Tracee Ellis Ross’s hair is just as iconic as her ever-changing wardrobe. The actor and beauty founder treats her hair like a daily accessory, styling it into Pinterest-worthy looks—geometric bobs, long and loose waves, bubble ponytails—with the same ease she brings to her outfits. This summer, she decided to turn up the heat and embrace straight styles, but with one key rule: protect her curls and keep her hair healthy.

“One of the beauties of textured hair is that it can do anything,” Ross tells Vogue. Today, her brand Pattern Beauty is expanding its styling lineup with three new products: the Vibrating Flat Iron, Blow Out Primer, and Detox Shampoo. “Textured hair can be curly, straight, afro’d, bantu’d, roller-set, or a wash and go. There’s so much versatility. I think that’s part of being human—being able to choose different things at different stages of your life.”

While in Gstaad, Switzerland, Ross recalls a phone call she made to her mother during boarding school. “Mom, my hair is dead,” she remembers saying. “I know hair is made of dead follicles, but my hair is dead dead. Like, I don’t think we can revive it.”

That moment was a turning point in learning to love her hair—and wanting to care for it. Experiencing heat damage from styling and struggling to find the right products is almost a rite of passage in the natural hair community. It’s a big reason she started Pattern in the first place.

“Being able to have tools that support you in heat styling responsibly, in a way that truly cares for how your hair naturally grows out of your head, is something I’m dedicated to with Pattern,” she explains.

In 2023, Pattern made its first move into heat styling with a blow dryer, followed by a curling iron in 2024. Now, with the new flat iron, the brand’s styling toolkit is complete for safely smoothing textured strands.

“The flat iron came out of an ongoing conversation we have with Pattern customers and the curly, coily, and tight-textured community,” Ross says. “We really thought about, ‘What is it about using a flat iron on textured hair that causes the most damage?’ It’s when you do multiple passes. When you have to pull and tug at your hair. Often, it’s the chaser comb. So the vibration is meant to reduce some of those habits we rely on to get our hair straighter, faster.”

The Vibrating Flat Iron is a 1.1-inch, ceramic-coated tool with 14 adjustable settings, heating up to 450 degrees in 20-degree increments. It delivers 12,000 vibrations per minute, helping strands glide more smoothly and reducing friction and tension that can lead to damage. It also has a cool tip guard for safe handling while styling and an auto shut-off after 60 minutes.

But before reaching for any heat tool, the sleekest, shiniest styles start with a clean, hydrated base—especially after wearing protective styles. That’s where Pattern’s new Detox Shampoo comes in. It deeply cleanses the hair and scalp, removing product buildup without drying it out. Clinically proven to strip hard minerals and chlorine, it leaves a clean foundation ready for heat styling.

“I think people really underestimate how important it is to prep your hair for whatever style you’re about to do. Product buildup often makes people use more heat than they actually need. The Detox Shampoo removes product from your hair without stripping away moisture,” Ross explains.

The Blow Out Primer is a lightweight spray cream that smooths strands and cuts down styling time, offering heat protection up to 425 degrees. “The same slip we need when brushing out our hair in the shower, we want that same slip on your hair—without silicone—so you can protect it and get that easy, smooth pass,” she says.She explains, “With silk press season just around the corner, many of us with curly hair are ready to swap our summer braids and wash-and-go styles for straight looks. Pattern’s new heat collection makes that switch easy and keeps our curls in mind.”

Overall, the new products stay true to what Pattern Beauty is all about. “Versatility,” Ross says. “Helping people choose what they want, not just for their hair, but in life.”

Curious about a beauty or wellness trend? We’d love to hear from you! Email Vogue’s senior beauty and wellness editor at beauty@vogue.com.

Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of frequently asked questions about Tracee Ellis Rosss philosophy of having it all based on her public statements interviews and her haircare line Pattern

Beginner Questions

1 What does Tracee Ellis Ross mean by having it all
For Tracee having it all isnt about doing everything perfectly or having a flawless life Its about defining success on your own terms It means pursuing your passions building a career you love nurturing your relationships and taking care of yourselfwithout apologizing for wanting those things

2 Is this just about career and money
No While she is a successful actress and businesswoman having it all is holistic It includes emotional wellbeing joy selfcare community and personal fulfillment Its about feeling rich in your life not just your bank account

3 Why does she talk about this so much
Tracee often speaks about this because she grew up watching her mother Diana Ross navigate fame and motherhood She also realized that society often tells women they have to choose between a career and a personal life She wants to challenge that narrative and encourage women to create a life they dont need a vacation from

4 Is this related to her haircare line Pattern
Yes indirectly Pattern Beauty is an extension of her philosophy She created it to solve a specific problem for curly coily and tight texturesa community that was often ignored For her having it all means having the tools and confidence to show up as your authentic self and that includes your natural hair

5 Does she have a specific routine or secret to having it all
Her secret isnt a magic formula Its about intentionality She talks about the importance of knowing yourself setting boundaries and being present She also emphasizes the power of good energy and surrounding yourself with people who lift you up

Intermediate Questions

6 How does she balance her acting career her business and her personal life
She doesnt believe in a perfect 5050 balance Instead she talks about integration She prioritizes what needs her attention at the moment and gives herself grace when things are out of whack She is also very vocal about being a boss who sets boundaries like not answering emails at