It’s a well-known fact within the natural hair community that applying heat when wearing a deep conditioner or mask aids with product penetration. Many Black women, when not able to go to the salon, resort to ingenious methods to achieve this, such as wrapping our conditioner-soaked curls in a number of plastic layers to trap moisture or wrapping a hot towel around hair before covering it with a shower cap. Although these methods are innovative, they can be time-consuming and usually do not provide sufficient direct heat and moisture to open the hair’s cuticle. However, this is about to change with Pattern Beauty’s introduction of a hand-held, at-home hair steamer.
According to board-certified dermatologist Mona Gohara, M.D., “Moisture with heat helps open up the cuticle, allowing for better absorption of more moisture. This benefits the hair in the short term, but having well-hydrated hair consistently can benefit hair in the long term.”
Pattern aims to bring the advantages of steam-powered salon treatments into personal bathrooms. With this new product, users no longer have to endure the arduous task of wrapping their hair in a plastic cap with the conditioner and waiting all day for the product to set. With the Pattern Hair Steamer, users can steam their hair within 15 minutes, achieving a superior level of penetration, thus simplifying the washday routine.
Having used the Pattern Hair Steamer personally, I was impressed with the experience. Not only did it cut down on my washing routine considerably, but the ease of use was definitely an added bonus. Even for someone who is new to using hair tools, this steamer was quite intuitive to operate.
The active application of the pre-shampoo treatment and the heat from the steamer worked wonders on my curls, making them softer, more hydrated, and easier to detangle. Additionally, the steamer features different attachments for enhancing hydration, detangling, and defining curls, making it a versatile addition to any hair care routine.
When it comes to pricing, retailing at $169, the Pattern Hair Steamer is a slight investment, but given its easy-to-use design, effective results, and versatility, it offers excellent value for money. Unlike larger steamers on the market, which can be bulky and hard to store and travel with, Pattern’s steamer strikes a delicate balance. It’s compact enough to comfortably fit in your hand and easy to use on your entire head, but not too big that it becomes a hassle to store or carry around.
More importantly, the Pattern Hair Steamer has truly transformed my washday routine, making it quicker, simpler, and more enjoyable. Though there was not a significant difference in the end results of styling my hair, the fact that it enhanced the overall process was enough reason to consider it a game-changer. For anyone looking to invest in a tool that simplifies care for natural hair, I would highly recommend giving the Pattern Hair Steamer a try. You can now acquire the Pattern Hair Steamer on patternbeauty.com and it will be available in stores and online at Ulta Beauty from October 14 onwards.
