Hey Curlies,
As most of you know because of the breakage along my edges from the use of edge control gels>>>I have been utilizing other alternatives! It was a huge setback for me when I noticed it several months ago…

I began a mission of getting my edges growing, healthy, and stronger. I began doing the following:
1) using Sunny Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil ($10.99 for 8 oz., http://www.curlmart.com) nightly by massaging it into my edges>>>JCBO also assists with hair dryness, hair growth by stimulating blood circulation,  and can assist with a dry scalp.
2) protecting my edges by  finger coiling them with a heavy moisturizer cream as they grow back…
3) styling my edges separately and wearing hairstyles that covered the new growth like lots of twist outs and two strand twists…
4) using two non gel products along my edges…
5) using more protein treatments bi-weekly (Curl Junkie has a great one) and/or alternating my DC’s with protein and without…

6) and trimming my edges seperately and periodcially to ensure I’m removing the damaged portions.

The two products I have been using are full of natural ingredients and are heavy butters I would say. I’ve been using an oldie but goodie which I didn’t even know had the power to lay my edges down 1) Oyin Handmade Juices and Berries Pomade and 2) Nubian Heritage Indian Hemp & Tamanu Grow & Strengthen Edge Taming Taffy which was a random buy at Target>>>it was like on clearance for less than $6.

Below are the ingredients:

Oyin Handmade Juices and Berries Pomade – $12 for 4 oz (www.curlmart.com)

I like to use this pomade along my edges when I’m doing two strand twists as it lays them suckahs down which may be due to the castor oil! My edges look perfect for a week straight! I only leave my two strand twists in for about a week anyway! This is great for flyaways as well. This pomade is great for layering over your favorite moisturizer when you do your two strand twists in general as well. The consistency is a thick and sometimes gritty substance that you emulsify in your hands.

Ricinus communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Hydrogenated Glycine soja (Soybean) Oil, Organic Virgin Cocos nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Mangifera indica (Mango) Seed Butter, Olea europaea (Olive) Oil, Unrefined Cannabis sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil, Theobroma cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Brassica oleracea italica (Broccoli) Seed Oil, Fragrance.

Nubian Heritage Indian Hemp & Tamanu Grow & Strengthen Edge Taming Taffy $8.99 for 6 oz (www.curlmart.com)

This taffy stuff is amazing on edges when you are doing a twist out. I use it sparingly because it’s a pretty heavy pomade. The consistency is very thick and more butter than cream. The garlic, bamboo, and keratin are suppose to be great for strengthening and I have to say with using this product my edges are stronger and longer and don’t easily break. I like to use this stuff too when I’m bunning or doing a roll tuck and pin style to minimize flyaways as well.

Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter)*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*, Vegetable Glycerin, Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Seed Oil, Calophyllum Inophyllum (Tamanu) Oil, Olus Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed OiI*, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Calendula Wax, Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B-5), Bambusa Vulgaris (Bamboo) Extract, Tiare (Gardenia Tahitensis) Flower, Essential Oil Blend, Allium Sativum (Garlic) Extract, Melia Azadirachta (Neem) Seed Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E)

When you think about it, your edges are much more fragile than the rest of your hair whether you have curly, kinky, wavy, or coily hair! Make sure you take care by not overmanipulating them and avoid using cheap gels of any kind especially with alcohol.

What are you ladies using for your edges?

~Embrace the Natural You~