Edge controls are styling products that lay down the baby hairs along your hairline. You can use them if you have natural hair, wear wigs and sew-ins, or are relaxed. Plus, both experts and your favorite celebs secretly rely on them because they offer such great styling versatility.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EDGE CONTROL AND HAIR GEL?
Edge controls are thicker and stickier than traditional gels because they’re created with less liquid. They have a pomade-like feel to smooth your fine baby hairs without making them wet. Edge controls also dry quickly, so you’ll need to style your baby hairs faster when compared to using hair gels.
IS EDGE CONTROL GOOD FOR YOUR HAIR?
Edge controls have many aesthetic benefits, but unfortunately, they can damage your hair if you apply them incorrectly. “Using them too much and not taking them off daily can use the hair follicles along the hairline to become clogged, and possibly cause hair loss,” notes Foster.
If you must sleep with edge control in your hair, be sure to follow Bailey’s tip: Wrap your hair with a silk or satin scarf, or use a hair bonnet to protect your hair and hairline.
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WHAT ARE THE BEST AND WORST EDGE CONTROL INGREDIENTS?
Not all edge controls are created equal, so you’ll need to research products and look out for ingredients that work with your hair type, advises Foster. Ideally, you’ll find edge controls infused with moisturizing properties, while also offering great hold. Here, all three experts share their favorite and least favorite edge control ingredients.
Use nourishing ingredients: It can get confusing when you see a slew of ingredients listed on a label, so keep an eye out for easy-to-pronounce ones that you likely already know and love. A few reliable options include aloe vera and honey, plus avocado, coconut, argan, and tea tree oils.
Avoid alcohol, petroleum, and fragrances: Whether on their own or combined, all three ingredients are incredibly drying. Alcohol causes breakage, petroleum is moisture-blocking, and fragrance can irritate your scalp.
EDGE CONTROL TIPS, ACCORDING TO HAIRSTYLISTS
Apply edge control before makeup: This will stop your products from mixing together and will prevent excessive flaking that will ruin your look, suggests Foster.
Start small: They are difficult to remove, so working with less edge control helps. If you use too much product, your hair will look greasy, shiny, and flakey, cautions Bailey.
Buy the right tools: You can slick down strands with your fingers or create elaborate styles using a fine-tooth comb, manual toothbrush, or edge control brush.
Ready for Insta-worthy baby hairs? Keep reading for the best edge controls sold at your favorite online retailers, including Walmart, Amazon, and Ulta.
Eden Coconut Shea Control Edge Glaze Gel
When it comes to styling medium-textured curly hair, Christopher likes this product gel. “The key to a good edge control is if it lasts all day and is also movable later,” he says, adding that with this stuff, “you’re able to comb it out a little bit and change the style of the hair.” Plus, it’s not greasy and won’t leave a film on the hair.
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Best edge control for natural hair
Design Essentials Natural Honey & Shea Edge Tamer Hair Gel
This edge tamer is free of harsh ingredients, making it great for natural hair, according to Monique. “It has no parabens, no paraffin, and no mineral oil, which is essential for maintaining healthy natural hair,” she says. Instead, it contains almond and avocado oils, along with honey and shea butter, all of which help keep hair moisturized. Even with all the added oils, Monique says “it delivers a nongreasy, long-lasting, firm hold without any buildup or flakes.”
Best edge control for styling
Got2b Ultra Glued Invincible Styling Gel
This product promises to “feel like gel, hold like glue,” a claim Monique confirms. She says this is the “strongest gel hold” among the formulas she’s tried, which is why it’s best for “doing FKA twigs–style baby hairs” or similarly dramatic styles, Kennard adds. It goes on clear, and according to Monique, “it’s a nonsticky formula that will keep your edges in place all night long.”
Best edge control for kids
Curls Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Paste
Not only does Monique think Curls Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Paste is “great for wavy, curly, very curly, and even kinky textures,” but she also says it’s safe to use on children since it’s “not too harsh.” Like the Design Essentials edge tamer, this paste is silicone-, sulfate-, paraben-, and fragrance-free — and it’s also formulated with organic blueberry extract to create a “delicate, edible-like fragrance” that Monique loves. Even with the kid-friendly scent and gentle ingredients, she says it’s strong enough to help her style braids and sleek ponytails on adults, too.
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