Jessica Meir, a NASA astronaut, has provided a glimpse into the unique challenges and methods of maintaining personal hygiene, specifically hair care, while living in orbit on the International Space Station (ISS). In a widely shared video on Instagram, Meir detailed how she manages her curly hair in microgravity.
Meir explained that everyday tasks such as washing hair become more complex in space. In the viral clip, she is shown applying water and a no-rinse shampoo to her hair while floating. "Welcome to a curly girl's guide to controlling curls in space," she stated in the video, noting that she was washing her hair after a workout.
She described having curly hair in the ISS as particularly challenging due to its tendency to get caught on equipment as she moves around. However, she also noted an upside: the lack of gravity means her hair naturally stays out of her face, eliminating the need to tie it back, even during exercise.
"I don't have to tie my hair back at all because it just stays up," Meir said. "Even when I'm running on the treadmill, it doesn't ever come down or get in my face."
Meir also humorously remarked that her hair in space often resembles a mohawk and appears thicker because gravity is not pulling the curls downward. She even admitted to missing her "space hair" so much that she attempted to replicate the look on Earth without success. After drying her hair with a t-shirt, she applied a small amount of conditioner, noting that she uses significantly less product in space to prevent buildup.
"One of the things I'm really looking forward to when I get back on Earth is having a nice shower again," she confessed.
NASA has developed a specialized no-rinse shampoo for astronauts that requires minimal water and is designed not to create floating droplets. This formula is essential for water conservation on the ISS and to prevent potential damage to sensitive equipment from free-floating water.
Meir first joined the ISS in 2019 as a flight engineer and participated in the first all-female spacewalk. She returned to Earth in April 2020 and later returned to the ISS in February 2026.
Viewers expressed fascination with Meir's insights into her space-based beauty routine. Many commented on the usefulness of the content for girls with curly hair and appreciated the unique perspective on life aboard the ISS.