Posted on 2nd October 2018
It’s got nearly 5,000 posts on Instagram and counting, and has been seen on major celebrities from Olivia Culpo and Hailey Baldwin to Dua Lipa and Kim Kardashian – but what is this new #GlassHair trend everyone’s talking about?
We thought we’d delve deeper than the hashtag to reveal exactly what ‘glass hair’ is, how to achieve the look, and whether it’s really as contemporary as everyone says.
Characterised by a razor cut (usually a bob or lob), glass hair is hair that is so sleek, smooth, shiny and sharp that it literally looks like it was cut from glass.
If this is all sounding familiar, it might be because ‘glass hair’ is really just a new name for a traditional silk press, a glossy and polished hair style that women of black African heritage have been rocking for years. A way to straighten natural hair without the use of a chemical relaxer, a silk press uses a flat iron instead of a heated comb to leave natural hair looking sleek and shiny.
Believe it or not, this isn’t even the first time the ‘glassy’ style has had a mainstream resurgence – the look was first popularised by a certain Vidal Sassoon in the 1960s.
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The silk press – or glass hair – looks polished, chic, elegant and grown-up, so it’s no wonder it’s being embraced by some of entertainment’s most powerful women. And, if you fancy mastering the look yourself, the good news is that it’s suitable for every hair type and totally doable with the right tools and a little insider knowledge.
The key to glass hair is starting with tresses that are silky and full of movement, so it’s a good idea to wash with a clarifying shampoo to get rid of any grease and product build-up. Follow up with a moisturising conditioner or even a hair mask if your locks are feeling a little dry at the ends.
Next up, you’ll need a paddle brush, a hairdryer and some heat protectant spray. Blowdry your hair while brushing it through with the paddle brush to achieve the all-important soft and sleek base.
Finally, finish off with a flatiron to achieve that ultra-glossy look. Use heat protectant again at this stage to avoid any frizziness from heat damage and finish with an anti-frizz, smoothing or shine spray.
If you’re using a silk press technique on natural hair, you can expect the effect to last up to two weeks or until your next wash. You can wrap your hair in a satin scarf at night to maintain ultimate gloss, but try to avoid using any more heated tools in order to stave off heat damage.
Of course, if that all sounds like a bit too much work, our expert stylists can always help you achieve the look with no stress on your part! Whether you want a new razor sharp lob, or you want us to ‘glassify’ your hair or give it a silk press, book an appointment now to get your mane ahead of the trend.