How to Braid Cornrows: A Comprehensive Guide
Cornrows have been popular for decades and are a type of hairstyle consisting of braids that are close to the scalp. Despite their popularity, cornrows can be challenging to make. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps to braid cornrows, offer tips to help keep them tight and even, show simple hairstyles you can wear with them, and provide some history on their cultural significance.
Step-by-Step Guide
The following are the steps to follow to braid cornrows:
Prepare the hair
Before starting, it’s essential to prepare the hair. You want to wash it, detangle it thoroughly, and allow it to dry. Avoid using heavy oils or grease, as this makes it difficult to braid.
Section the hair
Using a rat-tail comb, create sections, starting with the first row. Clip each section away, leaving only the one that will be braided. It’s essential to make sure that the sections are the same size, avoiding uneven braids.
Braid each section
Starting at the row’s front, take three sections, and braid. Use the right section under the middle section, followed by the left section under the middle. Do this once or twice before adding additional hair from the section you sectioned. Make sure to add an equal section to each side to make it even and consistent. Then take the right section under the middle, followed by the left section under the middle. Continue until the braid reaches the hairline’s nape. Make sure the braid is tight but not too tight to avoid causing discomfort.
Finish the braid
Once the braid reaches the nape of the neck, continue with the traditional three-strand braid without adding any hair. Once you reach the end of the braid, secure it with a hair tie. You have the freedom to leave the braid hanging or guide it into a design or hooked zigzag pattern.
Video Tutorial
Video tutorials help provide a visual aid, allowing people to see precisely how to braid cornrows. This following video tutorial compliments this written guide. It breaks down the process of creating cornrows in a way that’s easy to follow.
Simple Hairstyles
There are simple hairstyles you can create with cornrows. Some examples are:
Bun hairstyle
A straightforward hairstyle made possible with a few bobby pins and a hair tie. Tie the cornrows into a ponytail using a hair tie. Twirl the hair around the base of the tie, making a bun, and secure it with medium-sized bobby pins.
Half-up, half-down hairstyle
Take the cornrows at the crown of your head and tie them into a ponytail with an elastic band. Keep a few braids loose, creating a half-up, half-down look.
Cornrow Maintenance
To make your cornrows last for longer, you have to take care of them. Here are some tips to do just that:
Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase
It reduces the friction between your hair and the pillowcase, allowing your hairstyles to last longer. If you don’t already have one, you can purchase a satin or silk pillowcase on Amazon.
Keep the scalp moisture
Use a leave-in conditioner to keep the hair moisturized. To reduce the amount of oil, you can use, apply the conditioner to your hair before applying hair oil.
Avoid excessive sweating
Excessive sweating can cause the scalp to itch or odor. To avoid excessive sweating, avoid hot and steamy environments as much as possible, especially within the first few days of wearing the hairstyle. Keep the scalp clean and fresh by washing it with a mild shampoo.
Unique Variations
There are different variations of cornrow braids, such as zig-zag patterns, swirls, and incorporating beads, shells, or colored string. Here’s how to achieve different styles:
Zig-zag pattern
Grab two sections of hair and criss-cross them before incorporating extra strands into each braid between each criss-cross.
Swirl pattern
To achieve the swirl effect, you create cornrows in a circular motion, starting from the center and moving outwards.
Add beads, shells, or colored strings
Add charms, shells, or colored beads to the braids by sliding them on before adding hair to the sections.
History and Cultural Significance
Cornrows can be traced back to the African continent, where they served as a cultural language and a means of communication. The intricate designs carried cultural significance, and each hairstyle told a unique story.
Cornrows have evolved over the years and have become a fashionable hairstyle today. The vibrant patterns and styles of cornrows are still very much celebrated and cherished in various cultures all over the world.
Conclusion
In this article, we have guided you on how to braid cornrows, how to maintain them, and how you can achieve unique styles. Cornrows have cultural significance that makes them more than just a hairstyle. With this guide, you can now make beautiful cornrow designs and enjoy the cultural history that comes with every single braid.
