Do you know what your favorite celebrities like Saweetie, Rihanna, Yara Shadidi, Storm Reid, Issa Rae, Alicia Keys, and Tyla have in common? Not only are they incredible performers, they also have immaculate edges. And, whether you’re new to elevating yours, or a seasoned baby hair lay-er, we can all use some tips to brush up on our skills.
“Edges, often called ‘baby hairs,’ are the fine, delicate hairs along the hairline,” says founder of Nylah’s Naturals, Kameese Davis. “Because they’re shorter and finer than the rest of the hair, edges are more vulnerable to breakage and damage caused by tight hairstyles, over-styling, or harsh chemicals.”
Tiffany Rose, CEO and founder of Hollywood Hair Bar, recommends utilizing edge control to “give you a new and fun look, but also help relieve an itchy scalp, split ends, and dullness.” Meanwhile, Dr. Jarrett Manning, a beauty expert and dentist, also recommends using a brush with strong bristles and wearing a silky scarf to tie around the edges for them to stay in place.
Below for a step-by-step on how to lay down your edges the right way.
Prep Your Hair
Start with clean, dry edges. If needed, you can apply a small amount of hair oil, pomade or moisturizer to prevent dryness. Or, you can slightly damp edges.
Brush Baby Hairs
Grab your edge brush or toothbrush to gently smooth the baby hairs. Continue to smooth down hair as desired.
Apply Edge Control
Take a small amount of edge control or hair oil and apply it along your hairline using your fingertips. You can coat the hair lightly. To get a stronger hold, apply more edge control as needed.
Style Your Edges
Use the toothbrush or edge brush to slightly smooth and shape your edges. You can create swoops, curls, or waves based on your preference. The key to this is to take your time to get the desired shape.
Set Your Edges
Once styled, wrap a satin scarf around your edges for about 10-15 minutes. This will help the product set and keep your edges in place for a few minutes or until you’re ready to leave the house for your outing.
