Last week, Tracee Ellis Ross launched Pattern Beauty’s Heat Styling Essentials collection featuring silk-pressed stars Anderson .Paak and Ryan Destiny. But, while their bobs were silky straight—via the new Vibrating Flat Iron—  Ross’ long, black hair proved not all silk presses have to be. 

It’s the first time in years since Ross has been seen with straight hair. Naturally, her silk press was more fluffy, voluminous, and textured than the campaign’s co-stars, which left her customers with one question: How silky does a silk press actually have to be? For Ross, it doesn’t necessarily have to be at all. 

“Heat is heat. It is what it is,” Ross told ESSENCE exclusively. Often seen in low-manipulation styles, like afros, blowouts, and cornrows, her textured silk press is all about heat styling without the damage. Which is why “the vibration is ensuring you have to do less passes so you don’t have to keep tugging on your hair.” 

Ahead, celebrity hairstylist Lurissa Ingrid tells all about how to achieve Tracee Ellis Ross’ textured silk press—and make it last this season. 

Use the Right Shampoo 

Buildup on your hair and scalp is what may be making you feel like doing more passes with your flat iron than necessary. And, as a result, causing smoke and damaging your hair’s cuticle. Instead, start with the right shampoo. “My go-to product when doing a silk press is a clarifying shampoo,” Ingrid says, like Pattern Beauty’s Detox Shampoo, Cécred’s Detoxifying Shampoo, or Kenra Professional’s Clarify Shampoo. “This preps the hair and cleanses it from all oils, waxes, or creams that build up in our hair during the styling process.” 

If your hair requires more hydration, Ingrid says, “a moisturizing shampoo is key to lock hydration back into your hair. This sets you up for the heat styling afterwards.”

Use Deep Conditioner and Leave-In

Conditioning is a must prior to a silk press. A conditioner can help boost shine, prevent breakage, and protect your hair from too much humidity, which will make your silk press last longer. “I always deep condition and follow up with a leave-in conditioner,” Ingrid says. 

Amika’s The Wizard Detangling Primer, a 2-in-1 heat protectant and leave-in conditioner, is Ingrid’s silicone-free go-to. Meanwhile, other conditioners and primers, like KeraCare’s Humecto Creme Conditioner, Cécred’s Moisturizing Deep Conditioner, and Pattern Beauty’s new Blowout Primer are good options for silk presses as their formulas repair damaged hair, prevent future breakage, and boost shine.

Avoid High-Heat, Use Less Passes

“If you are trying your silk press at home, I would suggest you monitor your heat level on your hot tools to prevent heat damage,” she says. “After you silk press you want to refrain from the use of heat for a while. This service shouldn’t be done every week to preserve your natural curl pattern.”

In the meantime, Ingrid recommends heatless curls to maintain your look, such as flexi rods, pin curls, or curl formers. To help monitor heat and lower risk of damage, the Dyson Corrale™ Hair Straightener has regulated heat control up to 410 degrees and Pattern Beauty’s Vibrating Flat Iron limits the amount of passes necessary for a silk press.

Sweat (But, Not Too Much!)

It’s true, a textured silk press isn’t afraid of humidity since a little moisture is what gives straightened hair its more fluff and volume. But, according to Ingrid, your silk press can typically last up to two weeks by limiting sweat just a little. “Moisture and humidity will revert your tresses to their natural state,” she says. So, even with a textured silk press, “you want to refrain from activities that make you sweat too much.”

Ingrid recommends Amika’s The Shield Humidity Spray as it’s a humidity blocker formulated specifically for muggy, wet weather or a day at the gym. 

Use a Scarf At Night 

“Make sure you cover your hair at night and during vigorous activities such as working out,” says Ingrid. For the silkiest silk press, you should wrap your hair around your head and secure your style with a silk or mesh wrap under your scarf. But, for textured presses, loosely pin curling or wrapping it up in a silk scarf does the trick.

Author: India Espy-Jones

Read the original article on Essence.