Courtesy of Brand & Author / Design by Camden Dechert
Editor’s Note: We reviewed this article on September 19, 2023. As per our editorial policy, we are constantly updating our content, to make sure it reflects the best of the best when it comes to beauty, wellness, and fashion. We want to assure our readers that we still stand by our recommendations, which we do.
As someone who started their natural hair journey only two years ago, I realized quickly the road to bomb curls is paved by trial and error. Transitioning from a relaxer is a bit of a toss-up, as youre never entirely sure what your natural curls will look like in the end. I have combed the hair aisles for the best solutions to keep my curls popping (at least until day three).
As soon as I think I have my routine for my 3c hair down, something new comes along—promising to keep my curls better hydrated and more defined. While there are many great products out there to try, so many fall into the "for all curl types" category, which means theyre not made specifically for me. Cant a girl get a little attention?
The answer to that question is yes because Tracee Ellis Ross herself created Pattern Beauty, a line of products designed to enhance and celebrate curly, coil-y, and tight strands—not relax or tame them in any way, shape, or form.
Pattern Beauty by Tracee Ellis Ross
Founded: Tracee Ellis Ross in 2019
Based In: California
Pricing: $$
Best Known For: Providing a range of products for natural hair types
Most Popular Product:Hydration Shampoo, Mist Spray
Fun Fact:Pattern Beauty regularly donates to organizations that support women and people of color
Other Brands You’ll Love: Miss Jessies, As I Am
Though Pattern Beauty launched in 2019, it had been in the works for a decade.
“I’ve been dreaming of launching a hair care line for so long because there is a community of extraordinary people—a big, bold, stunning community—that has unmet beauty needs that have not been addressed, not been serviced, not been understood, not been cared for, not been celebrated,” Ross said in an interview with buuk.top.
The line, which caters to curly hair types ranging from 3b to 4c, features refillable, reusable bottles and is cruelty-free. But one of its stand-out features is that it eschews the usual one-size-fits-all approach to hair, instead offering a range of products for curly, coiled, or tight hair types to customize conditioning and styling. In addition, Pattern Beautys products feature zero relaxers or straightening products. Each is designed to let curls go free while looking their absolute juiciest best—or living their best life, as the brand puts it on its website.
"Take up space. Be who you are. I think that’s so much of what Pattern is about," Ross said of her brands mission.
Ahead, discover the best products Pattern Beauty has to offer.
Products from Pattern Beauty can be bought individually or in bundles, like the Deluxe Bundle. Bundles come fully equipped for anything and everything you may need to tackle wash day, including a microfiber towel, shower brush, hair clip, spray bottle, shampoo, conditioner, leave-in, and hair serum.
of 09
Hydration Shampoo
Hydration Shampoo
$20.00
Shop
This creamy shampoo comes out like silk and has a pearlescent look to it. Unlike most other curl cleansing products, it lathers up in a satisfying way even though its made without Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES). The jasmine, bergamot, and sandalwood scent is subtle, earthy, and not distracting. After rinsing, hair feels good, clean, but not stripped—courtesy of the formulas blend of aloe vera leaf juice, coconut oil, and honey.
of 09
Heavy Conditioner for Coilies
Heavy Conditioner For Coilies
$25.00
Shop
Pattern Beautys conditioner is immediately intriguing—its one of few brands Ive seen that offers up a larger conditioner than shampoo. Ive never really heeded the warnings of "dime-sized" amounts anyway, but it’s nice to have a product that is finally taking the way I use it into consideration. The conditioner comes in three iterations: medium (for curlies), intensive (for tight), and heavy (for coilies).
The heavy version is thick—like, really thick, so I found myself using less than I typically do during wash day. It clung to my curls with ease, and I didn’t have to worry about any product sliding out of my hand. The scent is soft and clean, and the product feels buttery soft when worked into hair. Its best if you want heavy hydration without weighing hair down—though if your curls are super dry, you might want to leave it in for extra time to soak in as much moisture as possible.
of 09
Shower Brush
Shower Brush
$17.00
Shop
The in-shower brush works great for detangling. It makes conditioner easily slide through hair, providing great slip as you work out any tangles. And, its comfortable to hold and doesnt slip even when soaking wet. We love that its made of nylon, which is notoriously great for detangling curly locks.
If you have tight curls, break up hair into small sections—the bristles on this brush are pretty concentrated.
of 09
Hair Clip
Hair Clip
$10.00
Shop
Anyone with curly or thick hair knows: you need a strong hair clip to keep it in place. This one is amazing for holding up heavily conditioned locks, so you dont have to worry about conditioner sliding down your back or face. Its strong and sturdy—it contains iron, after all—so if you drop it, it wont shatter like other fragile clips made of plastic.
of 09
Leave-In Conditioner
Leave-In Conditioner
$25.00
Shop
Though much lighter than the heavy conditioner, the leave-in is creamy, with some weight to it. It softens and defines curls in just one step—pretty revolutionary for someone who typically uses a slew of other curl-defining products as well. Just squish it into wet hair and grab a microfiber towel to soak up the drips. It helps control frizz as hair air dries. Its also great if you want to free your hair of excess product and go (almost) all natural—it gives curls a healthy bounce and shine without looking too done or too perfect.
of 09
Styling Cream
Styling Cream
$25.00
Shop
This rich cream is ideal for weaving braids, Bantu knots, or just keeping curls defined. Its chock full of nourishing shea butter, cacay oil, and sweet almond oil for extra hydration. An all-in-one cream for shine, hold, and leave-in conditioning, its a desert-island product for sure.
of 09
Strong Hold Gel
Strong Hold Gel
$25.00
Shop
This high-powered gel keeps your style locked down all day. It gives the strongest hold without making curls stiff and has aloe vera for moisture. We love using it with a heated dryer to sculpt curls when we want serious hold. It also imparts a slight sheen.
of 09
Hydrating Mist
Hydrating Mist
$18.00
Shop
To refresh your curls and coils in between shampoo days, the Hydrating Mist smells like a dream and gives curls much-needed moisture with coconut and avocado oils. Since its a mist, its lightweight, so curls keep their bounce and movement. Its our favorite product for when our curls need some juicing up.
of 09
Argan Oil Hair Serum
Argan Oil Hair Serum
$25.00
Shop
To top off your natural-hair routine, this lightweight blend of oils including argan, sunflower, castor, sweet almond, apricot, and shea is the perfect finishing touch. Pat over hair to add subtle shine or gently massage into your scalp to relieve dryness and itching. We love that the serum leaves no greasy residue and smells delicious. Best of all, curls look more defined with added strength.