Styling your edges and creating looks with your baby hairs can be one of the most effective ways to take a hairstyle from zero to dreamy in minutes. It’s an amazing way to add some detail to a look and to personalize your style. Sleek painted ribbons of hair delicately placed around your face is this style’s signature look, and it’s actually a lot easier to achieve than you’d think.
Hair texture, density, and condition play a huge part in creating this look; curly short hair is going to result in a very different look compared to long straight hair. First things first: what are edges? Edges or ‘baby hair’ is the name given to the shorter hairs that surrounds your hairline—some people will often confuse this for breakage—and this hair is moulded into creative shapes to create a bespoke style.
Styled edges can completely change the aesthetic of, quite literally, any look. It adds a certain complexity to a simple style to make it something entirely different. A basic ponytail, buns or even simply waved hair – edges give these hairstyles a new narrative. The level of drama is also something to be experimented with; the amount of hair used, and the severity of the waves gives you great freedom and room to experiment when practicing this style.
Products to Get You Started
Pomade: OUAI Matte Pomade, (£16.00)
Combs: Brushworks, HD Tailcombs (£4.95)
Hairspray: Moroccanoil, Luminous Hairspray, (£17.25)
Gel: Keracare Protein Styling Gel (£10.99)
Comb: Tony and Guy Metal end comb (£3.00)
Hairspray: GHD Final Fix Hairspray, (£14.00)
The tools you use for creating this look are essential. Locking in water by using a moisturizer on dampened hair is a good starting point—if your hair is soft you can skin this part. To create the waves, you should apply a generous amount of gel to the edges and make sure its evenly distributed and saturated through the hair. To start manipulating the hair into shape you should use a toothbrush and a pintail comb to then edit the waves.
Power Ponytail
The classic ponytail has, unfairly, been labeled one of the more ‘boring’ hairstyles we wear, and best kept for the gym or for a casual day-off; however, when combined with a cute accessorizing of styled edges, a ponytail is nothing to turn your nose up at.
Space Buns
Two Supercute buns can be made even more adorable by adding some waved edges. The thread-like streams of hair can be enough to bring these buns to life, but for an even greater impact, you can add some additional accessories into your look.
Classic Bun
There’s not much that can beat a sleek bun when it comes to simplicity and impact. Edges are an ideal way to add some detail to such an iconic style. The sleek waves create framing around the face due to the majority of the hair being slicked back.
Casual Curls
Wearing your hair down can seem like one of the less inventive ways to style your locks, yet it’s such a commonly worn style. Use your baby hairs in this instance to add some depth to your look and create shape within your style.
As each person’s hair has its growth pattern, results will always vary. Styling your edges is a creative way to find out how your hair naturally likes to move and each time you try this look, you can achieve totally different results.
Words by Luke Nolan
Graphics by Lucy Gifford
