32 Stunning Silk Press Hairstyles for Women — Salon-Pro Looks

Hi, I’m Lena — a salon stylist with over 10 years behind the chair. Silk presses are one of my favorite services for women who want a polished, heat-straightened finish without chemical relaxers. In this post I’m sharing 32 silk press hairstyles from my salon gallery, ranging from bone-straight sleek to soft blown-out waves and edge-defined finishes. These looks suit women with natural, coily, or kinky textures who want smoothness, shine, and versatility for events or everyday wear. Success starts with hair health: detangle gently, deep-condition before your service, always use a heat protectant, and choose the lowest effective iron temperature. I recommend a professional blowout using tension techniques, a quality ceramic or titanium flat iron, and lightweight finishing serums to lock in shine. Browse the gallery for step-by-step styling cues and product notes that will help you recreate or customize each look in-salon or at home.

Voluminous Layered Blowout with Face‑Framing Curls (Medium‑Long Hair)

A classic salon-style layered blowout that creates soft, face‑framing curls and long-lasting volume. Best suited to medium to thick hair and relaxed or straightened natural textures; fine hair can achieve similar lift with a volumizing base and lighter layering. Technique: start with a volumizing shampoo and conditioner, apply a heat protectant and a lightweight root-lifting mousse. Section hair and blow-dry using a 1.5–2 inch round brush and a concentrator nozzle, rolling each section under to form the curl; set larger pieces on velcro or thermal rollers to cool. Finish by lightly re‑defining ends with a 1–1.25 inch curling iron if needed, brush out gently for soft waves, and seal with a flexible-hold hairspray and a small amount of shine serum. Tools: blow dryer with nozzle, large ceramic round brush, clips, velcro or thermal rollers, 1–1.25 in curling iron. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root lifter, smoothing cream, light oil/serum, flexible hairspray. Difficulty: intermediate — timing and brush control matter. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillowcase or loose satin scarf, refresh with dry shampoo and low-heat re-curling, and trim every 8–12 weeks to maintain shape.

Voluminous Side‑Swept Curls with Deep Side Part — Soft Vintage Waves

This polished side‑swept curl style suits medium to long hair and works best on straight, relaxed, or lightly textured hair; thicker hair yields more lasting volume while finer hair benefits from root lift and texturizing products. Technique: create a deep side part, blow‑dry with a round brush to build smooth volume at the roots, then use a large‑barrel curling iron or hot rollers to form soft, uniform curls away from the face. Allow curls to cool fully, then gently brush or finger‑comb for flowing waves and set the side sweep into place. Tools needed: blow dryer with concentrator, large round brush (2–3 in), 1¼–1½ in curling iron or hot rollers, sectioning clips, boar‑bristle or paddle brush, tail comb. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root‑lift spray, lightweight smoothing cream or styling balm, flexible/medium‑hold hairspray, and a small amount of shine serum or oil. Difficulty level: intermediate — requires controlled sectioning and thermal technique. Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk pillowcase or use a loose silk scarf, refresh waves with a light mist and scrunch, avoid daily washing, and trim every 6–8 weeks to keep shape.

Side-Swept Deep Part with Voluminous Barrel Curls — Smooth Blowout Finish

This polished side-swept style pairs a deep part and smooth root with soft, voluminous barrel curls — ideal for medium to thick hair textures and for natural, relaxed, or chemically straightened hair. Technique: start with a precision deep side part, smooth the roots with a blow-dry and round brush or a low-temperature flat iron, then create body with large-barrel curling iron or hot rollers, wrapping sections away from the face. Allow curls to cool, finger-comb or brush through gently for continuous S-shaped waves, and set the side-swept bang into place with light clips while cooling. Tools needed: blow dryer with nozzle, 1–1.5 curling iron or hot rollers, round brush, flat iron (optional), sectioning clips, and a fine tail comb. Products required: heat protectant, lightweight styling cream or smoothing balm, setting lotion or mousse for hold, medium-hold hairspray, shine mist, and edge control for clean hairline. Difficulty: moderate — requires basic heat-styling skill and timing for setting/cooling. Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk pillow or use a satin bonnet, refresh with low-heat touch-ups or a steamer, avoid heavy oils that weigh curls down, and re-style or trim every 4–6 weeks to maintain shape and shine.

