Hi, I’m black and my edges do not know how to lay.

They don’t even nap. Or slumber. Lil Wayne might as well as have given me a shout out when he was talking about Nigerian hair.

Recently, I’ve noticed this need and almost necessary facet about edges and being forced to lay. The notion That only "good hair" can lay. To me, that's problematic as f**k.

I remember the girls in my middle school P.E. class would talk about what gels and sprays they’d use to force their baby hairs to properly lie down. The technique of the toothbrush and how they made different designs to make it look like their baby hairs could be compared to the Indian Ocean. I sat there as a suburban black girl and just listened, mentally taking notes for me to experiment with when I got back home. I immediately went home and made my older sisters drive me to the nearest beauty supply store to gather all the necessary materials. The gels, the brushes, the spray bottles so that mine could lay in just that manner. I tried several different combinations: spray with water, add the gel, then the spritz; no no no, spritz then gel; wait no water first, then the gel, wrap it, then spritz.

I’ve tried wrapping it up super, duper tight to hopefully have it slicked down. It just gave me a headache.
Literally (I had to take an Advil on the highest of keys.) nothing worked.

As I grew older, I found a great appreciation for my 4c edges and their lack to relax. I appreciated that they were a part of my ancestry and heritage.Part of my blood. Walk in any village in Lagos, and you will not find one girl with a slicked down nape. Our hair wasn't designed to lay and that's okay, fam.

Our kinks and curls are beautiful.

The most important thing is to make sure your edges and well moisturized and oiled, even if Beyonce continues to snatch them. Make sure to keep them wrapped with a silk scarf or bonnet every night. Also, chill out with the heat, keep that on the low low if you do use it regularly.

Now girl, if your edges can sleep, lay, and slumber, three and a half claps for you. #YAS. But for the queens, who have rebellious edges who don’t listen to no gel, spray, or toothbrush, let them be free. You are beautiful

Idara Melody

Writing since March 2017 · 1 story contributed