The Absolute Best Edge-Control Products for Baby Hairs
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One of the most beautiful things about Black hair is its range. From coily natural curls to silky weaves to waist-length braids to sleek relaxers, Black hair can do it all. And for Black hair to do it all, there’s one product helping to make those dreams possible: edge control.
Whether you like to swoop and style your baby hairs or slick your edges down, finding the right edge control requires time. A shelf in the beauty-supply store can be overwhelming and filled with hundreds of options. In my own personal journey for the right edge control, I didn’t know what would work for my hair texture and not leave me with flaky or greasy edges. Discovering that pomade acne was a thing didn’t help.
Now, grab your best edge brush or toothbrush (the true hack to styling baby hairs) and try some of the very best edge controls.
Updated July 30: Updated prices and checked stock for all products.
Our top picks
so, you need a new edge control?
➼ More tried-and-true favorites
➼ FAQs
A Long-Lasting Option
Ebin 24 Hour Edge Tamer
When they say extreme hold, they mean it. Ebin is one of the best edge controls I’ve tried. This one even lasts me through my intense, sweaty workouts.
The Strongest Hold Option
Gummy Hair Styling Wax
This styling wax was created for men’s hair, but became beloved by women, especially Black women for the way the intense hold slicks back all textures of hair for hours (sometimes more than 24 hours in my experience!)
If You Prefer a Water-Based Option
Style Factor Edge Booster Strong Hold Water-Based Pomade
Water-based edge controls can cause softer hair textures to curl up and have a short-lived wear, but Style Factor has become a beauty-supply-store staple for its ability to firmly lay edges for a sleek look. A little goes a long way. Using too much can leave a white residue, so there’s no need to slap a huge amount onto your hair.
More tried-and-true favorites
The Best for Shine
Pattern Edge Control
Tracee Ellis Ross recently created more products for Pattern, one being a pomade with a great hold that doesn’t leave you with a white residue after a few hours. It also doesn’t have an overly greasy finish. To top it off, it has the signature Pattern fragrance.
The OG Hair Gel
Eco Style Olive Oil Gel
Eco Styler Gel has been around for ages. It’s not quite an edge control, but it’s a multipurpose gel that always gets the job done. For as long as I can remember, it’s been the unofficial sealant to my baby hairs. I remember Eco Style being on the shelf for tightening up braids as a child. Now I apply it over edge control so that my baby hairs don’t have a hard appearance.
The Popular Go-To
Hicks Total Transformations Edges Styling Gel
Hicks’ has been beloved for years by editors, hairstylists, and influencers for its shiny and nonsticky finish while having a firm hold on edges. As someone with combination skin, it doesn’t combine well for me and often leaves me a bit greasy, but other reviewers are always amazed at the flawless finish and its lack of residue.
The Best for Curls
Curls Passion Fruit Curl Control Paste
This paste is made for curls, with a sculpting edge control that gets every swoop and swirl. Because it’s lightweight, it doesn’t weigh down curls and is great for keeping your edges soft, especially if you want your baby hairs to blend with your curly styles.
The Best for Laying Lace
Moco de Gorilla Gorilla Snot Gel
Remember Tessica Brown, best known on the internet as “Gorilla Glue Girl”? Here’s what she actually should’ve been using. This tackylike gel was originally created to be a holding gel for spiky hair, but it’s just as effective for laying the lace on wigs and weaves for a long-lasting hold.
The Best for Dry Hair
Carol’s Daughter Mimosa Hair Honey Shine Pomade
Leave it up to Carol’s Daughter to formulate a pomade that not only keeps edges in place, but also nourishes and moisturizes the tiny hairs. Infused with shea butter and cocoa butter, this product not only strengthens the hair, but also works to control frizz and leaves a soft and shiny finish.
The Best for Hold
The Frontal Queen Baby Hair Control
This residue-and-flake-free gel provides all-day hold and not just on your edges. You can use this to easily slick every hair down into a sleek ponytail and refresh the style with water the next day.
The Best Smelling
KISS Products Colors & Care Maximum Hold Edge Fixer Hair Gel
At just under $5, you can grab one of every fruity scent. It provides decent hold and a good amount of product for the price point. We’d recommend starting with a small amount of product to prevent buildup and residue.
Another Scented Option
Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Moisture & Shine Edge Control
While this is another option that smells lovely, it also provides a good amount of hold without residue. The pomadelike formula adds extra shine and will keep your baby hairs under control without damaging them or gluing them into place.
The Best for Soft Hold
Mizani Artful Edges Edge Tamer
Look, we love our baby hairs slicked down into place, but sometimes you want a look and feel that’s a little lighter. If you love the look of soft and fluffy baby hairs, this is for you. The lightweight formula adds a little shine while lightly shaping your hair. This also smells very good, with notes of coconut and sandalwood.
Best For Hair Length and Strength
Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Strengthening Edge Gel
Remember the viral Mielle rosemary mint hair oil? This edge control is a part of the same collection and is made with the same ingredients to promote strong and healthy hair. The biotin-infused gel tames edges, some of the most fragile parts of out hair, while nourishing them and leaving them strengthened overtime.
The Plant-Based One
Rebundle laidbetter Edge Gel
The plant-powered formula is great if you’re prone to an itchy scalp and lays edges leaving them silky and hydrated thanks to the ingredients.
FAQs