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Home · Hair

3 Top Tips For Laying Your Edges

Kiss your toothbrush goodbye.
3 Top Tips For Laying Your Edges
Photo Credit: Natasha Tendai/@natashatendai
By Jennifer Ford · Updated December 6, 2020

Our edges are art. Creating intricate swoops and swirls along our hairline may not require a paintbrush, but the skill calls for a brush none the less. For decades we’ve carved out creative patterns using a toothbrush. And while the tool is adept for getting the job done, it wasn’t designed for our hair.

Laying edges is a centuries-old tradition in the Black hair community, and despite its popularity, until recently, we were ill-equipped with the proper beauty tools for styling our tender tendrils.

With the new Edge Styler from Baby Tress, however, we can slick down our strands safely.

Article continues after video.

At Afropunk Brooklyn, the brand celebrated the black beauty ritual with a styling booth where hairstylist Nigella Miller showed festival-goers how to sculpt their tresses using Baby Tress’ Edge Styler. ESSENCE stopped by the booth to check out the tutorials and to get pro tips.

“When it comes to edges, it’s all about your personal style and self- expression” says Baby Tress. To get the edges of your dreams, the brand recommends their three-step process: slick, swoop, and define.

3 Top Tips For Laying Your Edges
Photo Credit: Natasha Tendai/@natashatendai

 1. First, start by slicking down your baby hair. Use the comb side of the Baby Tress brush to select a few baby hairs, and comb them out to remove any tangles. A little goes a long way, so start with a few strands and add more if needed.

3 Top Tips For Laying Your Edges
Photo Credit: Natasha Tendai/@natashatendai

2. Next, just swoop! This is where the fun and self-expression comes in. Using the bristled side of the Baby Tress brush, work with your curl pattern to achieve the perfect swirl. 

3 Top Tips For Laying Your Edges
Photo Credit: Natasha Tendai/@natashatendai

3. Finally, it’s time to define. Use the pointed side of the Baby Tress brush to perfect your look. 

Pro Tip: Pair Baby Tress with your favorite edge gel, and keep in mind that not all edge gels are created equally. Products that work for 3A won’t work the same for a 4C. When you’re practicing your swoops, make sure you’re using products that your baby hair likes.

For styling inspiration, check out the gallery below!

01
Styled To Perfection
3 Top Tips For Laying Your Edges
Photo Credit: Natasha Tendai/@natashatendai,Model: Sarah Miller/ @sarah.ahahahhah
02
Styled To Perfection
3 Top Tips For Laying Your Edges
Photo Credit: Natasha Tendai/@natashatendai, Model: Shana Simmons @Shana_Sim
03
Styled To Perfection
3 Top Tips For Laying Your Edges
Photo Credit: Natasha Tendai/@natashatendai, Model: Nadia Despenza @nadia_lei
04
Styled To Perfection
3 Top Tips For Laying Your Edges
Photo Credit: Natasha Tendai/@natashatendai, Model: Idalis Rideout/ @idalisrideout
05
Styled To Perfection
3 Top Tips For Laying Your Edges
Photo Credit: Natasha Tendai/@natashatendai, Model: Lindsay Renee @_sayrenee
06
Styled To Perfection
3 Top Tips For Laying Your Edges
Photo Credit: Natasha Tendai/@natashatendal, Model: Alexis Wright/ @Alexis Jackson_cassiee
TOPICS:  AfroPunk AfroPunk Atlanta afropunk brooklyn Afropunk Festival baby hair Baby Tress edges hair hair edges Hair Stories Hairstyles natural hair
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