Side‑Swept Hollywood Waves for Long, Voluminous Hair

This polished side‑swept Hollywood wave works best on medium to thick hair or long hair extensions; fine hair can achieve the look with root‑lifting products and clip‑in lengths, and natural textures should be blow‑dried smooth first. Technique: create a deep side part, blow‑dry with a round brush for smooth roots and volume, then section hair and wrap medium‑to‑large sections around a 1

Deep Side-Part Voluminous Hollywood Waves for Thick, Shoulder-Length Hair

This glamorous, deep side-parted Hollywood wave is best suited to medium‑to‑thick hair and works well on straight to gently wavy or relaxed textures at shoulder length or longer. Start on clean, towel‑dried hair: apply a heat protectant, a light volumizing mousse at roots and a smoothing cream through mid‑lengths. Blow‑dry using a round brush to build root lift and smooth the cuticle. Create a deep side part, section the hair into horizontal layers, and curl with a 1¼–1½ inch curling iron or large hot rollers, curling away from the face for uniform waves. Pin each curl into place to cool for long‑lasting shape, then release and gently brush or finger‑comb into soft S‑waves. Finish with a flexible‑hold hairspray, a light shine serum on ends, and a root lift spray if needed. Tools: round brush, blow dryer, 1¼–1½ curling iron or hot rollers, clips, boar‑bristle brush. Difficulty: intermediate — takes 45–75 minutes depending on length. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillowcase or pin curls, refresh with dry shampoo and a light mist of spray starch or hairspray, and avoid heavy oils at roots to preserve volume.

Voluminous Side-Swept Hollywood Curls for Medium to Long Hair

A salon-ready, side-swept style featuring deep-parted, glossy cascading curls that frame the face. Best suited for medium to long hair and adaptable to natural, relaxed, or straightened textures, this look builds volume without stiffness. Begin with clean, towel-dried hair: apply a heat protectant and a lightweight root-lifting mousse. Blow-dry with a large round brush to create lift at the crown and smooth the lengths. Create a deep side part, section hair, and use a 1¼–1½ curling iron or large hot rollers to form loose curls, always curling away from the face. Hold each curl until cool, then gently brush or finger-comb to blend into soft waves. Finish with a flexible-hold hairspray to retain movement and a dab of shine serum on the ends for polish. Tools: hairdryer, large round brush, curling iron or hot rollers, sectioning clips, tail comb. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, smoothing cream, flexible-hold hairspray, shine serum. Difficulty: intermediate (35–60 minutes). Maintenance: sleep on silk, refresh roots with dry shampoo, touch up face-framing pieces, and trim every 8–12 weeks.

Voluminous Layered Blowout with Side-Swept Waves

This polished, side-swept blowout with soft, cascading waves suits medium to thick hair and works well on naturally straight, wavy, or relaxed textures; fine hair can achieve the look with added root-lifting products or temporary extensions. Technique: start with a volumizing shampoo and conditioner, towel-dry, then apply heat protectant and a lightweight mousse or root-lift at the crown. Section hair and perform a round-brush blowout using a nozzle for concentrated airflow to build root lift and bend in the ends. Create large, uniform curls with a 1¼–1½ inch curling iron or large hot rollers, curling away from the face on top sections. Cool the curls, brush gently to form soft waves, and set with a medium-hold hairspray. Tools needed: hairdryer with nozzle, large round brush, 1¼–1½” curling iron or hot rollers, sectioning clips, tail comb, paddle/boar-bristle brush. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse/root lift, smoothing cream or serum, medium-hold hairspray, shine spray. Difficulty: moderate — requires round-brush technique and curling consistency. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillow or loosely wrap in a satin scarf, refresh roots with dry shampoo, re-shape face-framing pieces with a quick curl, and deep-condition weekly; trim every 8–12 weeks to keep layers alive.

Sleek Side-Parted Vintage Waves — Smooth Blowout for Medium to Thick Hair

This polished, side-parted vintage wave is ideal for medium to thick hair textures and for natural curls that have been stretched or heat-smoothed; it also works beautifully on relaxed or straight hair. Start with a professional blowout using a round brush or comb blow-dry to create a smooth base and defined side part. Section hair and create large C-shaped waves with a 1¼–1½ inch curling iron or Marcel iron, or set hair in large pin curls; allow curls to cool fully before releasing. Tools: blow dryer with nozzle, round brush, tail comb, large-barrel curling iron or Marcel iron, sectioning clips, boar-bristle brush. Products: heat protectant, lightweight smoothing cream or serum, setting lotion or mousse for hold during setting, medium-hold hairspray, and a shine serum to finish. Difficulty: intermediate — requires control of heat and brush-out technique to form seamless waves. Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk or satin scarf/bonnet to preserve shape, refresh waves with a light mist and gentle re-brush or touch-up with a flat iron on low heat, and trim ends every 8–12 weeks to keep the silhouette clean.

