One of the benefits of having textured hair is the versatility. You can opt for curls and waves one day and style it straight another. If you’re attempting a silk press on your own, you will want to have the right tools to maintain it, and of course, the correct way to do it. Here’s everything you need to know about a silk press.
Albeit what you might have heard, you can easily and safely straighten your hair occasionally without sacrificing your previous, beautiful curls. Visiting your stylist is obviously the best way to get a damage-free, long-lasting silk press, but if you can’t get to the salon, there’s no need to worry. In this case, you can seek help from a variety of products to DIY that silk press at home that lasts well and inflicts minimal damage.
A silk press is performed to make natural hair straight, shiny, silky and soft. It imparts a lot of body and movement to the hair without actually using a relaxer or the chemicals a traditional hair straightening process would. With the right tools, technique, and products, silk press is achievable at home. Note that the effect is temporary and your hair will revert back to its natural state.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of the best products for silk press at home including deep conditioner, anti-frizz serum, strengthening oil, and last but not least, the iron that does the job.
A good clarifying shampoo is the key to proper conditioning as it opens the hair cuticles and cleanse. We recommend the Mixed Chicks Gentle clarifying shampoo courtesy of its formula that fortifies as it cleanses. Featuring silk amino acids, soy protein, and avocado oil, say hello to perfectly primed tresses that are ready for a salon-quality silk press.
Boasts a powerful blend of silk amino acids, soy protein, and avocado oil to cleanse the hair.
Hydrates frizzy hair
Amplifies curls
Suitable for all hair types
Gentle formula
Doesn’t lather very well
Basic
To reduce tangles and breakage as much as possible, use this comb-out formula by DreamGirls. It contains peppermint oil and other botanical extracts to nourish your hair as it creates slip for easy detangling.
Made of peppermint oil and other botanical ingredients for tip top nourishment.
A little goes a long way
Pleasant scent
Does what it promises
Easy to use
Pricey
Regardless of texture, strength is what adds body and shine to your hair. This conditioner is infused with pro-vitamin B5 and the wonderful monoi oil to restore damaged hair while straightening it to protect it from further damage. This conditioner by Carol’s Daughter is particularly effective for those who often put heat on or color their hair, thus one of the best products for silk press at home.
Infused with pro-vitamin B5 and monoi oil to repair and restore damaged hair.
Detangles hair
Adds moisture
Strengthens brittle hair
Pleasant scent
Pricey for a small amount
We’re not surprised as to why many are obsessed with this drugstore deep conditioner. This product by Aussie promises to penetrate the hair cuticle in only three minutes, making it a go-to for anyone seeking deeper hydrating in a pinch. Containing a touch of Australian aloe, jojoba, and sea kelp, this product delivers the nutrients you need to transform dry, frizzy hair into silky smooth, blowout-ready strands.
Features a combination of Australian aloe, jojoba and sea kelp to nourish hair.
Affordable
Perfect for color-treated hair
Pleasant scent
Adds hydration and shine
May cause product build-up
Before putting your hair through tension and heat, you’ll want to make sure that it has all the nutrients it needs to remain in good shape. This heat cap by Glow by Daye helps deep conditioning your hair without it being restricted to a dryer. Being amongst the best products for silk press at home, simply pop it into the microwave for about 15 minutes and then go on about your day as the conditioner does its job.
Microwaveable heat cap.
Lightweight design
Soft material
Boosts hair deep conditioning
Provides consistent and even heat distribution
Some users claimed that it could explode in the microwave
Becomes stiff and hard as it dries
Finger detangling might seem easy to rock curly styles, but when a sleek look is what you’re trying to achieve, you want to make sure that no strands go unsmoothed. We are obsessed with this detangling brush that glides through all your kinks and curls whilst reducing shedding. You’ll also love that it comes with flexible bristles that are good for natural hair.
Detangling brush with flexible bristles.
Reduces sheds
Made of flexible bristles
Great for use on natural hair
Detangles evenly
Smudges when in contact with oil
Being one of the best products for silk press at home, this leave-in conditioner by Taliah Waajid is sulfate-free and versatile enough to accommodate both straight and curly hair, and an ideal product for silk press at home. Spray the product sparingly on wet hair to strengthen and fortify your strands so they withstand the heat.
Sulfate-free leave-in conditioner for both straight and curly hair.
