How to Braid Cornrows

How to Braid Cornrows How to Braid Cornrows Cornrows are a typical African style of braiding hair that gained wide popularity amongst the young people in the late 60’s and 70’s, and then again in the 90’s when the hip-hop culture was very prevalent. A completely unique and appealing hairstyle, braided cornrows involve technique that demands practice and patience.

If you want to give a different style to your hair, then try cornrows. Following instructions will help you understand the exact method of braiding cornrows:

Instructions

Mist your hair with water. Damp hair is easier to braid and also prevents hair breakage. Make sure your hair is just damp and not soppy wet.
Comb the hair to remove tangles. Now divide the hair into sections. It is always better to plan in advance the design of your cornrow. Accordingly divide your hair into sections.
Start from the top of your head. Take the section that is closest to the top of your head. Make sure you have one-inch section from your forehead to the back of the head.
While handling one section, it is better to clip other parts or sections of the hair to ensure they do not get in the way of the first braid. You can use rubber bands or hair clips to secure the hair that is not being used.
Begin at the hairline. Take a small part of the parted section where you want the cornrow to start and divide it into three strands. All the three strands should be equal in size. Make a normal braid of about 2 “stitches” to get it started.
Now holding the two outer strands aside, take a small section of hair that is under the initial braid to add a little hair to the middle strand. Add this section of hair to the middle strand of the braid so that you still have three sections. Now carefully make a braid stitch out of these strands.
Continue braiding by adding a little more hair to the middle or center strand each time. Keep the braids tight and add only little hair to the middle strand each time you braid.
When you reach the end of the section of the hair, secure it with a hair accessory. Avoid using an uncovered rubber band because it can snap and break your hair. Ensure the band is tight enough so that the hair does not come loose.
Once you finish the first braid, repeat the steps for next section of hair. It will take time to braid the entire head of hair. As you continue, make sure you periodically damp your hair that is yet to be braided.

Care for Braids

The best way to wash your braided hair is to wear a stock cap over your braids and then use the head of a shower to force water under the braids.
Wear a hair scarf while sleeping to ensure braids stay for at least a week.
Generally cornrow braids last for about a week after which they need to be redone.

Tips to Remember

People with very straight hair, must use a protein hair gel or similar product to help the style to last longer.
If you have tight, curly hair, then prefer using a natural oil mixture or other hair grease to prevent hair from becoming brittle and braids from losing their shape too early.
While braiding, make sure you do not pull hard from the scalp because that may lead to hair breakage or hair loss.
Narrow braids generally last longer than bigger ones.