Voluminous Side-Swept Hollywood Waves for Medium‑Long Hair

Suitability: This glossy, side‑swept Hollywood wave works best on straight to slightly wavy hair with medium to thick density and medium‑long lengths. Fine hair can achieve the look with volumizing products and root padding; very curly or coarse hair will need a smoothing blowout first. Styling technique: Start with a heat‑protectant and light volumizing mousse on damp hair. Blow‑dry with a concentrator nozzle and a large (2–3) round brush to create root lift and a smooth base. Section hair and form S‑shaped waves with a 1.25–1.5 curling iron or large hot rollers, curling away from the face on top sections. Pin each curl to cool completely, then unclip and brush gently with a boar‑bristle brush to blend into continuous waves. Tools needed: blow dryer with nozzle, large round brush, curling iron or hot rollers, tail comb, vents/clips, boar‑bristle brush. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root lifter, smoothing cream or serum, medium‑hold hairspray, light shine spray. Difficulty: Moderate — requires sectioning, temperature control and pinning; expect 45–75 minutes. Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk pillowcase or silk scarf, refresh with dry shampoo and a light oil on ends, touch up waves with a curling iron as needed, and trim every 8–12 weeks to keep weight and shape controlled.

Salon-Style Voluminous Blowout with Feathered Layers and Side-Swept Bang

This glossy, voluminous blowout with feathered layers and a side-swept curtain bang suits medium to thick straight or slightly wavy hair best. Fine hair can get similar body with root-lifting products or temporary extensions; very curly or coily textures will need a professional blowout or smoothing step first. Technique: shampoo and deep-condition, towel-dry, apply heat protectant and a light volumizing mousse at the roots. Section hair and blow-dry using a fine-toothed comb and a large (2–2.5) round brush to create root lift and inward-curved ends; finish shaping with a large-barrel curling iron or flat iron to smooth and bend the lengths, then brush through for soft feathering. Tools needed: blow dryer with nozzle, large round brush, clips, paddle brush, 1–1.25 curling iron or flat iron, wide-tooth comb. Products: sulfate-free cleanser, moisturizing conditioner, heat protectant, root lift mousse, smoothing serum, light-hold hairspray, shine spray. Difficulty: intermediate — requires practiced sectioning and round-brushing. Maintenance: trim every 8–10 weeks, refresh with dry shampoo and warm rolls or quick flat-iron shaping, sleep on silk to preserve shine and reduce frizz.

Glossy Bouncy Blowout with Side‑Swept Bangs

This polished, voluminous blowout with side‑swept bangs suits medium to long hair and works well on straight, relaxed, or heat‑stretched natural textures. For wavy or fine hair, add a volumizing mousse at the roots; for coarser or tighter curl patterns, begin with a thorough blowout or a hot‑setting/roller set to achieve smooth, wide curls. Technique: shampoo, apply a heat protectant and lightweight mousse, then rough‑dry. Section hair and blow‑dry with a large round brush (1.5–2 in) and a concentrator nozzle for lift. Set the ends and inner sections with medium hot rollers or a 1–1.25 in curling iron, allow to cool completely, then gently brush through to create soft, bouncy waves. Tools needed: blow dryer with nozzle, large round brush, hot rollers or curling iron, clips, tail comb. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, smoothing cream or serum, light‑hold flexible hairspray, shine mist. Difficulty: intermediate — about 45–60 minutes. Maintenance: nightly satin wrap or bonnet, refresh with a light mist and quick re‑curl as needed, dry shampoo at roots, deep condition weekly and trim every 6–8 weeks to preserve shape.

Voluminous Deep Side-Part Barrel Curls on Long Layers

This polished, voluminous style suits straight to wavy or relaxed natural hair and medium-to-thick textures; fine hair can achieve the look with added mousse and extensions for fullness. Start with a precision long layered cut and a deep side part. Technique: blow-dry smooth with a round brush to create root lift and curved ends, then use a 1–1.5 barrel curling iron or hot rollers to form large, uniform barrel curls away from the face. Clip each curl to cool for longer hold, then gently brush through with a boar-bristle or wide-tooth brush to soften into cascading waves. Tools: blow dryer, medium round brush, tail comb, sectioning clips, 1–1.5 curling iron or hot rollers, boar-bristle brush. Products: thermal protectant, lightweight mousse or root-volume spray, smoothing cream or serum, medium-hold hairspray, and optional shine spray. Difficulty: moderate — requires sectioning and consistent barrel size. Maintenance: sleep on a silk/satin pillowcase or loosely wrap with a silk scarf, refresh with a light mist of leave-in and reheat isolated sections if needed, and trim every 8–12 weeks to preserve shape and prevent split ends.

