The Anti-‘Layed’ Edges: The Kinky Edges and the Natural Hair Community Debate

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Finally, the Natural Hair community is discussing the trend and preference for perfectly “layed” baby hairs even on kinky, coarse or non-straight natural hairstyles.

See, it’s high time the discussion came into the main front. I think that if one has a weave, press out, relaxed or some other bone straight hair styles, then it may make sense for the edges of one’s hair to resemble the rest of the hair.

But for those who wear their hair in coarser styles, why is there is still a cultural push for the edges to be laid along with it. It’s like the natural hairstyle cannot be all the way natural and now there is some push back.

The hashtag #KinkyEdges, promoted by the likes of natural hair extensions and products maker Fingercomber, for example, is being adopted, and referenced in social media.


Before these recent discussions, you honestly couldn’t get away from endless tutorials, memes and other online or social media fascination with having bone straight edges. I did a simple Google search about edges the other day and came up with this.

Meanwhile, there are memes circulating that essentially degrade women for not having straight baby edges and discuss the beauty pains we endure because of it.

 

I can respect bloggers like Kinz with Style and other bloggers who have pontificated on this topic. In all honesty, it’s a preference. I do realize that the preference is partially influenced by beauty bloggers, society and standards for hair that have placed extreme limits on black natural hair.

Like, you can have braids, an afro, afro puffs, kinks or dreds and be seen as acceptable so long as they are neat, coiffed and your edges are equally fine and laid.

At some point, we must discuss the origination for the preference and stop putting those who select to wear their natural edges “unlaid” into shame. Can we start there? Can we?

I am a content creator, social media agency owner, former attorney and publicist, wife and mom. I love working in cafes, wine, food and music festivals, Sunday brunch,  home decorating, travel and life.