As a black woman who grew up in Louisiana, silk presses always bring a smile to my face. I remember feeling excited and getting chills when my mom dropped me off for my Thursday haircut appointment. I felt so beautiful (and grown out) when my stylist, Andrea, blow-dried my hair, ran a hot comb through the edges, then gave me body and bounce with an iron. You’ll confidently leave the salon at 10am, your hair blowing in the wind. When I left home to attend Howard University in Washington, D.C., I remained faithful to the silk press and hired a hairstylist as good as Andrea, who is good at making my hair look like satin, at U.S. I found it on the street.
Of course, I wasn’t the only one who had this experience. The salon was filled with Howard’s friends and classmates. They too had been silk pressed since childhood. Some of us, myself included, learned how to silk press in our dorms, especially for big events like Homecoming and Springfest. Getting your hair styled has always been a must. I’ve tried a variety of hairstyles over the years, including box braids, sew-ins, natural looks, and my go-to all-back bun (when I’m feeling lazy), but the excellent silk press There’s nothing better than that. As an adult living in New York City, I never miss an opportunity to get my hair done. And I still feel dizzy when my current stylist, Karen (who lives in Brooklyn), spins her chair to reveal the glossy magic she’s created in my mane.
Silk presses have been around for decades, but the technique has become a trending topic in recent years, thanks to Vice President Kamala Harris, who is also a Howard University alumnus. (Come on, representative!) Madam VP is hailed as the Queen of Silk Press (along with Queen Latifah, of course). Her hair is always perfectly polished, usually parted to the side and finished with bouncy curls or flipped ends. . On a 2023 episode of KiKi Palmer’s podcast, “Baby, This Is KiKi Palmer,” Harris explained that she achieves her signature look with just a round brush.
The revelation shocked Palmer and the world, given that this method usually requires a little more heat. After the interview, search for “Silk printing press near me”, “How to maintain a silk printing press”, “What is a silk printing machine?” It skyrocketed tremendously. This style continued to be a trend throughout Harris’ 2024 presidential campaign.
If you’re curious about silk printing machines, need help perfecting it, or just want to understand the hype better, we spoke to a few experts to explain more. Ta.
What is a silk press?
For a long time, I thought the silk press was just a type of hairstyle, but it’s actually a technique. “It’s the process of smoothing hair without harsh chemicals, usually with a combination of iron and hot comb,” says the New York City-based three-time Emmy-nominated hairstylist. Derrick Monroe told Stylecaster. Many people confuse a silk press with a traditional blowout, but Monroe says the difference is in “body and texture.” “Blowouts tend to smooth the hair, but they don’t necessarily straighten the hair bones. Silk presses tend to be smoother and usually require a little more heat.”
Celebrity hairstylist Takisha Sturdivant-Drew, whose client list includes Tessa Thompson, Misty Copeland and Naomi Ackie, agrees, adding that the key to silk pressing is “a beautiful shine.” Ta.
How can I achieve silk press?
For Sturdivant-Drew, the perfect look comes down to the products you use. She focuses on smooth moisturizers, especially hydrating shampoos, leave-in conditioners, and thermal hair strengtheners, which all work to nourish and protect hair “without any harsh chemicals.” says Sturdivant Drew. Glam pro Kendra Garvey, who has worked her magic on Kerry Washington, Tia Mowry, Sanaa Lathan, and Storm Reid, told Stylecaster that “the best hairstyling starts in the shampoo bowl” of Sturdivant-Drew. emphasized the message.
“Product knowledge is important and should help you achieve silk printing. This technique uses a lot of heat to achieve a flat, silky look, so you need a moisturizing product to seal in the hair. ” Garvey added. When performing a silk press, Garvey’s process begins with a shampoo and conditioner, followed by a leave-in conditioner, a heat protectant, and then a blow dry. Then use an iron to seal the style with oil or hair straightening serum. (My personal favorites are CHI Infra Silk Infusion and Color Wow Extra Strength Dream Coat.)
Color Wow Extra Strength Dream Coat Moisture Proof Treatment
How to maintain a silk press?
Achieving the freshly silk-pressed look can sometimes be difficult. That’s why Monroe suggests prioritizing “wrapping your hair with a silk or satin scarf at night or during exercise.” Additionally, “To keep your hair feeling silky without weighing it down, use a light oil or shine spray.”
If you need to reapply heat, “use your iron on a very low setting,” says Monroe.
