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Canadian Beauty

The Real Silk Press Guide: For Girls Who Want Sleek Hair Without Losing Their Curls

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


The Real Silk Press Guide: For Girls Who Want Sleek Hair Without Losing Their Curls

Alright, so let’s talk silk presses. Because if you’ve ever done one, you know there’s a fine line between silky smooth and fried-to-the-point-of-no-return. I love a good press, don’t get me wrong. That first-day bounce? That shine?? Ugh. Nothing hits like it. But let’s be honest—if you’re not doing it right, your curls might not bounce back. And then my be wondering why your twist out is not acting right.

So I put this guide together for anybody who wants their silk press to actually last without wrecking their hair. Especially if you’re tired of blogs giving you the same recycled advice with no nuance. We’re getting into all the stuff they usually skip.

What Even Is a Silk Press?

If you’ve ever used a flat iron and thought, “Oh, this is a silk press,”—girl, no. It’s not. A silk press is more than just straightening your hair. It’s a technique. It’s product. It’s prep. It’s tension. And honestly, it’s kind of an art form. The goal? Make your natural hair look like you got a relaxer… without actually relaxing it.

And when it’s done right? It moves. It shines. It gives that body and shine you always wanted

Your Hair Type Matters—Like, a Lot

This is the part most people skip over. You can’t give the same silk press advice to a 3A curl pattern that you give to 4C hair. It’s not the same at all.

Here’s the deal:
  • 3A–3C? You’ll probably need way less heat. Your hair might silk out fast but watch for limpness or frizz if you go too hot.
  • 4A–4C? You need real prep. I’m talking deep moisture, protein balance, and a blow-dry that stretches the hair properly without frying it. If you skip the prep, you’ll be looking in the mirror wondering why it came out puffy.

Also, porosity matters too. I know that’s the nerdy part of hair care, but if your hair sucks up water like a sponge (hi, high porosity), you need products that seal that moisture in or your press won’t last. Period.

🧴 Scalp Care Deserves a Whole Section

Everyone talks about silk pressing the hair, but what about the scalp? Just because you straightened your hair doesn’t mean you should ignore your roots.

I like to massage a little lightweight oil or use a scalp mist that doesn’t make my hair revert. Especially around the edges and crown, where my scalp gets dry faster. If your head’s itchy after a silk press, that’s your sign. Show your scalp some love!

Preparation = EVERYTHING

I used to think silk pressing was about having a good flat iron. Nope. It starts way before that. Like… before you even blow dry.

Here’s my prep:
  • Clarify your hair. Get rid of buildup or the flat iron will just be cooking product into your strands.
  • Deep condition like your life depends on it. You want that moisture locked in.
  • Use a heat protectant that actually works (I’m not naming names but some of these brands are just scented water).
  • Blow dry with tension—gently. Stretch the hair without burning it. I use a comb attachment but a paddle brush or round boars brush works too.

And please… make sure your tools are clean. That flat iron from 2024 with the gunk on the plates? Toss it.

Products I Trust (And Why)

I’ve tried everything from drugstore to salon-level and let me tell you: sometimes the $8 serum slaps just as hard as the $30 one. It’s about ingredients and how your hair responds.

A few I love:
  • Heat Protectant: CHI 44 Iron Guard or Mielle’s heat serum
  • Smoothing Serum: Design Essentials Silk Essentials (smells amazing, too)
  • Anti-Humidity Spray: ORS or even a light mist of Sebastian Shaper if you’re fancy
  • Finishing Oil: Vegamour weightless repair hair oil

And honestly? Sometimes I just go to YouTube and look up what hairstylists are using right now. They know what’s up.

How to Make It Last Longer Than a Day

Here’s where it all falls apart for most of us: the maintenance.

Nighttime is key. Wrap it, pin curl it, pineapple it—whatever works for your hair texture. But don’t just sleep on it and expect it to look fresh in the morning. You will wake up lookin’ like humidity hugged you all night.

