Share

Swooped or slicked down, natural or straight – 6 steps to get your edges perfectly laid

accreditation
0:00
play article
Subscribers can listen to this article
Yara Shahidi is seen in SoHo, New York City.
Yara Shahidi is seen in SoHo, New York City.
Photo: Gotham/GC Images

Whether they’re swooped to the side, slicked down or gelled over; your look isn’t complete unless your edges are together.

Here’s how to make sure they are perfect:

1. Style your hair first

If you’d like to rock a high bun, cornrows or wig, style your hair first, then lay your edges afterwards. This makes the process easier.

2. Use the right product

For a long-lasting hold and sleek edges, the perfect product is gel; hairspray can also lay wig edges. The best products are those that contain moisturising and protective ingredients such as coconut or jojoba oil, keratin or vitamin E.

3. Consider your hair type

Natural hair tends to be stubborn to lay as it curls naturally. So, you need a product with a firm, reliable hold. Your own hair can break easily so ingredients such as amla oil, castor oil and cocoa butter are ideal in your gel. They prevent hair loss and avoid dryness and flaking.

Lace-front human hair wigs carry a few baby-hair strands to create the illusion of natural hair along the hairline. To lay these edges onto your scalp requires water, an edge-taming gel or a hairspray to keep them in place.

READ MORE | Hair Crush | Slee Ndlovu keeping it slick with her now- signature pixie cuts 

4. Use the right tools

Because baby hairs are fine, you need to use a brush for better control. Use a toothbrush or an edge-styling brush to lay them down.

5. Use the correct technique

Use just enough gel to cover your edges. Then, slick your hair with the brush and smoothen it with your fingers. Add a little oil to your styled edges to help stop flaking. With lace-front wigs, wet your baby hairs first in order to lay them. use a spray bottle with water, and wet the hairline. then, blow-dry for about three seconds. Use the hairspray or slick-on gel on a soft-bristled toothbrush, and gently brush the baby hairs horizontally against the hairline.

6. Wrap them up

Wrap your edges with a silk scarf or bonnet until the gel dries. This will keep your edges stretched as they dry, leaving them super sleek once you remove the wrap.

When creating shapes and swirls make sure your natural or wig edges are laid and snatched to perfection with these tips edge control create art with your edges like actress Yara Shahidi.

Use the bristled side of your edge-styling brush, swoop from side to side down your hairline, and work with your curl pattern to achieve the perfect swirl. Use the pointed side of the brush to perfect your look.

Sign up to TRUELOVE's Style Essentials Newsletter
For fashion and beauty stories, trends and styling tips - Sign up here!

Get the best in Soccer, News and Lifestyle content with SNL24 PLUS
For 14 free days, you can have access to the best from Soccer Laduma, KickOff, Daily Sun, TrueLove and Drum. Thereafter you will be billed R29 per month. You can cancel anytime and if you cancel within 14 days you won't be billed.
Subscribe to SNL24 PLUS
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()