Oh snap! Sounds like we are hitting the relaxed market pretty hard. I've seen a great increase of natural hair amongst african american women but as I always say, I'm pro-healthy and not some militant natural. According to PermedtoNatural.com, natural hair is on a significant rise and with it, a massive decline in relaxers. The sales decline in hair relaxers/perms are steadily dropping. Black women are coming around to realizing that maintaining a natural head of hair is healthier than applying harsh chemicals that many have said, “burns their brain.” A recent article in Beauty Store Business Magazine.com revealed that the latest research from Mintel, a leading global supplier of consumer, product and media intelligence stated relaxer/perm sales are suffering. “The natural-hair trend is driving an increase in sales of products… 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 to 2013 shows steady growth in the black haircare category for all categories except relaxers/perms.”

• The sector has declined 26% since 2008 and 15% since 2011, when sales reached $179 million. It is the only category not to see growth.
• It is now estimated that the relaxer segment will reach $152 million this year, down from $206 million in 2008
• Shampoos and conditioners formulated for black hair are estimated to reach $257 million in 2013, up from $211 million in 2008.
• The styling-product segment has increased from $220 million in 2008 to an estimated $268 million in 2013.

The study also showed that 48% of black women believe natural hairstyles exude confidence and the same percentage consider them daring. This was a fine study to report. I’m feeling real good about black women’s decision to take better care of their hair that ultimately leads to taking better care of themselves.

I personally feel like it's becoming a 50/50 deal but i could be wrong. What do you all think? Let me know in the comments!