I personally:
  • Wrap with a satin scarf
  • Sleep on a silk pillowcase as backup
  • Use dry shampoo at the roots after day 3
  • And I don’t keep running my fingers through it (I know it’s tempting, but don’t do it)

🌀 Getting Your Curls Back Without Tears

Let’s say your silk press is done. It was cute. You got your selfies. Now you wanna go back to your curls. Please don’t just wet your hair and hope for the best.

Do a gentle cleanse and follow up with a protein + moisture treatment. If your curls look limp or weird… that might be a little heat damage. I’ve had it happen. It’s not the end of the world. Trim what needs trimming, deep condition like crazy, and give your curls time to bounce back. No panic.

And also? Your hair is still beautiful, even if that one curl won’t coil up the same anymore. Don’t beat yourself up.

Keep Your Hair Thriving Between Presses

Don’t press too often. I personally aim for once every 6–8 weeks if my hair feels healthy. Some stylists will say 3–4 times a year, and that’s probably better long-term. In between, I live in twist-outs, wash & gos, or just a cute puff with my edges laid.

I also do regular trims, deep treatments, and no heat unless I absolutely have to. My motto? Just because it’s straight doesn’t mean it’s healthy.

🌍 The Part Nobody Talks About: Culture, Identity, and Hair Choices

Let’s be real. Silk presses aren’t just about looks. For a lot of us, it’s about versatility. About showing that our hair can do both. But sometimes people act like wearing your hair straight means you’re trying to be more “acceptable” or not embracing your natural texture. And… no. It’s not that deep. Or sometimes it is. But only you get to define that for yourself.

Silk presses are a choice. And choosing to style your hair one way doesn’t cancel your love for the way it grows out of your head. Period.

❓ Random Silk Press Questions You Might Be Too Shy to Ask

  • Can I silk press dirty hair? Clean hair only.
  • Why is my silk press frizzy already? Could be humidity or poor prep.
  • Is it better to go to a pro? For your first time, absolutely. You’ll learn so much.
  • Do I need special tools? Kinda. A good flat iron makes a huge difference.

Final Thought

Look. I love a silk press. I love how it feels. I love the way it moves when the wind hits just right. But I love my actual hair even more. So if I’m gonna press it, I’m gonna do it right. No shortcuts. No regrets.

What’s your silk press secret weapon? Or horror story? Drop it in the comments.

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Hair Styling

How to slick back hair: The ultimate guide

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


There is no more timeless hairstyle for the discerning gentleman than the slick back hairstyle. Made famous by James Dean and Elvis Presley in days gone by, and by contemporary style icon, David Beckham, this timeless and classic hairstyle has remained a popular style down through the years.

David Beckham has proved two things over the years – firstly, it’s impossible for him to look bad with any hairstyle, with the possible exception of the headband? And secondly, that the classic pompadour is one of the most sophisticated looks around, and looks equally great on the green carpet of a football pitch, or the red carpets of the global fashion weeks.

What is slick back hair?

Put simply, its hair that is pushed backward either with the hand or using a comb. Whether it’s classic pompadour, the slicked back undercut or the slick back fade, the basic style is the same.

Careful, though, danger lurks here; you might well achieve the perfect style, but if it’s at the expense of looking like you’ve dipped your head in an oil drum (remember Ross in Friends?) then you’re not going to be smoldering in your next Instagram post, but more likely scaring off any potential ‘likers’. Luckily, we’ve got your back. As well as looking at the different slick back hairstyles and how they differ, we are also going to take a look into the best products for you to achieve this timeless, versatile look.

The History of the Slick Back

The Slick Back style originated in the Edwardian era hairstyles of the poorer people (1901-1910). The undercut style was developed by barbers who were often not skilled enough to blend the back and sides into the longer hair worn on top.

The undercut style was made popular during the early 20th Century when criminal gangs such as the Peaky Blinders sported the undercut style with well-coiffed hair up top. This was partly because having long hair was dangerous during fights! Of course, we are not suggesting that you start fighting once you have the slick back style!

The undercut, which probably would have had some form of slick back on top, lasted until the 1960s when American artists and the so-called British Invasion bands, such as the Beatles and the Rolling Stones became popular and brought their long hairstyles with them.

