

The Best Edge Controls For 4C Hair
Being a naturalista requires major strength and resilience. From long wash days to finding products that work for your coils, you have to put in work. There are different types of curl patterns and thanks to celebrity hairstylist, Andre Walker, and naturalistas all over the world, we have a better understanding of the strands that make up our crowns.
"ABC, it's easy as 123" is not the case for 4C hair. 4C hair resembles 4B textures with tight zig-zag coils which explains why they experience 75 percent more shrinkage, unlike other types. Other characteristics include proneness to breakage, softness, and potential dryness. Needless to say, you have to be extremely intentional when choosing products for your 4C hair which requires next-level patience.
We know that laid edges are important to Black women as they are part of our heritage. We also know that it may be difficult to find edge controls for 4C hair. Without further ado curlfriends, get ready for some edge controls that will rock your world!
1.She is Bomb Edge Control
The moment my stylist slapped this edge control on my curly edges, I knew that the hold was real. It is fast-drying, non-greasy, and will not falter even in the highest of temperatures. For optimal results, pair this product with their Fuse Foam for ultimate snatchedness. This is a newer brand so you may not find many reviews but I can personally attest to the magic that is She is Bomb.
2.Ebin 24 Hour Edge Tamer
Dubbed as the industry game-changer, Ebin's 24 Hour Edge Tamer will keep you laid and slayed from day to night. Whether you're going for a sleek ponytail or a braided style, you can rely on this product to provide a stronghold mightier than Serena Williams' biceps.
3.Style Factor Edge Booster Strong Hold Styling Gel
"Style Factor passionately serves as your hair styling and haircare expert. We work to empower and inspire all women and men to pursue their own distinct and colorful styles." One of their most acclaimed offerings is their Edge Booster Strong Hold Water-based Pomade – both water-soluble and free of grease, it will give you versatility and zero flakes. Because it's made with natural argan oil, your edges will also be blessed with nourishment and hydration. Not to mention they offer a slew of scents that all smell like heaven.
4.Miss Jessie’s Hold Me Down Edge Gel
We love to be held down. Be it our significant others or our edges, we need safety as prominent as Beyonce's security detail. The curlfriends say that this magic product stays true to holding you down all day long AND it doesn't leave behind residue even for the thickest of curls. Since 2004, Miss Jessie's creators and sisters Miko and Titi Branch, have been a trusted resource for the girls and their curls.
5.Instant Control Edge & Braid Gel Max Hold
For edges, braiding and twisting, Pomade Company's Instant Control is for everybody. One reviewer said, "I'm not even exaggerating, this stuff lays down every single hair it touches. I'm a hairstylist and all my clients have naturally curly hair. Their hair is usually the hardest to keep down, especially here in Arizona where everyone is hot and sweating. Not anymore now."
6.Kaleidoscope Miracle Edges Control
Are you struggling with difficult edges? Have you searched near and far for an edge control that will really work a miracle? Kaleidoscope's Miracle Edges is what's been missing in your life. It is infused with miracle drops sure to strengthen and lay your edges. Because we need both. You can use it as an edge smoother or pomade; it is recommended for all hair types. "On relaxed hair when you apply it, it can last 5-7 days. For natural hair, when you apply to edges, you should also apply to 1/4 inch back to get the ultimate hold and lasts 3-5 days."
7.Arcani Coil Care Enthroned Edges
You may have seen the #RubChallenge pop up on your social media feeds. If you haven't, just know that it is mind-blowing. Basically, this edge control shall not be moved. Enthroned Edges not only sounds like what God wants for me but it also lives up to its name by treating your crown with all the compassion it deserves. Customers rave that this product actually lasts for 24 hours and is humidity-friendly. For a lack of better words, hurry up and get you some, sis!
Featured image by Getty Images
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Joce Blake is a womanist who loves fashion, Beyonce and Hot Cheetos. The sophistiratchet enthusiast is based in Brooklyn, NY but has southern belle roots as she was born and raised in Memphis, TN. Keep up with her on Instagram @joce_blake and on Twitter @SaraJessicaBee.
Smile, Sis! These Five Improvements Can Upgrade Your Oral Hygiene Instantly
This article is in partnership with Sensodyne.
Our teeth are connected to so many things - our nutrition, our confidence, and our overall mood. We often take for granted how important healthy teeth are, until issues like tooth sensitivity or gum recession come to remind us. Like most things related to our bodies, prevention is the best medicine. Here are five things you can do immediately to improve your oral hygiene, prevent tooth sensitivity, and avoid dental issues down the road.
1) Go Easy On the Rough Brushing: Brushing your teeth is and always will be priority number one in the oral hygiene department. No surprises there! However, there is such a thing as applying too much pressure when brushing…and that can lead to problems over time. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush in smooth, circular motions. It may seem counterintuitive, but a gentle approach to brushing is the most effective way to clean those pearly whites without wearing away enamel and exposing sensitive areas of the teeth.
