A good edge control for natural hair is not always easy to find. Some products will have your edges looking smooth, but will bounce back to its curliest state in a moment’s notice. That can be beyond frustrating.
And even worse: some edge control products can leave your hair dry and flaky with thinning roots. Now that’s really frustrating!
Managing your edges can be a process that leaves you feeling defeated whether you’ve got a head full of curls or a coarse afro. But with a little patience, a spritz of water, a dab of 
Whether you’re wearing your hair natural or relaxed, one thing is sure: having well-kept edges is a must. It’s actually an essential step in the hair styling process for African-American women if you want to wear your hair in a sleek updo such as a bun or even smooth out your edges when braiding.
After all, who wants lots of flyaways or puffy edges?
How to Apply Edge Control
If you’re ready to have smooth edges, you’ve got to pay close attention to how you use your edge control products. While some women just put a few dollops on their fingertips and smooth across the edges, this is not always the most efficient method.
If you want your edge control for natural hair to work well, you’ve got to use more than the edge control product. Tools of the trade include a 
- First, apply a leave-in conditioner or cream to your edges and your favorite oil.
- Then, implement the edge control of your choice to your hair. I really love
Curls passion fruit control paste Using your toothbrush, push back the hair that has the product on it. This step will help smooth out the product on your hair.
- Finally, tie your head scarf around your head. Leave the scarf in place for at least 15-30 minutes. This will help your hair dry and keep your edges smooth.
Edge Control for Hair Growth
Fact: your edges are fragile, and they need a lot of tender loving care. Although many women with African-American hair textures will rely on edge control styling gels because they add a slick look to a lot of different hairstyles, but daily use of these products can lead to hair breakage along the edge of your scalp and even at the nape.
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If you’re ready to help your edges grow really healthy and strong, using certain products and styling techniques instead of a traditional styling gel will be helpful:
- To avoid breakage and to promote hair growth, it’s best to use styling gel products that do not include alcohol, petroleum, and mineral oil. Products with alcohol will dry out your hair while products containing petroleum and mineral oil will clog your hair follicles.
- Avoid pulling your hair back too tightly. Make sure your buns, ponytails and other hairstyles are a little loose. Even though wearing your hair might look sleeker if it’s tighter, you are doing lots of damage to your scalp.
- Alternating styles such as a high bun one day and a low bun another day will also help you to reduce hair breakage associated with edge control products.
- Sleep with satin pillowcases, scarves or bonnets. The satin will help protect your hair by reducing friction with your pillows and sheets.
- Massage Sunny Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil onto your edges every night. Since Jamaican Black Castor Oil is known for its ability to fight against dry scalp and promotes hair growth because it stimulates blood circulation, this is a must-have in your hair care regimen.
- Coat your edges with a heavy moisturizing cream. This will work well with styles that are free flowing and don’t really rely on a sleek look.
- Use non-gel products around your edges such as
Oyin Handmade Juices and Berries Pomade, and
Tamanu Grow & Strengthen Edge Taming Taffy.
- Protein treatments on a bi-weekly basis such as
Curl Junkie or Aphogee protein treatment will help strengthen your hair, just like the Jamaican Black Castor Oil does on a daily basis.
The Best Edge Control Products for Thick Hair
For women with thick hair looking for an effective edge tamer, there are plenty of products available at a number of price points. Just remember that when using an edge control for natural hair that it has moisturizing ingredients it will allow your hair the opportunity to grow.
Design Essentials Honey and Shea Edge Tamer is firm-hold edge control gel. This moisturizing edge tamer is great to use for women with all hair textures–from curls to coils.
Using honey and shea butter to add nourishment to your edges will also add shine to your mane.
Hands down 
Eco Styler Gel is for not only African-American women with natural hair but also those with chemically-treated coifs.
Also popular among women with natural hair,
This product is a bit pricy, but a little goes a long way. As a matter of fact, the less you use, the less residue will be present in your hair!
The Best Edge Control for Straight Hair
For women with naturally straight hair, edge control is merely nothing more than a light styling gel that will hold down flyaway hair. The best products for this hair type are below.
Aveda’s Control Paste says it is for all hair types but customer reviews prove otherwise. Many have maintained that it worked best for women with straight hair, who needed to smooth out their hair and just a bit of shine.
Redken Velvet Gelatin is a product that adds volume. This gel that works while you blow-dry your hair.
If you use your blow dryer at a medium heat setting, this product will work with the heat to create a silky finish that is free from flyways.
No matter your hair texture, if you need a good edge control for natural hair, one thing is sure: it must contain moisturizing ingredients so that your edges will not only appear tamed but also healthy.
For the ladies whose hair is not considered naturally thick or naturally straight, 
Use when your hair is wet, this product will control curls as it dries.
The Best Edge Control Products for Relaxed Hair
For women with relaxed hair, keeping your edges down is still important. While some of the styling products mentioned under the section for thicker hair will work well for women with chemically treated hair, some specific brands will provide your hair with lots of protection as well!
Black hair that is relaxed also needs to be moisturized, and it’s important not to leave too much residue from products.
Amla Legend Treasured Temple Edge Tamer
This is a lightweight pomade that works really well on relaxed hair. The main ingredient in 
Avlon Keracare Edge Tamer
This 
Dark & Lovely Anti-Reversion Edge Sleeker
When Dark & Lovely developed their 
As a matter of fact, it offers a moisturizing agent and at least eight hours of control. This is perfect for sticking in your purse and touching up sleek chignons and faux hawks!
Hey Curl Friend, I’m Patrina Haupt the creator and author of Natural Hair Queen. I hope you find my healthy hair care tips helpful in your hair journey. Healthy hair care practices are definitely, what helped me to achieve waist length hair.
