Braids

Braid and Cornrow designs

Braid and cornrow designs

Braid and cornrow designs are popular among African American people. Cornrows have very deep roots in the African American culture. This hairstyles popularity has increased greatly throughout the years, and is now a common style among many different people. This article will briefly explain the history of cornrows, and discuss the different variations of this style.

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This hairstyle is a traditional style in Africa and has been for many years. It is a big part of the African culture. Braided hairstyles can represent a person’s social status, religion, age, kinship, and ethnicity. African American slaves brought this customary hairstyle with them when they were forced to come to America. They were allowed to wear their hair in this way out of convenience because it was a tidy way for them to keep their hair out of the way while they worked.

 

This hairstyles history is more extensive then this and can be dated back many years. There are records of this hairstyle as far back as ancient Egyptian history; a coin was found representing this hairstyle in an Egyptian archeology site.

Cornrows are essentially small French braids that cover a person’s entire head. This braid lies flat because it is braided very closely to the scalp. Cornrows have been made popular in recent years because of the large number of celebrities that have sported, and even named, cornrows. This might be why this hairstyle is more common among the younger generation of people.

In some places, cornrows have become a type of souvenir. People who are practiced at doing cornrows will set up shops or stands in heavy tourist locations. People will then have their hair braided in this fashion as a way to commemorate their visit to this location, or fit in better with the locals. Because so many people participate in this ritual, stylists can charge quite a lot to complete this hairstyle. Sometimes as much as eighty dollars an hour, other times it is a by-the-braid fee. Either way, it is most likely going to be an expensive hairstyle.

Zigzag cornrows are a popular representation of the different ways that cornrows can be braided into different designs. A person can choose any pattern that they would like, and any practiced stylist should be able to fulfill this request. They can be braided in straight lines, curves, and different angles.

This is a very neat and tidy hairstyle and is very easy to maintain. Cornrows can be left in for up to eight weeks, and sometimes even longer if cared for correctly. Maintaining this hairstyle requires a person to keep their hair moisturized and tidy. Sometimes gel is needed to keep the stray hairs at bay, and keep the parts looking tidy. When hair begins to grow out the braids will become loose, the braids should be taken out then.



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About the author

thirsty roots®

Our goal is to share the beauty of Afro-textured hair and to have a place where we can come together to get examples, advice, and information of black hair growth and hairstyles. Whether you have permed, pressed, or natural hair it's still black hair and it's beautiful.

2 Comments

  • i love this web site i would like my hair to be like that. actually i am getting the curly mohawk me and my friend getting the same dang hair style we like sisters. lol well love the hair styles.

  • I keep wondering if this could look as nice on someone with a long face cos I really wanna plait it.

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