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.
Depends on the texture of one’s hair….
No they are not…but can’t understand why some of us are so caught up in having “laid” edges…
Oh my goodness. I totally agree with you. I’m not a 3 month old baby or El Debarge. I have no desire to have slicked down edges
This has been a life long tradition in my fam but never new this edge control made your hair fall out if heat gets to it. I’ll go back to gel or lotion. .
Nope! Try white Beeswax!
Nope