Small cornrows look beautiful, and they are a great way to play around with the thickness of your braids— and the thinner the braids, the more you’ll have across your head. Next time you’re at the salon, have your stylist weave your mane into ultra-thin braids. Just be delicate around the hairline so that you don’t put too much tension on your roots.
Hairstyle #11: Zig-Zag Cornrows
This style utilizes zig-zag parts to create a playful and fun twist with cornrows. You can create zig-zag pattern parts throughout your mane and weave your braids straight back. If you’re not too familiar with braiding yet, we recommend going to a professional stylist for this look.
Hairstyle #12: Waist-Length Cornrows
This one is pretty self-explanatory: It features cornrows that fall to your waist. If you don’t have long hair, you can have your stylist weave in extensions to get to the length you’d like. It’s a bit more high-maintenance than some of the other styles on this list, but worth it if you’re looking for major length and drama.
Editor’s Tip: Be careful when adding in hair this long to your natural curls. If your hair is fine or thin it can put too much stress on it, causing breakage or even root damage.
Hairstyle #13: Straight Back Cornrows
Cornrow styles don’t have to be complicated for your braids to look beautiful. One of the simplest and most beautiful ways to wear cornrow braids is straight back for a classic braided and low maintenance look
Hairstyle #14: Side-Swept Cornrows
For a side-swept look, create a deep side part and divide your hair into two sections. Take the larger section and weave it into thin, sleek braids that run perpendicular with the part. Allow the rest of your hair to hang free for extra movement.
Hairstyle #15: Cornrow Bangs
If you’re a girl that just loves a bang, well, you don’t have to give it up when you cornrow your hair. Make it a part of the style and finish it with a chic braided bang. You can let it hang loosely at the front of your face like a traditional fringe, or get really creative with it and weave the braids into each other across the font of the face, hanging ever-so-slightly. Unless you’re a skilled braider, go see your stylist for this one.
Hairstyle #16: Multi-dimensional Cornrows
If you want to give your strands a bit of added texture, consider varying the size of your braids throughout your head. Mix and match thin and thick cornrows for a multi-dimensional mane with lots of personality, twists and turns.
Hairstyle #17: Halo Braid
This ethereal style may seem complicated, but looks can be deceiving. First, part your hair into two sections as you would for a half-up hairstyle and clip the bottom layer out of the way. Cornrow braid the top half from one end to the other, then release the bottom layer of hair and continue the braid from where the other half left off. You’re going in a circle around the head until you finish with a crown. Tuck the ends in using a bobby pin and adorn with accessories as you see fit. Opt for a large single braid or a medley of cornrows.
Hairstyle #18: Accent Braids
If you’re looking to switch things up with your braids, you use smaller braids to accent larger ones. To recreate this look, you’ll need to part your hair in half and create small intricate braids at the top of your head on one half and then intertwine them into one larger braid. For the larger braid, you can also use extensions to add length. Then repeat the same steps to the other half of the head.
Editor’s Tip: Finish off the look by using some gel to style your baby hairs in front. Try the L'Oréal Paris Lock It Extreme Style Gel Lock It Clean Style Gel and use a fishtail comb to lay those hairs down.
Hairstyle #19: Stitch Cornrows
Stitch braids are one of our favorite cornrow hairstyles, though it does require a bit of skill to pull off. They are meant to have a uniform and crisp look and will require the use of a pomade or gel to help keep the hair in place. The plaits you create will have to use the stitch method, which will require some additional finger techniques when braiding. And the hair should be divided into sharp horizontal lines down the head. If you’re not too familiar with stitch braiding, head to a professional who can give you the exact look you want.
Hairstyle #20: Shuruba Cornrows
Shuruba cornrows are a traditional Ethiopian style that features tight braids woven to the crown of the head and secured, while the remaining hair is left free. You can add visual interest with angled parts or incorporate a thicker center braid with chic hair clips for a gorgeous finish.
Main Photo Credit: @chelslayyyy
Next: Let Loose: 5 Ways To Manage Tight Braids
FAQs
“The most iconic cornrows look is the classic straight back braids,” says Charlotte Mensah, multi award-winning hair artist and an expert on natural, textured and mixed heritage Afro hair. “Other popular styles are two statement braids, or cornrows in front box braids in the back.