Voluminous Retro S‑Waves — Blowout for Medium to Long Hair

This glossy, voluminous blowout with retro-inspired S-waves is ideal for medium to long hair and works best on normal to thick textures. Fine hair can achieve the same silhouette with root-lifting mousse or temporary wefts, while textured or chemically relaxed hair should be smoothed with a flat iron first. Start on towel-dried hair: apply a heat protectant and a volumizing mousse, then rough-dry using a concentrator nozzle and a large boar-bristle round brush to build root lift. Section hair into 1.5–2 panels, wrap each section around a 1.25–1.5 curling iron or set with jumbo hot rollers, and allow to cool fully. Gently brush through with a soft bristle brush to form smooth cascading waves, lightly backcomb at the crown for extra lift, and finish with a medium-hold hairspray plus a small amount of shine serum on the ends. Tools: blow dryer, large round brush, curling iron or hot rollers, sectioning clips, tail comb. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, smoothing cream/serum, medium-hold hairspray, dry shampoo. Difficulty: intermediate — requires precise sectioning and timing. Maintenance: sleep on silk or wrap loosely, refresh with dry shampoo and light re‑curling on day 2–3, and trim every 8–10 weeks to maintain shape.

Glamorous Voluminous Blowout with Soft Vintage Waves

This glossy, voluminous blowout with soft vintage waves is ideal for medium to thick hair and can be adapted for straight, relaxed, or natural textured hair after a professional blow-dry. Fine hair can wear this look with added root-lifting products and smaller sections, though longevity may be reduced. Technique: work on clean, towel-dried hair; apply a heat protectant and a lightweight volumizing mousse or root lifter. Blow-dry in sections with a medium–large round brush (2–3) and a nozzle to create lift at the roots, then set large sections with hot rollers or a 1.5–2 curling iron. Allow curls to cool fully, remove rollers, and gently brush or finger-comb into smooth waves; define a side-swept fringe and finish with light back-combing at the crown if extra height is desired. Tools and products: blow dryer with concentrator, round brush, large-barrel curling iron or hot rollers, sectioning clips, tail comb, heat protectant, volumizing mousse, smoothing serum, and a light-to-medium hold hairspray. Difficulty: moderate; expect 45–75 minutes depending on length. Maintenance: sleep on a silk/satin pillow or wrap, refresh with dry shampoo or a quick curl touch-up, deep-condition weekly, and trim every 8–12 weeks to maintain shape and shine.

Voluminous S-Waves with Deep Side Part — Glam Retro Curls

Suitability: Best for medium to thick hair and relaxed, natural, or chemically straightened textures that hold heat-set curls. Fine hair can achieve the look with root-lifting products and tighter setting. Very coarse 4C textures may require a blowout beforehand for the smooth S-shape. Styling technique: Start with a smooth blowout and define a deep side part. Section hair and set large S-shaped curls using a 1¼–1½-inch curling iron or large hot rollers. Clip curls to cool to lock the shape. Once cool, gently brush through with a boar-bristle or paddle brush to create continuous S-waves and shape the face-framing sweep. Use your fingers and clips to position volume at the crown. Tools needed: Blow dryer with nozzle, round brush, large-barrel curling iron or hot rollers, clips, tail comb, boar-bristle brush. Products required: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root lift, smoothing serum/cream, flexible-hold hairspray, lightweight shine spray. Difficulty: Intermediate — requires sectioning, heat control and shaping. Maintenance tips: Sleep on a silk scarf or pillowcase, refresh with low-heat touch-ups or a light mist of setting spray, avoid heavy oils that weigh curls down, and deep-condition weekly to maintain shine.

Voluminous Side‑Swept Blowout with Soft Vintage Waves

This polished, side‑swept blowout with soft vintage waves suits medium to thick hair and straight to gently wavy textures; very fine hair can achieve the look with added density (extensions or volumizing products), while coarse hair benefits from smoothing prep. Technique: start on towel‑dried hair with a root‑lift mousse, then rough‑dry to 80% using a concentrator nozzle. Section hair into 1–1.5 panels, use a large (2) round brush to blow dry each section, rolling the ends under to create bend. For stronger set, wrap finished sections on clips to cool before releasing. Blend and shape waves with a 1.25–1.5 curling iron or a flat iron for soft, uniform bends, then brush gently to smooth. Tools needed: blow dryer with nozzle, large round brush, sectioning clips, 1.25–1.5 iron, tail comb. Products required: heat protectant, root‑lift mousse or spray, lightweight smoothing cream/serum, flexible hairspray, shine mist. Difficulty: intermediate — requires control with a round brush and timing to set waves. Maintenance: sleep on silk, refresh with dry shampoo and a light touch‑up iron, trim every 6–8 weeks, and deep‑condition weekly if regularly heat‑styled.

