An Honest Review: Is Pattern Beauty The New Holy Grail?

via @patternbeauty

Is Pattern Beauty the newest holy grail for curly hair? As a curly girl with a curl type of 3B/3C hair, it can be difficult to find the right products that will balance me out. Let's be honest, no matter your curl type, finding the right products that do the trick for you is never an easy process. It takes tons of trial and error to get it right, and sometimes we don't realize a product is wrong for us until it's too late. I often think, “How am I going to find the right product to keep my curls moisturized without dragging them down, or hydrate my scalp without causing buildup, or help me maintain length without the breakage?” It can feel like a long-term experiment, but it shouldn't have to. 

That being said, you may or may not be familiar with the newest curl product in the industry, Pattern Beauty, created by the curl queen herself, Tracee Ellis Ross. If you've heard of this brand, you might also be aware that there was a lot of talk leading up to the release. Since then, it has received an immense amount of support from curly hair guru's and celebrities alike. Pattern Beauty is meant to “fulfill the unmet beauty needs of the curly coily and tight textured hair community.” The line was released online and in Ulta Beauty stores back in September of 2019. 

About three months before Pattern Beauty was released, I was using SheaMoisture. Their hair masks were doing wonders for my hair, but the actual shampoo and conditioner were drying my hair out and causing a lot of breakage. As soon as I found out about Tracee’s brand I thought to myself, “A new curly hair brand that's made specifically for people with 3B hair and up? Sign my next paycheck out to Tracee Ellis Ross with a thank you note, please and thanks!”

I was even more excited to find a curl guide on the Pattern website that told me exactly which products I should get based on my curl type. So, as recommended by Pattern, I purchased the Hydration Shampoo ($20) along with the Medium Conditioner ($25) and Leave-in Conditioner ($25). The website recommended the Argan Oil Hair Serum ($25), but I opted for the Jojoba Oil ($25) instead. Aside from the other shampoos and conditioners, Pattern Beauty also offers accessories such as a shower brush, a microfiber towel to avoid breakage and limit frizz, clips, and a mist bottle.

The Breakdown

I woke up super pumped (for what seemed like the first time in ages) for wash day. I started with my regular routine, starting with shampoo and rinsing thoroughly before applying the Medium Conditioner. The one thing I noticed immediately was how the shampoo lathered up a bit stiff, similar to the way SheaMoisture does, but to my surprise, I felt the shampoo softening my hair as I washed. There was still a sense that my hair was drying out because of the lather, but I could also feel the oils kicking in at the same time, which gave me sense of relief. Especially because I usually deal with the dryness from my shampoo only to be saved by a lot of conditioner.

Unlike the silky texture of the shampoo, the conditioner was very thick and felt almost like a mask. If you've ever tried SheaMoisture masques, you know they're super thick, and the thought of having something equally hydrating but as a conditioner was definitely a plus. To test the Jojoba Oil, I kept the conditioner in, applied a few pumps of the oil, and left my hair in a shower cap for 20 minutes. Taking my hair out of that shower cap was when I knew this product had me sold. Not only did this product make my hair feel good, but it smelt amazing from the underlying citrus scent along with all the mix of oils. I was internally freaking out over how soft my hair was and how easy it was to detangle.

Note: For the best results, make sure to section your hair off before washing! For detangling, I stuck to my regular curl-friendly comb. After rinsing, I applied the Pattern Beauty Leave-In Conditioner along with a little bit more jojoba oil on my roots and tips to maintain hydration throughout the day.

Based on my results, it's safe to say that I have found my product, but there are some things you should probably know if you’re wondering if Pattern is your product too.

1. They have yet to release a styling product.

Ladies and gents repeat after me: “Leave-in conditioner is not a styling product!” Don't get me wrong, a lot of people stick to only using leave-in conditioner after washing, and that is totally fine because why not? I love this line, but I wish they released a styling product with it. The Leave-In Conditioner is meant to hydrate and define curls, but it did more hydrating than shaping. This is a new brand, so I didn’t expect them to push a bunch of product out until they got feedback. So, fingers crossed they add more to the collection! 

2. Pattern is cruelty free but NOT sulfate free

The Pattern website states, “Although our products are not sulfate-free, they are free of SLS & SLES. Our products do not contain any harsh, hair-stripping solvents, and our Hydration Shampoo provides the gentle suds needed to get in there while scrubbing the hair and scalp to give you a good wash day! Our products hydrate, condition, nourish and moisturize the hair even while cleaning.”

3. It’s color safe AND gluten free!

In other words, feel free to go crazy with the hair dyes.

4. Its products are sort of vegan and sort of silicone free…?

Pattern uses honey in some of its products so it’s not entirely vegan friendly. In a statement addressing people's concerns regarding silicon they stated, “PATTERN products are free of cyclic silicones (D4 & D5) complying with EU standards (these 2 types of silicones are believed by certain EU regulators to potentially be bad for the environment). We formulated our products being very conscious of the particular silicones we were choosing and at which levels in order to provide the best curly hair care experience without weighing down the hair.” They also note that the brand is actively working with chemists to stay focused on new ways to reduce silicone in its products without compromising the quality.

via WWD

Final Thoughts

With every brand, there will be pros and cons. Although I wish this product was silicone and sulfate free, my hair does feel a lot more hydrated, and I lose less hair during the washing process. These products also contain a lot of wax-based ingredients. So, if you're someone that struggles with maintaining volume, I would consider trying a different product or combining Pattern with other products that can help maintain that bounce. Initially, I was put off by the price, especially the $25 4oz oils. Moving forward, I will probably get my oils from brands that offer more product at a slightly lower price point. However, it’s worth noting that every purchase helps Pattern contribute quarterly to the African American Policy Forum (AAPF).

Taking all the products I tried into consideration, the conditioners and Oil Serum are definitely the leading products of this line. If you're looking for a product that will give you high shine, less breakage, and a lot of hydration, this is definitely something worth trying!