Achieving a successful silk press at home can be a challenging task. However, there are some key factors that can help you achieve a "win-win" result and avoid an epic fail.
Products & Cleansing- The first step to achieving a successful silk press at home is choosing the right products and cleansing your hair properly. Look for products that are protein-free and hydrating, and avoid those that contain alcohol or sulfates. These ingredients can dry out your hair and make it more susceptible to heat damage. Cleansing your hair of all dirt and products is essential to get the best results. Additionally, conditioning your hair well is important to insert moisture back into the hair and prevent dryness. By using the right products and cleansing your hair properly, you can ensure that your hair is prepared for the silk press process.
Patience & Time- Allotting an adequate amount of time for each step in the silk press process is crucial for achieving the desired result. Rushing through any step can negatively affect the final outcome. Recently I flat-ironed my hair and did a deep condition. However, this particular (deep conditioner) had protein in it and I don’t believe I rinsed it out fully, which caused my hair to have less movement.
Blow Drying Method- When blow-drying your hair, it's important to use the right heat level for your hair type. Coarser hair can handle higher heat levels than finer hair. In addition, using a heat protectant is essential to prevent heat damage and keep your hair healthy. It's important to choose a heat protectant that is lightweight and won't weigh your hair down. A little goes a long way with heat protectants, and overuse can actually cause damage to your hair. Personally, I recommend Kenra Blow Dry Spray as it is a lightweight and effective heat protectant that can cut down your blow-drying time in half without using any additional products before you flat-iron your hair.
Healthy Ends- The ends of our hair is the part of our hair thats been on our hair the longest. The hair closest to the scalp may be 2 weeks - several months old, but the hair all the way at the end can be upward 6-7 years old (imagine all of the heat, weather, styling etc that It’s been through). The ends of our hair (especially curly hair) tangle into each other, curly hair wraps around itself and other strands of hair, it rubs against fabric and materials (cotton, material from the couch etc..). Make sure to have your ends trimmed regularly to avoid tangles and to help retain your hair length.
Flat Iron Technique- There are so many techniques to flat iron hair, I’d suggest to section the hair in 4-8 sections and follow a small/medium tooth comb or soft brush with a ceramic flat iron with 1-2 passes.
In Part 2 we will talk about how to make it last just a little bit longer.
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