Laying baby hairs isn’t just a beauty flex, it’s a cultural art form with deep roots in identity, creativity, and legacy.
While today’s slick swoops and intricate edge designs are often seen on social media and red carpets, the practice of styling baby hairs has been a part of Black and Latinx communities for decades, carrying meaning far beyond aesthetics.
The tradition can be traced back to the early 20th century, when Black women, especially during the Harlem Renaissance, began embracing finger waves and other styles that emphasized sculpted edges. In the 1960s and ‘70s, icons like LaToya Jackson and Chola subculture members in Latinx communities rocked laid edges as part of bold beauty statements that celebrated femininity and resistance. It was about asserting pride in one’s appearance in a society that often tried to diminish textured hair and its many forms.
Throughout the ’90s and early 2000s, laid baby hairs became synonymous with hip-hop and R&B style. Artists like Chilli from TLC, Missy Elliott, and even Beyoncé showcased edges styled into delicate curls and waves—turning a cultural tradition into a statement of cool, confidence, and control.
Today, laying baby hairs is both an evolution and a continuation of this legacy. Stylists use toothbrushes, edge brushes, gels, and even edge control pomades to create designs that range from subtle swoops to ornate patterns. But for many, it’s not just about looking polished—it’s a nod to the past, a form of personal expression, and a subtle act of cultural preservation.
As fashion and beauty industries increasingly embrace the look, it’s important to acknowledge where it came from. What some see as a trend is, for others, a treasured piece of heritage passed down from mothers, aunties, and community elders. Laying baby hairs is storytelling—done at the edge of the hairline.
Whether simple or styled to perfection, laid edges represent more than style. They embody resilience, cultural pride, and the artistry of everyday people who’ve always known beauty lies in the details.