Deep Side-Part Voluminous Hollywood Waves for Long Natural Hair

This glamorous deep side-part with voluminous Hollywood waves suits medium to thick hair and long layered lengths; it also works on relaxed or heat-stretched natural hair and on fine hair with added product or extensions for fullness. Start on clean, conditioned hair: apply a lightweight heat protectant and a volumizing mousse at roots. Blow-dry smooth with a large round brush or use a blowout and flat iron to pre-straighten. Create a pronounced deep side part with a tail comb. Use a large-barrel curling iron or Marcel iron (1.25–1.5) to form uniform S-shaped waves, curling sections away from the face and pinning each curl to cool for maximum hold. Release and gently brush through with a boar-bristle or paddle brush to blend into soft, glossy waves. Finish with a weightless shine serum on ends and a medium-flex hairspray to maintain movement. Difficulty: intermediate — expect 30–60 minutes. Maintenance: sleep on a silk bonnet or pillowcase, refresh waves with a light mist of water and a curl-defining cream, touch up front pieces with a curling iron, and deep-condition weekly to preserve shine and elasticity.

Glossy Retro Hollywood Waves — Side-Part S-Shaped Curls for Natural Hair

This polished Hollywood wave is ideal for medium to long lengths and works well on relaxed, heat-straightened or blown-out natural textures (3a–4a) as well as straight hair. Start with a precise deep side part, smooth the hair with a flat iron to remove kink, then create large S-shaped curls using a 1¼–1½ barrel curling iron or large hot rollers. Set each curl with duckbill clips or pin curls until cool, gently brush out with a medium boar-bristle brush to form soft, continuous waves, and sculpt the front sweep for a vintage finish. Tools: tail comb, blow dryer, flat iron, large-barrel curling iron or hot rollers, boar brush, duckbill clips. Products: heat protectant, lightweight root-lift mousse, smoothing balm or cream, medium-strong flexible hairspray, lightweight shine serum, edge control for baby hairs. Difficulty: Intermediate — requires timing and clip-setting to achieve smooth, uniform waves (45–75 minutes). Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk bonnet or pillowcase, refresh with a light mist and re-brush, avoid heavy oils that weigh waves down, and re-set with rollers or low-heat touch-ups to preserve shape and shine.

Deep Side Part with Sleek Blowout and Voluminous Barrel Curls

This look suits medium to thick hair and works well on relaxed, chemically-treated, or natural hair after a smooth blowout; it’s also ideal over sew-ins or extensions for added length and density. Technique: shampoo and condition, apply a leave-in and heat protectant, then blow-dry with a round brush to create a smooth root and body. Smooth the crown with a flat iron if needed, then create a deep side part. Use a 1–1.5 inch curling iron or large hot rollers to form uniform barrel curls, curling away from the face and pinning each curl to set. Release, finger-comb for softness, and finish by smoothing edges. Tools needed: blow dryer with nozzle, medium–large round brush, tail comb, sectioning clips, flat iron, 1–1.5” curling iron or hot rollers. Products required: heat protectant, lightweight mousse or setting lotion, smoothing serum or lightweight oil, flexible-hold hairspray, edge control. Difficulty: moderate — requires sectioning and heat styling; expect 45–90 minutes. Maintenance: sleep on a silk scarf/pillowcase, refresh curls with a quick reheat or curl refresher spray, avoid heavy oils that weigh curls down, and trim every 8–12 weeks to keep ends healthy.

Deep Vintage Curls with Side Part for Long Natural Hair

This polished, deep-curled look with a defined side part suits medium to long hair with medium to thick density — works well on 2C–4A textures, relaxed or heat-stretched natural hair. Start on clean, detangled hair: create a precise side part and section into 1–2

