Dominican blowout vs. silk press: what's the difference?
Clients ask us this every week: "Should I get a Dominican blowout or a silk press?" Both straighten your hair with heat and no chemicals, and both leave it soft, shiny and full of movement. The difference is in how they're done and the finish you walk out with.
What is a Dominican blowout?
The Dominican blowout is the technique Dominican salons are famous for. After a wash and deep conditioner, hair is set on rollers and dried under the hood dryer. Then the stylist uses a round brush and a blow dryer with a lot of tension to smooth the roots and ends. Most of the straightening comes from the rollers and the brush, so very little flat iron is needed.
The result: hair with volume, bounce and natural movement.
What is a silk press?
A silk press starts the same way, with a good wash and conditioner. Hair is blow dried and then finished with a flat iron in small sections. It's popular with natural and very curly hair (types 3 and 4) because the iron gives a sleeker, flatter, glass-like finish.
The result: bone-straight, silky hair that moves like fabric.
Side-by-side comparison
- Finish: blowout = volume and bounce; silk press = sleek and flat.
- Heat: the blowout relies more on rollers and the dryer; the silk press relies more on the flat iron.
- Best for: the blowout works well on wavy to curly hair; the silk press is a favorite for coily and natural hair.
- How long it lasts: both usually last about one to two weeks, depending on humidity, workouts and how you protect it at night.
Which one should I choose?
If you love volume and a "just left the salon" bounce, go for the Dominican blowout. If you want your natural hair as straight and sleek as possible, the silk press is usually the better option. If you're not sure, tell your stylist what look you want: we look at your hair's texture and condition before choosing the technique.
How to make either one last longer
Wrap your hair every night with a satin scarf, avoid water and sweat, and use light products. We explain it step by step in how to wrap your hair at night and in how long a silk press lasts.
Book in Port Reading
At Alexa's Dominican Salon we do Dominican blowouts and silk presses every day for clients from Port Reading, Woodbridge, Carteret, Avenel and Sewaren. See our hair menu or book online. Se habla español.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Dominican blowout the same as a silk press?
No. Both use heat and no chemicals, but the Dominican blowout uses rollers and a round brush for volume, while the silk press uses a flat iron for a sleeker, flatter finish.
Which one lasts longer?
Both usually last one to two weeks. How long yours lasts depends mostly on humidity, sweat and wrapping your hair at night.
Is it bad for my hair?
Any heat style can cause damage if it's done too often or without protection. Space out your appointments, use a heat protectant and keep up with deep conditioning and trims.