Along with the undercut, the Pompadour was made popular among young men in the 1950s and 60s by young rock and roll stars such as Elvis Presley. The name and style are taken from Madame de Pompadour, a mistress of the French King Louis XV. Essentially, the hair is worn high over the forehead and then swept back towards the back of the head.

If you combine the undercut and the pompadour, you basically get the modern, slicked back hairstyle. This hairstyle was worn by the likes of Channing Tatum and Brad Pitt, which is also a popular choice for the ‘Scandi’ look, particularly when worn with a full beard.

The Classic Slick Back

In any discussion on how to slick back hair, it’s pretty well unanimous that the classic slick back is the one to start with. Truly a timeless look, this style looks just as great in the office, as it does on a night out.

The classic slick back

Bear in mind that whilst this style is easy to maintain and style in the morning, ideal for the modern man on the go, sadly it isn’t for everyone. Those with very curly hair will struggle to keep their hair in place. This type of hair will most likely revert to its normal style, but with an overkill product in it. It’s also not ideal for those with very fine hair, as it won’t carry the product well and can look more invisible than styled.

If you’re blessed with the perfect hair type for the pompadour, however, then the classic slicked back hairstyle might be the best place for you to start.

This is the easiest style to maintain, although we do recommend washing your hair, or at least rinsing it regularly due to the amount of product you will need to use to hold it all in place.

Ask your barber or hairdresser for a grade two or three on the sides. This will make it look different from the slicked back undercut, and ask him to keep the top as long as possible. Then, right out of the shower, apply some strong hold Pomade to your hair. Work it through evenly, and push your hair back with your fingers or a fine-toothed comb. Allow your hair to dry naturally and you’re all set to go. You can use softer products, of course, but you will run the risk of straggling hairs starting to work loose as the day goes on.

The classic slick back

Side Parting Slick Back

Slightly trickier than the classic slick back hairstyle, the side parting slick back adds another, more modern definition to your style.

With this look, the tendency is to keep the sides a little longer, with a fade from the bottom up. The side parting should be nicely defined with a trimmer to ensure the sharpest of looks. The top is kept longer but is defined using thinning scissors before being styled.

To style the side parting slick back, simply apply the product of your choice to wet or damp hair and style into the parting with your hands. You can blow-dry to add volume and shape to your style. Use a straightening iron to smooth out any stray curls.

We’ll be looking some more at the best products for slicked back hair shortly.

Side parting slick back

The Slick Back Undercut and the Slick Back Fade

If you really want to stand out from the crowd and make a lasting impression, the slick back undercut or fade are for you. These dramatic looking styles really modernize the classic slick back hairstyle and bring them right up to date.

The undercut removes most of the length from the sides and the back, leaving just the longer hair on top, creating a look similar to Brad Pitt in the movie Fury. The longer section of the hair should hang over the undercut, shorter hair at the back.

Add some drama, add a fade…

For even more drama, add a fade – starting at the skin at the base of your hair. Ask your barber or stylist to gradually increase the gradient as you move up the head to your slick back. The fade isn’t for everyone, and might not suit every face and head shape. Therefore be sure to ask your barber or stylist for assistance before committing yourself to the electric trimmers.

How to Slick back your hair

Now that we’ve looked at the styles and the variations, it’s time to move on and look at how to create your new style.

The first, and most important, step in the process is to find the right barber or hairdresser for you. It may sound obvious, but you really need to be confident that your barber understands what you are looking for, and can achieve that look. Don’t be afraid to shop around.

 Once you have found your barber soul mate, you need to choose the style that you´d like to go for. Again, a great hairdresser can help you here with some valuable advice as to what will suit your face shape and hair type.

Once you have your cut, it’s time to style your hair.

Before we start, it’s important to mention that you need to make sure you’re looking after your hair, not just for the sake of its health, but also to achieve the best results when styling.

Step 1: Wash & condition 

Start out by washing and conditioning your hair with a great nourishing shampoo and conditioner to remove excess oil, product residue, and dirt.

