When it involves straightening textured hair, two methods have lengthy reigned supreme: the silk press and the blowout. Both are celebrated for delivering smooth, easy strands that spotlight the sweetness and flexibility of pure hair. Still, selecting between the 2 is not at all times easy. Factors like hair well being, styling preferences, and the extent of upkeep you are keen to decide to can all affect which choice is finest for you.
So, is one approach really higher for textured hair? To discover out, we tapped knowledgeable stylists Sophia Emmanuel, Jacqui McIntosh, and Nafisah Carter to interrupt down every thing you must find out about silk presses and blowouts—from the methods to how one can keep your model for optimum longevity.
What Is a Silk Press?
Carter says that a silk press is a approach that entails blow-drying the hair after which smoothing it with a flat iron. “After the hair is blown out, it’s straightened using a hot tool such as a flat iron, straightening comb, or a combination of both,” she provides. “Some stylists wrap the hair and place their client under a dryer for a few minutes before combing it out.”
What Is a Blowout?
“A blowout is a technique that uses a round brush and a blow dryer to heat style hair,” Emmanuel says. “It is used to add voluminous curls that differ in size for a straight-to-sleek finished style.” Renowned for his or her versatility, McIntosh says blowouts can prep hair for different types, together with twist-outs and updos.
Silk Press vs. Blowout
Tools
To obtain a silk press, you’ll need a paddle brush and a blow dryer with a comb attachment. “These tools will help you achieve a smooth but voluminous blowout from the roots of your hair to the ends before it is flat-ironed,” Emmanuel explains. Emmanuel recommends utilizing ceramic flat irons to straighten hair as they “release heat evenly and have a gentler glide as opposed to titanium flat irons that heat up quicker, get hotter and can burn hair if they’re not used carefully.”
For blowouts, you will not want as many instruments. The look might be achieved with different-sized spherical brushes and a blow dryer. “Rollers are also used in some techniques,” Emmanuel provides.
Technique
When it involves a silk press, preparation is crucial. Your hair will must be completely shampooed and conditioned earlier than styling. “This should preferably be done using a smoothing or hydrating shampoo/conditioner,” Carter explains. “While the hair is damp, apply your leave-in conditioner, warmth protectant, and any product you’ll use for smoothing and humidity resistance.
Once your hair has been prepped, it can must be blow-dried till it is absolutely dry. “Once hair is dry, it can be straightened in small sections using a flat iron or a combination of a straightening comb at the roots and a flat iron through the rest of the hair,” Carter says.
For blowouts, you may have to shampoo and situation beforehand, and apply a warmth protectant or volumizing spray. “Once you apply the products to your hair, divide it into six to eight sections to make it easier to blow-dry your hair,” Emmanuel says. “For each section, you’ll need to use a round brush to dry your hair while creating smooth or voluminous curls.”
If you like a smoother end on your blowout, then ask your stylist to make use of a massive brush. “Smaller brushes create tight to medium curls or a bend at the ends,” Emmanuel provides.
Temperature
The temperatures used for a silk press will rely in your hair’s texture, porosity, and well being, in addition to the kind of flat iron you utilize. “There’s no one-size-fits-all recommendation when it comes to temperature,” Emmanuel says. “If you’re using a flat iron, the settings will need to be adjusted based on your hair type and the overall health of your hair.”
The distinction between a silk press and a blowout is that a blowout makes use of average warmth, whereas a silk press requires a greater temperature to attain a easy, shiny look. Whichever temperature you select, it is important at all times to make use of a warmth protectant to keep away from warmth injury.
Longevity
McIntosh says that a silk press can final between one and two weeks with correct care. “Humidity-proofing your hair is essential if you want it to last,” she provides. Another strategy to protect the model is to wrap or pin-curl your hair at evening.
A blowout would not final so long as a silk press, in accordance with our consultants. For finer or oily hair, the model sometimes holds for round three to 5 days. Those with thicker, coarser textures can usually retain a blowout for longer—generally as much as 5–10 days. “If you lead an active lifestyle or you have an oily scalp, this can shorten the duration of the style,” Emmanuel provides.
Is One Better Than the Other?
All our consultants say that one approach is not higher for textured hair than the opposite. “Both styles require skill and an understanding of the hair’s texture, porosity, and controlling heat usage to prevent damage,” Emmanuel says. “Silk presses tend to work best for type 3c through to 4c as they last longer and there is less pulling from the round brush on these hair types.”
Ultimately, your alternative may rely in your private preferences. “Silk presses are ideal for those who desire ultra-smooth hair without chemical straighteners,” McIntosh says. However, if you wish to cut back the quantity of warmth you apply to your hair, then a blowout may be higher for you. “Blowouts stretch and smooth the hair without the higher temperatures that are required for a silk press,” Carter says.