Every week, without fail, someone asks me about their edges—how to maintain, style, regrow them, and which products work best. The list of worries is endless. As soon as the topic surfaces, you can hear sighs and hear tales of terrible hair habits from everyone nearby. It’s clearly a popular subject, but it doesn’t have to cause so much anxiety. Edges are really simple to handle! Since they’re tiny, every effort you put into them is quite manageable.
So, what exactly are edges? In casual terms, they’re the fine, short baby hairs that circle your hairline, not yet long enough to blend in. These strands are among the most delicate on your head, requiring more attention than the thicker hair elsewhere. They also play a key role in framing your face and complementing your hairstyles. But the real reason to understand edges is to appreciate the phrase “snatching edges” when something amazing takes you by surprise—like when Beyoncé unexpectedly released her album and snatched everyone’s edges. She’ll likely do it again, so get ready with these steps:
Achieve a Sleek Look Without Damaging Your Edges
Keeping your hair in an ultra-tight bun or ponytail for many hours can seriously harm your edges. Constant tension on these fragile strands is never advisable. A simple guideline: if your hairstyle causes a headache, it’s likely too tight. To achieve that sleek bun without the damage, wrap your hair tie one fewer time than usual, then use bobby pins to fix any sections that aren’t as smooth as you’d like. Result: less tugging, no headaches, and preserved edges.
Switch to a Satin Pillowcase for Overnight Care
This tip should already be familiar to you—satin pillowcases offer far more than just edge protection. They improve your skin, keep hair hydrated and less frizzy, and make everything more luscious! Cotton is rough and can strip moisture from your hair. A soft, smooth surface will stop your edges from looking messy when you wake up.
Be Gentle When Styling Your Edges
The beauty of edges lies in the styling variety. Look at FKA Twigs, Chilli, Zendaya, and Rihanna for inspiration. From swirls to swoops to s-curls, countless fun ways exist to style edges and alter your appearance. Many people reach for a boar bristle brush—dependable, smoothing, and classy if it’s a Mason Pearson—but handle it gently. Aggressive brushing and overuse can damage fragile edges and lead to breakage. Instead, use your fingers, a spoolie, or a soft toothbrush to shape them. If you’re attached to your boar bristle brush (I never travel without mine), at least choose a softer bristle version. Also, develop your own styling mixture that does the heavy lifting. My go-tos: Curls Passionfruit Control Paste for its moldable hold, shine, and delicious scent, and Eco Styler Olive Oil Gel for its ultra-strong hold.
Above All, Give Your Edges Room to Thrive
Think you can’t use this advice because you have no edges to work with? Don’t worry—you can regrow them. A highly effective approach is to buy Jamaican Black Castor Oil (I swear by Sunny Isle), apply a tiny amount with your fingertips, and massage it into your edges and hairline every night. Avoid excessive touching while they’re growing back. They’ll manage on their own. And honestly, we could all use a little less fuss sometimes, couldn’t we?
—Priscilla Quaye
