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These Edge Control Products Will Keep Your Baby Hairs Laid & Smooth

No flakes, no problem.

Updated: Feb. 20, 2024

Originally Published: November 7, 2023

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Curls and coils make textured hair beautiful. But when it comes to smoothing them down for sleek styles, they can become a chore. And while gel and mousse are great for maintaining a protective look, edges are an entirely different story. The hair located just around the crown of the head tends to beat to its own drum and needs special attention to stay put. Enter edge control products. Designed to work specifically with fine baby tendrils and rogue strands, they’re a staple in any natural’s bathroom cabinet.

While hair gels and edge controls are often mistaken for being the same product, they’re actually quite different. “These [edge control] stylers have a thicker consistency and are more closely related to a pomade than gels, which are water-based and often used to define the curls,” says Tamara Laureus, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Hairenomics salon in Brooklyn. She notes that many products are formulated with nourishing ingredients, like castor oil, aloe, shea butter, and flaxseed oil that protect the delicate hair from breakage.

There are a range of options to choose from. But as Takisha Sturdivant-Drew, celebrity hairstylist and owner of TSD Hair Extensions, tells TZR, finding the right consistency for your texture is crucial to ensuring your edges remain smooth and frizz-free. “Tighter curls may need a stronger hold, while looser patterns may do best with lightweight formulas that focus on sculpting,” she says.

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It’s a good idea to keep in mind that edge controls are often used to create swoops and S-curls that will enhance the final style. “The last thing you want is hair that’s left looking stiff or feeling crunchy,” says Tukia Allen, educator coach of Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Atlanta. She explains that finding the balance between strong and pliable will give you a sleek lay-down with maximum shine for days.

Ahead, these three stylists share their top edge controls to keep every type of curl laid to perfection.

Maui Moisture

Lightweight Curls +Flaxseed Edge Control Pomade

$11

For loose curls or even wavy textures, Sturdivant-Drew recommends this lightweight styler. The formula combines both flaxseed oil and aloe vera to deeply moisturize your strands, and offers a nice gel-like consistency that won’t weigh the hair down. “It’s great for sculpting the edges and creating precise swirls but it also adds a lot of shine and keeps frizz at bay,” she says.

Mielle Organics

Honey & Ginger Flexible Hold Edge Gel

$13

“This is great for finer textures because it has a strong hold but is very easy to work with,” says Laureus. Some hairstyles require more flexibility, and a conditioning product that has a cream-like consistency can be more suitable than a thicker pomade. Mielle’s Edge Gel combines lightweight ingredients like ginger root, aloe, and honey to give you better control. “Some products stay put for a few days, but if you want to quickly change up your look this is a nice option,” she says.

SheaMoisture

Jamaican Black Castor Oil + Flaxseed Fortifying Edge Gel

$10

“Castor oil is a great ingredient because it strengthens and promotes hair growth — both of which are essential for the delicate hair at the crown,” says Allen. This edge gel features a nourishing blend of oils and butters, but it also provides a stronghold for tight coils and thicker textures. To use, apply a small amount onto wet hair to amplify the curls, then gently smooth the hair into your desired pattern.

Aveda

Brilliant Humectant Pomade

$34

One of the best ways to tame frizz is to use products with humectant ingredients. Not only will they draw moisture into the hair shaft, but they effectively maintain hydration levels to eliminate dryness. “This pomade has a nice semi-matte finish and doesn’t leave a greasy residue,” says Allen. Plus, it’s great for a range of textures and works especially well on chemically-treated hair.

The Frontal Queen

Hair On Sleek Wax Stick

$30

This handy stick counts beeswax and argan oil as its key ingredients. While those provide nourishing benefits, the stylish tube (and simple application method) have made this product beloved by TikTokers and stylists alike. Whether you’re using it to smooth the edges of your natural hair or lay down the fine strands of your wig, it’s built to keep it all laid in place, even through hot and humid weather.

Design Essentials

Sleek MAX Edge Control

$15

According to Allen, thicker textures can benefit from using edge controls with an oil-based formula. As she explains, they can provide a stronger hold than water-based products and keep the hair laid for longer periods. “They’re also a good option if your hair is dry or damaged as they have moisturizing components that enrich the strands,” she says.

PATTERN by Tracee Ellis Ross

Edge Control

$14

The fruit and plant extracts, like cucumber and tea tree leaves, in this product ensure that your edges remain healthy throughout all of your hairstyles. Its flexible texture is also key for helping you shape the strands and define your curls. Even better? Flaking and dryness won’t be an issue as the ingredients keep your hair deeply hydrated and extra shiny.

African Pride

Moisture Miracle Lay & Stay Wax

“Thick hair needs an edge control that has a heavier consistency but you still want to prioritize ingredients that won’t be too weighty,” says Laureus. This styler, made with aloe to hydrate the hair and coconut oil to moisturize and protect it, is a good option for both thick hair and ultra-tight curls that can be hard to maintain.

Mizani

Artful Edges Edge Tamer

$19

Falling somewhere between a pomade and gel, this balm provides a light hold, but is packed with fortifying ingredients like castor oil and shea butter. If you’ve dealt with breakage before, consider giving it a try to naturally moisturize your hair and scalp while keeping your coils managed and frizz-free.

Red by Kiss

Edge Fixer 24 Hour Maximum Hold Edge Wax

Infused with biotin and B7, this styler is designed to keep your baby hairs glued down without looking crunchy or stiff. The non-greasy formula is also suitable for all curl types and gives you maximum control when creating S-curls and swoops.

This article was originally published on November 7, 2023