Source: Courtesy Of Brand / Mizani
My first experience with Mizani hair products was in the beauty salon. I was just a teenager then, admiring the posters on the wall and Mizani was always one of them. Knowing the salon was using Mizani products was reassuring. Fast forward to adulthood, and Mizani remains a trusted brand for my natural hair. I’m a wig and weave wearer, but when it comes to caring for my hair underneath or letting it breath I’m always looking for products that’ll help my styles last longer. Insert Mizani’s Press Agent collection.
The fall and winter seasons are perfect for maintaining a silk press thanks to less humidity and cooler temps, which is why it’s been dubbed silk press season.
Hairstylist Al Alexander, aka Chicago’s healthy hair and extension king, knows how to achieve the silkiest of silk presses. We caught up with the Mizani Pro, who uses the Press Agent collection on his clients to leave their hair extra straight. Get into his tips and tricks for achieving your best silk press, below:
Silk Press Products For Black Hair
Source: Courtesy Of Brand / Mizani
HB: What are the best products and tools to achieve a silk press?
Al Alexander: My favorite products right now would have to be Mizani’s full Press Agent line. The Mizani Press Agent Raincoat Styling Cream and Mizani Press Agent Thermal Smoothing Styling Serum really make customizing very easy for all texture types. As far as tools I have a new fav. The L’Oreal Airlight pro imperfectly aids in moisture retention and keeps the strands nice and soft. And of course I love to pair that with my Loreal Steam Pod flat iron. Even the tools have to help hydrate and seal the hair strand during a silk press.
HB: What makes your silk press technique the best?
Al Alexander: Taking the time to fill and seal the strand with both product and technique makes silk pressing the best because it will ensure style longevity.
HB: What’s the secret to achieving a silk press?
Al Alexander: The biggest secret to achieving a silk press is really all in the prep. The hair needs to be cleansed and treated very well before we even think about styling products or tools. The foundation work sets the hair strand up for success.
HB: What’s the tip to maintaining a silk press?
Al Alexander: Two tips that will save your silk press are pin curls and the flat wrap. You can never go wrong. Both should be held in place with a satin scarf.
HB: Does using all that heat damage your hair?
Al Alexander: Using heat doesn’t damage your hair how you use it does though. Most heat damage is from user error. Not properly protecting the strand or not gauging the temperature that a texture type needs to maintain its integrity, but heat can be used and the strands can still be healthy.
HB: Why are Mizani products perfect for achieving a silk press?
Al Alexander: It’s truly in the meaning of the word Mizani which is balance. The products have both protein and moisture which will support and fill the integrity of the strand for sustainability from any type of manipulation.
Catch Al Alexander, here.
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