Introduction: Setting the Scene
Every day we search for ways to best manage our wild, curly tresses, and the best edge control for 4c hair is a major part of this. This hair type is known for its tight coils, high shrinkage rate, and fragile nature, which can make it difficult to achieve smooth and defined edges.
For years, women have battled with finding creative ways to look their best, from twisting them up with scarfs or slickening them down with oils and gels. No matter if it’s rough waves or tight spirals, loving our locks is what matters most on the journey of self-discovery. It takes a lot of research, experimentation, and patience, but it’s all worth it in the end when you find out what best edge control for 4c hair works best for you!
What is 4C Hair?
4C hair is a specific type of curly hair with an extremely tight curl pattern, has low porosity, and often requires special products and techniques to best care for it. It is also the most fragile of all the hair types, with less elasticity and a greater susceptibility to breakage. According to a Curlcentric, a popular website about curly hair, “4C is so dry, your strands are far more likely to snap and break off than other hair types”, making it more prone to damage from manipulation and styling.
Benefits of Edge Control on 4C Hair
Edge control is an essential step to achieving that perfect hairstyle or updo. It can take your look from fuzzy and frazzled to polished and put together in just a few minutes. Not only does edge control help keep hair looking neat, but it also adds shine and definition–especially for 4c hair. Edge control strengthens the ends of each strand of curly hair, which minimizes breakage and frizz. But with so many different types of edge control out there, it’s best to do some research and find the best product for your texture of hair. For 4c curls, look for a more gel-based edge control as these will provide a stronger and more lasting hold while infusing moisture into the curls. Making sure you have quality edge control on hand means always looking flawless no matter where your day takes you!
What to Look for in an Edge Control Product for 4c Hair
4C hair tends to be very voluminous, but also very dry due to its already lower-than-average porosity; as a result, edge control products for 4C hair should ideally be lightweight, moisturizing, and free of alcohol or other drying agents.
According to Dr Syed, a professional cosmetic practitioner, Certain alcohols such as Ethanol and Isopropanol are also undesirable for Afro hair, because they tend to decrease the natural moisture of the hair and scalp, leaving both dry and brittle”.
It’s important to look for ingredients that will help nourish the hair while providing hold and definition. Natural oils and butters, such as shea butter, coconut oil, and castor oil, are great for moisturizing and sealing in moisture. Humectants, such as glycerin and honey, can help attract and retain moisture in the hair.
These products can help tame the naturally frizzy texture of 4C hair while allowing natural movement through the strand. Finding the best edge control for this type of hair may take some experimentation and trial and error, but it will be worth it for the softness, shine, and flexibility that can be achieved!
Additionally, a great edge control cream should provide long-lasting hold without flaking. Knowing the key ingredients to look for in an edge control product can help you find the perfect one for your unique hair type and texture.
A little note: It’s also important to look for products that are free from harsh chemicals such as Sulfates or Parabens. These chemicals can strip the hair of its natural oils and cause dryness and breakage.
Finding the Right Edge Control Product
Finding the best edge control product that works for your hair type can be challenging. For those with tighter curl patterns and 4c hair, it can often be a struggle to find an edge control product that will keep your baby hairs laid consistently and effectively.
To best find one that suits your texture type, read reviews! Reading experiences of products from people with similar hair types may offer insight into what products best suit your hair type, as well as great tips for how best to apply them and how long it lasts without having to test out and buy multiple products.
Best Edge Control For 4C Hair
1. Cantu Extra Hold Edge Stay Gel
2. Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Edge Control Gel
3. Style Factor Edge Booster Strong Hold Gel
4. Crème of Nature Pure Honey Creme Moisture Infusion Edge Control
5. Curls Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Paste
Reviews of Best Edge Control For 4C Hair
1. Cantu Extra Hold Edge Stay Gel
- Silicone Free
- Shea Butter Scent
- Provides Extra Hold
Cantu Extra Hold Edge Stay Gel is the perfect product for achieving a smooth finish on 4C hair. It provides strong hold and lasting results that are designed to keep your edges in place all day long. With its natural ingredients, this edge-control product nourishes and strengthens your strands while providing definition and taming frizz. This formula is specifically designed to help prevent breakage and aid in styling even the most unruly of textures.
Cantu Extra Hold Edge Stay Gel is a highly-rated edge control product with impressive reviews on both Amazon and Walmart. On Amazon, it has earned 8,977 five-star reviews, while on Walmart, it has earned an astounding 93 five-star reviews.
