When people picture Kerry Washington on screen, they usually see the sharp, architectural blowouts and razor-straight styles of Olivia Pope. But off-camera, Washington's relationship with her texture tells a very different story—one rooted in long-term health, personal autonomy, and generational modeling. Choosing to put down chemical relaxers in her early twenties, the actress began a quiet, deliberate shift toward embracing her natural coils and curls.
This evolution isn't just about red-carpet aesthetics or temporary protective styling. It represents a broader cultural conversation about Black hair in Hollywood, where textured hair has historically faced intense scrutiny. By letting her natural texture take center stage during major public appearances, Washington reframes what elite celebrity beauty looks like.
Moving Beyond Chemical Relaxers
Like many Black women growing up in the 1980s and 1990s, Washington started using chemical relaxers at a young age. For decades, the industry standard demanded absolute sleekness, framing textured hair as unpolished or unprofessional.
In her early twenties, Washington made the conscious decision to stop relaxing her hair. In interviews, she has noted that the choice came down to simple curiosity and a desire for healthier hair. Quitting chemical straighteners saved hours of maintenance and allowed her to learn how her actual curl pattern behaved without chemical intervention.
Transitioning away from relaxers requires patience, dealing with multiple textures at once, and finding a supportive styling team. For Washington, working with trusted celebrity stylists like Takisha Sturdivant-Drew meant she could protect her natural strands while playing with wigs, clip-ins, and extensions for roles and red-carpet events without compromising her hair's core health.
The Power of Modeling Self-Love for the Next Generation
A defining turning point in Washington's public natural hair journey is her role as a mother. In profiles with outlets like Allure, she has candidly shared that her children heavily influenced her confidence in wearing her natural texture publicly.
Washington has emphasized that children absorb how adults treat themselves long before they listen to verbal advice. By wearing her natural curls, she actively shows her children that their hair is perfect in its original form. They understand they have the option to straighten or style it, but never out of an obligation to fix a perceived flaw. This philosophy turns everyday grooming into an act of self-acceptance, dismantling outdated beauty standards from the inside out.
Balancing Hollywood Demands and Natural Maintenance
Navigating a high-profile career while maintaining natural hair requires meticulous care. High-definition cameras, heavy stage lights, and constant styling take a toll on textured hair. To keep her curls resilient, Washington's routine mirrors core natural hair best practices:
- Prioritizing Moisture: Natural hair thrives on hydration. Regular deep conditioning and leave-in moisture treatments prevent the brittleness common in tightly coiled hair.
- Smart Styling Choices: Utilizing low-manipulation styles and high-quality clip-ins allows for dramatic red-carpet transformations without exposing natural roots to constant heat or tension damage.
- Scalp and Edge Care: Protecting the hairline and avoiding excessive tension ensures long-term retention and healthy growth.
Her approach proves that versatility doesn't require sacrificing hair health. Whether she steps out with a voluminous curly crop or a sleek updo, the underlying message remains rooted in autonomy.
Redefining Hollywood Standards
Washington's journey mirrors a wider cultural shift across entertainment. More Black actresses and public figures are normalising natural textures on prestige television and major publication covers. This visibility matters because it broadens the spectrum of what mainstream media presents as polished or glamorous.
By refusing to treat her natural texture as a novelty, Washington normalizes authenticity. Her journey highlights that embracing natural hair is an ongoing practice of unlearning societal pressures and reclaiming one's narrative.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Kerry Washington stop relaxing her hair?
Washington stopped using chemical relaxers in her early twenties, opting instead to learn her natural curl pattern and prioritize long-term hair health.
Why did Kerry Washington decide to wear her natural hair publicly?
Beyond personal comfort and time-saving benefits, she has explicitly noted that she wants her children to see her embracing her natural texture so they understand their own hair is beautiful and requires no fixing.
How does Kerry Washington manage heat and styling for red carpets?
Her styling team often relies on temporary additions like clip-ins, wigs, and protective styling to achieve dramatic red-carpet changes while keeping her natural strands safe from over-manipulation or heat damage.
What core advice can natural hair beginners learn from her journey?
The primary takeaway is patience. Transitioning away from chemical straighteners requires time to understand your unique curl pattern, prioritize deep moisture, and reject external pressures regarding how textured hair "should" look.
