NASA astronaut Jessica Meir has shared a set of practical tips for managing curly hair in microgravity aboard the International Space Station, offering a rare and lighthearted glimpse into the everyday routines that astronauts must adapt when living in orbit.
In a video recorded from the station, Meir explained how the absence of gravity changes the way curly hair behaves and how she keeps it manageable during long-duration spaceflight. Without gravity to pull hair downward, curls tend to float and tangle more easily, requiring different techniques than those used on Earth.
Meir, who has served as a flight engineer on the station, is known for her distinctive curly hair, which has become a recognizable feature of her public appearances from orbit. Her advice covers washing, conditioning, and styling in a weightless environment, where water does not flow but instead forms floating spheres that must be handled carefully.
The video is part of a broader effort by NASA to highlight the human side of space exploration, showing how astronauts maintain personal hygiene and comfort during missions that can last months. Daily life aboard the ISS involves constant adaptation, from sleeping in tethered bags to exercising on specialized equipment to prevent muscle and bone loss.
Hair care in space is a small but telling example of how even mundane tasks require planning and innovation. Astronauts have limited access to water and must use rinseless shampoos or carefully controlled amounts of water to avoid damaging equipment. Loose hair can also pose a hazard by floating into vents or experiments, so keeping it contained is a practical necessity.
Meir's tips have resonated with audiences on social media, where clips of astronauts demonstrating everyday activities often go viral. Such content helps humanize spaceflight and reminds the public that behind the scientific research and technical operations, astronauts are people navigating ordinary challenges in extraordinary circumstances.
The International Space Station continues to serve as a laboratory for studying how humans adapt to microgravity, with lessons that will inform future missions to the Moon and Mars. As space agencies plan longer journeys, understanding the full spectrum of daily life in space — including something as personal as hair care — becomes increasingly relevant.
Meir's video adds to a growing collection of astronaut-generated content that documents the realities of orbital living. By sharing her own routines, she offers both practical guidance and a reminder that space exploration is as much about human experience as it is about scientific discovery.