2) Use A Desensitizing Toothpaste: As everyone knows, mouth pain can be highly uncomfortable; but tooth sensitivity is a whole different beast. Hot weather favorites like ice cream and popsicles have the ability to trigger tooth sensitivity, which might make you want to stay away from icy foods altogether. But as always, prevention is the best medicine here. Switching to a toothpaste like Sensodyne’s Sensitivity & Gum toothpaste specifically designed for sensitive teeth will help build a protective layer over sensitive areas of the tooth. Over time, those sharp sensations that occur with extremely cold foods will subside, and you’ll be back to treating yourself to your icy faves like this one!
3) Floss, Rinse, Brush. (And In That Order!): Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not what you do, but how you do it”? Well, the same thing applies to taking care of your teeth. Even if you are flossing and brushing religiously, you could be missing out on some of the benefits simply because you aren’t doing so in the right order. Flossing is best to do before brushing because it removes food particles and plaque from places your toothbrush can’t reach. After a proper flossing sesh, it is important to rinse out your mouth with water after. Finally, you can whip out your toothbrush and get to brushing. Though many of us commonly rinse with water after brushing to remove excess toothpaste, it may not be the best thing for our teeth. That’s because fluoride, the active ingredient in toothpaste that protects your enamel, works best when it gets to sit on the teeth and continue working its magic. Rinsing with water after brushing doesn’t let the toothpaste go to work like it really can. Changing up your order may take some getting used to, but over time, you’ll see the difference.
4) Stay Hydrated: Upping your water supply is a no-fail way to level up your health overall, and your teeth are no exception to this rule. Drinking water not only helps maintain a healthy pH balance in your mouth, but it also washes away residue and acids that can cause enamel erosion. It also helps you steer clear of dry mouth, which is a gateway to bad breath. And who needs that?
5) Show Your Gums Some Love: When it comes to improving your smile, you may be laser-focused on getting your teeth whiter, straighter, and overall healthier. Rightfully so, as these are all attributes of a megawatt smile; but you certainly don’t want to leave gum health out of the equation. If you neglect your gums, you’ll start to notice the effects of plaque buildup, which can irritate the gums and cause gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. Seeing blood while brushing and flossing is a tell-tale sign that your gums are suffering. You may also experience gum recession — a condition where the gum tissue surrounding your teeth pulls back, exposing more of your tooth. Brushing at least twice a day with a gum-protecting toothpaste like Sensodyne Sensitivity and Gum, coupled with regular dentist visits, will keep your gums shining as bright as those pearly whites.
Why Do Millennials & Gen-Zers Still Feel Like Teenagers? The Pandemic Might Be The Reason.
There’s nothing quite as humbling as navigating adulthood with no instruction manual. Since the turn of the decade, it seems like everything in our society that could go wrong has, inevitably, gone wrong. From the global pandemic, our crippling student debt problem, the loneliness crisis, layoffs, global warming, recession, and not to mention figuring out what to eat for dinner every night. This constant state of uncertainty has many of us wondering, when are the grown-ups coming to fix all of this?
But the catch is, we are the new grown-ups.
As if it happened without our permission, we became the new adults. We are the members of society who are paying taxes, having children, getting married, and keeping our communities afloat, one iced latte at a time. Still, there’s something about doing all these grown-up duties that feel unnaturally grown-up. Enter the #teenagegirlinher20s.
If there’s one hashtag to give you the state of the next cohort of adults, it’s this one. Of the videos that have garnered over 3.9M views, you’ll find a collection of users who are overwhelmed by life’s pressing existential responsibilities, clung to nostalgia, and reminiscent of the days when their mom and dad took care of their insurance plans.
@charlies444ngel no like i cant explain to her why i had to buy multiple tank air dupes from aritzia #teenagegirlinher20s #fyp
The concept of being a 20-something or 30-something teenager is linked to the sentiment of not feeling “grown up enough” to do grown-up things while feeling underprepared and even nihilistic about whether that preparation even matters.
It’s our generation’s version of when we ask our grandmothers how old they are and they simply reply with, “I still feel 45,” all while being every bit of 76 years old. In this, we share a warped concept of time while clinging to a desire for infantilization.
Granted, the pandemic did a number on our concept of time. Many of us who started the pandemic in our early or mid-20s missed out on three fundamental years of socialization, career development, and personal milestones that traditionally help to mark our growth.
Our time to figure out and plan our next steps through fumbling yet active participation was put on pause indefinitely and then resumed provisionally. This in turn has left many of us hanging in the balance of uncertainty as we try to make sense of the disconnect between our minds and bodies in this missing gap of time.
Because we’re all still figuring out what the ramifications of being locked away and frozen in time by a global pandemic will have on us as a society, there really is no “right” way of making up for lost time. Feeling unprepared for any new chapter of life is a natural rite of passage, pandemic or not. However, it’s important to not stay stuck in the last age or period of life that made sense to us because self-growth is the truest evidence of personal progress.
So whether you’re leaning on your inner child, teenager, or 20-something for guidance as you fill the gap between your real age and pandemic age, know that it’s okay to grieve the person you thought you would be and the milestones you thought you’d hit before you ever knew what a pandemic was. If there’s anything that the pandemic taught us, it’s that we have the power to reimagine a better world and life for ourselves. And if we tap into our inner teenager as a compass, we can piece together our next chapter with a fresh outlook.
Sure, we’ve lost a couple of years, but there are still some really amazing ones ahead.
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Featured image by Stephen Zeigler/Getty Images