Eager Brits queued outside hair salons at midnight before others headed for an early-morning pint as lockdown is eased.
Scores of Brits leapt at the first opportunity in more than three months for a trim and said they were delighted "to feel normal" again.
Some salons in England even opened their doors at midnight to cater for the shaggy-haired customers.
Pubs, meanwhile, were allowed to open their doors at 6am and welcomed visitors desperate for their first pint away from their home in months.
Sandra Jacobs, who was among the first people through the door at Tusk Hair in Camden, north London, said: "It's such a relief, I can't tell you.
"My hair was everywhere. I'd been wearing hats to hide it.
"Although Carole is booked for two-and-a-half weeks, I called her and she said I could come in at midnight, which I was grateful for. It was nice to feel a bit like normal again."
Hairdressers will be using masks, aprons and face shields to do their jobs.
But Carole Rickaby, who owns the Camden firm, conceded working with the added protective gear will take some getting used to.
She said: "It's great to be back.
"We're being very cautious with aprons and face masks, but it can be a bit of a problem. I wear glasses, so wearing a mask as well made my glasses steam up whenever I tried to talk.
"I ended up just telling Sandra she can talk to me and I'll just listen."
Many salon owners have told how bookings have flooded in since Boris Johnson announced the lockdown would be relaxed today - which has already been dubbed Super Saturday and "Independence Day" in a nod to the date, July 4.
Daren Terry of Lotus Styling in Bognor Regis, West Sussex, said: "I've opened at midnight because the demand was there. In truth, I could stay open for the next 24 hours and I would be flat out because we have been closed for so long.
"I'm going to cut a few head tonight and then I'll be back at 7am with all of my team for my 10-hour shift."
Although chief medical officer Chris Whitty has begged people to "behave" today and Matt Hancock, Health Secretary, has warned drunken thugs will be locked up if they run riot, Brits have enjoyed early-morning drinks in boozers.
People online have expressed their joy to enjoy a drink.
"I'm just going to Wetherspoons early," one Twitter user posted.
"See you for a snifter at 6am," reads another tweet.
"People going to Wetherspoons at 6am for a drink," says another user.
Sir Simon Stevens, who is the NHS chief, has called for restraint and not "pub-ageddon".
Writing in Daily Mail, he said doctors and nurses did not want "the drunk and disorderly" to flood hospitals.
And on Friday, Matt Hancock said: "When it comes to local action, I won't shirk from a shutdown if that is what's needed to keep people safe – and that includes closing bars and pubs, if necessary.
"I'm no killjoy, but the virus can still kill. I don't want to see bars and pubs have to close again. I love going to the pub and enjoy a pint or two."
Restrictions are being eased at different rates in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
