If you love the sleek, smooth look of a traditional silk press but crave more volume and bounce, you’re in for a treat. Enter the fluffy silk press—a fresh take on the classic style that’s quickly taking over salons and Instagram feeds. Unlike the traditional silk press, which is known for its ultra-sleek, straight finish, the fluffy press combines the best of both worlds: the sleekness of a silk press with the added fullness, body, and movement. We spoke to hairstylist Lacy Redway and cosmetologist Stanley Nolan to break down everything you need to know about this trendy natural hairstyle.
What Is a Fluffy Silk Press?
A fluffy silk press (sometimes called a round brush blowout) is a fun twist on the traditional silk press, creating volume at the roots while maintaining a soft, sleek finish. The goal is to achieve a sleek look that’s not pin-straight, but instead has more body and movement—think of it like a blowout with the added smoothness of a silk press. “It mimics a blowout and lets you enjoy the sleekness of a silk press but with more body and fullness,” explains Lacy Redway. This style is perfect for anyone looking to add some bounce and texture to their hair without sacrificing the smooth finish.
How to Achieve a Fluffy Silk Press
Step 1: Clean and Moisturize
Start with clean, hydrated hair. Redway recommends using a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo to cleanse the scalp and hair, followed by a moisturizing conditioner to ensure your strands are soft and ready for styling. Well-moisturized hair holds a silk press better and is less prone to frizz.
Step 2: Apply Heat Protectant
Before using any hot tools, make sure to apply a heat protectant to your hair. This will shield your strands from heat damage while keeping them shiny and smooth.
Step 3: Blow-Dry with a Round Brush
Next, blow-dry your hair in sections using a round brush. Stanley Nolan advises experimenting with different brush sizes to adjust the volume. “The larger the round brush, the more volume you’ll get,” she says. Focus on lifting the roots to create extra fullness. This step is key to getting that fluffy, bouncy texture.
Step 4: Straighten or Use Hot Rollers
For the next step, you can either use a flat iron or hot rollers. If you prefer to keep some texture, use a flat iron on low to medium heat and do just one or two passes. “Start at the root and gently move down the hair shaft,” says Redway. For a softer look, use hot rollers to add volume and bounce. Let the rollers cool completely before removing them to lock in the fullness.
Step 5: Finishing Touches
Once your hair is styled, finish the look with a light-hold hairspray to help your fluffy press last longer. You can also add a shine serum for extra gloss.
Tips for Maintaining a Fluffy Silk Press
Maintaining your fluffy silk press is simple with the right products and techniques.
1. Keep It Shiny and Healthy
To keep your hair shiny and frizz-free, apply a lightweight oil or shine serum, like the SheaMoisture Amla Oil Bonding Oil, every few days. Redway recommends this oil for its frizz control and moisturizing properties.
2. Protect Your Volume at Night
To preserve your fluffy press, protect it while you sleep. Wrap your hair in a silk scarf or bonnet to reduce friction and prevent frizz. Silk materials help your hair retain moisture and keep your style intact. To maintain your volume and shape, you can also pin curl your hair overnight. “Set your hair with pins and use a bonnet to keep the shape,” says Redway.
The Final Takeaway
The fluffy silk press is a modern update on the classic sleek press, designed to give you a voluminous, bouncy look with less heat. With a focus on root volume and soft texture, this style combines the sleekness of a silk press with the body of a blowout. It’s easy to achieve with minimal heat—just a few passes with a flat iron or using hot rollers—and easy to maintain with the right care. So, if you’re ready for a fresh, full-bodied style, the fluffy silk press is definitely worth trying!
Related Topics:
Top 5 Female Hairstyles to Try in 2024