Best silk press products for shiny, healthy natural hair

A silk press has been my go-to style this winter. I love the ease of getting ready for work in the morning and the versatility. I’ve managed to avoid heat damage, and I credit that to going to a salon with skilled stylists and having a consistent routine with high quality products. Heat protectant is extremely important — but it’s not the only product you need to ensure your strands stay healthy and strong.

Here are the products you need to get a shiny silk press and keep your hair damage free:

1. Bond builder/repair treatment. Different from protein treatments, bond building and repair treatments have amino acids and peptides that repair damaged bonds and strengthen hair strands. There are many types of bond treatments on the market and each have their own formulas. Before a silk press, I start with Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector, which has been my go-to product for the past two years. If my hair has been through a lot, I use Olaplex No. 0 first, which acts as a booster to No. 3. Additionally, if I happen to be heat styling more than once a month, I’ll use K18 Lave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask prior to blow drying.
2. Moisturizing and clarifying shampoo. To get a silky silk press, your hair needs to be clean. Dirt, sweat, and product build up on your hair and scalp over time, and it’s important to use a shampoo that can clean and clarify your strands and scalp without totally stripping your hair of moisture. I’m a huge fan of Carol’s Daughter Wash Day Delight Water-to-Foam Shampoo. It has a nozzle on it that you can use to get right to your scalp. It’s made with aloe, which my hair loves, so it moisturizes and micellar water which cleanses away dirt, sweat, and product without stripping the hair. I also sometimes use Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo.
3. Deep conditioner or a hair mask. You cannot skip this step if you’re using heat on your hair! My favorite deep conditioners are Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Masque and Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask. For a really hydrating treatment, I’ll mix one of these with one to two teaspoons of Curly Proverbz Alma or Henna masque.
4. Heat protectant. Never put direct heat on your hair without heat protectant. My favorites right now are Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil, Olaplex No. 9 Bond Prector Nourishing Hair Serum, and CHI Keratin Silk Infusion.
5. A serum or oil. This last step is optional, but a good serum will help you with flyaways and frizz. Olaplex No. 7 is great for this. I also like Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum.

What is your straight hair routine and what are your favorite products? Share your tips in the comments!

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