I only press when my hair is dry or mostly dry.
Lately, however, I have not even bothered with the flat iron (Jilbere 1/2 inch), because it just doesn't get get close enough to the root because of how it's constructed; the housing interferes with it gettine right to the root. I have just let my hair dry in a bun and then use my ceramic 1/2 barrel curling iron and use it to hit the roots then either lightly bump or fully style. I have been getting some seriously bouncy, shiney soft hair. I was trying to take a pic last night because I was so impressed with how it looked and with hope that LHCF would be back, but my flippin' digital camera is such a battery hog!! I was taking pics of my dancer shoes to list on Ebay, and that killed the batteries!! I'll try tomorrow so you can see.
Oh yeah, I used to use oils, cremes, greases and what not prior to pressing, but a lot of times it would be too heavy and the sizzle or even just the smell would worry me, so I don't use anything beyond what was already in my hair after washing (generally a cocktail of mango butter, proclain natural 7 and/or Profect ((or however it's spelled)) break free- the pink stuff, natural 7 oil and either Giovanni leave in or Pantene color revival rinse out con.). With that process, I get a lighter bouncier press and also, my irons don't get all burnt from product cooking on it.
