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Laid and slayed baby hairs are a touch that can truly finesse a hair look. And while it’s not by force (like truly girl, your edges also look good even if they aren’t slicked to an inch of their life), it can complete a look like nothing else.
When wearing your hair in protective styles like braids and twists, slicking down your edges can refresh your vibe and help your locks look as fly as the day you sat in your stylist’s chair for 7 hours straight – for real, it’s crazy how a little gel can revive a look. If you want to go all out then you can use a good edge control to create kiss curls and waves a la our fave '90s hip hop legends and the holiest of all new era baby hair game, FKA Twigs.
First things first though, make sure you have clean hair with not too much product on it. Applying edge control on top of other products might be causing flakes, warns hairstylist, Dionne Smith. “There might be too much product on your hair and scalp that has built up over time hence the flakes. I’d suggest reviewing your hair regimen and then take the necessary steps to avoid these hair issues.”
Depending on how thick your hair is, the texture of the edge control and level of hold you need will vary, as will the base you prefer. Water-based thinner gels will work for finer curly hair, while oil-based gels and waxes will give the hold thicker, coily and kinky hair will need.
So, grab your other toothbrush and one of our picks below for your best edges ever.
cantu Cantu Shea Butter for Natural Hair Extra Hold Edge Stay Gel
You can never say no to extra hold and this Cantu gel promises just that. With shea butter, jojoba oil, castor oil and cocoa butter in the mix, this gel holds curly and coily baby hairs well. But do note: a little goes a long way.
This gel is water-based but is packed with oils such as jojoba seed and castor oil to help replenish growth on the delicate hair line. Beeswax works to keep your hair laid all day.
Got2B Schwarzkopf Got2b Ultra Glued Black
Through wind, rain and adversity, this gel is going absolutely nowhere. Truly. Despite the fact that the texture is quite watery, this gel has unreal staying power but just be sure to set your edges with a headscarf for a couple of minutes to keep your style in place.
Eco Styler Olive Oil Styling Gel
A true OG when it comes to black hair styling – this water-based gel is a multi-tasker. You can use it to scrunch into curls, start braids and twist outs and if you have finer curly or kinky hair, you can use it to set your edges, too. Win.
Shea Moisture Jojoba Oil & Ucuuba Butter Laydown Lacquer 113g
A lacquer in the form of a butter, wax, gel hybrid, this edge control has great slip to it, laying down baby hairs and easily manipulating edges into whatever style you fancy.
We stan an edge control that is also packed with ingredients that nourish your hairline. This product utilises the benefits of castor oil, aloe vera and pomegranate juice to boost hair growth and minimise hair loss around your edges.
No flaking and no build-up with this edge control offering from Design Essentials. The formula isn’t greasy but the avocado and almond oil moisturise the hairline as it sets your edges in place.
KeraCare Edge Tamer 115g
This one is an old school edge tamer that does the trick. The formula is more waxy than watery and you only need to apply a little to keep your baby hairs in formation.
Any edge control that promises ‘superior’ hold without flaking is a winner in our books. The ingredients list for this ORS offering doesn’t include alcohol, so, the gel won’t dry out the hair when it sets. Plus, it includes wheat protein which is a major key for strengthening damaged hair.
With blueberry extract (hence the name!), shea butter, argan oil and mango, this is a cocktail of goodness for your edges, as well as doing a great job laying them down. It looks blue in the tub but does apply clear, promise.
Creme of Nature Pure Honey Moisture Infusion Edge Control
In case you didn't know, honey is a humectant so it helps to attract moisture to your hair! This edge control also contains coconut oil and shea butter to lock in moisture as it holds your style in place.
This edge control is more pliable than others, making it super easy to work into your edges and smooth into whatever style you want. The key ingredient is apricot oil to moisturise and protect.
Keeks Reid is the Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan UK. While she loves all things beauty, Keeks is a hair fanatic through and through. She started her career in beauty journalism in 2013 as editorial assistant at Blackhair and Hair magazines working her way to Acting Editor of Blackhair magazine at 23 years old. She spent much of her career working in trade hairdressing media at Hairdressers Journal, Salon International and the British Hairdressing Awards. Which is why she is a regular contributor to Cosmo's Curl Up franchise. Now, alongside her Cosmo work, she presents, creates content on social media and works with a range of beauty companies; from magazines and websites to beauty brands and salons.
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