So, what’s the solution? I find that a great place to start is often right at the root, with your texture and porosity. Depending on how thick your hair is—that is strand-wise rather than length—the texture of the edge control and level of hold you need will vary, as will the formula base. Have finer coils? Then a lightweight water-based gel is your best buy. As with oil-based gels and waxes, the kinker and thicker the better.