How To Lay Edges Like A Pro?

Laying edges has taken many hairstyles to the next level. It simply adds its touch and elevates the look instantly.

These days, almost everyone lays their edges. It has become a part of every woman’s style, from runway models to social media influencers and even everyday women.

Like you, we just want to lay our edges. Don’t worry, you will learn how to do so shortly.

But first,

What Are Laying Edges?

Most hairstylists will refer to the edges as the baby hairs around your hairline, or breakage that are shorter, thinner, and finer around your face.

Laying edges is a part of the styling culture every black and brown woman adores. It has also become an art most women love.

While this design is not compulsory, it's an art that frames your face beautifully. So, let us know how to lay edges perfectly, and see a few tips to help you along the way.

Right Tools You'll Need

Before you start styling, getting the right products available will make the process seamless and help you achieve a sleek look. You can also get your edges and baby hairs intact with the right supplies. So, let's see the products you will need.

a. Edge styler

It's a 3-in-1 tool with a brush and comb and works well when laying edges. You should see a lot of them in a store or an online store.

If you can't get one, you can use an old toothbrush. The toothbrush has been used for the longest time now. It's a hack the natural hair community holds dearly. Plus, it does the job. So, don't look too far. A toothbrush will work.

b. Edge control

An edge control simply helps you to sleek the breakage down. Its thick consistency makes it easy to lay your hair flat and style it the way you want.

But before you go in with any edge control, you should consider your hair type. That's because your hair type significantly determines what products you will be using. It tells what edges you have and what products will suit you.

For instance, if you have a 4c hair type, the edge control you want to use has to be strong enough to hold your hair but not too harsh to cause damage. Since baby hairs are delicate, you want to handle them carefully and avoid heavy buildup around them.

There are several edge controls you can decide to use. Some products we will recommend are the Ebin 24-Hour Edge Tamer, Pattern Edge Control, Mielle Organics Honey & Ginger Edge Gel, and Hawaiian Silky Extreme Edge Control.

c. Hair spray

Although a hair spray is not a must when you style your edges, it can help add the finishing touch to your look. It will give you extra molding and keep it in place for a long time.

You can spray it directly to your edges or apply it to your styling tool first. Consider using Got2b Freeze Spray, Shiddy Shawp 0-Gap Hair Line Up Spray, or Fantasia Liquid Mousse Spritz.

Now, how do you lay your edges? Check out the next section.

How To Lay Your Edges?

Laying your edges should be easy if you carefully follow the steps we'll be outlining. However, you might need help to perfect it on your first try. So, don't beat yourself about it. Instead, keep practicing, and you'll be a master in no time.

Step 1: Separate and smooth out your edges

Use a rat tail comb to pick out baby hair around your hairline to the front. You want to separate your edges from the rest of your hair and sleek them down. Make sure you use a rat tail comb and avoid tools that can snag at them and cause further damage to your delicate edges.

Step 2: Distribute edge control along your edges

Apply the edge control to your baby hairs with your finger or a brush. Avoid pressing them down.

Step 3: Swoop and create shapes using the natural boar bristles

Here's the exciting part you'll love- the styling. Go ahead and swoop your edges to create the shape you want. Be creative as you do so.

• Lay them flat while holding the top of your edges in place.
• For this part, you should use the boar bristle brush or a regular toothbrush.
• Whichever one should work just fine. But remember that your hair needs an appropriate edge control to remain sleek.
• Curly hair shouldn't be difficult, but coarse hair might need a heavier edge control.

Step 4: Define your edges using the tip of a comb

You can use a rat tail comb or pintail comb for this. Simply go over the mold you've created and define each. You are only making the shapes neat and clean. Add more products if need be as you do so.

Step 5: Use a hairspray

This part is optional. Using a hair spray depends on the style and your hair type. Nonetheless, we advise you to use this product. It can help hold your hair as we've earlier mentioned, keeping it in place. You get to enjoy calm, and sleek hair without flyaways as well.

The right amount to keep your hair intact for the entire day is needed. You don't have to use it a lot.

Step 6: Tie a Scarf

After you've laid your edges, wrap your head with a scarf. It helps with further lay down, flattening your edges more. A satin scarf should suffice. And 10 to 20 minutes should be okay for this part. Or you can go as long as you want until it is dry. During the process, you can go about other things. Once this process is completed, your edges are ready to slay.

An Easy Trick For A Beginner

As we've said, the swooping and styling can take a lot of work to get as a starter. While it betters with time, you can have your edges perfectly laid on your first try. Here's how:

a. Brush your edges downwards

Divide your baby hairs into two equal parts. That is the middle. With a brush, comb the first half downward. Then, repeat the same for the second part.

b. Apply edge control

Now, add some edge control to your hairline. Not too much. Remember to follow the downward movement you've created. You can use a brush or your finger for this.

c. Divide with the tip of a rat tail comb

Before your edge control gets dry on your hair, pick up a rat tail comb and swoop different parts of your edges inward. It should look like you are creating sections along your hairline. It should form a curvy shape as you divide them.

d. Apply hair spray

You can go ahead and apply some hair spray for extra sleekness. Then, wrap your hair with a scarf for about 10 to 20 minutes.

There you have it- an easy way to lay your edges as a beginner. It's simple and should look good if you follow our steps.

Tips For Laying Edges

We'll love you to achieve a sleek, and flat hairline whenever you style. So, to assist you, here are some tips you can follow to become a master of the art and achieve a healthy outcome.

1. Damp your edges with water

To get the products settled properly in your hairline, dampen your hair with water. You can use a spray bottle to apply the water so you don't get everywhere messed up.

By spraying water, you get your hair to slick down, giving you the perfect and beautiful edges you'll love.

2. Moisturize your edges

Applying edge control regularly can make your edges dry. So, practicing a healthy habit helps to keep your hairline safe and prevent breakage. You can apply a leave-in conditioner before using your edge control. This way, you get the best of both worlds.

3. Never use heavy-gelling products

Selecting heavy products for your hair type can make your hair feel weighed down. It might occur more for women with curly or fine hair that is not too dense. If this is your case, it's time to use the appropriate styling product for your hair type. Your hair can become hydrated and lighter when you do.

4. Don't overuse products

It's alright to want a sleek result. However, overusing products can’t give you that result. Instead, it will cause buildup. If you'd like to style daily, it's much better to wash out your edges before applying again. This prevents your hair from drying out and breaking over time.

5. Lay down your edges with a silk scarf

A silk scarf allows your hair to be more flattened out. The process dries your hair, and presses it down, making it last longer. If you do this, you can skip using a hair spray.

6. Avoid using harsh products on your hair 

You can have your hair damaged or prevent it from growing back if you use harsh products. Products that contain drying alcohol are not necessarily the best. You can avoid using that. Rather, you can use products that contain fatty alcohols.

Edges Art On Different Hairstyles

1. Swirdly Edges On Jumbo Braided Hair

2. Simple Edges On Box Braid

3. Swooped Baby Hairs Top Knot

4. Smooth Waves With High Ponytail

5. Rhinestone Style Half Up Half Down

6. Long Tendrils With Low Sleek Bun

7. Pluffy Edges With Messy Bun

Gorgeously Laid Edges

Laying your edges completes the look of your hairstyle. It's like the perfect accessory you need. But doing it wrong gives the opposite. Rest assured that you can have gorgeously laid baby hairs by following the steps above.

The good news is that this guide also applies to laying edges on a wig. So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and follow our steps.