One reviewer on Amazon said: “This is amazing! I disagree with all the negative reviews!! And I’m not receiving any free item! I have 4C hair and this worked like a charm for 4 hours while I had a photo shoot today and drove back this is how sleek and beautiful it still is. No residue and not overly shiny! I’m so so happy with this, I’m only buying this edge gel forever.”
Another reviewer are also happy with this product: “This is the ONLY gel that holds down my 4c hair! I bought one jar today an did some flat twist and my edges are SLICKKKKKKK!! Will be purchasing the 4 pack soon!”
Cantu Extra Hold Edge Stay Gel stands apart from its competitors due to its unique combination of natural ingredients and strong hold. Its special formula includes castor oil, cocoa butter, and coconut oil which nourish and strengthen your strands while controlling frizz and providing long-lasting hold. Unlike other edge control products on the market, this one won’t leave a flaky residue behind or weigh your hair down either — making it perfect for achieving a smooth finish without compromising on style or strength.
The newest version of Cantu Extra Hold Edge Stay Gel offers a more enhanced formula than its previous version. This improved formula includes natural ingredients such as Castor Oil, Cocoa Butter, and Coconut Oil to provide extra moisture and nourishment for 4C hair, while still offering a strong hold to tame frizz and define edges. Additionally, this version is flake and residue-free, which means your style won’t be weighed down or left with a sticky feel — making it ideal for creating smooth finishes without compromising on style or strength.
After some time, we noticed that the only downside to Cantu Extra Hold Edge Stay Gel is that it may not be the best option for very fine or thin hair due to its strong hold formula. To help improve the product, Cantu could look into creating a separate version with a lighter hold, which would better suit those with thinner strands. They could also focus on adding additional natural ingredients to provide extra nourishment and protection while styling.
A potential competitor to Cantu Extra Hold Edge Stay Gel is the Design Essentials Honey Creme Moisture Retention Edge Control. This product provides a medium hold and offers a blend of natural ingredients such as Aloe Vera, Vitamin B5, and Honey Extract to help nourish and protect hair while styling. Additionally, this edge control is flake-free and great for creating smooth finishes.
2. Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Edge Control Gel
- Paraben Free
- Almond Scent
- 2 Fluid Ounces
For those looking for the ultimate edge control gel, Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Edge Control is an excellent choice. This product is specifically formulated for 4C hair and promises a strong hold with a matte finish that won’t create pesky white flakes or flaking. It contains shea butter, coconut oil, and argan oil to intensely hydrate the hair and help protect it from breakage. Additionally, the lightweight formula makes it easy to apply and provides even coverage that will last all day.
Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Edge Control Gel has earned an impressive 5,359 5-star rating on Amazon from 66 reviews, while it has managed to garner an even higher 5-star rating on Walmart with 337 rave reviews.
One reviewer on Amazon thinks this product work great on 4C hair: “I finally found something that works on 4c hair! No flaking, not messy, it doesn’t not run after your in the sun for a few hours great hold,smell awesome, and a little goes along way.”
Another reviewer on Amazon was really happy with this product: “Love this product. It actually holds my 4c hair and doesn’t just shine my edges like other products. About my 4th time ordering it and i wish to continue.”
Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Edge Control Gel stands out from its competitors because of its strong hold and natural ingredients. It is also very easy to use, making it ideal for all styling abilities, and the results are long-lasting and reliable. It is also highly affordable compared to other leading-edge control gel products, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious shoppers.
The latest version of Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Edge Control Gel offers improved performance and better results than its predecessors. It has a stronger hold that lasts longer, as well as natural ingredients that are less damaging to the hair. It is also easier to apply with better control over styling, giving users more control and flexibility in achieving their desired look.
The main downside of Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Edge Control Gel is that it does not provide a completely matte finish, which some people may prefer. We also noticed that the container is slightly larger than other similar products on the market, making it more difficult to fit into bags and pockets. To improve this product, manufacturers could consider providing a matte finish option and creating a smaller container size for better portability.
Another potential competitor to Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Edge Control Gel is Ecoco Eco Style Edge Control. Like the Mane Choice product, this one also promises a stronger hold, but it has its own unique moisturizing ingredients such as aloe vera and vitamin E that help to nourish hair follicles. This product is also advertised as having a matte finish and comes in a compact container.
3. Style Factor Edge Booster Strong Hold Gel
- Acacia scent
- 3.38 Fluid Ounces
- Strong Hold Water-based Pomade
Style Factor Edge Booster Strong Hold Gel is the perfect choice for 4C hair, providing an ultra-strong hold with no white flakes or flaking. Its unique blend of shea butter, coconut oil, and argan oil help to nourish the roots and protect against breakage, while its matte finish and natural shine make it a great option for achieving a sleek look.
