Honestly, Tracee Ellis Ross didn't just drop a hair product; she dropped a whole mood. When Pattern Beauty first arrived on the scene, it was about the basics—shampoos, conditioners, and the heavy hitters for curls. But the Pattern Palo Santo Styling Cream feels different. It’s less of a utilitarian "fix your frizz" situation and more of a sensory experience that happens to make your hair look incredible. If you’ve spent any time in the natural hair community, you know that finding a cream that balances moisture with hold is basically the holy grail. Usually, you get one or the other. You either have soft, hydrated hair that loses its shape by noon, or crunchy, defined curls that feel like straw. This cream tries to sit right in the middle, and for the most part, it succeeds wildly.
Let's talk about that scent for a second.
Palo Santo is everywhere lately, but in hair care, it's a bit of a gamble. It’s woody. It’s smoky. It has those bright, citrusy undertones that either smell like a high-end spa or a campfire. Pattern nailed the "sophisticated spa" vibe. It isn’t that sickly sweet, artificial floral scent that defines so many drugstore products for textured hair. It lingers. You’ll catch a whiff of it when you move your head three hours after styling, and it's genuinely grounding. For people who find traditional hair product scents overwhelming or "childish," this is a massive upgrade.
What Is Pattern Palo Santo Styling Cream Actually Doing?
At its core, this is a versatile styling cream designed for curls, coils, and tight textures. It’s thick. Like, really thick. If you flip the jar over, nothing moves. This is important because it signals a high concentration of oils and butters, specifically Shea Butter and Kahai Oil. These aren't just filler ingredients. Kahai oil is particularly interesting because it’s rich in Vitamin E and Retinol—stuff we usually associate with high-end skincare—which helps with elasticity and shine.
The "Palo Santo" part of the name is mostly about the fragrance profile, but the formula itself is built for longevity. It’s a cream that aims to provide a "touchable hold." It won't give you the casing of a hard gel, but it provides enough weight to keep the hair from expanding into a giant puff the moment you step into 40% humidity. It’s great for wash-and-gos, but where it really shines is in the "in-between" styles.
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Think twist-outs. Think braid-outs.
If you apply this to damp hair and let it set overnight, the definition is crisp. Because the cream is so emollient, your hair doesn't feel parched when you take the braids down. It’s a common complaint with styling creams—the "dusty" look. You know the one. Where the product dries and leaves a white film or makes the hair look matte and dull. This cream leaves a healthy, reflective sheen that makes your hair look hydrated rather than greasy.
Why The Texture Might Surprise You
Don't expect a lotion. A lot of "styling creams" on the market today are basically just leave-in conditioners with a fancy label. They’re runny and disappear into the hair without doing much. Pattern Palo Santo Styling Cream has a significant amount of "grip." When you rub it between your palms, you can feel the tackiness. This is what helps the hair strands clump together.
If your hair is fine, be careful. This stuff is heavy.
For those with Type 4 coils, that weight is a godsend. It provides the "hang" that many people look for. But if you have Type 3a curls or fine hair that gets weighed down easily, you have to use a tiny, pea-sized amount. Otherwise, you’ll end up with hair that looks "piecey" and flat. It’s all about the water-to-product ratio. To get the best results, your hair needs to be soaking wet. Not damp. Soaking. This allows the cream to emulsify and spread evenly rather than sitting on top of the cuticle like a thick paste.
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The Ingredients: A Quick Reality Check
We have to look at what’s actually in the jar. Pattern is transparent about their ingredients, which is a big win.
- Shea Butter: The classic moisture sealer.
- Sweet Almond Oil: Provides that immediate slip so your fingers can glide through.
- Kahai Oil: The "secret sauce" for shine.
- No Silicones: This is huge for people following the Curly Girl Method or those who find that silicones cause buildup over time.
One thing to note: because it lacks heavy silicones, it won't "mask" damage. It works with your hair's natural state. If your hair is severely protein-deficient or has high porosity due to bleach, you might still need a dedicated leave-in or a protein sealer underneath this cream. It’s a styler first, a treatment second.