Voluminous Layered Bob with Side-Swept Bangs — Smooth Blowout Finish

A polished, voluminous layered bob with long side-swept bangs that reads both classic and modern. Suitability: works best on straight to wavy hair and relaxed or heat-stretched natural textures (fine to medium density). Very coarse or tightly coiled hair can achieve this look after smoothing or blowout prep. Styling technique: start on towel-dried hair — apply a root-lifting mousse and heat protectant, then section. Blow-dry with a concentrator nozzle using a large round brush (2–2.5/50–65mm) to create lift at the roots and a smooth inward bend at the ends; shape the bangs with the same brush to sweep across the forehead. For added bend and hold, softly set lengths with a 1–1.25 curling iron or large hot rollers and finish with a cool-shot to lock shape. Tools needed: blow dryer with nozzle, large round brush, clips, tail comb, 1–1.25 curling iron or flat iron, hot rollers (optional). Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse or root spray, smoothing cream/serum, flexible-hold hairspray, shine mist. Difficulty: Moderate — salon technique but doable at home with practice (25–45 minutes). Maintenance tips: trim every 6–8 weeks, deep-condition weekly, protect from nightly friction with a silk scarf or pillowcase, use dry shampoo between washes and avoid heavy oils at the roots to preserve lift.

Voluminous Side‑Parted Glam Waves with Large Barrel Curls

This polished, side‑parted glam wave is ideal for medium to long hair—natural, relaxed, or installed (weaves/wigs/closures). It works best on hair with medium to thick density; fine hair can achieve the look with texturizing products and light teasing. Start by smoothing damp hair with a thermal protectant and a volumizing mousse, then blow‑dry with a round brush to create lift at the roots. Establish a deep side part, section hair, and use a 1¼–1½ inch curling iron or large hot rollers to form uniform, face‑framing barrel curls. Pin each curl to cool for longer hold, then softly brush or finger‑comb the set into flowing waves. Tools: blow dryer with concentrator, round brush, curling iron or hot rollers, sectioning clips, tail comb, and paddle/boar brush. Products: heat protectant, volumizing mousse, light‑hold hairspray, shine serum or lightweight oil, and edge control for the hairline. Difficulty: moderate — requires sectioning and heat styling skills; allow 45–75 minutes. Maintenance: sleep on a silk scarf or pillowcase, refresh waves with a mist of water + leave‑in spray, avoid heavy oils at the roots, and retouch curls every 3–5 days.

Long Layered Blowout with Deep Side‑Swept Bangs

Salon-ready long layered blowout with deep side‑swept bangs is ideal for straightened or relaxed textures as well as naturally wavy hair with medium to thick density. The layered cut creates face‑framing movement and soft volume at the ends, flattering oval and heart face shapes. Styling technique: start on clean, towel-dried hair; apply heat protectant and a volumizing mousse at the roots. Blow-dry with a large round brush (1.5–2) using a concentrator nozzle, rolling sections under to build bend and body. For a super-smooth finish, run a flat iron gently through mid-lengths and curve the ends under. Set bangs with a small round brush or velcro roller and cool completely. Tools needed: blow dryer with nozzle, large and small round brushes, flat iron, sectioning clips, velcro/thermal rollers. Products required: heat protectant, lightweight smoothing serum, root lifter or mousse, medium-hold hairspray, shine mist. Difficulty: Intermediate — basic blowout and flat-ironing skills required. Maintenance: trim every 6–8 weeks, deep condition weekly, refresh with dry shampoo between washes, and sleep on a silk pillowcase or loose silk wrap to preserve shape.

Sleek Side-Part Deep Waves with Laid Baby Hairs

A salon-ready, side-swept deep wave finished with laid baby hairs — ideal for clients wanting polished volume and vintage glamour. Suitability: works best on mid-to-long hair and for textured hair that has been blow-dried or flat-ironed smooth (3A–4A types after a blowout), chemically relaxed hair, or hair with sewn/clip-in extensions for added length and density. Styling technique: create a clean, deep side part; smooth the part and top with a fine-tooth tail comb and an alcohol-free gel; set the top with finger waves or small pin curls. Use a large-barrel curling iron or hot rollers on the remaining hair, then brush into soft, defined waves and sweep to one side, securing discreetly with pins. Tools needed: blow dryer, round brush, tail comb, 1–1.5” curling iron or hot rollers, clips, bobby pins, edge brush. Products required: heat protectant, smoothing cream or serum, medium-to-strong hold gel/pomade for edges, light mousse for hold, medium-hold hairspray, finishing shine spray. Difficulty: moderate — requires heat control and precise parting. Maintenance tips: sleep on a satin scarf/pillowcase, refresh waves with a few quick curls or steam, reapply edge control as needed, avoid heavy oils at the roots, and hydrate with weekly deep-conditioning treatments to keep waves glossy and frizz-free.

