We all love styling our hair. From sleek ponytails to neat buns, most of us have been relying on regular gels that don't always work. It's no fun that your super cute hairstyle turns into frizzy, bushy manes just because of that futile gel. 

The problem worsens with naturally fine hair (baby hair at the forehead), and the situation tests your styling adroitness whenever you pull your wispy strands to set them in a ponytail or bun. Fortunately, haircare brands have come up with a revolutionary line of the best edge control for natural hair to maintain this stubborn, fragile hair and keep it in place.

Supporting the use of edge control products, our contributor Kate Ross, a Hair Specialist, says, “The best way to tackle baby hair is by using gentle styling techniques. You can use a soft toothbrush or a small brush with light hairspray, gel, or a styling pomade to gently smooth them down. Avoid using high heat or harsh styling products, as baby hairs are delicate.”

Whether you love working out or want a perfect look, or combat environmental stresses while maintaining your stylish mane, there's an edge control for natural hair that fits your needs. 

Based on our first-hand experience, we have curated a list of some extraordinary edge controls that won't ruin your look. All these products are tried and tested and will bless you with better "mane tenance."

• 1
  Best Overall

  Style Factor Edge Booster Strong Hold Water-Based Pomade

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Edge Booster harness the power of argan oil to style your baby hair like a pro. Unlike those sticky, greasy formulas, this one is non-greasy and features a fruity blueberry smell that will lighten your mood. The nourishing gel absorbs like magic with no oily residue and hydrates your mane while ensuring a pliant and strong hold. This is one of the best edge control for natural hair that works well on both men and women. With this, you can confidently flaunt your natural curls without worrying about frizz. 

2

Best Non-flaky Formula

EBIN NEW YORK 24 Hour Edge Tamer

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Ideal for professional use, EBIN NEW YORK is the cult beauty staple. Infused with castor oil, the gel runs seamlessly on Brazilian, Virgin and Natural hair. The product delivers extreme firm hold while adding a natural shine to dry, rough strands. It smoothens and enhances hair edges and makes them appear fuller and thicker. Your expensive edge tamers may ditch you anytime, but this one won't disappoint you. It goes long and ensures a gleaming, glossy look for a long time with no buildup and flaking.

3

Versatile Edge Tamer

Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Strengthening Edge Gel

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The 2oz edge gel tub is a 3-in-1 formula that hydrates, strengthens and promotes hair growth. Thanks to biotin and essential oils. Whether you have curly, straight, or coily mane, the gel works pretty well on all hair types. This edge control gel for natural hair deeply nourishes 3A to 4C hair types and controls dryness and frizz. Besides, it treats split ends and keeps flyaways at bay. Irrespective of your hair style and texture, the gel tames hair edges and adds a sleek shine for a flawless look with zero gooey residues. 

4

Lightweight Formulation

Hicks Total Transformations Edges Styling Gels

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The Hicks Edges puts your hair in place without flakiness and gives a boost of shine to your weak and coarse hair. This non-greasy gel leaves your edges looking shinier and healthier than ever before. This gentle hair pomade is non-greasy and non-flaky that help controls tapered cuts and nape back areas. On the other hand, hydrogenated castor oil added to the formula encourages hair growth and makes strands more manageable. If you love styling, this pick can be used as a curling gel with thermal irons. 

5

Best for Controlling Breakage

Design Essentials Sleek MAX Edge Control

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For those who need maximum hold all day, Design Essentials has got you. The clear gel zaps frizz and silkens your baby hair without hassle. Made with advanced technology, the unique formula doesn't cause buildup and tames edges and flyaways like a breeze. No matter you have wet or dry hair, you can apply it anytime and create your favorite looks, from tight ponytails to chic braids. The best part is the gel controls breakage while maintaining a polished mane appearance. 

6

Best for Flyaways

Goiple Edge Control Wax for Women

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Goiple Edge Control Wax gives your baby hair the TLC it deserves. Featuring the power of botanicals, including castor oil, olive oil and aloe vera, the formula is an ultimate delight to your undernourished hair follicles and rough mane. Castor oil is known for moisturizing skin, olive oil boosts skin and hair elasticity, and aloe controls oil and prevents premature graying. As per our expertise, the blend smoothes and holds edges for a longer duration no matter if you apply it on kinky, coily or any other hair type. 

7

Best for Deep Conditioning

MY BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL Golden Milk Edge Slayer

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Embrace your black, curly, and coily waves with this classic edge slayer. Specially formulated for Black beauties, the edge tame provides naturally textured hair with ease. The hero ingredient "Golden Milk" is a fusion of turmeric, ginger, honey, and coconut milk and oil that helps minimize frizz and soothes dry, dead hair. This is a total styling formula for the flexible hold and superior shine you've always wanted. With the capability of repairing and restoring, the mixture preps your hair for the next-day styling. 

