How to smooth hair edges
Coily-haired women frequently use a powerful edge control or gel to sweep their edges into place, and the results are stunning. There are instances, though, when you just want a smooth, natural, and sleek look and want to apply treatments that won’t dry out your hair, flake away, or become rigid.
Fortunately, there are a variety of products that are mild on your hair that may be used to smooth your edges.
Here are a few all-natural techniques to smooth your edges down when you don’t feel like going for the Gorilla Snot.
How do you get smooth edges in your hair?
Working with the texture is the key to getting textured hair to bend and smoothen. Three texture-specific needs must be in place for textured hair to feel at rest and consent to being smoothed and molded: hydration, evenness, and the correct tools.
Good hydration
Hair that lies as evenly as possible from your front hairline to your nape is required for smooth edges. It’s easier for the edges of pulled-back styles to fall in line if the rest of the hair is traveling in the same smooth direction.
Combing through the entire head of hair is essential for thick or resistant hair; the overall evenness of the entire mane will anchor the smoothly-set edges in place.
Make careful to reach deep into your hair’s inner layers, detangling them thoroughly. This will even out the hair and make it simpler to smooth, as well as reduce the bulk and shrinkage that can make certain styling options more difficult.
Choose the appropriate stylers and tools.
When you use a traditional gel to smooth your edges, you risk drying out your hair and causing stiffness and flaking.
Furthermore, gelling down the edges can actually cause shorter hairs to curl away after you’ve smoothed them in the direction you want them on the most tightly curled hair; most gels cause shrinkage and can actually cause shorter hairs to curl away after you’ve smoothed them the way you want it to be. Brillantina, a Dominican hidden weapon, can help you get your edges to cooperate. This thick creamy styler silkens and controls stray hairs while leaving a smooth, natural finish.
You’ll need a brush with long, flexible plastic or silicone bristles for detangling and initial smoothing.
These brushes make touch with the hair’s lowest layers and stretch out individual curls, allowing the hair to lie flatter.
A boar bristle brush is the other brush you’ll need. Natural bristles give shine and smooth out lines left by plastic brushes, as well as catching little hairs that can produce a halo of frizz around your borders, which plastic brushes miss because their rows are more spaced out.
Consider adding a third brush to your edge smoothing kit for exceptionally short and wiry hairs: a great hard toothbrush!
These smaller, stiffer bristles may not have been built with your hair in mind, but they’re fantastic for catching and targeting the shorter, finer hairs that larger brushes miss. They really do wonders for even the most resistant baby hair.
Last but not least, a satin scarf should be included in your kit. Wrapping this fabric around your nicely smoothed hair will keep your strands in place and teach them not to move out of place.
The fabric’s slickness also distributes some of its own smoothness to your hair’s surface.
The most effective way for smoothing edges
Now that you’ve gathered all of your equipment, it’s time to put them to work creating sleekness galore!
Step 1
Begin with hair that has been freshly washed, deep conditioned, and moisturized. The first step is to sprinkle a little water around your edges. Don’t overdo it; you only want to dampen your hair slightly. Keep in mind that whatever structure you give your hair while it’s wet will stay that way when it’s dried, giving you a smoother, sleeker look.
Before you begin, make sure your hair is completely detangled. Wait until your hair is at least 90% dry before beginning the smoothing process to avoid shrinking, which can cause your hair to lie unevenly.
Step 2
You could honestly smooth your hair with just water, but as many naturals know, if you don’t use something to seal in the moisture, your hair will be quite dry. Because many gels might cause your hair to dry out, try a hair butter or your favorite leave-in conditioner instead. Apply a small quantity to your edges and smooth them down with your hands.
To tame your 4C curls, you can use your leave-in conditioner, but if you must use gel, choose aloe vera gel. It’s a terrific natural option that’s less drying.
Step 3
Brillantina should be applied to the area of your hair that you want to smooth. Brush it all the way through with the plastic brush to ensure it reaches all layers. If you want a high-wattage shine, use your styler more liberally. For a natural feel and smooth control
Step 4
Sweep all of the hairs into place with the boar bristle brush. If required, use the firm toothbrush to catch any stray hairs.
Step 5
Run your fingers through your hair to check for any spots that have been overlooked. Spot-apply a fingerful of Brillantina and brush with the boar bristle and/or toothbrush if any are found.
Step 6
Apply a final application of Brillantina to the entire area that needs to be held in place. This time, just use your fingertips to massage the hair into position.
Step 7
Finally, wrap the satin scarf over your neck. Set the timer for 30 minutes. Then take it off to reveal your perfectly clean edges!
