NASA Astronaut Shares Curly Hair Tips from Space

When NASA astronaut Jessica Meir shared her curly hair routine from the International Space Station, it wasn't just practical advice. It was a moment of representation that resonated with curly-haired people worldwide who rarely see their hair texture celebrated in space.

Meir posted a video in September showing how she manages her 3a curls in microgravity, where everything floats and curls get even curlier. She's been aboard the ISS since February as part of Expedition 75, and she's learned to adapt her routine to life in orbit.

Her space hair care routine is surprisingly simple. She uses no-rinse shampoo focused on her scalp where sweat and salt build up, carefully squeezes water from a pouch onto her roots, and works it through with her fingers. Then she dries her thick, curly hair with what she calls a "dedicated T-shirt."

Between washes, Meir skips brushes entirely to avoid frizz and uses her hands to work through her hair instead. She relies on leave-in conditioner to manage her curls, which transform from 3a to 3c texture in space. Luckily, humidity isn't an issue on the ISS, though she admits she's looking forward to a real shower back on Earth.

Why This Inspires

The video matters beyond hair care tips. For people with curly hair, seeing their texture represented in prestigious spaces like the ISS sends a powerful message about belonging and acceptance.

Space journalist Elizabeth Howell, who covered the story, shared her own experience of facing bullying in the 1990s for wearing her natural curls. While classmates sported trendy straight hair styles, she endured insults and rumors simply for having curly hair.

Now in her forties, Howell sees how far representation has come. This year, NASA's Christina Koch wore her curly hair during the historic Artemis II lunar mission, literally taking curls around the moon.

The practical wisdom holds up too. During Howell's two-week stay at Mars Desert Research Station in Utah with limited water access, she used similar techniques: no-rinse shampoo, wet combing only, and protective styling. Her curls bounced back quickly once she had regular showers again.

Meir's video proves that curly hair is resilient, adaptable, and worthy of celebration in every environment, even 250 miles above Earth.