Can Pattern’s New Flat Iron Heal Hot-Tool Hair Trauma?

Flat irons have long held a fraught reputation in the world of hair. For years, the pursuit of impossibly sleek strands has meant a familiar and dastardly combination of high heat, far too many passes, and the occasional smell of something that definitely should not be burning. The tools themselves haven’t changed all that much: two hot plates and a clamp (and the hope that you can get your hair straight without sacrificing the curls you’ll want back later).

So when Pattern—the Tracee Ellis Ross-founded hair brand known for creating products with curls, coils, and tight textures in mind—introduced a flat iron that vibrates, we had questions. What exactly is a vibrating flat iron supposed to do? The answer is, essentially, cause less friction. This product uses ceramic-coated plates and up to 12,000 vibrations per minute to help strands glide through the tool more smoothly; that means fewer passes and less pulling, and therefore, less damage, in the process, according to the brand. There are also customizable heat settings up to 450°F.

Does the vibration make straightening faster? Gentler? Noticeably smoother? And most importantly, does it deliver the kind of finish that makes you forget how much work went into getting there? Below, four W editors find out—and share their honest opinions.

Claire Valentine McCartney, Culture Editor

What’s your hair like? Do you have experience with heat tools?

I have somewhere between 2A and 2B hair. It’s naturally red, and if I do nothing to it, it tends toward frizzy, coarse waves. I used to have a curl routine down pat in college, but I’m also very familiar with heat styling. Before getting the Pattern flat iron, I’d been using the same industrial-size straightener I begged my mom to buy me at the mall in 2005. At 450 degrees, it reliably fried my hair into a silky curtain, but after 20 years, it’s understandably been giving out on me. Otherwise, I usually use one of those ceramic air styling bristle brushes that are so popular now.

How do you typically style your hair?

If I’m going to an event or work, I’ll usually use an air styler. I’ll start with something like Moroccan Oil or Crown Affair’s Radiance Oil on damp hair, and follow up with a heat protectant spray from Amika or Oribe before blowing my hair out with the T3 air styler. I’ve tried so many anti-frizz, anti-humidity products over the years (and I may have gotten a Brazilian blowout or two), but these days I try to avoid anything with super harsh chemicals.

What did you think of the Pattern flat iron?

I liked the iron’s brown color and the clamps on the end to protect your fingers (thinking of all the times I’ve been singed by my old iron…). It was so light that it did make me wonder if it would even work, but it heated up extremely quickly and worked beautifully on my already dry hair. The vibrating took me a minute to get used to, but I loved how smoothly the iron ran down my strands without pulling on them—another upgrade from my old tool. I guess the beauty industry has indeed evolved since the early 2000s!

Would you use this flat iron again?

I definitely would. For times when I want a super sleek look, I’ll quickly run this over my already blown-out hair.

Ashley Peña, Senior Designer

What’s your hair usually like?

I have dark brown, long hair with 3A/3B curls. I don’t add heat to my hair now because I used to fry it with tools throughout middle and high school. Once I figured out how to properly treat my curls, I started keeping them in a natural state. But I do love a good blowout. I get one about five times a year and touch up with a flat iron throughout the week if I need to.

What products do you use for your hair?

I mostly wear my curls out, or I’ll add a claw clip if I want an updo. I don’t usually go for slicked-back hairstyles because I once read that low-impact hairstyles are better for hair health (I’m scared of a receding hairline!). I typically use a gloss mask during my wash routine and a heat protectant product to minimize any damage. After straightening, I use an anti-frizz oil to smooth and add shine. I’m getting married soon, and I’m hoping to style my hair in soft waves for the big day—so this is the perfect time to try out the flat iron.

What were your first impressions of the Pattern flat iron?