Strengthens and moisturizes the hair
Infused with vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein and antioxidants
Repairs hair and scalp
May not work for everyone
Whether relaxed or natural, your hair will benefit from this quality heat protectant by Design Essentials. Boasting a lightweight formula with 17 amino acids and the ability to eliminate static for a frizz-free smooth look, a little goes a long way for this product and you can expect a high gloss finish and flowing strands.
Lightweight heat protectant infused with 17 amino acids.
Protects hair against heat damage
Strengthens and smoothens hair cuticle
Suitable for all hair types
Overly strong scent
May not work for everyone
This effective, budget-friendly product has been one of the best products for silk press at home for years now. Other than smelling amazing, it can be applied on both wet and dry hair after straightening for a boosted shine. It functions to control frizz under humid climates, making it a perfect tool for long-lasting blowouts. You can add a small amount of the product on your ends for a sleek, finished look.
Anti-frizz serum infused with Moroccan argan oil.
Fights frizz
Nourishes and styles hair
Penetrates deep into the hair for lasting smoothness and shine
Affordable
Doesn’t tame flyaways
Hair may get frizzy soon after the product dries up
We’re so obsessed with this flat iron that we have an entire review dedicated to it. You can check out BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium-Plated Ultra-Thin Straightening Iron review here. It comes with 5-inch extended plates that’ll reduce your styling time, along with a lightweight design that helps you reach the hair closest to your scalp, so you can straighten from the roots to the ends. Not to mention its smooth titanium irons also deliver even heat distribution to prevent damage.
Titanium flat iron with 5-inch extended plates.
Titanium plates come with negative ions to combat frizz
Able to curl and straighten
High precision
Slim and long plates
Doesn’t automatically shut-off
Not ideal for coarse or thick hair
Blow drying textured hair can seem like a big work as it requires one hand on the dryer, and the other on a paddle brush. However, this handy tool from Revlon allows you to easily blow dry in one step. Its flexible, tangle-fighting bristles cut down your drying time with ionic conditioning by distributing heat evenly to ensure minimal frizz and maximum shine. You’ll also love that it’s extremely lightweight!
A one-step hair dryer and styler combined.
One-step styling tool
Efficient paddle that runs through the hair fast
Ionic technology
Lightweight design
High precision
The large hander makes it hard to maneuver
It’s important that you use oil sparingly when your hair is straight, but it can still be a useful part of maintaining a silk press. This nutrient-rich product makes it easy to apply any amount of oil you need. It’s also great for smoothing split ends, which is the backbone to retaining length and a smooth look.
A nutrient-rich intensive formula infused with biotin to nourish and strengthen the hair while preventing dry scalp.
Great on natural hair, protective styles, and on braids and weaves
Natural ingredients
Gentle formula
Using too much product at a time can result in greasy scalp
When performing a silk press at home, it’s important that you part your hair in sections to divide and conquer accordingly. Kristin Ess’ sectioning clips feature jagged edges that help your hair stay put without creasing them, and the perforated surface allows hair to dry even with clips in—definitely one of the best products for silk press at home you musn’t disregard.
Strong-grip sectioning clips with jagged edges and perforated surface.
Strong-grip
Suitable for average to thick hair
Allows hair to dry with clips in
Doesn’t crease hair
Too large in size
Nothing gets on your nerves more than spending time and energy on silky smooth hair, only to ruin it in the shower. To extend the lifespan of your silk press, use this luxe shower cap that keeps your hair away from moisture. Its elastic band accommodates most head sizes, and it’s a good git whether you have thick or thin hair. Better yet, it looks cute!
Luxury shower cap with elastic band.
Waterproof
Reusable
Fashionable
Flexible fit
The lining may fall apart after prolonged use
Lack of comfort on smaller heads
Before getting your hands on the heating tool, make sure your hair is as moisturized as possible. Opt for a deep conditioning treatment and pair it up with a conditioning cap—this’ll pack an extra dose of moisture into your hair as you prep for the silk press.
We can’t stress enough, though oil should be used sparingly on ironed hair, it still has a role to play in your routine. Most hair oils can also boost hair growth, as well as keeping it healthy.
Using an anti-frizz serum in any styling process means you’re taking a proactive step to prevent frizz even before it happens. You’ll likely need more of it in wet and humid weather compared to warmer, drier temperatures.
There are plenty of flat irons available in the market. To choose one that works best for your hair, opt for one that comes with multiple heat settings so you avoid heat damage.
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