Sleek Low Wrapped Ponytail – Smooth High-Shine Side Part

This sleek low wrapped ponytail features a deep side part, smooth hairline and a long, wrapped base — a polished look for formal events or everyday wear. It’s best for straight, relaxed, or blowout hair textures and works well with extension pieces (tape-in, sew-in, or a ponytail wrap) to achieve extra length and density. Technique: apply heat protectant, blow-dry hair smooth with a paddle or round brush, create a defined side part with a rat-tail comb, smooth with a medium-hold pomade or gel, gather hair into a low pony and secure with an elastic, then wrap a small section of hair around the band and pin underneath. Finish by flat-ironing the lengths for glassy shine. Tools needed: rat-tail comb, boar-bristle or paddle brush, blow dryer, flat iron, elastics, bobby pins and a silk scarf for setting. Products: heat protectant, smoothing cream/pomade, edge-control gel, light shine spray and flexible hairspray. Difficulty: moderate — precision and heat work required. Maintenance: sleep on silk, refresh edges with water and edge gel, apply a light serum to lengths, avoid overtightening to reduce tension and breakage.

Side-Swept Voluminous Blowout with Large S-Curls

Suitable for medium to thick densities and shoulder-length to long hair, this polished side-swept blowout works well on heat-stretched, relaxed, or naturally straight textures. The look features a deep side part, smooth roots and large S-shaped curls for soft volume and movement. Technique: work with clean, conditioned hair. Apply a heat protectant and smoothing lotion, then blow-dry with a round brush to build root volume. Create a deep side part and smooth the top with a flat iron if necessary. Use a large-barrel curling iron (1.5–2) or hot rollers to form loose curls, pinning sections to cool for stronger hold. Release and shape with a paddle brush or wide-tooth comb, finish with a light serum and medium-hold hairspray. Tools & products: blow dryer with nozzle, large round brush, flat iron, large curling iron or hot rollers, clips, heat protectant, smoothing cream, shine serum, medium-hold hairspray. Difficulty: intermediate — requires sectioning, heat control and cooling time; allow 45–75 minutes in the salon. Maintenance: sleep on satin, refresh curls with a damp mist and re-roll or lightly smooth with a flat iron, avoid heavy oils, and trim every 6–8 weeks.

Glamorous Textured Updo with Side-Swept Sculpted Curls

This polished updo suits medium to very thick hair and works beautifully on 3A–4C natural textures as well as relaxed or heat-straightened hair when prepped. Technique: start with a deep-conditioning wash, then apply heat protectant and a light setting mousse. Blow-dry or stretch hair for manageability, then section and set large sculpted curls using a 1–1.5 curling iron or flexi-rod set. Backcomb lightly at the crown for lift, sweep a defined fringe to one side, and pin curls into an asymmetric updo with long-shank bobby pins, shaping pieces with fingers for soft movement. Tools needed: blow dryer with nozzle, round brush, 1–1.5 curling iron or flexi rods, rat-tail comb, duckbill clips, long-shank bobby pins. Products: heat protectant, setting mousse or setting lotion, medium-hold hairspray, light shine serum, edge control. Difficulty: Intermediate–Advanced — requires precision pinning and curl sculpting; salon styling recommended for special occasions. Maintenance tips: sleep in a satin bonnet or scarf, refresh with a water-based curl refresher or light leave-in, re-pin loosening pieces, avoid heavy oils that weigh curls down, and book regular trims and conditioning treatments to retain shape and shine.

Sleek Long Straight Hair with Subtle Face-Framing Layers

This polished long, straight style suits straight to wavy hair and medium to thick textures; fine hair can achieve similar results with a weight-reducing cut and volumizing products. Start with a precision salon cut that removes bulk at the ends and adds soft, face-framing layers to encourage movement. For styling, towel-dry and apply a heat protectant and a lightweight smoothing cream. Rough-dry hair to about 80% using a concentrator nozzle, then section and blow-dry with a medium round brush to shape the ends inward. Smooth small sections with a 1 flat iron at 300–360°F, working from roots to ends for a mirror finish. Tools: blow dryer with nozzle, medium round brush (1.5–2), 1 flat iron, sectioning clips, wide-tooth comb. Products: heat protectant, anti-frizz serum or light oil, smoothing shampoo/conditioner, lightweight hairspray or shine mist. Difficulty: moderate — requires good sectioning and temperature control. Maintenance: trim every 8–10 weeks, deep-condition weekly, sleep on a silk pillowcase, avoid heavy root products, and refresh with a quick flat-iron pass or blowout between washes.

