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Marie Claire
Marie Claire
Lifestyle
Gabrielle Ulubay

How to Get the Perfect Silk Press at Home

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during an NCAA championship teams celebration on the South Lawn of the White House on July 22, 2024 in Washington, DC.

When caring for your natural hair, you'll likely be tempted to try a plethora of styles, from goddess braids to cornrows to the sleek silk press. The beauty of the silk press is that it can be accomplished by the hands of a professional, or you can DIY the style from the comfort of your own home. When done correctly, it’s the perfect go-to for temporarily transforming your kinks and curls without permanently compromising your hair texture. Just ask vice president and 2024 presidential candidate Kamala Harris, whose trademark silk press has been dubbed "election season's favorite look," inspiring countless online tutorials.

To better understand the best process for a healthy, high-performance silk press, I spoke with hairstylists Takisha Sturdivant-Drew and Ikeyia Powell, both of whom have years of experience styling and caring for natural hair.

What Is a Silk Press?

A silk press is a straight, smooth hairstyle that, according to Powell, "is done using a flat iron and gives the appearance of a permanent chemical straightening treatment without the damage of it." She adds that it's a modern approach to the old-school hot comb press that temporarily straightens textured or curly hair. The result is a bone-straight, silk-like finish.

Nailing a silk press at home is all about using the right tools and techniques. It's critical to prep your natural hair before applying heat to ensure a sleek, shiny, and healthy look. If you don't know where to begin, never fear: Our experts have you covered.

Step One: Cleanse

This is the most crucial step to achieving a silk press with a lot of body and movement. "Start by detangling your dry hair before shampooing," says Powell. "Go in with a clarifying shampoo that is meant to detox the hair from heavy oils and previously used products before following up with a moisturizing shampoo to hydrate your strands."

However, if you're struggling with dryness or plan on achieving a silk press frequently, Sturdivant-Drew recommends using a nourishing shampoo made for curly hair. By hydrating in advance, she says, your hair will be less prone to heat damage and your style will last longer.

Step Two: Deep Condition

For an added burst of hydration, nourish your strands by incorporating a deep conditioner into your wash day routine. There are a variety of hair masks available for all curl patterns and levels of thickness, as well as options that deliver results in just a few minutes. However, Powell says that "for the best results, allow your deep conditioner to sit on your hair for 15 to 20 minutes with a plastic cap or under a hair steamer." This way, you'll head into your silk press with your most nourished, soft, and frizz-free hair. Sturdivant-Drew says this step is also imperative for minimizing heat damage as much as possible.

Step Three: Apply a Heat Protectant

A silk press involves two forms of heat: blow drying and flat ironing. It's imperative to protect your natural texture from damage by coating your hair with a lightweight heat protectant. They come in a spray or serum form and Sturdivant-Drew says they should be applied evenly through your wet hair before any heat is applied. You can use either a spray or cream formula for this step—all that matters is that the option feels good for you and is lightweight to the touch.

Step Four: Blow Dry

Starting at the ends of your hair and working your way up to the root, carefully blow-dry your hair until it's completely dry—if it's still wet when you begin straightening, you're more likely to experience heat damage. Powell also recommends using the blow dryer to smooth out your hair as much as possible, explaining, "The straighter you can get the hair during the blow-drying process, the less heat you'll have to use while flat-ironing. For maximum stretch of the hair, use a blow dryer with a concentrated nozzle and a Denman brush, or a blow dryer with a comb attachment." Sturdivant-Drew recommends adding a modest amount of your strengthening leave-in conditioner between passes with the blow dryer for extra smoothness.

Step Five: Straighten

Now, it's time to break out the straightener. Powell says that for best results, you should separate small sections of hair—about an inch thick—and straighten slowly. "The smaller the sections, the silkier the hair," she explains, adding that it's best to start at the nape and work from root to tip.

It's important to note that the type of flat iron you use plays a huge role in the results. "A titanium flat iron will give you maximum straightening capabilities but can [burn] the hair if not used properly," says Powell. "Titanium irons should not be set to anything higher than 400 degrees for a single silk press session."

Step Six: Smooth

Finally, both Powell and Sturdivant-Drew recommend topping off your silk press routine with a serum for "additional sleekness and shine," in Powell's words. However, she warns against using heavy oils (castor oil and coconut oil are some of the biggest culprits), as these can weigh down hair or make it feel greasy. Instead, she says, "The goal is a light and airy look with shine."

How Long Does a Silk Press Last?

While creating an at-home silk press involves a lot of work, it doesn't last forever. "A silk press can last from one to three weeks depending on the texture of your hair, lifestyle, at-home care, and the straightening history," says Powell, explaining that humidity is the number one factor in the longevity of the look. "If you sweat a lot or are physically active, your silk press may not last as long. Some clients opt to silk press their hair during the colder months as opposed to the warmer months when the humidity is at an all-time high, causing frizz."

The best way to maintain your style is to wrap your hair in a silk hair wrap and wear a shower cap when bathing. Powell also recommends waiting six to 12 weeks between each silk press session to retain length and minimize heat damage.

Meet the Experts

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