8

Best for Wavy Hair

Avlon Keracare Edge Tamer

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Simple yet classic edge tamers always stand at par. And this Avlon Keracare Edge Tamer is formed with simple hydrating and moisturizing agents like hydrogenated castor oil, glycerin, Camellia oleifera plant extracts, etc. The exotic mixture restores hair's natural sheen and offers a long-staying hold from AM to PM. It prevents ends from reverting and ensures a silky smooth and texture. Based on our observations, the hydrating fiber cream quickly tames tapered areas without reversion and holds down your edges for hours. 

9

Most Affordable

Red by Kiss Edge Fixer

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This is the most affordable edge control gel for natural hair on our list. Packed in a stylish shiny red jar, this gel is a game changer. Infused with premium ingredients, including biotin, the formula offers you salon-like results at home. It retains your baby hair's thickness leaving no residue. Not only that, the hydrating gel nourishes your hairlines and lets new healthy and relaxed hair to pop out. Red by Kiss Edge Fixer is one of the supreme edge controls that you definitely like to include in your haircare regimen. 

10

Best for Shine

ARHGOAT Edge Control

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From 1A to 4C, this epic edge-controlling gel perfectly manages all types of hair. If you need the best edge control for black hair, this would be the right pick. Having aloe vera as the star ingredient, the transparent gel protects your scalp and facilitates hair growth. Made with a cutting-edge process, you can always appreciate an extra strong hold on all occasions. Apart from this, the brand offers a trial pack (1oz jar), including a brush with the main 6.53oz jar. This sounds like a great deal you don't want to miss!! 

11

Creme of Nature Argan Oil Perfect Edges Control

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Creme of Nature edge controlling gel is apt for creating sleek, smooth styles, ponytails, sculpting and styling hair. Containing argan oil as one of its key components, this healthy edge control for natural hair is all set to hold down your edges and brighten up your baby hair for an exotic shiny appearance. It's an alcohol-free product that assists in making your hair stronger and moisturizing your tresses so you can cherish a natural look. Besides, nothing treats coarse hair as well as natural ingredients and edge control products. 

12

SheaMoisture Flaxseed Edge Control Gel

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Ideal for thick and curly hair, the SheaMoisture Edge Control Gel needs a spot in your Curly Girl Haircare regime. Say goodbye to frizz and flyaways and achieve impeccable smooth styles with this edge control gel. Crafted from tropical botanicals like coconut oil, neem oil, flaxseed, and one special ingredient-silk protein, the composition bestows a healthy-looking shine that never fades easily. Our findings show that the product helps manage your curly and coily styles while improving baby hair and promoting healthy hair growth. Moreover, nothing beats the hydrating formula of Shea Butter. 

13

AllDay Locks Edge Gel

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Create bold and beautiful braids, locs, twists and cornrows like Zendaya with AllDay Locks Edge Gel. The extreme hold edge gel amplifies your mane volume and makes your fine, thin hair appear thicker. Carrying the power of 3 essential oils- grapeseed, eucalyptus and olive, the ultra-rich concoction is a holy grail for your developing manes. Grapeseed oil controls frizz, restores moisture and reduces hair breakage. Eucalyptus leaf oil soothes and calms the scalp, decreases inflammation, and rockets hair growth. While olive oil increases hair elasticity and enhances shine. 

14

EZEDGES Edge Control Gel with Beeswax

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The benefits of beeswax have been recognized for ages. Even the famous Egyptian queen Cleopatra was fond of it as it made her hair naturally glossy and volumized. So containing the goodness of beeswax, this best edge control for natural hair acts as a fertilizer for your malnourished scalp. The non-greasy formula revitalizes and strengthens the hairline for excellent hair management. It stays effective for up to 48 hours and is best for braiding and other hairstyles. 

15

Bellatique Professional Edge

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Maintaining braids and locs has never been easy. But the Bellatique Professional Edge helps you manage your fav hairstyles at home. You don't have to disburse your hard-earned money on ineffective gels that ruin your hair. Instead, options like Bellatique's gel come in handy when you prefer professionally styled edges, braids and locs. Also, this pick is one of the top edge control for natural hair that equally manages relaxed, dry, dull and brittle mane. Thanks to components like glycerin, hydrogenated castor oil, etc. 

We are now done with our top picks for the best edge control for natural hair. Let's check out how to select one. 

Here are some points to see before buying the best edge control for natural hair. 

Ingredients 

Activate your eagle eyes and scan through the ingredients. Go for edge controls with natural, hydrating and moisturizing agents like essential oils, glycerin, plant extracts, etc. Ditch options with alcohol, sulfates, parabens and other harsh chemicals. 

Safety 

Choose products that are gentle on the skin and scalp. Stay away from irritants or allergens. You can select one with hypoallergenic raw materials. 

Formula 

Edge controllers are available in different formats like gels and wax. Gels are typically water-based and waxes are oil-based. Water-based formulas work best on loose curls and straight hair, whereas, oil-based ones help manage dull, dry and coily manes. 

Contributor: Kate Ross, Hair and Beauty Specialist - Irresistible Me