Style Factor Edge Booster Strong Hold Gel has been highly rated on both Amazon and Walmart, with 2,034 five-star reviews on Amazon and 9 five-star reviews on Walmart.
One reviewer on Amazon really like this product for her 4C hair: “I love this gel it really holds my 4c hair but it still makes my hair wave up and its also very sticky but its worth it. It doesn’t make my hair white unless i overuse it while old gel is still in it or mixed with another product. If you mix whatever gel you use with any other product and it turns white and clumpy then don’t mix it because it’ll turn white in your hair. That’s how i tested it as well.”
Another reviewer also shared this opinion: “Very good for 4c hair. This held my edges down in 90 degree weather without any fly always. Will recommend this product.”
Style Factor Edge Booster stands out from its competitors, with a unique formula combining shea butter, coconut oil, and argan oil to nourish the roots and protect against breakage. Plus, it provides an ultra-strong hold with no white flakes or flaking – all while giving you a natural matte finish and healthy shine.
Style Factor Edge Booster Strong Hold Gel is a major upgrade from its previous version, offering an even stronger hold and less flakiness than ever before. Plus, its unique formula combines shea butter, coconut oil, and argan oil to nourish the roots and protect against breakage. With no white flakes or flaking, you’ll get a natural matte finish with a healthy shine.
While Style Factor Edge Booster Strong Hold Gel does offer an ultra-strong hold and natural matte finish, it does have some downsides. We noticed that the gel is too strong for fine or thinning hair, resulting in a product buildup on the scalp. We also noticed that the product is difficult to remove from the hair and can be drying if not used sparingly. To improve this edge control gel, Style Factor could add more moisturizing ingredients to its formula, such as jojoba oil or shea butter, to help prevent dryness and build-up.
A potential competitor for Style Factor Edge Booster Strong Hold Gel is L’Oréal Paris Studio Line Indestructible Extreme Gel. This gel also offers an ultra-strong hold with a natural matte finish, but additionally contains witch hazel and castor oil to nourish the roots. Plus, it’s suitable for all hair types and textures, making it a great option for users who have finer hair or thinner strands.
4. Crème of Nature Pure Honey Creme Moisture Infusion Edge Control
- Moisture Infusion
- No Sulfates
- No Mineral Oil
Creme of Nature’s Pure Honey Moisture Infusion Edge Control Gel provides an ultra-strong hold and a natural matte finish to tame unruly edges. Formulated with natural ingredients like honey, jojoba seed oil, shea butter, and castor seed oil, it nourishes and helps condition the hair while giving you great hold. This edge control gel is also non-greasy, so you won’t have to worry about product buildup on the scalp.
Creme of Nature’s Pure Honey Moisture Infusion Edge Control Gel has been highly rated by customers. On Amazon, the product received an average rating of 4.4 stars from 996 customer reviews and on Walmart, it was given an average rating of 5 stars from 14 customer reviews.
One reviewer on Amazon thinks this product really suite her 4C hair: “For my 4c hair this product is always my go to for laying my edges down perfectly. Would definitely recommend”
Creme of Nature’s Pure Honey Moisture Infusion Edge Control Gel stands out from its competitors as it is made with natural ingredients such as honey, jojoba seed oil, shea butter, and castor seed oil. These natural ingredients not only provide a strong hold, but also nourish and condition the hair without greasy residue. It also does not leave any product buildup on the scalp, so you can style your edges with confidence.
Creme of Nature’s Pure Honey Moisture Infusion Edge Control Gel is the upgraded version of Creme of Nature’s previous edge control gel. The product has been reformulated with natural ingredients such as honey, jojoba seed oil, shea butter, and castor seed oil to provide an ultra-strong hold and a natural matte finish. It also nourishes and conditions the hair without leaving any greasy residue or product buildup on the scalp. Compared to its predecessor, this new formula gives users greater control over their edges for a more polished look that lasts all day.
After some time, we have noticed that the Creme of Nature’s Pure Honey Moisture Infusion Edge Control Gel may not be suitable for extremely coarse or unruly hair. While the natural ingredients nourish and condition the hair, they may not provide enough hold to tame thick and curly strands. To improve this product, Creme of Nature could add an extra ingredient to provide more control while still maintaining its natural moisture infusion. This would give users with coarse and unruly hair a better hold without compromising on the natural benefits of using this edge-control gel.