Keep your edges intact
If you don’t keep a close eye on the state of your edges, none of this edge-smoothing will be possible. Maintaining a full, growing hairline from front to back is essential for sleek, healthy edges, so make sure yours is in tip-top shape.
When moisturizing or conditioning your hair, pay careful attention to this delicate area. Because it dries out faster than the rest of the hair, apply treatments, conditioners, and leave-ins here first to ensure it gets the attention it deserves. If your edges are frail, use treatments that strengthen the hair at the root to restore fullness.
Finally, minimize the use of pulled-back styles. Not only can tugging your hair back too far weaken your edges, but the small broken hairs it leaves behind might also add to the unruliness you’re attempting to manage! So mix it up with loose and restricted styles, and when you do wear updos, buns, or ponytails, keep the tension minimal.
How do I tame my natural hair edges?
There are, however, techniques to achieve those clean, sleek edges while still protecting your hair from harm. Here are some tips for taming your edges while preventing breaking.
Avoid ponytails that are too tight. When you’re on the move, it’s easy to grab a scrunchie, but repeatedly pushing your hair back will result in thinner edges. If not for the sake of your hair’s health, challenge yourself to try out a new hairdo without the use of ponytail holders once a week. It will not only stretch your creative muscles, but it will also help your hair bounce back over time.
Sleeping with your hair pulled back is not a good idea. The same principles apply to your sleeping habits. You shouldn’t avoid relaxing your curls just because you’re sleeping in a silk hat or on a satin pillowcase.
Tightly coiled hair will eventually break if you move about while sleeping, especially if you’re still sleeping on cotton, which absorbs oil from the hair shaft. Avoid consuming alcoholic beverages. Although alcohol-infused treatments dry faster in wet hair, they smother each hair strand until it is completely dry. Despite the fact that most edge gels are alcohol-free, they can nevertheless stiffen hair and cause flaking–yuck!
How can I make my natural hair smooth?
Make the following changes to your lifestyle and hair care routine to attain soft, smooth, and silky hair.
- Choose hair products that are suitable for your hair type.
Keep your hair type in mind when searching for shampoos and conditioners. Compositions of hair care products were determined based on hair types, which included oily, dry, and compromised hair.
2. Hair should not be shampooed every day.
Shampooing your hair every day removes oil from your hair. Instead, shampoo your hair twice or three times a week. Dry shampoos are also a good option if your hair is oily—Shampoo only the hairs on the tips of your fingers, not the scalp.
3. Do not use hot water to wash your clothes.
Hair that is dull and dry might be damaged by hot water. Instead, use lukewarm water.
When you’re finished conditioning your hair, rinse it with cool water to make it softer and shinier. This will assist in rinsing away any excess product without removing moisture.
4. Wash in a planned manner
Even if you have dry ends and an oily scalp, you should wash your hair on a regular basis. However, you may need to use a separate approach to manage both dryness and oiliness.
Shampoo your scalp first, then condition only your ends. This will assist to remove excess oil from the top of your hair as well as soften the rest of your strands.
5. Use caution when using heated instruments.
Many hairstyles require the use of blow dryers, curling irons, and flat irons. However, intense heat for an extended period of time might cause bubbles in your hair cuticle, resulting in damaged hair that can break off. If at all you use heated tools, keep the following suggestions in mind:
- before each use, use a heat protectant
- Set the heat to the lowest level feasible.
- Never use overly damp hair; instead, let it air dry for a few minutes.
6. Certain hairstyles should be avoided.
Hair accessories are a simple and fun way to switch up your look. Some accouterments, such as elastic bands, are even required when exercising or participating in sports. The pulling and tightening action of these hairstyles, however, can damage the hair cuticle over time. Dryness and even patchy hair loss might result as a result of this.
7. Take it easy with the treatments.
The effects of a good hair treatment, whether it’s a color job, a perm, or a straightening/relaxer treatment, can be addicting. After a few weeks, you might be tempted to receive another treatment.
Professional hair treatments can soften and shine your hair, but many of the effects are only temporary. Chemicals are at the heart of each treatment, and they can dry out and damage your hair over time.
8. Make use of hair masks.
Hair masks used once a week will help to keep the oil in your hair. Apply one of the homemade hair masks listed below to your hair, leave it on for an hour, wash it out with shampoo, and finish with a hair conditioner.
- Combination of avocados and egg yolks
- Avocados and banana
- Aloe vera
9. Hair dyes and colors should be used sparingly.
If you color or perm your hair frequently, it might harm the texture of your hair. Limit the use of them and wait at least 6 weeks between hair treatments.
Hair should be trimmed. Trimming your hair every 3-4 months helps to reduce split ends and provides your hair with a healthy appearance.
Is laying your edges bad for your hair?