Deep Side-Part Glam Curls — Voluminous Vintage Waves for Medium to Thick Hair

This polished side-parted glam curl is ideal for medium to thick hair and works beautifully on natural 2–4A textures, relaxed or straightened hair and sewn-in extensions. Create the look by smoothing a deep side part, applying a heat protectant and setting 1–2-inch sections with a large-barrel curling iron (1.25–1.5 in.) or hot rollers for uniform, vintage-inspired curls. Pin each curl to cool for maximum longevity, then gently brush through with a boar-bristle brush to achieve soft, sculpted waves. Tools: large-barrel curling iron or hot rollers, tail comb, sectioning clips, boar-bristle brush and a blow-dryer for root smoothing. Products: lightweight mousse or setting lotion, heat protectant, smoothing cream or serum for shine, flexible-hold hairspray and an edge control for a sleek hairline. Difficulty: moderate — requires sectioning, heat control and shaping to get the glossy, structured finish. Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk/satin pillow or loosely wrap with a silk scarf; refresh with a light mist or curl refresher and quick re-curling of any fallen pieces; avoid heavy oils that weigh curls down; deep-condition weekly to preserve shine and elasticity.

Vintage Side‑Swept Updo with Soft Pin Curls for Natural and Relaxed Hair

This polished side‑swept updo works best on medium to long lengths and suits natural, relaxed, or heat‑styled textures. The look is created by setting defined pin curls along a deep side part, smoothing the crown, and pinning the waves into a low, voluminous chignon for a vintage finish. Start on freshly cleansed, detangled hair: apply heat protectant and a lightweight setting mousse or foam for hold. Use a 1

Glossy Side-Parted Voluminous Vintage Waves for Medium-Length Hair

This look suits straight to wavy medium-length hair (collarbone to shoulder) and works especially well on relaxed, chemically-treated, or naturally textured hair that’s been smoothed. Technique: start with a deep side part, apply root-lifting mousse and heat protectant to towel-dried hair, then blow-dry with a round brush for lift and a polished cuticle. Create large, uniform waves using 1¼–1½ inch barrel curling iron or large hot rollers, curling away from the face and pinning each curl to cool for long-lasting shape. Once cooled, gently brush through with a boar-bristle or soft paddle brush to soften into glossy waves and finish with a medium-hold hairspray to retain body without stiffness. Tools needed: blow dryer with nozzle, round brush (1½ inch), curling iron or hot rollers, sectioning clips, tail comb, boar-bristle brush. Products: volumizing mousse, thermal protectant, smoothing serum or cream, medium-hold flexible hairspray, optional shine spray. Difficulty level: moderate — basic blowout and curling skills required. Maintenance: sleep on a silk pillowcase or use a satin scarf, refresh with light misting and a few heated rollers or a quick touch-up curl, and trim ends every 8–10 weeks to keep shape and shine.

Glossy Retro Side-Part Waves — Voluminous Hollywood-Inspired Style

This polished, deep side-part wave is best suited to medium-to-long hair and holds especially well on medium to thick textures. It can be recreated on naturally curly or coily hair after a smooth blowout or on straight hair for added volume. Technique: create a precise deep side part, smooth sections with a round brush blow-dry, then form large S-shaped waves using a large-barrel curling iron (1.25–2) or hot rollers. Pin each curl to cool for maximum shine and memory, then gently brush or finger-comb into sculpted waves and lock with a light mist of flexible-hold hairspray. Tools needed: blow dryer with nozzle, medium/large round brush, large-barrel curling iron or hot rollers, heat-resistant clips, tail comb, paddle brush. Products required: heat protectant, smoothing cream or lightweight serum, root-lifting mousse or spray (for fine hair), flexible-hold hairspray and a shine serum. Difficulty level: intermediate — requires sectioning, clip-setting and controlled brushing. Maintenance tips: sleep on a silk pillow or under a silk scarf, refresh waves with a light mist and re-shape with fingers or a warm iron, avoid daily heat and trim ends every 8–12 weeks to keep the silhouette clean.

Silk presses can beautifully transform natural hair when performed with care and the right aftercare. My expert tips: prioritize conditioning before and after each press, keep a balanced protein-moisture routine, and trim split ends regularly. Limit full silk presses to every 2–6 weeks depending on hair strength and lifestyle, and avoid daily high-heat styling. Preserve your style with a silk scarf or pillowcase, light anti-frizz serum, and gentle weekly maintenance washes followed by rebuilding treatments as needed. Book a consultation so a stylist can assess porosity and set the correct iron temperature and product plan for your hair. For humid days, carry a travel-size anti-frizz spray and a satin bonnet for quick touch-ups. Use the 32 images in this post to show your stylist the exact finish you want. Ready to get started? Visit a certified stylist to enjoy a long-lasting, healthy silk-pressed look. —Lena