Are All Edge Controls Created Equal? - Everything You Need To Know

If centuries from now, those who come after us were to research our culture, they might think laid edges was something that came to be in the mid-2000’s. But, they would be wrong. Edges are not new. Laying edges isn’t even new. Little girls have been getting their edges slicked down for many generations.

The recent fascination with laid, or fleeky, edges is probably due in large part to social media. The Gram and Facebook gave people easy access to show off their smoothed out edges to their followers. Stylists took heed and also joined in with the common folk, as they posted pictures of their clients’ edges too.

What had once been an expected collateral benefit of a well-done hairdo, became a thing unto itself. Knowing how to properly lay edges became an applaudable skill. There were even times when I questioned if anyone cared to critique the actual hair style. So much attention was given to the edges that the rest of the hair could have been a complete fail and it would have been overlooked.

The number of YouTube videos dedicated to edges alone is proof enough of this phenomenon. In line with the uproar, companies began to manufacture and package products specifically designed to address the issue that was untamed edges. The birth of edge controls as a unique black hair product was upon us.

The products do work and they do what they’re designed to do. The only question is, are all edge controls created equal?

It depends on what you want

To answer that question, we have to first look at what the possible outcomes are when an edge control is used. Some like their edges to appear super slick and shiny, while others simply want to control fly aways. Depending on your preference and your hair type, you will likely be looking products based on what they can do when you add them to your individual edges.

To delve even further into preferred outcome, relaxed hair call will for a different type of product than natural hair does. So at this point, we have preference and straight versus curly as starting points. Ok, with that you can begin to decipher the several different options available on the shelves of your local beauty supply store.

How slick is too slick?

There are products designed to smooth out your edges and add a little shine. These work for those searching for minimal hold or to tame pesky fly aways.

Next in line are the set of products that claim to completely straighten out your edges and keep them straightened out all day. Many naturals turn to this kind of edge control because if you’re looking for long term hold, it’s usually because you have hair that isn’t likely to stay smooth all day without help. Curly hair tends to want to return to its curly state, even after it’s been styled.

Last, but not least, you have the bad boys of the bunch. This final set of edge control products will lay your edges smooth, give you shine and keep your edges laid all day, night and the next day too.

Holding products that work in this manner are not always best for your hair, but for those with especially hard to manage edges, this is exactly what they’re looking for in a product. Another consumer likely to reach for this kind of edge control, are those who are prepping their hair for an event or performance, and they need the intensity of an extremely hard hold.

Who does what?

When sifting through the different offerings at the beauty supply store, make the ingredients lists your friends. That is where you’re going to get your most accurate clues to how a particular product will perform. There will still have to be some trial and error on your part, but what the product is made up is an excellent starting point.

Let’s keep with the three tier system. The first tier of products is light hold. If this is your thing, look for ingredients like flaxseed and oils*. Pastes and pomades tend to fall into this category.

Next up are mid range holds. Edge controls that give you a solid hold that will last multiple hours. Ingredients like water and glycol are common in these types of products. They have staying power but are water soluble so they do wear off or are easily washed out of the hair without causing dryness.

The bad boys of the group are usually in the form of gels. These will take you through a tsunami and keep your edges in tact. Things like alcohol are common in super long lasting and hard hold edge controls. They will also usually have some notation on the packaging that they’re strong hold. Look for numbering systems printed on the containers to help you decide when purchasing.