hair then and she still doesn’t. So when the “trend” toward natural ended, she went right back to pressing and then perming. It’s the level to which black women are educating themselves, and subsequently their children, that makes this not a trend. My kids will never know getting a perm and I won’t allow it. By the time they are 18, I doubt it will be a decision they would make on their own after a lifetime of knowing how to care for and love their natural hair. And that change in mind and how we think is what is going to make this sustaining.
i second that wholeheartedly. if our kids grew up not being exposed to weaves and relaxers, it would seem just as alien to them as natural hair is for the majority of our race now. i wasn’t allowed to relax my hair growing up, and my grandmother who raised me didn’t approve of weave and extensions. so i grew up knowing nothing but how to care for natural hair. now i continue to shun weaves/wigs and i did horribly when i finally did attempt a relaxer, because natural is all i know, when it gets right down to it. i had very long 17-inch natural hair by the time i was 12, and my parents knew how to care for it. but looking back, i was the ONLY little black girl i knew up even into my teen years who wore her hair natural. every other girl i’d seen wore…relaxers and weaves. it’s sad, really, when i think about it, because i guess they just assumed my hair was special. and i wonder did they ever stop to think for one moment that maybe if it was easy for me to care for my natural hair, then perhaps it would be for them to do the same for their own? now i see more naturals, but unfortunately we’re still in the minority. i think, though, that as more women educate their children to not rely on relaxers and weaves, you’ll see the next generation come up as naturals who actually are knowledgeable about hair care.
if it’s a trend, i hope it lives on. and if it’s a cultural shift then may it never shift back the other way.
Sorry to be cynical, but from what I can tell, relaxers have been replaced by weave wearing. And anyway, since I’m not the decider of these things, without knowing whether weaves/extensions have replaced them (and if they have, what kind) is there any reason to take this as a sign of self acceptance? I know weaves are considered a protective style for most, but there seems a lot of assumptions being made about our attitudes, just based on this figure. Sorry!
My thoughts exactly. I believe that weave is simply replacing relaxers . There’s been a massive trend toward Brazilian and Peruvian weave much the same way there’s been one for natural hair. I guess the good is that we’re less inclined to use chemicals.
But relaxing is still very normal and will be here to stay (same as weave). I don’t have an ‘issue’ with that per say, I only hope natural hair also remains strong; I don’t want it to become a ‘fad’ as it was in the 70’s.
From where I sit here in Florida, weaves have always been popular (I’ve lived here for 11 years now, trust me it’s gotten a lot better)! I don’t think weaving has increased, but I’d like to see real evidence if it has. I’m glad though to see more women in the area rocking their natural tresses!
I think weave wearing has become stationary. it’s just because the demand of Brazilian or Indian hair has increased that its seems as if weave wearing has increased. Whereas keeping your hair free from relaxers or perms; natural, is increasing.
I’m just taking it as a good thing. Wearing a weave is better than relaxing, eventually weave wearing will decrease…..I think.
But hey! I love my weave, but I’m a proud natural first.
Yes! I don’t see those lace fronts with fake “baby” hairs any more. I agree it has gotten A Lot better. And I think weave has replaced relaxers somewhat because Peruvian and Brazilian hair matches natural hair the closet without being so out there. I’m glad kinky hair is being bought as well. Many people are not so found of protective styling so I see why the increase.
I think its a bit illogical how people will say they are natural but hide their hair relentlessly under someone else’s hair. Yes a weave can be a protective style but why is it that people choose this type of protective style so much more over just wearing their hair up in a bun/pin-up/french roll / cornrows/ twist/ etc.
I would rather have relaxed hair that is my hair on my head than wear someone else’s hair in my head. Chemically altered or not at least its genetically mine that seems more natural to me by far. Hair dye (outside of henna) is also a chemical, yet it seems so much more acceptable to use bleach/peroxide/ and other chemicals to achieve color but that is acceptable? Something is just not right.
Agreed. I hear the phrase, “I’m natural, too, under this! “, more times than I care to count.
YES I STILL DON’T UNDERSTAND WHAT’S NATURAL ABOUT WEARING SOME ONE ELSE’S HAIR ON YOUR HEAD.
@Stace even though you did directly link what u said to me i still want to respond 🙂
*shurgs* I don’t know it’s just less time consuming for me personally, ie. when I get ready for school I just do a quick brush and go, it’s even better when I have in a kinky weave or braids just take of the scarf and go! LOL! but I understand your reasoning, it can be seen as a contradiction.
But To behonest it’s just they way I’ve been brought up. I’m one of those kids that in all of their childhood pictures not one ounce of their own hair is shown. I’m always in braids in the pictures. mum said it was easy for school, and I just kept with it…but don’t get me wrong I rock my natural hair now and then. But I guess it’s not enough I SERIOUSLY need to get out that mind set but I need to spend time revising not doing my hair. I guess at this point in time, hair is just at the mo.