What haircut should I get for cornrows? ›
An undercut with cornrows is a great option if you normally keep your hair short but want to try out braids. It might take some time to grow out enough hair to braid the top of your head, but once that hair is braided and you've shaved your undercut, this low-maintenance high-style cut will shine.
What is the best hairstyle for natural hair? ›
15 Easy Protective Styles for Natural Hair
- 1) Traditional Box Braids. Credit: Envato Elements/ phoenixproduction. ...
- 2) Flat Twists. Credit: Byrdie. ...
- 3) Faux Locs. Credit: Hair Adviser. ...
- 4) Crochet Braids. Credit: Jumia Nigeria. ...
- 5) Mini Twists. Credit: Root2tip. ...
- 6) Two Strand Twists. Credit: Byrdie. ...
- 7) Pineapple Updo. ...
- 8) Bantu Knots.
If you ask your barber for a number one cut, you are asking them to cut your hair so it is an eighth of an inch long. If you ask for a number eight cut, the hair left on your head will be one inch. Here are all the haircut length numbers and their corresponding clipper guard size: Zero: 1/16 of an inch.
Which braid gives the best curls? ›
If your hair is naturally wavy, a loose side braid will give you relaxed curls. If you have straight hair, try tight braids for more uniform waves. You can then maintain your curled hair so it looks polished and pretty.
What type of braids make your hair grow faster? ›
Styling your hair into braids doesn't directly make it grow faster. However, these styles can help nurture and protect your hair, making it stronger and less likely to break.
What braids make your hair look fuller? ›
Start by creating a small triangle near the hairline, then split it into three even sections and braid it gently, adding more hair with each pass. Securing it with an elastic at the end will help conceal thinning areas while adding a fuller appearance to the hair.
What is the least damaging braid style? ›
Knotless box braids
Instead of creating a knot at the root like with traditional box braids, knotless braids are created using a feed-in braid technique. As a result, there's less tension on the scalp, which can help minimize the risk of hair breakage (and is especially great for those with thin or fine hair).
What should you not do with cornrows? ›
Don't Use Too Much Tension on Your Cornrows
With recurrent traction, you can then develop traction alopecia, where there is hair loss, which can be permanent due to the tension on the scalp over time."
What do you put in your hair before cornrows? ›
One of the best ways to keep your hair protected while it is braided is by using a leave in conditioner before you braid your hair, and applying it sparingly as needed while the hair is braided. Using tgin's Green Tea Super Moist Leave in Conditioner will leave hair feeling soft, smooth and manageable.
Cornrows, which pull at the roots of your hair, can cause hair loss. Wearing looser braids and changing your hairstyle after 2 or 3 months can prevent hair loss. Follow these precautions when wearing a weave. Weaves and extensions are great way to add volume and length to your hair.
What hairstyle makes your hair grow the most? ›
No hairstyle can directly promote healthy hair growth. However, natural styles that don't need a lot of maintenance may prevent damage to your follicles. Some hairstyles could damage your hair, such as ponytails, buns, and cornrows.
Which type of hair is more attractive? ›
Most Attractive Hair Colour According to Men
| Hair color | Percentage |
|---|
| Blonde | 43% |
| Brunette | 36% |
| Red | 16% |
| Black | 5% |
1 more rowMar 7, 2023
Over the weekend, she posted a video to Snapchat wearing cornrows with beads on the ends. "So guys I did Bo Derek braids and I'm really into it," she said, referencing the white actress and model from the '70s. Social media reacted instantly, calling Kim out for yet another instance of cultural appropriation.
Are cornrows trending? ›
Lewis is seeing an uptick in requests for tightly curled ends, especially with styles like straight-back feed-in cornrows. "The nice, luscious curls [give your hair an island vibe]," she said. "People like how it looks. Even when you're styling it in a bun, you'll have a few curls hanging down."
Which cornrows last longer? ›
Additionally, depending on the style and how much access it gives you to your scalp, you most likely won't want to keep it in for too long. Two to eight weeks is a general rule of thumb–with styles like jumbo cornrows staying in for less time and styles like box braids (that you can wash easily) staying in for longer.
