Confession time: I barely know how to use a curling iron. The last time I curled my hair was when I was a senior in high school. These days, I fully embrace the volume and unevenness of my Type 3 curls and simply apply a leave-in conditioner and diffuse before heading out. Why do I need a cane when my head is already full of spirals?
But when Tracee Ellis Ross’ hair care brand PATTERN, which makes products specifically for curls, released a curling iron, I was intrigued. I picked up my iron and spoke to Ross herself to find out why, with naturally curly hair, I should add a flat iron to my routine.
“Even when you’re not having a perfect hair day, this will give you perfect hair,” Ross told me during our sit-down. “The top layer of my hair doesn’t curl as much as the bottom layer. Even with a haircut that keeps the top layer short, the curl pattern isn’t continuous throughout my hair.”
After a little guidance from the PATTERN founder himself, I was ready to try Roth’s “secret weapon” for myself. My full review is ahead.
Tracee Ellis Ross and PATTERN Beauty hair iron and its three attachments
What is different about PATTERN hair irons?
The nuances of this curling iron were born from Ross’ personal experience. When relaxers didn’t restore her curls, she started using three different curling iron barrels (3/8 inch, 1 inch, and 3/4 inch) to create a voluminous style she cheekily calls has been created. 70’s porn hair. ” Along the way, she came to know the trials and tribulations of ironing enthusiasts. During a trip to Europe, a fuse blew, I accidentally turned off the iron while using it, got tangled in a cord that wouldn’t turn, and encountered tools that were too hot. For hair with delicate texture. She called multiple hair care companies and begged them to make a curling iron that met all her needs, but to no avail. Thus, the PATTERN curling iron bundle was born.
“What we did was create a triplet iron that allows for three different barrel sizes, which gives you access to all the different possibilities for your hair,” she explains I will. “[This design]addresses many of my discomforts, difficulties and concerns about using an iron.”The heat can go down to 250 degrees and reach over 400 degrees. It comes with a chic travel case for women on the go, and also includes an extra compartment that can withstand the heat of an iron.
my hair routine
3 models with different curl patterns
After discussing the details of the iron, I revealed an embarrassing truth to Ross. Well, I don’t know how to use a hair iron. To my delight, Ross showed me the customized formula.
My hair is fine, long, and tends to accumulate, so the curls on the top of my head often look heavy. Ross recommended washing my hair with PATTERN Cleansing Shampoo, which she says is great for fine hair, and Scalp Detox, which is great for occasional detoxing. Then she told me to follow up with a medium conditioner. A treatment mask that suppresses hair loss. Or a transition mask made for people in the transition stage of their curls. Palo Santo leave-in conditioner; and heat protectant.
my review
Following Ross’ prep recommendations, I blow-dried my curls with my head upside down using a diffuser attachment to scrunch them and create maximum volume. It’s finally time to iron.
It took a bit of experimentation to get the settings just right, but the PATTERN curling iron gave me more volume on my scalp. The best results were obtained when using the narrowest barrel (3/8 inch) on small sections and focusing only on the area near the root. I had to experiment to find the perfect width and found out how easy it was to switch between barrels. I also liked that the entire carrying case for the tool is heat resistant. This is because you can drop tools onto it and use it as a work mat without worrying about starting a fire.
The barrel and clamp look easy to use when you watch the video on PATTERN’s website, but there were times when hair got tangled or stuck to the barrel. (This may be partially due to my inexperience with the tool.)
I also found that 250 degrees wasn’t hot enough for curls, so I used 300 degrees instead (my iron only goes up to 425 degrees). The barrel temperature regulator is conveniently located at the base of the tool and has an intuitive rotating design. I accidentally changed the temperature of the barrel several times during the move. Still, I appreciated the cold chips at the end of each barrel. This allows you to manipulate the iron more easily without burning your fingers. The set comes with gloves, but they have elastic at the ends and were too tight to fit my hands.
Before (left) and after (right) photos of Gabriel Urvey’s PATTERN curling iron
Despite these challenges, I liked the results. Once I got the hang of the settings, I found the curler to work quickly and effectively. Ultimately, my hair had more volume and my curl pattern was more consistent from root to tip. My hair doesn’t feel dry and has a natural finish. I find myself using it when my hair is a little lackluster in the morning or when I want volume at night. In fact, right after I filmed myself using the iron, I made plans to hang out with some friends because my hair didn’t deserve to be wasted all night.
I don’t use a heat tool every day, but it won’t be another 10 years until I curl my hair again.
Shop Tracee-approved routines
replaceable hair iron
PATTERN Replaceable hair iron
cleansing shampoo
pattern cleansing shampoo
Deep Scalp Detox 2-In-1 Hair Serum Cleanser
PATTERN Deep Scalp Detox 2-In-1 Hair Serum Cleanser
medium conditioner
pattern medium conditioner
treatment mask
pattern treatment mask
transition mask
pattern transition mask
Leave-in conditioner for curly & coiled hair
PATTERN Leave-in conditioner for curly and coiled hair
shower detangling brush
pattern shower detangling brush
heat protectant
pattern heat protectant
blow dryer with 4 attachments
Blow dryer with pattern 4 attachments