How It Compares to the Original Styling Cream
People always ask: "Is it just the original Pattern Styling Cream with a new smell?"
The answer is... mostly, yes. But that’s not a bad thing. The original formula was already a bestseller because it worked. The Palo Santo version feels slightly more "refined" in its consistency, perhaps a bit smoother to the touch, but the performance is virtually identical. You’re paying for the experience. You’re paying for that specific, earthy scent that makes your morning routine feel less like a chore and more like a ritual.
If you hated the original cream's performance, this won't change your mind. But if you loved it and wanted a scent that felt more "adult" and less like tropical fruit, this is your winner.
Common Mistakes When Using This Cream
Most people who hate this product are usually using it wrong. It’s a common story. You buy a premium product, slap it on dry hair, and wonder why it looks like a mess.
- Too much product. Start small. You can always add more, but taking it out requires a full re-wash.
- Applying to dry hair. This is the biggest sin. The cream needs water to move. If you apply it to dry hair, it will be sticky and create "flakes" once it dries.
- Not emulsifying. You have to rub this in your hands until it goes from a white paste to a clear-ish film before touching your hair.
- Mixing with incompatible gels. Sometimes, mixing different brands causes a chemical reaction where the products "clump" and look like white lint. Always do a "hand test" (mix a bit of both in your palm) before putting them in your hair.
The Longevity Factor
How long does a style last with Pattern Palo Santo Styling Cream?
In my experience, and based on feedback from the community, a solid twist-out can last five to seven days. The cream does an excellent job of "locking" the moisture in. By day four, you might notice the scent fading, but the hair still feels soft. It doesn't get that "crunchy" feel that often happens by the end of the week.
If you live in a very dry climate, you might find you need to mist your hair with a little water on day three just to "reactivate" the cream. It’s a humectant-rich formula, so it loves a little moisture. On the flip side, if you're in a high-humidity area, you might want to layer a light gel over the top of the cream just to seal everything in.
Is It Worth The Price Tag?
Pattern isn't the cheapest brand at the beauty supply store. You’re looking at around $25 to $28 for a standard jar.
Is it worth it?
If you value scent and "clean" ingredients, yes. A single jar lasts a long time because the formula is so concentrated. You aren't using handfuls of it. Also, the packaging is aesthetic as heck. It looks great on a vanity. But beyond the looks, it’s a high-performing product for people who have struggled to find a cream that provides actual hold without the stiffness of a gel.
Real World Performance: What To Expect
Let's be real. No product is perfect.
While the Palo Santo scent is a major selling point, if you have a sensitive scalp or allergies to strong fragrances, this might be a pass for you. The fragrance is definitely present. Also, the "weight" of the product means that your drying time will increase. If you air dry, expect it to take several hours longer than usual because the butters are literally sealing the water into your hair shaft. That's the trade-off for moisture.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Wash Day
To get the absolute most out of this product, try this specific workflow:
- Clarify first. Because this cream is heavy on butters, it works best on hair that doesn't have old product buildup. Use a clarifying shampoo once a month.
- The "Section" Method. Divide your hair into at least four sections. Apply the cream to each section individually, starting from the ends and working up to the roots.
- The "Squish" Test. After applying, "squish" your hair. If you don't hear a wet, squelching sound, add more water from a spray bottle.
- Hands off. Once the product is in and your hair is styled, do not touch it. Every time you touch wet hair as it dries, you’re creating frizz. Let it set completely before you "fluff" or "pick" it.
- Steam it. If you have low-porosity hair, use a steamer or a warm towel for five minutes after applying the cream. This helps the oils penetrate the cuticle rather than just sitting on top.
This isn't just another hair cream. It's a specific tool for a specific job: keeping textured hair hydrated and smelling like a high-end ritual. If you treat it as a concentrated treatment rather than a generic lotion, your curls will thank you.