Braid Cornrows

Cornrows are a trendy way to wear your hair. They are a little time consuming, but the results are well worth it. If you want to learn how to braid cornrows, check this article out.

10 Second Summary

1. Dampen the hair.
2. Part the hair and clip of the sections you won't be braiding.
3. Separate the first section into three strands.
4. Do a normal braid for two stitches.
5. Continue braiding, each time adding a little more hair to the middle strand.
6. Secure the cornrow with a hair tie when you run out of hair.
7. Start on the next row. Work one row at a time until you are done.

Steps

Getting Ready to Braid

  1. Plan your style. Having in mind what your end goal looks like will help you to form a path for getting there. You can do this in your head, draw a picture, or make some marks on a Styrofoam wig holder. The easiest amount to begin with will probably be four to six sections from the front to the back of the head.
    • Draw the path you want the rows to take. Do you want them to go straight from front to back, or do you want them to curve?
    • How big do you want the rows to be?
  2. Wet the hair. Spritz some water, or water mixed with detangler, on the hair. Comb or brush it through to remove all major tangles. The hair should be slightly damp, but not too wet. The reason for this is that you don't want to have to pull the hair a lot to create the tension needed to hold the style together. Hair expands when it's wet and contracts as it dries.
    • Despite what some people say about a tight braid, this is the best way to achieve it - not by pulling the hair hard away from the scalp.
  3. Part the hair. Start with a section of hair in the front, where you want the first cornrow to begin. Put the sides of the hair that you aren't braiding in two pigtails so they don't get in your way. Move other hair out of the way so that you have a clear path to follow. Then take a small section of hair where you want the cornrow to begin.
    • Don't take too much, especially near the hairline, or you will have to pull too hard to continue.
    • You can moisturize the first section with some cream. Keep moisturizing as you cornrow the hair.

Cornrowing the First Section

  1. Separate the first section into three strands.
  2. Make a normal braid of about 2 "stitches" to get it started. Pass the right piece under the middle, the left piece under the middle, the right piece under the middle, and the left piece under the middle.
  3. Start cornrowing. Holding the two outer strands aside, reach down under this initial braid to add a little hair to the middle strand. Fully merge this new hair to the middle strand so that it becomes a part of it, and you again have 3 strands. Make a braid stitch out of these strands. Continue braiding, each time adding a little more hair to the middle strand, and repeat this until you've run out of hair to add.
    • If you've reach the end and there is still hair left over, then continue with a regular 3 strand braid.
  4. Secure the cornrow. You can use a snap bead, hair clip, end bar, barrette, bolo tie tip, or whatever you like, just so long as you will be able to easily remove it later.
    • Uncovered rubber bands (elastics) are not recommended unless they are the kind made specifically for hair. The ones made for office use will break off the hair.
  5. Start the next row. Loosen a section of hair next to the first section. Make sure it's the same size as the first section. Moisturize the new section of hair, then start the braid with two stitches. Cornrow the section all the way to the tips, then secure it.[1]
  6. Finish cornrowing the rest of the hair. Work methodically to create even cornrows running from the forehead to the nape of the neck. The cornrows should each be the same size.

Taking Care of Cornrows

  1. Keep your cornrows neat at night. Wear a scarf on your head at night to keep the hairs from coming loose. Your cornrows should be able to stay in place for a week or longer.
  2. Wash your hair every few days. Simply wear a stocking cap over it, and use a shower massager or water pick to force water underneath the braids. Use a diluted shampoo and water mixture to wash, clear water to rinse, and spritz the hair with a leave in conditioner or hair oil afterwards.
  3. Be careful in the sun. It is very easy to get a sunburn on your scalp, because the rows will expose the skin. Rub in sunscreen or wear a hat.



Tips

  • Narrow braids stay in longer than larger ones.
  • People with straighter or slicker hair may need to use what is called "aqua wax" or a protein hair gel to help the style last, and to preclude the need for extra tension during styling.
  • Don't pull too hard!
  • If you do not wish to wet the hair first, you may consider at least using a hair cream or hair mask or leave in conditioner. (However if you wet fragile hair it could cause breakage because hair shrinks as it dries.) Some people don't like to wet the hair, and this is fine. However, if you don't, you will need to be extra mindful of tension. Use a feather-light touch.
  • If you don't have wax you can use Pomade, You can find this at Target, Walgreens, Walmart and even drugstores.
  • Precise braiding, not pulling hard from the scalp, is what makes a long lasting style. Pulling too hard from the scalp does nothing to help a style to last. It only leads to pain and hair loss.
  • If you have thick and long hair use aqua wax.
  • People with fine or sleek, straight hair may want to use some sort of braid spray to help make the hair "stickier" so that the braid does not fall out as it's being put in the slicker, fine hair.
  • If you have box braids wash every 2-3 weeks.
  • Loose grease to lay the cornrow braid down.
  • Don't do it too tight or hair might fall out.
  • For thick, curly or "kinky" hair, braids can last for up to a month.
  • Don't use bobbles/hair ties. Use small elastic hair ties because the braid will last longer with them. :)!
  • If you tuck the hair under, you are making an "invisible" track braid, and if you reach for hair from beneath outwards, you are making a "visible" track braid.

Warnings

  • This style should not hurt. If you can see the scalp is raised, or the person is complaining that it's painful, back it up and start over. Too much braid tension can cause traction alopecia (a specific type of hair loss), and it might be permanent. It can also lead to infections and irritations.
  • To keep braids in place, use a moisturizing flexible hair gel or aqua wax during styling.

Things You'll Need

  • A rat tailed comb. These can be found at many beauty supply stores, but if you can't find one, the end of a tint brush may suffice.
  • Coated rubber bands for hair.
  • You may need hair grease and/or aqua wax.
  • For straight hair you may need to use a hair wax that is based on distilled water, not oil. It looks sort of like a firm gel. Aquarius Wax and Ice Wax are good ones. Butch Wax may do the job, but it is a little oily.
  • Very tightly curly hair should be treated with a moisturizer that does not break down too soon. This excludes most hair creams. The best thing to use is a hair food or hair grease, or a natural oil mixture.
  • Spray bottle to dampen if hair gets too dry.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.untrainedhairmom.com/cornrowing-for-beginners-tips-and-easy-styles/
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