The 15 Best Edge Control Products To Keep Your Hair Styles and Baby Hairs Sleek (2024)

No hairstyle is complete without having your edges laid and baby hairs swooped. Laying your edges is a work of art, an expression and extension of who you are, and how you project yourself to the world. “Edge control is the cherry on top, the final touch to a beautiful style,” says hairstylist Nish, owner of A Touch of Nish Hair Studios in Lakewood, California.

I have fond memories of using old toothbrushes and tons of gel to lay my edges. Thankfully, I’ve learned along the way that more product isn’t always necessary. Edge control products are typically gels, but wax, oil-based, and liquid formulas of edge control are also available. Your hair type and final desired style dictate how much product you’ll need.

When shopping for edge control products, keep in mind that “water-based edge control products are more suitable for looser curl types or straight hair, as water can cause curl reversion, while oil-based stylers help to nourish dry coily types,” Nish says. If you're going for a more elaborate hair design, or will be frequently reapplying, go with a lightweight, water-based styler, she adds.

Now that you know what you're looking for, start shopping. Whether you’re looking to achieve sleekness on a simple style or an elaborate design of swirls and loops fit for an editorial, we’ve got you covered. Keep scrolling for edge control products that give your edges sleekness sans stiffness.

This Black woman-owned business has cultivated a rich tradition of stellar hair stylers. Their edge control, in the form of a pomade, works well on coily textures, without crunch. Pro tip: Continue to smooth the pomade on your edges until you achievethe desired shine and hold.

With castor and argan oil to nourish your edges while still maintaining incredible holding power, this edge control is alsosilicone-free. The lineshas a range ofdifferent levels ofhold to meet every hair need.

Packaged in a stick form, this wax ismore hygienic and can be applied directly to your hairline. It's also useful when you arewearing weaves and want a seamless transition between extensions and your real hair.

Founder Candera Thompson utilized island remedies and herbal tea to create her own business, inspired to find a solution to postpartum hair loss. This natural, vegan-friendly formula gives you hold while promoting hair growth. It’s recommended for versatile natural hair styles such as twists and locs.

If you havelooser curls, straight hair, or aredesigning elaborate baby hairstyles, go with this water-based edge control. Swoop and loop to your heart's—and hair's—desires.

Smooth, condition, and moisturize your edges with this pomade styler that you should warm and activate in your hand before applying. The aromatic, calming lavender scent is a bonus!

You'll get high shine and control that’s still flexible with this gel styler, packed withnourishing coconut and argan oils. It’s super spreadable, so a little goes a long way.

Murray’s, most famous for their Superior Hair Dressing Pomade, has expanded their collection to include this gel-based styler. It'smade with 100% Australian beeswax andgives softness to hair styling.

Minimize frizzy flyaways and smooth edges with this maximum hold smoothing gel, great for all hair types and textures. This gelcan also be used to add texture to shorter hairstyles.

Sculpt, add shine, and slick your hairline with this tropical-scented paste, enriched with passion fruit oil, shea, and mango seed butter to deeply moisturize.

Baby hair enthusiasts will love this lightweight gel that enables you to swirl, swoop, and smooth edges to perfection. The formula is good for re-application without buildup, too.

This edge control gel is multipurpose: It strengthens and adds hydration to hair, in addition to maximum shine and hold. It’s infused with biotin to encourage growth, and possessesa pleasant minty scent.

For dry, dull, or brittle hair, it's best to applythis edge control dry to prevent curl reversion for sleek styles. Honey and aloe helps to keep hair manageable and soft, with a holding power to sculpt and style to your liking.