Cornrows are a popular and stylish hairstyle for men that involve braiding the hair close to the scalp.
This technique not only offers a unique and trendy look but also provides a low-maintenance option for those seeking a practical hairstyle.
To achieve the best results with cornrows, proper hair care and maintenance are essential. Let’s explore the techniques and styling tips for preparing the hair for cornrows.
Preparing the Hair
Proper hair care and maintenance
Cleanse and Condition: Before getting cornrows, it’s important to start with clean hair. Wash your hair using a gentle shampoo and follow it up with a moisturizing conditioner. Clean and conditioned hair provides a better texture for braiding and ensures a longer-lasting style.
Moisturize and Hydrate: Keeping your hair moisturized is crucial for maintaining healthy and pliable strands. Use a leave-in conditioner or hair moisturizer to hydrate your hair and scalp. Apply the product evenly, focusing on the ends and any areas prone to dryness. Regular moisturizing helps prevent breakage and keeps your hair soft and manageable.
Detangle and Stretch: It’s crucial to detangle your hair before starting the cornrowing process. Use a wide-tooth comb or a detangling brush to gently remove any knots or tangles. Start from the ends and work your way up to the roots. If you have thick or coarse hair, you can also consider stretching your hair by blow-drying it on a low heat setting. This helps to create a smoother base for the cornrows.
Scalp Care: Paying attention to your scalp health is essential when wearing cornrows. Before braiding, ensure your scalp is clean and free of any product build-up or residue. You can use a clarifying shampoo to remove any excess oil or debris. Additionally, massage your scalp with natural oils like coconut oil, jojoba oil, or tea tree oil to promote circulation and keep your scalp moisturized.
Protect Your Hair: Before getting cornrows, it’s important to assess the condition of your hair. If your hair is damaged, weak, or experiencing excessive breakage, it’s advisable to delay the cornrowing process until your hair is in a healthier state. Cornrows can place tension on the hairline, so it’s crucial to prioritize hair health and prevent unnecessary damage.
Seek Professional Help: If you’re new to cornrows or unsure about the technique, it’s recommended to seek the assistance of a professional hairstylist. They have the expertise and experience to create neat and well-executed cornrows while ensuring the health and integrity of your hair.
Remember, proper hair care and maintenance are crucial for the longevity of your cornrows. Follow a regular hair care routine, moisturize your hair and scalp, and avoid excessive pulling or tension on your hairline. By incorporating these practices, you can enjoy a stylish and well-maintained cornrow hairstyle.
Detangling and sectioning
Detangling and sectioning the hair properly are essential steps in preparing the hair for cornrows. Let’s delve into these processes in more detail:
- Detangling: Detangling the hair ensures that it is free from knots and tangles, making it easier to create clean and smooth cornrows. Here’s how you can detangle your hair effectively:
- Start with dry or slightly damp hair.
- Apply a leave-in conditioner or detangling spray to provide slip and make the detangling process smoother.
- Use a wide-tooth comb or a detangling brush to gently work through the hair, starting from the ends and working your way up to the roots.
- If you encounter stubborn knots, hold the hair above the knot with one hand while combing through it gently with the other hand to avoid excessive pulling or breakage.
- Repeat the process until the hair is completely detangled.
- Sectioning: Sectioning the hair helps to create organized and even cornrows. It allows for better control while braiding and ensures that each section receives the same amount of attention. Follow these steps to section your hair:
- Use a rat-tail comb to create partings. Start from the front or the desired starting point of your cornrows.
- For clean and uniform sections, use the pointed end of the comb to create straight partings. You can also use your fingers to create sections if you prefer a more natural look.
- Divide the hair into sections of equal size. The width of the sections depends on the desired thickness of your cornrows.
- Secure each section with a hair clip or a rubber band to keep it separate from the rest of the hair while you work on the remaining sections.
By detangling your hair thoroughly and sectioning it properly, you create a solid foundation for the cornrowing process. This helps to achieve neat and well-defined cornrows that will last longer. Take your time during these preparatory steps to ensure that your hair is in the best condition before proceeding with the cornrowing process.
Braiding Cornrows
Creating straight and precise lines
Once you have prepared your hair through proper care, maintenance, detangling, and sectioning, you are ready to start braiding your cornrows. Creating straight and precise lines is essential to achieve a clean and polished cornrow hairstyle. Here are some techniques and tips to help you braid cornrows with straight and precise lines:
Begin with a straight parting: Starting with a straight parting is crucial for creating well-aligned cornrows. Use the pointed end of a rat-tail comb or your fingers to create straight and even partings. You can use the comb as a guide to ensure that the lines are straight and parallel.
Take small sections: To achieve precise cornrows, work with small sections of hair. Smaller sections allow for better control and precision while braiding. This is especially important if you want to create thin and intricate cornrow patterns. Using smaller sections also ensures that each cornrow is of consistent size and thickness.
Tension and firmness: Maintain a consistent tension and firmness while braiding your cornrows. Too much tension can lead to discomfort and hair breakage, while too little tension can result in loose and unraveled cornrows. Find a balance where the hair feels secure and firmly braided without causing excessive pulling or discomfort.
Use a mirror: Position yourself in front of a mirror to ensure you have a clear view of your scalp and the cornrows you are creating. This will help you maintain straight and precise lines as you braid. Regularly check your progress in the mirror to ensure the cornrows are aligned and uniform.
Follow the partings: As you braid, follow the partings you created earlier to maintain the desired pattern and alignment. Use your fingers to hold the parted hair firmly while you braid, making sure the sections are tight and close to the scalp. This will help create straight and well-defined cornrows.
Take your time: Braiding cornrows requires patience and attention to detail. Take your time with each section, ensuring that you are braiding neatly and accurately. Rushing through the process can result in uneven lines and an overall messy appearance.
Practice and experience: Braiding cornrows takes practice and experience to master. Don’t be discouraged if your first attempts are not perfect. With time and practice, you will become more skilled at creating straight and precise lines.
Remember, creating straight and precise lines in your cornrows is a process that requires patience, practice, and attention to detail. By following these techniques and tips, you can achieve a clean and well-defined cornrow hairstyle that showcases your personal style and flair.