Confession time: I barely know how to use a curling iron. The last time I curled my hair was senior year of high school. These days, I fully embrace my type 3 curls in all their volume and inconsistency, simply applying leave-in conditioner and diffusing before running out the door. Why would I need a wand when I already have a head full of curls?
But when Tracee Ellis Ross' haircare brand PATTERN, which makes products specifically for curls, came out with a curling iron, I was intrigued. I got my hands on the iron—and spoke to Ross herself—to find out why I, someone with naturally curly hair, should add it to my routine.
"It gives me my perfect hair even when I'm not having a perfect hair day," Ross tells me during our sit-down. "The top layer of my hair does not curl as much as the underlayer. Even with a haircut that keeps the top layer shorter, I still don't have a continuity of curl pattern throughout my hair."
After a little coaching from the PATTERN founder herself, I was ready to try Ross's "secret weapon" on my own. My full review, ahead.
What Makes PATTERN's Curling Iron Different?
The nuances of this curling iron were born out of Ross' personal experience. When her curls failed to recover from a relaxer, she began using three different curling iron barrels (a 3/8-inch, a one-inch, and a 3/4-inch) to create a voluminous style that she cheekily calls her "70s porn hair." In the process, she became familiar with the trials and tribulations of an iron devotee: blowing out fuses while traveling in Europe, accidentally turning the iron off while using it, getting tangled in a cord that won't swivel, and encountering tools too hot for her delicate textured hair. She called multiple haircare companies and begged them to make a curling iron that met all of her needs, to no avail. Thus, PATTERN's Curling Iron Bundle was born.
"What we did was create a triplet iron that allows you three different barrel sizes, which gives you access to all the different possibilities in your hair," she explains. "[The design] addresses many of my pet peeves, difficulties, and concerns about using an iron." The heat goes as low as 250 and reaches above 400 degrees. It's accompanied by a chic traveling case for women on the go and includes extra compartments to withstand the heat of the iron.
My Hair Routine
After discussing the specifics of the iron, I revealed to Ross my shameful truth: I don't know how to use a curling iron. To my delight, Ross showed me and gave me a customized regimen.
Because my hair is so thin, long, and prone to buildup, my curls often look weighed down at the top of my head. Ross recommended I wash my hair with PATTERN's cleansing shampoo, which she says is ideal for thin hair, and the scalp detox, which is great for an occasional detox. Then, I will follow up with the medium conditioner, treatment mask that curbs shedding, or the transition mask made for people in transitional curl phases, Palo Santo Leave-In Conditioner, and heat protectant.
My Review
After following Ross' prep recommendations, I blow-dried my curls with my head upside down using the diffuser attachment and scrunched my curls to create maximum volume. Finally, it was time for the iron.
It took some experimentation to get the settings right, but PATTERN's curling iron gave me a boost of volume at the scalp. I got the best results when using the thinnest barrel (3/8 inch) on small sections, focusing exclusively on the areas near the roots. Because I had to experiment to find the best width, I appreciated how easy it was to switch between barrels. I also loved that the tool's entire carrying case was heat resistant because it enabled me to use it as a working mat, dropping tools on it without worrying about starting fires.
Although the videos on PATTERN's website make using the barrel and clamp look like a breeze, my hair sometimes got tangled or stuck to the barrel. (This could, in part, be due to my lack of experience with the tool.)
I also discovered using 250 degrees isn't hot enough for my curls, instead, I used 300 degrees (the iron reaches up to 425). The temperature adjuster on the barrel is handy, located at the base of the tool, and has an intuitive spinning design. I inadvertently changed the temperature of the barrel a few times while moving around. Still, I appreciated the cool tip at the end of each barrel, which allowed me to maneuver the iron more easily without burning my fingers. The set comes with a glove, but it has elastic at the end that was too tight to fit over my hand.
Despite these challenges, I liked the results, and once I got the hang of the settings, I found the curler worked quickly and effectively. Ultimately, my hair looked more voluminous and my curl pattern had more root-to-tip consistency. It also gave me a natural-looking finish and didn't fry my hair. I can see myself using it on mornings when my hair looks a little lackluster or at night when I want some extra volume. In fact, right after I filmed myself using the iron, I made plans to hang with friends because my hair looked too good to waste on a night in.
While I won't be using heat tools every day, it certainly won't be another decade before I try curling my hair again.
