Silk Press vs. Blowout: What’s the Difference?
By Bella Garcia · · 4 min read
Clients ask us this a lot, and it's a fair question. Both services leave hair smooth and moving, but they're built for different textures, use different tools, and last different amounts of time.
What is a blowout?
On our menu, the blowout is the wash + blowdry: our signature wash, then a round-brush blowdry in the style you want. It works best on straight, wavy, and loosely curly hair. You get smooth hair with volume and bounce, usually with no extra hot tools needed. It's $65 and about 1 hr, or $85 if you wear extensions. Waves and updos cost extra.
What is a silk press?
A silk press is our premium straightening style, made for curly and coily hair. It starts with a detoxifying wash to clear out buildup, then the hair is blow dried, and then it's straightened with a hot comb. The result is very sleek, light hair that swings, without any chemical straightener. It's $110 and takes about 1 hr 45 mins.
How long does each last?
- Blowout: usually 3 to 7 days, depending on your hair, the weather, and how you sleep on it.
- Silk press: often 1 to 2 weeks if you keep it away from moisture and wrap it at night.
Is a silk press damaging?
Done on clean hair, with heat protection and the right heat for your hair, a silk press is a reasonable way to wear your hair straight from time to time. Damage usually comes from too much heat too often, whether that's presses back to back or flat ironing at home every day in between. Give your curls breaks.
Which should you book?
If your hair is naturally straight to wavy, book a wash + blowdry. If it's curly or coily and you want it straight, smooth, and swingy, book a silk press. Still not sure? Send a photo of your hair air-dried with no product. That tells us more than a description.
At a glance
- Best for: blowouts suit straight, wavy, and loose curls. Presses are built for curly, coily, and tightly textured hair.
- Wash: a blowout starts with our signature wash. A press starts with a detoxifying wash.
- Tools: a blowout uses a dryer and round brush. A press adds a hot comb after the blowdry.
- Finish: a blowout is full and bouncy. A press is sleek, glossy, and swingy.
- Upkeep: a blowout is easy to redo weekly. A press needs more protection from water but lasts longer.
Signs a silk press is the better fit
A press usually makes sense when a regular blowdry doesn't get your hair as smooth as you want, or when your curls revert within a day of a blowout. It's also a good choice if you want a straight look that lasts through an event, a trip, or a busy stretch at work, or if you just want to see your full length without a chemical change.
Signs a blowout is the better fit
If your hair already dries fairly smooth and you mostly want volume, polish, and less styling at home, a blowout is simpler and gentler. It's also the easier choice if you wash often or work out every day, since you're not trying to protect it for two weeks. On Fridays, the Friday blowdry special ($45) brings the price down for a wash and blowout; it leaves out Hollywood waves and updos, and extensions add a fee.
How to prep for either appointment
- Detangle gently beforehand. Hair that arrives tangle-free is faster to work with and less likely to break.
- Skip heavy oils and gels the day before. They make it harder to get a clean, smooth result.
- Keep your ends healthy. Split ends show most on sleek styles. Here's how often to plan a trim.
- Share your history. Tell us about recent color, lightening, keratin, or relaxers so we can set the right heat.
Mistakes to avoid afterward
- Getting caught in moisture. Rain, steam, and sweat are the fastest way to lose a press. Carry an umbrella and use a shower cap.
- Flat ironing at home every day. Extra passes add up. A wrap and a satin scarf usually hold the shape without more heat.
- Overloading on oil. A drop of light serum on the ends is plenty.
- Pressing too often. Back-to-back presses with no break are hard on curls.
Planning around an event
If you have a wedding, photos, or a trip coming up, booking a silk press a day or two before usually gives the style time to settle while still looking fresh. A blowout is best the day before or the morning of, since it's fullest in the first couple of days. Our El Monte salon is appointment-only, so book early for busy weekends.
Already have a press? Read our night-by-night silk press aftercare routine.
You can compare both services on our salon price list.
Still deciding? Ask us which service fits your texture.
FAQ
Is a silk press the same as a relaxer?
No. A silk press uses heat to straighten the hair temporarily, and your curls come back when you wash. A relaxer is a permanent chemical process.
What tool is used to straighten a silk press?
Ours is finished with a hot comb, after a detoxifying wash and a blowdry.
Can I get a regular blowout on curly hair?
Yes. A blowout on curly hair gives smooth, voluminous results. A silk press goes further, with a hot comb finish for a sleeker, straighter look that lasts longer.
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