Cornrows, another name for African braids, are a stunning and adaptable hairstyle. Whether you’re getting ready for a special event or simply want a new look, braiding your own hair can be enjoyable and satisfying. You can create beautiful results from the comfort of your own home if you know the proper methods and put in some practice.
Although braiding your hair may seem difficult at first, don’t worry! It all comes down to mastering the fundamentals before experimenting with various looks. African braids are available in different sizes and patterns, so you can personalize your appearance to fit your preferences and sense of style. The secret is to begin with well-combed hair and to exercise some patience while you learn the ins and outs of the technique.
We’ll walk you through the process of braiding your own hair in this tutorial. We’ll go over all you need to know to make gorgeous African braids, from styling your hair to actually braiding it. Gather your hair ties and comb, and let’s begin this thrilling hair journey!
- What are African braids?
- Pros and cons of African braids
- Types of African braids
- With Kanekalon
- French
- Zizi
- Senegalese
- Thick
- Gofre
- How to braid African braids yourself at home?
- How to style Afro braids?
- Photo ideas for African braids, taking into account the original hair length
- Short hair
- Medium length, bob
- Long hair
- Trendy shades of African braids
- White
- Black
- Purple
- Pink
- Blue
- Multicolored
- Fashionable hairstyles with Afro braids for girls
- High ponytail
- Bun
- A braid made of African braids
- Men"s hairstyles with African braids
- French
- Braids
- Zizi braids
- Classic Afro with a ponytail
- Care products for Afro braids
- Making African braids: tips from stylists
- Is it possible to braid African braids at home without experience?
- How to unbraid African braids at home?
- Video on the topic
- Ho to Cornrow DIY ★ Braids ★ French Braids for Yourself
- Point weaving. Zizi.
- AFRO BRAIDS – AFRICAN BRAIDS WITH THREADS HOW TO BRAITS WITH YOUR OWN HANDS AT HOME
What are African braids?
Based on two or three strands, these braids are tightly woven and dense. African braids, also known as braids, can be made with synthetic colored hair in addition to natural hair strands.
African braids that are already made, like buns or thicker braids, can occasionally be used to create other hairstyles.
Pros and cons of African braids
We suggest weighing the benefits and drawbacks before attempting a hairstyle as extravagant and daring as African braids.
Let’s begin with the justifications for African braids.
- Hair braided into African braids looks visually thicker.
- With the help of such weaving, you can add length to your hair.
- African braids are great at taming unruly and too fluffy hair.
- Hair can be washed less often (once every 4-5 days).
- African braids do not require styling or the use of styling products.
- The variety of materials for weaving allows you to make braids bright and unusual.
African braids, however, are not without drawbacks.
- This hairstyle is categorically not recommended for damaged and weakened hair. If there are problems with the scalp (for example, dandruff), African braids will also not add aesthetics to the image.
- Pigtails need to be re-braided quite often (as the hair grows).
- Afro-braids can cause headaches if they are made too tight or if a large amount of additional material was used to braid them, making the strands heavier.
- This hairstyle is unlikely to suit girls who are limited by a strict dress code at work.
Types of African braids
The thickness and method of weaving used in African braids can vary. Different categories of braids use different additional materials. Let’s examine the various styles of African braids.
With Kanekalon
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An artificial substance that mimics real hair is called kanekalon. It makes it simple to modify the structure and thickness of the braids.
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Brightly colored hairstyles are made with kanekalon.
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French
Their unique feature is that they frequently begin at the hairline and are braided all the way around the head. French braids are especially good for people with low foreheads because they open up the entire face.
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Zizi
Zizi are colored synthetic braids that are pre-made and woven into natural hair.
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African braids can be tried on both short and long hair with Zizi.
Senegalese
One distinctive characteristic of Senegalese braids is that they are made from two strands.
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You obtain gorgeous, well-groomed flagella.
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Thick
African braids that are thick appear extremely impressive, particularly when colored kanekalon is woven into the hair.
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However, compared to thin afro braids, thick braids lose their appearance more quickly and have a much shorter "service life."
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Gofre
Noodle-like pigtails are appropriate for young creative girls.
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Single-color or zigzag-colored strands are used to create African corrugated braids.
How to braid African braids yourself at home?
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In order to create African braids correctly at home, you must first gather the required supplies:
- 1 massage comb-brush;
- 2 comb with sparsely spaced teeth;
- 3 elastic bands and clips for securing strands;
- 4 artificial material for braiding.
The most crucial resources to have on hand are time and patience. Furthermore, since not everyone is skilled at creating tidy braids on the back of their head, having a pair of friendly hands is even better.
© @lelic_hair | online communities
Thus, if everything is in order, you can move on to the actual process. To learn how to braid traditional African braids, follow our detailed instructions.
- 1 Comb your hair thoroughly and divide it into three zones for braiding with two partings. Secure each with a clip-clip.
- 2 Separate one strand with a horizontal parting and start braiding. If you use kanekalon or other artificial materials, then weave them into your hair right from the roots.
- 3 Braid African braids all over your head using this pattern. Remember that the braids should be tight enough, otherwise they will quickly unravel.