One potential competitor to the Creme of Nature’s Pure Honey Moisture Infusion Edge Control Gel is As I Am’s double butter cream. This product utilizes shea butter, mango butter, and castor oil for a strong hold and to keep edges in place all day. Unlike the Creme of Nature product, this double butter cream also provides shine and moisture, making it great for hair types that require extra hydration. As an added bonus, it has no sulfates or parabens and is cruelty-free.
5. Curls Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Paste
- Silicone Free
- Sulfate Free
- Artificial Fragrance-Free
The Curls Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Paste is a lightweight styling paste that provides frizz-free definition and medium hold. It’s packed with a powerhouse of natural ingredients like sunflower seed oil and blueberry extract, which nourish the hair while providing hold. This product is perfect for curly and wavy hair types, as it tames flyaways and adds moisture, leaving hair soft and defined. Its non-greasy formula makes it ideal for styling without weighing down the curls.
The Curls Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Paste has earned an impressive rating on both Amazon and Walmart, with 1011 5-star reviews on Amazon and 12 5-star reviews on Walmart.
One revier on Amazon loves this product: “I love this paste so much. It controls frizz and maintains softness. So it doesn’t feel as crispy as other gels would cause. It smells great. Provides great sheen and I just wish I knew about this product all a long.
I have 4b 4c mixed hair.”
Another reviewer agreed with this opinion: “Where have I been this stuff is super awesome. My 4C hair is finally looking good. I bow down to this product. I have used on dry end of the week hair and BAM looking good the next day and the day after. Nothing has every done this for my hair I am in love!”
The Curls Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Paste stands out from its competitors due to its unique formulation. It contains blueberry extract and wheat proteins, which are proven to help enhance softness, reduce frizz, and increase the manageability of curls. Its light yet concentrated formula also helps define and control curls while adding shine and bounce. In addition, the paste is paraben-free, so it is gentle on the hair but still effective in providing a superior curl definition.
The Curls Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Paste has been upgraded from its previous version to include a unique blend of blueberry extract and wheat proteins. This blend has been proven to help enhance softness, reduce frizz, and increase the manageability of curls. Additionally, the paste is now paraben-free, so it is gentle on the hair but still effective in providing superior curl definition. Its light yet concentrated formula also helps define and control curls while adding shine and bounce. In comparison to its predecessor, this latest version gives users more control over their curls with natural ingredients for a healthier look.
The Curls Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Paste has some minor downsides. We noticed that the paste can be a bit too strong and sticky if too much is applied. We also noticed its effects are not as long-lasting as other products on the market, so frequent reapplication may be necessary. On the other hand, due to its light formula, it is less likely to weigh down or flatten out curls. Improvements that could make this product even better, include adding a few more natural oils and humectants to help control frizz and make it easier to style.
A potential competitor to the Curls Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Paste is DevaCurl’s Light Defining Gel. This gel offers control and definition with a lightweight, alcohol-free formula that won’t weigh down curls. Additionally, it contains wheat protein and lemongrass to help nourish and hydrate while providing long-lasting hold. It has been proven effective in combating frizz, creating volume and shine, and defining curl patterns without any crunchiness or stickiness.
Tips and Tricks for Using Edge Control on 4C Hair
For best results when using edge control on 4C hair, make sure to use a product specifically designed for the curl pattern of your hair. This will help provide maximum hold and prevent breakage, while still keeping the edges of your locks looking smooth and sleek.
- Start with clean, moisturized hair: Before applying edge control, make sure your hair is clean and well-moisturized. This will help the product to adhere better and prevent dryness and breakage.
- Use a small brush or toothbrush: Use a small brush or toothbrush to apply the edge control product to your hairline. This will help you to be more precise and avoid getting the product on your scalp or hair.
- Smooth the hair with a scarf or headwrap: After applying edge control, smooth the hair down with a scarf or headwrap. This will help to set the style and prevent frizz and flyaways.
Applying a light leave-in conditioner afterward will also add extra moisture to your hair and give it an even smoother finish without making it greasy or tacky. With these helpful tips in mind, you’re sure to find the best edge control for 4C hair that does exactly what you need it to do!
Conclusion: Getting a Smooth Finish
In conclusion, finding the right edge control product for your 4C hair can be challenging. However, there are a few products on the market that offer results specifically designed for 4C hair and can help you achieve a smooth finish. With the right combination of tips and tricks outlined in this guide, you should be able to find an edge control product that works best for you and has long-lasting effects. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different products, techniques, and methods until you find the best solution for your hair. Remember, it is important to always keep your edges healthy by using nourishing ingredients, performing regular deep conditioning, and maintaining a proper hair care routine. With the right dedication, time, and effort, you can create beautiful styles that will last for days. So, get out there and treat your edges right!