For many years, I embraced my natural curls; dedicated, committed, and even proud of my twist-outs, coils, and the hours I spent caring for them. But eventually, my relationship with my natural hair turned from a labour of love into just labour. Wash days stretched into wash weekends, detangling marathons, and endless deep-conditioning sessions. It was exhausting. I reached a breaking point, and finally made a decision I never thought I would: I cut it all off and went for a pixie, and yes, I relaxed my hair.

I know I’m not alone in this. More women are trying relaxers again, not as a rejection of natural hair, but as a way to reclaim personal freedom in their choices. This shift towards relaxers isn’t about returning to old beauty ideals; it’s about redefining beauty on our terms, choosing what feels right for us, and letting go of the pressure to conform to one look or another. Sometimes that means opting for the easier method.

So why are we returning to relaxers? Here’s a closer look at this new wave of hair freedom.

Hair that fits our lifestyles

For many of us, the natural hair journey began with empowerment, embracing our roots and rejecting societal beauty standards. But over time, maintaining natural hair has started feeling like a full-time job. From wash days to twist-outs and detangling, it’s a commitment that requires time, patience, and energy. In today’s fast-paced world, a growing number of women are choosing styles that better fit their busy lives.

For me, a relaxed pixie cut gave me simplicity. I wake up, fluff it out, and go—no hour-long routines required. For some women, choosing to relax their hair again is about reclaiming time, energy, and sanity, without sacrificing style. I realised that my hair doesn’t have to be a constant project to be beautiful.

A relaxed style doesn’t just reduce time spent in front of the mirror—it opens up a world of versatility. Relaxed hair offers sleekness and ease, letting us experiment with styles without the tension and tugging often required with natural hair. For some, it’s not about achieving a particular “look”; it’s about having the freedom to change their appearance whenever they want. 

Relaxed hair doesn’t mean abandoning texture, either. Many women are opting for texturizers or milder relaxers that allow them to keep a bit of curl while still gaining control over their hair. It’s a reminder that beauty choices are not binary—there’s room to be creative, unique, and fluid with how we wear our hair.

Redefining what authenticity means

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMhqAsNf8/

When the natural hair movement took hold, it brought a powerful sense of pride and identity. But it also came with its own set of expectations. There was pressure to conform, to wear certain styles, and to be a certain kind of “authentic.” While the movement inspired confidence, it also, unintentionally, created a narrow definition of beauty for black women. Today, more women are rejecting the notion that authenticity is tied to any one look. The new wave of relaxed hair is about doing what feels best and celebrating the beauty in that. Whether we choose to wear our hair curly, straight, or somewhere in between, it’s about having the power to choose freely, without apology.

Healthier, gentler products

One of the biggest changes in this return to relaxers is the innovation in hair care products. The relaxers available now are nothing like the harsh chemicals of years past. Many brands are creating formulas that are gentler on the scalp, with conditioning agents and fewer irritants. For some women, these improved products make the idea of a relaxer less daunting, allowing them to try it again although there is still the prevalent fear of it being linked to fibroids and fertility issues.

Beauty is about freedom, not boundaries

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMhqAHv48/

Ultimately, this shift back to relaxers is about freedom and redefining beauty on our own terms. We’re no longer pressured to conform to one style, whether it’s natural, relaxed, braided, or anything in between. We’ve learnt that beauty isn’t a one-size-fits-all concept. For some, it can be found in natural curls, for others, it’s in the elegance of relaxed hair. For me, it’s in the boldness of a pixie. The real beauty lies in having the choice—and that’s what this return to relaxers is all about.

So here’s to the women who wear their hair however they like, on their terms. It’s not about whether our hair is natural or relaxed; it’s about living our truth, authentically and beautifully.