“A silk press is a non-chemical way to straighten naturally curly and Afro hair without permanently reconstructing the curl,” says celebrity session hairstylist Joy Matashi, who has worked with stars from A$AP Rocky through to Michaela Coel. Great for all textured hair types, “a silk press is traditionally performed by a professional hairstylist using Marcel irons (known for their high heats, even heat distribution and cone shape), heated up inside a stove or an electric base on super-clean hair and minimal styling products before the hair is pressed by straighteners,” Matashi goes on to explain.

Now, the style is typically created using electric straighteners and lasts about two weeks or until your next wash, be that eight or 10 days later, making it a great alternative for anyone still in want of a seamless blend with a weave or a change of style.

So if you’ve been considering a silk press, here is a step-by-step guide on how to create the look.