I don’t think weave has caused the reduction in relaxer sales. I have been wearing weaves for over ten years now and I used to get a relaxer in between weaves. Since I big chopped and returned to my natural hair last year, I have only worn a weave once. Most women who wear weaves use some form of relaxer, especially to try and match the weave texture with their own hair. Just this past weekend my hair stylist was complaining that none of her clients use relaxers anymore, they have all gone natural or are transitioning. I think relaxer sales are decreasing because many women are tired of the damaging effects. We have realized we have so many other choices for our hair. The hair care industry has however adjusted to the shift in demand very well, most of the companies that make relaxers have “natural” hair care lines now. The most positive effect of this new shift in demand is that it has allowed for new companies to enter the industry and thrive, the small business entrepreneurs on YouTube and Facebook who make and sell homemade natural hair care products. This is all very encouraging and exciting.
I agree.
Let us be weary of those companies that are now selling ‘all natural’ products to transform your kinks into curls!
+1, more and more so called natural companies and relax companies want a piece of the natural pie…they need to get that 26% money back…naturals beware…do your research
But I think it’s important to realize that even weave and flat ironing do something that relaxers don’t: they provide OPTIONS, and they are temporary at best. My personal observation cannot speak for every black women, but the majority of naturals I’ve seen who weave it up or flat iron alternate with wearing their hair in its natural state. The point: It’s still a step forward.
Overall, I’ve seen few women who go back to the creamy crack. Many do struggle at first and hide behind weaves and flat irons, but so much information about black haircare has emerged in the last 10 years that I do think that natural hair will eventually be the norm. Our community is just transitioning for now, both literally and metaphorically. Many women want to give natural hair a try but just aren’t ready for it just yet. Baby steps. Some are transitioning, others big-chopped and are overwhelmed with the change. Hence why I think weave has a higher demand now than ever. We’re in that in-between state: we’re interested in going natural but the media hasn’t caught up quite yet. I definitely think the next generation (or maybe the one after it) will see natural as the norm.
In the meantime, (and I don’t want to cause a row) I don’t think there’s anything wrong with naturals using weave when they want to. Let’s not forget that going natural for many of us was about growing out healthy hair and having options. When done properly and carefully, weave can be a part of achieving this goal.
I NEVER HAD WEAVE BEFORE NATURAL OR RELAXED. AND SINCE BEING NATURAL OVER 2YRS HAVE NOT TOUCHED A FLAT IRON ONE TIME. NOT ALL US ARE HEAD OVER HEELS IN LOVE FOR WEAVE AND HEAT
Tina: good for you!! Never said that all naturals and transitioners were. I was just providing a possible explanation for the rise in the use of weave and flat ironing compared to the past…
Like I said, being natural is about having options. If you want to never use heat or weave, that’s great. If you feel like using heat or weave, also great. As long as hair is healthy, it’s great. Have a nice day.
I was about to say the same thing except I don’t believe weave is worn as a protective style for most IRL.
-Party pooper
actually i recently ready an article in Instyle Hair that said a Procter and Gamble study found that 50% of black women were natural or going natural. When you consider that 10-15 years ago nearly 70% of black women relaxed their hair, there has definitely been a change.
See Ladies. We have ALL the power to demand what we desire and aspire! It’s only a very small community of us and see how much effect we made. Together. As individuals and as Sisters. This is powerful and is only the beginning! We were the force that pulled the trigger. Now all eyes are on us and our race, and we will win.
We must win!
Praise God! =’)
We certainly weren’t ‘inspired’ by the media and let’s not forget that. Ever! When they start -and trust me they will- start using a few more ‘natural’ haired actresses, don’t let them trick you into thinking they inspired you or planted the idea in you. Hec! They told Lauren Hill to ‘tame’ and ‘change’ her hair to appeal to more white people, and when she said that they shouldn’t listen to her then, as she will never attempt to appeal to them, look where she is now. Their ideologies and ‘cures’ left us with (some permanent) burnt scalp, hair thinning and unkoqn self disgust. Our new found ideologies got us a head full of healthy innocent natural hair. I know i’m ranting but Please please ALWAYS have this in thought. Do and keep doing this for yourself and for God, it more than pleases him, and trust me it’ll please you too ; )
Let’s also use this opportunity to yearn for an encounter with the Most high and try to be Proverb 31 women. Yes sir!
God Bless each and every one of you in your new journey =)
Amen.
I noticed some time ago that all the hair relaxer had been moved to the back of the hairstore while the Shea butter, oils and natural hair products were much closer to the front and in larger varieties than usual. Interesting.
Just goes to show the power the Black community has. This was all done through YouTube, Facebook, word of mouth, natural hair conferences, and natural hair websites like this. This small but steadily growing natural hair community is making a billion dollar industry decline!
I don’t really like the film because it’s slanted but I think Chris Rock’s documentary “Good Hair” made some of us addicted to relaxers look foolish and his film may have pushed things along, too. Alot of people saw that film and they weren’t all Black. Frankly, I find the film embarrassing even though I haven’t relaxed since I was in my teens.
Wow. Imagine what we could do if we had even more Black unity in our culture . . .
I think that’s awesome because we don’t need it. Our hair is perfect 🙂
http://ammamama.wordpress.com/
I’m so glad we realize there are OPTIONS for our hair, including wearing it in its natural amazing gloriousness. Websites –like this one (woot woot!) — have done much to raise Consciousness.
I agree! This website ROCKS! Thank you BGLH for being such a great resource in the Black hair care community! You have truly helped change the game. 🙂
Where’s the “like” button?
They’re still racking in millions upon millions…..
Those low prices are unbelievable! But I am no longer looking to purchase a relaxer.