3 Ways You’re Ruining Your Client’s Silk Press

3 Silk Press Mistakes You’re Making & How To Fix Them

There’s something so satisfying about watching stylists transition curls into silky, straight strands. A silk press is the perfect service to help clients switch up their style, but if you can’t seem to get the sleek, bouncy finish you (and your client) love, we’ve got you covered! Silk press experts and BTC Team Members Glenn Nelsen (@glenn_hairartist87) and Kendra Alia (@ken__lili) explained the most common silk press mistakes and how to avoid them below!

Mistake #1: Using Large Sections When Blow Drying

Before you even touch a flat iron, you need to prep the hair properly for a flawless silk press. Glenn says the most common mistake he sees stylists make is blow drying in large sections. “This makes it difficult for the hair to dry evenly and straight, which then ends up making the stylist use multiple passes with the flatiron to straighten the hair,” he says. You should only have to pass through a section once or twice with a flat iron, because the blow dry did most of the straightening. 

Combat that by instead sectioning the hair into four to six sections. Apply a leave-in conditioner or blow drying lotion to the hair, like the Moroccanoil® All In One Leave-In Conditioner, to help moisturize and detangle before blow drying. When you’re ready to blow dry, Glenn advises taking a ½-inch or smaller subsection and blow dry vertically using a paddle brush. 

Pro Tip: Never trap the hair between the brush and blow dryer. This gives the heated air nowhere to escape which can cause heat damage.

Mistake #2: Applying Too Much Product

Being heavy-handed with your products can weigh down your client’s hair, leaving it flat and limp at the finish. “I ensure a bouncy, sleek look by knowing how much product to use per client,” says Kendra. “When the hair is dense or long, it will require more product. But, when the hair is short or less dense, you want to use less product.”

That’s why Kendra finishes her silk press clients with an overall spray of Moroccanoil® Luminous Hairspray Medium—it’s lightweight, but still provides moveable hold. Glenn’s fave finishers are also lightweight—Moroccanoil® Mending Fusion to tame the ends and Moroccanoil® Treatment Light, which adds a shiny finish.

Watch Kendra finish her client’s silk press using Moroccanoil®’s Luminous Hairspray Medium!

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Kendra Alia | Hair Artist (@ken__lili)

Mistake #3: Using The Same Process On Each Client

“The best way to ensure the perfect result every time is to approach each and every guest with an open mind,” says Glenn. “For me, hair is a fabric and each person comes with a different set of needs, so you cannot box yourself into a ‘one-size-fits-all’ instruction sheet.”

For example, if a client needs hydration, think about what products would help with that, like the Moroccanoil® Weightless Hydration Mask. Or, maybe you need to decide between using a blow drying lotion versus a serum for the client’s texture? Figure out what the hair needs and form a plan at the beginning, so you know what products and techniques will help you get the best result.

Check out this stunning before & after from Glenn!

Shop all the Moroccanoil® products Kendra and Glenn use here!

Bonus Tip: Scheduling The Service

Every client’s hair texture and length is different, so make sure you’re setting yourself up for success when scheduling silk press clients. If you work by alone, Glenn recommends blocking off 90 minutes for a basic silk press service. “This is not including any additional services, such as a trim or intense treatments that can be added on. I work with one client at a time, so that way no one feels rushed and each client can have my full attention,” he says.

If you have help at the salon, you can schedule your silk press services an hour apart as Kendra does. She adds, “Rather than double booking, I book to where the clients can flow from the shampoo bowl to the styling chair.”