I liked that it felt lighter than my old flat iron, since my arms usually get tired after two hours of doing my own hair. I opted for a heat protectant spray before straightening, spraying each piece before running the flat iron through my hair with a comb to make sure I got every strand. Because I did my hair in small sections, I only had to run the iron through each piece once. I noticed my hair had a nice shine even after straightening. I was happy with the results when I finished—but not too long after, my hair began to frizz up. I think because my hair is so curly I need to do a better job blowdrying it first. Next time, I’ll also use a higher heat setting.

Would you use this product again?

I would. I’m already packing it for my wedding weekend.

Maxine Wally, Senior Digital Editor

What’s your hair like?

I have long, thick, wavy hair that I’m currently considering chopping into a bob for fall.

Do you typically use heat tools in your usual hair routine?

I don’t. I usually air-dry my hair, and I’ve been freaked out about flat irons since I watched my sister break off every strand on her head while straightening her bangs in the 2000s.

How do you typically style your hair?

I have four or five hairstyles that I keep in rotation for every event in my life: going out? Maybe I’ll do the high bun. Going to work? That calls for a midhead bun or a chignon at the nape of my neck. Happy hour oysters with the squad? I’ll probably wear my hair down, which requires either IGK’s Deep Repair air-dry styling serum, or my desert-island product, Shu Uemura’s Essence Absolue protective hair oil. You want to talk about liquid gold…

What did you think of the Pattern flat iron?

I love the size of it; it’s so sleek and small. I imagine it would be easy to travel with, which dashes any associations I have between my sister and her enormous purple straightening iron from high school. I loved how fast it heated up as well—it was hot enough to use in less than 30 seconds. The whole experience was so quick: I’d run the iron over a section of my hair one time and it was beautifully straight and shiny. I was honestly shocked by the results from this little machine. My hair looked sleek and less helmet-like, and was incredibly manageable after using Pattern’s Detox Shampoo and Blowout Primer. And the flat iron is really easy to use, which is helpful for me.

Would you use this flat iron again?

I definitely would. My hair tends to get really frizzy, especially during the summer months. As we transition into a cooler fall, I can absolutely see myself running this through my hair 15 minutes before I’m supposed to be out the door—and that’ll be ample time for me to achieve a polished look.

Che Baez, Visuals Editor

What’s your hair like? Do you have experience with heat tools?

I have brown 3A-3C curls on my head (and some 4A curls closer to my roots and nape of the neck). My hair is pretty long at the moment, especially when you factor in shrinkage. I (unfortunately) used to fry my hair, straightening it almost every single day from ages 13-21. I stopped using heat tools regularly, except for the occasional blow dryer with a diffuser attachment, in 2019. I would say I’m a little scarred, and only straighten my hair once in a blue moon.

How do you typically style your hair?

I wear my hair curly, so I wash my hair 2-3 times a week, and style it after I have a wash day. I’ll refresh my hair every day with water and a leave-in conditioner, and sometimes a gel will make an appearance. I truly let my hair do whatever it wants—I’ve come a long way!

What did you think of this product?

My first impression of the Pattern flat iron was: wow, this is nice. It’s the perfect size, very lightweight, and I appreciated the window for viewing the heat temperature, and the silicone pads so you can touch the ends of the flat iron. I’ve never experienced those features on another heat tool.

My second impression: this thing heats up to 450 degrees at the speed of light. Gone are the days of waiting for a heat tool to get to your preferred temperature. I used Pattern’s Detox Shampoo during my wash day, which made my scalp feel fresh, and the Blowout Primer ensured I had no snagging during the process of straightening my hair. Each section of my hair was easily straightened with one or two passes of this perfect tool. I know it’s typically advised to stay a couple of inches from the roots while straightening, but I like to get pretty close to my scalp (don’t tell my mother). I noticed it was a lot easier to do that since the flat iron is small, and the silicone finger pads allow me to be nimble.

Would you use this flat iron again?

This flat iron cured my heat tool PTSD. You might see me with what looks like a 30-inch bussdown soon, but it’s just my natural hair.