Laid edges add the right finishing touch to your look. They give your hairstyle a tidy, precise look while also elevating it. Managing them, on the other hand, can be a real pain. Due to abuse of products and styling, these edges can cause hair build-up and breakage over time.
Can you use Vaseline on your edges?
Vaseline doesn’t stay on your hair for long. Simply put, it cannot be used on your edges. However, Grease can make it difficult for hair to regenerate and grow. Consider substituting the Vitalize Hair and Scalp Treatment Oil for mineral oil, Vaseline, and petroleum jelly, which moisturizes and conditions the hair and scalp while also boosting hair growth.
Hair loss is not caused by Vaseline. Hair loss is caused by your androgenic alopecia. Stop taking Vaseline if you suspect it is causing your hair loss to worsen. Hair loss is not caused by Vaseline.
How can I lay my edges without gel?
You can make your edges last without gel by using the following tricks:
Use a toothbrush or boar bristle brush.
It’s time to come on board if you haven’t heard about this trick yet! It’s far easier to set your edges with a little brush than it is with your fingers or a regular comb/brush. You don’t have to spend money on a nice, small edge brush, thankfully. You most likely already have the ideal instrument on hand: a toothbrush.
For accurate baby-hair styling, a toothbrush is ideal. A boar-bristle brush can also be used to sweep your edges into a bun or ponytail.
Tie your hair back.
You must ensure that your edges stay in place until they are entirely dry after you’ve placed them out. Wrap a satin or silk scarf over your neck and keep it in place for at least 20 minutes. You can do your makeup, get dressed, or do whatever else you need to do before leaving the house while you wait.
Start the process overnight if you really want a smooth look – wrap your hair before bed and wake up with soft and sleek edges.
Instead of a stiff grasp, these approaches will produce a soft, natural-looking hold. They’re not only gentle on your hair, but they’re also kind on your pocketbook.
- Black castor oil from Jamaica
This is only one of the many incredible things that Jamaican black castor oil can do. This viscous oil has a molasses-like viscosity and is heavy enough to weigh your hair down. That means this is not the best choice for all-over wetness, but it’s fantastic for applying a small bit to your edges to smooth them out.
- Cocoa butter or shea butter
Similarly, a mere pat of butter will suffice. Hair shea butter is a great alternative to gel since it keeps your hair in place without flaking or drying it out. Instead, it provides a significant amount of moisture.
A tablespoon of pure shea butter or cocoa butter will suffice.
- Make your own gel at home.
Try producing your own homemade hair gel if you still want to use a gel but want to go the natural approach. This is where homemade flaxseed gel comes in handy. The greater the hold of your gel, the thicker it is. Learn how to manufacture your own flaxseed gel in this article.
How can I make my baby hair soft?
Your infant may have been born with a full head of hair or with a crop that is noticeably scant! In either case, you shouldn’t be concerned because hair grows eventually and continues to grow for the rest of your life. Hair must, however, be properly cared for in order to remain healthy and strong. Haircare, like other parts of newborn care, is something that needs to be taken into consideration.
Brush out any tangles in your baby child’s hair while it’s still dry before wetting it while using a soft-bristled baby brush.
Just before removing your baby from the bathtub, wash her hair with warm water. Use a little shampoo and Rinse the shampoo completely. You don’t want to deplete your baby’s hair of its natural proteins and oils by shampooing more than once.
Spray three or four pumps of detangler into your girl’s hair with your wide-toothed comb, giving any knots one or two extra sprays.
Once a week, after bathing the little girl’s hair with shampoo, apply baby oil to her hair. Pour the oil onto your comb and comb it through her hair slowly. Baby oil is a gentle deep conditioner that works wonders on even the thickest baby hair. Allow the oil to rest for one minute before thoroughly rinsing it out.
Allow your baby’s hair to air dry and comb it every five to ten minutes to maintain it smooth as it dries. Brush through the hair with a soft-bristled baby brush after it’s dry.
To pull your baby girl’s hair back, use only cotton hair ties or ribbons, as rubber or elastic will break hair and cause frizz. Pull her hair back but not too tightly. To keep lengthy hairs from becoming tangled, divide them into pigtails. If you’re going to leave her hair down, brush it every couple of hours to avoid tangles.
Conclusion
Finding products that give you the soft hair you want can take some time and trial and error. Over time, the methods listed above can help soften your hair. While a hair mask or plant oil will soften your hair right away, the results will fade after a few days unless you reapply.
While excessive straining and heavy products may eventually cause the margins to yield, such roughness is harmful in the long run.
Only use products designed exclusively for babies on your baby girl’s hair. Your baby’s sensitive skin and hair may be irritated by adult products.