In Mariah Carey’s singing voice, “It’s time!” Silk Press Season has officially commenced. We’ve finally reached the part of the year where the cold outweighs most of the humidity, and we can enjoy our hair straightened for the holidays. If your stylist is booked with no squeeze-ins, or if you want to save some coins, it’s just as easy to do your silk press at home.
When starting your silk press, you want to start fresh using a shampoo that caters to your hair type and needs. If you want your hair to be thick, opt for voluminous shampoos. If your hair needs frizz control, go for shampoos with frizz-free ingredients like jojoba or argan oils. Most of all, you want to find a shampoo and deep conditioner that hydrates and penetrates the scalp since you’re going to put on heavy heat. These first two steps are critical in ensuring you will only deal with a bit of damage later on. Before the blow-drying process, you’ll want to add a heat protectant, especially if you’re going to salvage your natural curls. And while back in the day, those consisted of spritz and sprays that did more damage, find a cream or serum-based protectant that’s lightweight and will seep into the hair rather than sit on top.
Thanks to the Tik Tok favorite Blow Dry Brush by Revlon, you can have a salon-worthy blowout or dry hair in no time. Its bristle design helps to get super close to the roots and get your strands as straight as possible so that you won’t need too much heat with your flat iron. Using section clips can also help this process go a lot smoother, and once you’re done, add another drop of your frizz-free serum to secure moisture and protection from humidity because, let’s face it, frizz is a beast of its own.
After blow drying, the last steps are to straighten and wrap your hair or add a roller set for bombshell curls that can be left overnight or done in advance for an evening outing, and voila, your silk press is complete. We’ve rounded up our favorite products to make straightening your hair as easy as possible. And while some products you can find at your local beauty supply, we won’t judge if you want to get an Amazon delivery.
Shampoos are step one when it comes to a good silk press, and you want to aim for one that focuses on frizz-free, hydrating, or strengthening your hair. The Raw Shea Butter Shampoo by Shea Moisture helps repair heat damage and has ingredients like sea kelp and argan oil to give your hair the proteins it will need.
Available at Amazon
Mielle Organics has quickly become a fan favorite in the hair community, especially in my household. The Babassu Oil & Mint Deep Conditioner contains high sterols and tocopherols to improve the hair and scalp. Plus, it’s packed with fatty acids adding much-needed moisture and protein, especially if you have dry hair.
Available at Mielle Organics
When it comes to heat protectors, each has its own. However, if you’re going to use one, aim for a cream base rather than liquid, so it doesn’t burn your hair like the John Frieda Frizz Ease Serum. This power-fighter heat protectant resists up to 90% humidity and ensures 72 hours of frizz-free hair. Use before blow drying on damp hair for better results.
Available at Amazon
If you’ve had the same flat iron since middle school, you may be due for an upgrade. The BaByliss flat iron is affordable yet flexible, as its slim design allows you to get to those hard-to-reach areas from the roots to behind your ears and edges. The digital straightener goes up to 450 degrees but works just as great on a lower setting.
Available at Ulta
Parting your hair and keeping your flyaways away with hair ties are nice, but section clips have a tighter grip and are easy to use, especially if you have oily fingers from your serum. The Framer Alligator Hair Clips are available in all sizes and colors to hold fine to thick hair without slipping.
Available at Amazon
For a bombshell blowout, using a roller set is key. The Ceramic Thermal Hair Rollers are easy to use and won’t cause any tangling. Roll them on a section of your hair right after straightening or on damp hair, and blow dry to activate the heat. Leave overnight for a defined look, or add them to your hair before a night out.
Available at Amazon