A silk press is a temporary, chemical-free straightening service: your hair is washed, treated, blow-dried and then smoothed with a flat iron, one section at a time.
Curly, tightly curled and coily hair is all she does. Trained in Mauritius and Paris, Bianca works with women, men and kids in Montreal who want healthy hair that’s understood and looks its best.
A silk press is a temporary straightening service done with heat alone, with no relaxer and no keratin. Your hair is washed, treated, blow-dried and then smoothed with a flat iron for a soft, glossy finish that moves. At Boucles Addict Studio, it takes about two hours and works on every texture.
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Your appointment in 5 steps
Clarifying wash to remove product buildup, which keeps the hair from pressing cleanly.
Moisture treatment to nourish the hair before any heat (recommended, $45 add-on).
Blowout section by section, with a heat protectant.
Flat iron at a temperature suited to your hair, with a single pass per section.
Light finish for shine and movement, without weighing the hair down.
My hair has never looked as beautiful as it does with Bianca! I’ve been to several places, and this is by far my best experience. (…) She brought my curls back to life and gave me a gorgeous cut!
★★★★★
Mia B.Google review · Cut · translated from French
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A true professional who takes her time. Not just to cut your hair but also to explain how it behaves and what it needs. You leave with a better understanding of your hair and a beautiful cut.
★★★★★
Nathalie C.Google review · Cut · translated from French
“
Bianca created exactly what I had in mind for my hair, and even went beyond my expectations! The highlights are stunning and the result shows off my curls perfectly, without changing their nature.
★★★★★
Lisa B.Google review · Balayage · translated from French
Book
Book this service
Silk press on its own or with a cut on pressed hair. The moisture treatment preps your hair before the heat.
Silk press2 hrfrom $100
Cut and silk press3 hrfrom $130
Moisture treatmentrecommended before a silk press1 hrfrom $45
Starting prices. Final price depends on length, density and curl type.
Is a silk press the same as a relaxer or a keratin treatment?
No. A silk press doesn’t change the structure of your hair: it uses heat only, and your curls come back after the first wash. A relaxer or a keratin treatment works chemically and lasts much longer. That’s why a silk press suits anyone who wants to keep their natural curls.
Silk press: heat only, temporary, reversed by washing.
Relaxer: a chemical product that permanently breaks down the curl until new growth comes in.
Brazilian blowout (keratin): a semi-permanent treatment that loosens the curl for several months.
Running a flat iron over your hair without a wash and blowout first isn’t a silk press: the result is less supple and more prone to breakage.
How much is a silk press in Montreal?
At Boucles Addict Studio, a silk press starts at $100 for about two hours, and at $130 with a cut (three hours). The price depends on length, density and curl type, since very dense or very long hair needs more time for the blowout and the flat iron.
The moisture treatment recommended before heat is $45. You can see the starting price of every service when you book online.
How long does a silk press last?
A silk press usually lasts one to two weeks. How long yours holds depends on humidity, sweat, how you care for it and your hair type: 4C coily hair often reverts faster than curly hair. The appointment itself takes about two hours, or three hours with a cut.
Does a silk press damage natural or 4C hair?
A well-done silk press doesn’t damage coily hair: it uses a heat protectant, a temperature suited to your hair and a single pass of the flat iron per section. Damage mostly comes from too much heat and from pressing too often. At Boucles Addict Studio, healthy hair always comes before the result.
In practice, Bianca adjusts the temperature to the thickness of your hair, works in fine sections so she never has to go over the same spot twice, and preps your hair with a moisture treatment. If your hair is already fragile, she will tell you, and may suggest waiting or starting with a treatment.
Can you silk press 3B, 3C or 4C hair?
Yes, a silk press works on every curl type, from 3A to 4C. The result and how long it lasts will vary: 3B curly hair presses more easily, while 4C coily hair needs more prep and reverts faster in humid weather. Every curl type is welcome.
To protect your hair, it’s best to space silk presses at least six to eight weeks apart and to save them for a special occasion or a break from your usual styles. In between, wearing your natural curls and keeping up with moisture treatments lets your hair rest.
How do you maintain a silk press?
To make a silk press last, protect your hair at night with a satin bonnet or scarf, avoid water, steam and sweat, and skip heavy products. At night, wrapping your hair (combed flat around your head under a scarf) keeps it sleek and full of movement.
Why is my silk press frizzing or puffing up?
Humidity, sweat, a product that’s too rich or hair that wasn’t fully dry before the flat iron all bring the curl back faster. In Montreal, humid summers are the toughest season. In fall and winter, the drier air helps a silk press last, but watch out for snow and toques: a satin lining protects your hair and keeps it sleek.
Does a silk press help your hair grow?
No, a silk press doesn’t make your hair grow. What it does is show its true length, which shrinkage often hides, and let your ends be trimmed with precision. That’s why many Boucles Addict Studio clients pair it with a cut.
Silk press and cut
On pressed hair, every end is visible: the cut is more precise and split ends disappear. The cut and silk press package starts at $130 (3 hr). You can also explore our curly and coily haircuts in Montreal, on pressed or natural hair.
How should I prepare my hair before the appointment?
Come in with detangled hair, with no gel or oil added in the days before, and plan for two to three hours. There’s no need to wash it beforehand: the wash is part of the service. If you wear braids or extensions, please take them out before coming to the studio in Montreal.
Before you come in
Detangled hair, with no braids or extensions.
No gel, oil or heavy cream for the two or three days before.
Plan for 2 hr (3 hr with a cut), and bring a scarf or a hood if the weather is humid.
After a silk press, your curls come back when you wash. To bring them back gently, our article on the 4C hair routine and moisture walks you through it step by step.
Is a silk press only for Black hair?
The silk press was developed for textured hair, especially Black and coily hair, but it suits every curl, from loose waves to very tight coils. At Boucles Addict Studio in Montreal, the technique is adapted to each texture, not the other way around.
Mia B.Google review · Cut · translated from French 
Nathalie C.Google review · Cut · translated from French 
Lisa B.Google review · Balayage · translated from French 
