I’ve been growing and maintaining my hair in its natural form since birth. Yes, believe it or not, I’ve never applied any kind of heat to my curls. It started when I was little; my mom had experienced the negative effects of heat methods firsthand and wanted to protect my hair at all costs. She had me on a fixed weekly regimen; my coils were always moisturized to the max.
As I learned to do my hair on my own, I transitioned to biweekly washing. But thanks to unpredictable work days, sometimes three weeks would pass before I could fully tend to it. And while I completely appreciate my thick hair and my mom’s original decision to keep me fully natural, there definitely are days when I’ve gotten lazy with maintenance. I’m always on the hunt for new ways to extend the benefits of washdays without compromising the integrity of my hair. I’ve adopted quick hacks (like relying on a leave-in conditioner), but my current favorite method? Steaming. More specifically, the new Pattern Hair Steamer ($169) is the perfect solution for revitalizing my curls fast.
As a curly-haired girl (and fashion lover), I’ve always admired the brand’s founder, Tracee Ellis Ross. Thanks to things like her unbelievable sartorial taste and her habit of sporting her natural mane on primetime shows like “Girlfriends,” she’s become one of my biggest inspirations. I was elated to see her launch Pattern and I wanted to try the products, but I was skeptical about mixing up my routine (given my particular hair). Fortunately, their latest tool made its way into my set rotation – and after just one use, it’s already proven to be one of the best things I’ve used on my hair.
Keep scrolling for my full review of the Pattern Hair Steamer, and find out why it’s worth every penny, whether you’re a no-heat curly girl or not.
About the Pattern Hair Steamer
- This multifunctional product aids in hydrating, detangling, stretching, deep conditioning, and enhancing the volume of the hair
- It comes with a diffuser and extra prong attachment to meet your hair’s specific needs.
- It has a 16-minute run time for efficiency.
- The steamer works well with the brand’s Breakage Barrier Mask.
- It comes with a cleaning kit to maintain product quality.
What I Like About the Pattern Hair Steamer
After using the Pattern Hair Steamer, I couldn’t stop looking at my hair. I was in awe of how much moisture the steamer restored after just one blow of steam. To my surprise, the prongs glided through my thick texture with ease and left my strands tangle-free. Unlike other hot tools like blow-dryers and flat irons, the steamer opens your cuticles, helping conditioners and masks better penetrate, and it promotes elasticity, resulting in hydrated and healthier hair.
To that point, I also loved how well the steamer worked with my go-to products, like the Protein Pouf Jamaican Sun Splash Leave-in Conditioner & Detangler ($20) and Tropic Isle Living Jamaican Black Castor Oil ($15). I saw major results within seconds after applying the steam. I proceeded to do a twist-out; after letting it set for some time, I noticed my hair looked like I had gone through a full wash day. I couldn’t believe how voluminous my curls were. Plus, the whole process took less than an hour, as compared to the three to four hours it usually takes me to wash and restyle. If that’s not enough motivation to try this, I don’t know what is.
How to Use the Pattern Hair Steamer
The Pattern Hair Steamer works for all hair types. If you’re using it with the prong attachment, start by lifting and separating the hair with the prongs to steam from root to tip. If you’re going in with the diffuser, gather your curls and strands to revitalize dry ends with the vapor.
It’s also important to note that you’ll see the best results when your scalp is clean. I love to use the 22nd Century Soft Breeze Shampoo Bar ($16) and Tropic Isle Living Jamaican Black Castor Oil Conditioner ($10) on my wash days. When I tried the steamer, it had just been a week since its last wash, so my scalp was still fairly fresh. If your hair retains moisture well, steam it once a month. If it’s on the dryer side, try steaming every seven to 10 days. And FYI, you should only use distilled water in the steamer in order to prevent build-up.
What to Consider Before Trying the Pattern Hair Steamer
While the Pattern Hair Steamer is a bit on the pricier side, I found it to be completely worth the money. Your hair is one of the most important beauty elements you can invest in, and this product is guaranteed to last you years. There are plenty of other options out there, but Pattern’s steamer brings the benefits of a luxurious salon experience and also maxes out at a temperature of 284˚F, so you can feel confident it won’t damage your hair with excess heat.
My Hair Before and After Using the Pattern Hair Steamer
Where Is the Pattern Hair Steamer Available?
You can purchase the Pattern Hair Steamer from the brand’s website and Ulta Beauty.
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Naomi Parris is a New York-based fashion and beauty writer with over seven years of experience. She served as an editorial operations associate at PS, specializing in all things fashion. Obsessed with telling stories that merge fashion and culture, her areas of expertise include Fashion Week coverage, daily news, high-profile interviews, shopping roundups, and beauty stories.
