Red Carpet Cornrows

Braids are making appearances both on and off the red carpet but braids are nothing new. Cornrows are a traditional African style of hairstyle dating back thousands of years where the hair is braided to the scalp. Learn how to braid red carpet cornrows hairstyles.

Red Carpet Cornrows | How to braid simple cornrow hairstyles

The side braid, pigtail braids and the crown headband braid, double braid, and fishtail braids are variations of cornrows. There are countless traditional cornrow African styles, ranging from intricate turns and coils to the simple line style.

How to braid a simple cornrow hairstyle

Note: If you are cornrowing the hair needs to be detangled with water or a leave-in conditioner in order to create neat cornrows.

1.   Uses a comb to create the size section you want, smaller sections will make smaller rows of cornrows, and larger sections will produce bigger cornrows.

2.   Divide the hair section into three equal parts.

3.   Begin to braid the small section of hair.

4.   As you continue to braid the hair, add hair from the section you are braiding into the cornrow. Add hair evenly for a uniform look.

5.   Continue to braid the section of hair, adding more hair into the cornrow as you work your way toward the end making sure pull your fingers through the hair to detangle.

Cornrow Braiding Originated in Africa

Cornrow hairstyles in Africa also cover a wide social terrain: religion, kinship, status, age, ethnicity, and other attributes of identity are expressed in hairstyle.   

As Peters, J. C. stated in Braids, cornrows, dreadlocks, and hair wraps An African continuum, "Hieroglyphs and sculptures dating back thousands of years illustrate the attention Africans have paid to their hair. Braids were etched into the back of the head of the majestic sphinx."

Today, fishtail braids create a beautiful bohemian vibe rocked by festival goers and outdoor music concerts worldwide. The side braid, pigtail braids and the crown headband braid, double braid, and fishtail braids are variations of cornrows. French, Dutch and Swiss braids all have their roots in Africa.

More commentary about Africa

Now you know how to braid simple cornrow hairstyles and facts about African cornrow hairstyles. Cornrow hairstyle dates back to prehistoric Africa cornrow styles are still popular in modern today.

With cornrows, the hair is braided very close to the scalp to produce a raised row. In America, the term cornrows are used because they are reminiscent of rows of corn in cornfields. In the Caribbean, cornrows are known as canerows indicative of rows of sugarcane in sugarcane fields.

 

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