Step 2: Protect

So, having washed your hair, apply some serum or protective product to your hair. Work the product all the way through, particularly if you’re going to use hot styling products such as hairdryers or straightening irons. Some pre-styling products will also have protective qualities and will allow you to do much of the styling without having to use too much wax, clay or pomade, and risking an oily finish.

Step 3: Blow-dry & shape

If blow drying, it’s a good idea to use a rounded brush and brush the hair from the base up and backward, which will give your style definition and add height.

Step 4: Style

Once you have the shape, you can add your final product to the hair. Work it in thoroughly and ensure full coverage to get the desired effect.

Step 5: Finish

For the side parting, ensure the parting line is clear and well defined and that it’s as straight as it can be. A good comb is ideal for this. When it comes to combs, if you want a more casual, relaxed look, you can style with your fingers, which will give the hair less definition but will make it look more relaxed. If you are looking for a more classic 40´s look, a comb is a great tool to invest in. The comb will give you more control over individual strands and help keep your hair as a whole in place.

To blow-dry or not to blow dry? That is the question.

If your wife, girlfriend or sister has a hairdryer, why not try out a blow-dried look. This will add style, definition and even height to your slicked back hair. Remember, however, that heat and hair don’t really mix, so you´ll need to protect your hair with a serum or protective hair care product. Use the heat on the lowest setting available and try not to hold the heat in one place for too long.

Don’t rush out and buy the latest Dyson product, however. You don’t have to have a hairdryer to achieve the slick back style. If you don’t want any height in your hair and are going for a slightly more conservative look. We do recommend applying your product to damp hair and allowing it to dry naturally if you’re not using a hairdryer. It’s a good idea to towel dry your hair from wet to damp, though, if you’re not going to blow dry.

Best products for slicked back hair

There are a lot of products out there for men’s grooming, and many of them are very good. When it comes to the slick back hairstyle you need something that is going to hold your hair in place without making you look like you’ve slid down a greased fireman’s pole and something which won´t dry out your hair and scalp and cause flaking.

For volume and bounce, we recommend a pre-styling spray. This will help protect your hair from the styling process, especially when using a hair dryer or straightening irons. It will also give your hair the height you need to really pull off the slick back definition. The Sidekick spray from By Vilain is the perfect addition to your styling range. Sidekick not only provides heat protection it also increases styling options as well as adding texture, volume and hold. It’s not limited to the slick back either. In fact, you can use all of the By Vilain products to create many different styles.

After that, you need a product to hold your hair in place. The definition comes from the pre-styling spray, of course. You don’t want to add too much to your hair, which will make it look oily. Depending on your type of hair, and the slick back hairstyle that you´d like to have, there are a number of products you can choose from. We really love the By Vilain Gold Digger wax, which provides a super strong hold with a matte finish, which is unusual for a wax and very unique.

If you want to go for the more traditional look for your slick back, however, you could always go for a pomade. By Vilain have you covered here, too, with their Powermade. This professional, high performing pomade provides a light hold with a great glossy finish for the full classic James Dean look. Not only that, but it’s also water soluble to prevent a build-up of product, and eliminate the need for super aggressive shampooing.

If you’re looking for more suggestions in terms of the best products for slicked back hair, or tips on how to slick back your hair, we recommend watching our video below where we share our “secrets” and will help you achieve the perfect slick hair.

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Cosmetics

Mother’s Day Gift Guide – The Small Things Blog

by Lina Clémence
written by Lina Clémence


One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Nine. Ten. Eleven. Twelve. Thirteen. Fourteen. Fifteen. Sixteen.

When I think of Mother’s Day, I think about giving gifts that are less practical and more indulgent! From beautiful jewelry that makes her feel special to a matching pajama set, moms deserve to feel taken care of for all the love and energy they pour out for their families!

Discount Codes:

Maya Brenner: Discount code KATE20 for 20% off select bracelet styles + free Limited Edition Maya x Kate Travel Case with the purchase of orders of $350+  

Miranda Frye: Use code “Smallthings10” to get 10% off and free shipping

Rifle Paper Co: SMALLTHINGS20 for 20% off sitewide through May 17, 2025. The code excludes bedding, loungewear, bundles, gift cards, samples, sale items, and cannot be combined with other promotions.

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