Written By: Tiffany Smith

As a Black woman, slicked down edges make me feel powerful! I’m absolutely, unapologetically, proud of that fact! Now, I am a true black hair enthusiast! I enjoy black women enjoying their black hair in ANY way they see fit. Even if that means loving your hair in a manipulated state. Be it afros, coils, bundles, braids, or my favorite: a nice, powerful, slicked-up ponytail. You know the kind that's raised up high to the sky and sassy as hell! It’s mind-boggling to me that in this era of embracing our hair textures and differences that there are women still shaming others about how they enjoy their hair. You can be a beautiful black queen who embraces her hair and decide to wear it in manipulated states. In our new world full of "love your natural hair" somehow we got lost in the fact that you should be able to enjoy your hair in any state that you prefer. Duality, baby! The best part about my powerful pony, is my edges! Some may say "Girl, you are in your 30's! WHY are you still worried about baby hairs?!” Well, let’s just call these grown folk follicles then, OK?! My edges a.k.a. baby cares a.k.a. slides swoops are the razzle-dazzle to my look.

Ever since I was a little girl, I had an admiration for a powerful ponytail with edges. What I didn't realize was, at the time, my mom, unfortunately, did not know what to do with my hair. So, her "go-to" style for me was slicking my hair up in a ponytail, adding some cute edged swoops, and fluffing out my growing afro, and letting it flourish. I used to love walking into school with that slicked-up pony, having my teachers or my aunties say "AwwhhhShhaawwwNah!" something very southern, that basically means: girl you look amazing and beautiful! Maybe that’s why I joined this love affair of the perfect slicked-up ponytail. The pride I felt walking in those school hallways with my beautiful hair is the same pride in me that lights up when I walk into a conference room with that same stylish, yet elevated look. From back in the 90s that ponytail with the cute Afro puff, turned into the 2000s where that ponytail ended with stylish braids. Now in 2020, my ponytail has a familiarity and polish that exudes my power. If "I'm not new to this, I'm true to this" was a hairstyle, it'll definitely be my ponytail. My perfected slicked edges have matured from "baby hairs" to "grown folk follicles" and I love the look still! Some may be wondering, what’s the best way to achieve a secure and polished ponytail. Oh sis, I have the best five tips for you!

1. Start with stretched hair that you have pineapple on the top of your head.

2. Start by using a good combination of the L.O.C. method meaning: liquid, oil, and cream.

Using your favorite products, start pulling your ponytail together. I personally use water as my liquid, a lightweight herbal oil such as African Pride, followed by a nice grease such as Creme of Nature Hair and Scalp Conditioner.

3. Using your favorite holding agent, my go-to is the same one I use as a little girl, which is Jam. Apply holding agent around the base of your crown to help you swoop your hair perfectly.

4. Using a brush, start brushing up your hair until your desired ponytail. At this point, you can choose to use your natural hair as your ponytail which is always a look! You can start

adding a quick drawstring ponytail to finish this look. Or, you can decide to manipulate

your hair into a nice sturdy bun.

5. Last but certainly not least, my favorite part is the edges! Utilizing a hard bristle men’s

brush, use your favorite edge control and swap those edges up. My go-to is Glow Beauty Edge Control as it stays PUT! Bring your look all together by taming any loose hairs and you have the perfect powerful ponytail.

As a black woman, one of our many superpowers is the ability to switch up our looks effortlessly. Go out and enjoy your powerful ponytail! You got it, Queen!

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