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3 Different Curly Hair Types Tried the Pattern Beauty Hair Steamer—Here Are Our Honest Thoughts

The hair tool of our dreams

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  • Value: 18/20
  • Functionality: 19/20
  • Quality: 19/20
  • Aesthetics: 19/20
  • Steaming Abilities: 18/20
  • Total: 93/100

If there’s one universal step that every natural hair maven should follow, it’s deep conditioning. There are loads of benefits to this practice, from minimizing frizz to improving elasticity. I’ve been deep conditioning for years and my dry hair has thanked me immensely for it. But combine deep conditioning with hair steaming and you’ll open the doors (or in this case your scalp) to even more moisturizing benefits.

I remember getting hair steaming professionally done at a salon and wishing I could replicate it at home. Now I can, since Pattern Beauty made my dreams come true and launched their very own hair steamer. And with all the chatter around the hair tool online, I roped in Associate Editor of News & Entertainment Nakeisha Campbell and Social Media Strategist Jada Page to try it out with me. Here is our honest review. 

How We Tested the Pattern Beauty Hair Steamer

The hair steamer is designed for all hair types, but more specifically natural hair. While I was more than happy to test the tool on my own, I enlisted the help of two other editors, as we all vary in hair porosity, density and curl types. From there, we spent a month or so testing the tool and incorporating it into our wash days.

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What Is the Pattern Beauty Hair Steamer?

It’s a hand-held steamer that promises to deeply penetrate moisture and offer maximum hydration. This tool works to open up the cuticle and allow your conditioner to really dive deep, so say goodbye to frizz, dryness and breakage. With its three attachments, the hair steamer may also add volume, detangle curls and stretch strands. 

Why Is It Trending Right Now?

While there are plenty of hair steamers on the market, few of them are a) hands-free, and b) customizable to work with your hair type and length. When Pattern Beauty launched in 2019, it quickly became a fan favorite for natural hair. Although many reach for their award-winning conditioners and hair masks, the brand saw success with their growing collection of hair tools. They released their first blow dryer in 2023 and then a curling iron just last year. Soon after, they added a hair steamer that can be held or placed right on the table for the salon experience right at home. 

How to Use the Pattern Beauty Hair Steamer

First, detach the cartridge by pressing down on the two buttons on the sides. Then fill the chamber with distilled water above the minimum fill line. Once the water chamber is secured back on, plug the tool in and press the ON/OFF button located on the bottom. The LED light will start to blink, and once it’s solid, that means the water has reached the desired temperature. (FYI: It will only take about 60 seconds to activate.) 

As soon as you slide the toggle up, steam will start to release and you can start using the tool. Depending on your hair type and/or preference, the steamer comes with three attachments, which are easy to apply and remove. Whichever you choose, hold the steamer at least three inches away from the scalp. The temperature runs at 284F, so you’ll want to avoid burning or irritating the area. 

Pattern Beauty Hair Steamer Review

Pattern Beauty

First and foremost, the hair steamer is light compared to other hair tools—plus, the ability to remove the diffuser or extra prong attachment makes all the difference when storing it or taking it on the go. At first, I was annoyed with the loud clicking sound and wondered if it was going to be a daily occurrence using the tool. But it’s actually helpful to alert you when the water chamber is empty (which meant I did not use enough water the first time—my mistake). 

Pattern Beauty

As I previously explained, the instructions are clear and the steamer is easy to use. It heats up and generates steam fairly quickly. Once you apply your hair mask, deep conditioner or leave-in, apply the tool directly on your hair. The brand recommends five minutes for short hair, ten minutes for medium-length hair and 12 minutes for long hair. I used it for ten to 12 minutes and I still had enough water left if I wanted to extend my use. However, Campbell found she needed to do multiple refills, so keep that in mind if you have coarser or medium porosity hair like hers.  

Pattern Beauty

The steamer also has a cool feature that makes it automatically shut off after 16 minutes, just in case you forget to power off. The option to turn the steam on and off without completely shutting it down is another nice touch. The tool has a flat base, so you can sit it on your dresser and let the steam just do its magic—though I much prefer holding it to really get the steam through to my scalp. And let’s give some brownie points for the sleek mustard color that looks oh-so luxurious. 

Pattern Beauty

The steamer has three attachments, yet Page appreciates the default seven prongs that come already attached to the tool. “I used the prongs without the attachment for my scalp the most,” she tells me. “It also combed through my hair the easiest for me. My curls are already pretty stretched due straightening my hair, so I do prefer the diffuser overall. However, I love the regular prongs for getting in more difficult areas.” 

I personally found the extra prong attachment, which offers four additional prongs, to be a great asset when stretching and combing through my long strands. It definitely helped maintain all the detangling I did in the shower as it glided seamlessly through my hair mask. But we all agree that the diffuser is our favorite. “I use the diffuser because [it concentrates] the steam to certain sections I want to focus on. My ends are the driest, so having this attachment helps me contain the moisture a bit more,” says Campbell. 

Pattern Beauty Hair Steamer: Final Verdict

What We Like

  • auto-off feature
  • several attachments
  • easy to setuo
  • absorbs moisture well
  • great for dry hair

What We Don't Like

  • requires multiple refills for coarser textures
  • pricey

Pattern Beauty

If you’re wondering how often you should use the hair steamer, it’s recommended to use it once a month or every seven to ten days if your hair is prone to dryness. (The last thing you want to do is over-steam and cause more damage to your locks.) Page and I agree that we’re definitely using it weekly. She shares, “This steamer is definitely worth adding to your routine if your curls need extra attention and moisture. This will be essential for the health of my curls after knotless braids as well to help hydrate my hair. Overall, it helped my curls soften and hold moisture.”

Campbell, however, needs more testing in order to fully incorporate the steamer into her routine. “I think it'll take a few more uses for me to fully determine how I feel about this steamer,” she says. “Based on my first use, I have mixed feelings. I like that it generates a good amount of steam and helps my hair absorb the product, but I find it a bit tiring to hold the steamer up for extended times as I go through sections, and it was a bit awkward for me to navigate. As for how it worked on my hair, it did look a bit more moisturized, but I wouldn't call it a drastic change.” 

As for me? I can see it being a great addition to my haircare routine. After a few weeks, I’ve noticed a difference in my hair. My curls are softer and less frizzy. The steam really helped my deep conditioner penetrate deeper into my scalp and reap all the benefits in half of the time I used to spend (30 minutes) waiting impatiently after applying a hair mask. It helps with detangling and strengthening my hair, but most importantly, it works on maintaining moisture, especially for my low porosity hair. Now, I’ll admit it’s a bit pricey (compared to other models on the market), but it’s less bulky and the additional attachments makes it a universal tool for everyone. 

Fast Facts

  • Heat Setting:
  • Cord: 6 inches
  • Voltage: Universal

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Beauty and Cultures Editor

  • Writes trend stories, product reviews and how-tos across beauty, cultures, fashion and entertainment
  • Over 5 years of experience as a Beauty Editor
  • Studied journalism with a minor in creative writing at SUNY New Paltz

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