- 4 Styling products will help make the braids smoother. Use hairspray or fixing spray if necessary.
When done at home, these braids can last for several days.
Certain African braids are too intricate to complete by hand. For instance, you need a specialized machine and experience using it to achieve stylish Senegalese braids.
How to style Afro braids?
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African braid styling requires creativity and a great deal of responsibility. It is best to avoid using styling products if the braids contain artificial materials, as they may ruin the finished look.
However, there are goods that can increase African braids’ "service life." The hair is treated with these products prior to braiding.
- Smoothing formulas will make your hair more manageable and allow you to braid neat, smooth braids. For example, the Liss Control+ serum from L’Oréal Professionnel will do. Distribute it over dry hair immediately before braiding.
- The Savage Panache dry spray from L’Oréal Professionnel will help remove excess sebum from the scalp and make fine hair more voluminous and dense.
- The Vavoom Extra Full Freezing extra-strong hold spray will fix the braids. Recall that fixing sprays are applied only to braids made from your own hair, without any foreign inclusions.
- Colored strands: which shade is right for you?
- Trend: colored strands on dark hair
- Purple ombre: coloring ideas
Photo ideas for African braids, taking into account the original hair length
How can African braids be styled on hair that varies in length?
Short hair
African braids are beneficial because they give short hair a noticeable boost in length and volume. African braids can be made with hair that is no longer than three to five centimeters.
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Medium length, bob
With a braid this length, experimenting is already simple: you can use a variety of extra materials and still guarantee the braid’s notable durability.
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Long hair
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It is preferable to have multiple hands braid your hair in a professional salon if you have thick, long hair. African braids are very hard and take a long time to braid at home.
Trendy shades of African braids
Do you find colorful African braids to be silly and juvenile? We’re prepared to disagree: this hairstyle appears impressive, current, and mature. And some of the newest shades will support what we’ve said.
White
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For girls with dark hair and skin, we suggest white Afro braids; you’ll get a striking contrast.
Black
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It is safe for girls of any hair color to try this color; a stylish outcome is assured.
Purple
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The blond and light brown palettes go well with the purple range.
Pink
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Pink afros are great for blondes; they will look very delicate.
Blue
Light blue hair and black African braids have a vibrant, daring appearance.
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Ash and blonde hair types should stay away from blue tones because they run the risk of losing their natural color against such a backdrop.
Multicolored
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For people who are unable to choose just one shade, multicolored Afro braids are the ideal option. However, in daily life, we advise combining no more than two colors.
Fashionable hairstyles with Afro braids for girls
What kinds of hairstyles are possible with Afro braids? Look at the most popular choices.
High ponytail
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Long braids at the back of your head can be pulled into a ponytail to create a casual everyday hairstyle.
Bun
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For active sports, one or two buns are a great solution.
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A braid made of African braids
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How about using small African braids to create a larger braid? a cozy and unique hairstyle that can serve as an expressive focal point for your evening ensemble.
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Men"s hairstyles with African braids
For men, afro braids are now a fashionable option. View our collection of braids designed for the more assertive sex.
French
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An easy and sensible choice. Men with naturally curly hair that is unruly will benefit most from it.
Braids
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Part of a man’s peculiar appearance includes thick Afro braids.
Zizi braids
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Long, colorful African braids are favored by men who like a more carefree look.
Classic Afro with a ponytail
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Impressive are traditional African braids gathered into a high ponytail.
Care products for Afro braids
Your gorgeous African braids require special care to maintain their beauty for as long as possible.
Let’s talk about a list of care-related products.
- Let"s start, of course, with shampoo. It is applied only to the scalp with patting movements, then washed off. Try the strengthening shampoo "Growth in full force Red orange" from Garnier.
- If the ends of the hair lack moisture and nutrition, you need to add oil – for example, "Extraordinary" from L"Oréal Paris.
- You should not refuse leave-in sprays that give your hair shine and protect it from the harmful effects of negative environmental factors.
Making African braids: tips from stylists
This guide will walk you through the fundamentals of braiding your own hair at home if you’ve ever been inspired to try an African braid due to their intricate beauty. We’ll go over basic methods to get you going, offer pointers for streamlining the procedure, and provide guidance on how to produce a result that looks professional. You’ll find helpful instructions to help you make gorgeous braids that you can be proud of, whether your goal is to create elegant box braids or traditional cornrows.
Is it possible to braid African braids at home without experience?
The people who can manage African braids so expertly now were once beginners. For those who are new to braiding African braids at home, we suggest going with the traditional version that doesn’t use any synthetic materials.
How to unbraid African braids at home?
You can unbraid the braids at home if you are unable to visit a salon.
In order to accomplish this, split the hair into multiple sections, remove the elastic bands with caution, and then carefully and slowly unbraid each braid one at a time. Next, beginning at the ends of the hair, comb it through using a massage brush.
It is more convenient to unbraid all the braids in multiple approaches, so be prepared that this process will take a long time.
| Step | Instructions |
| 1 | Start with clean, dry hair. Brush out any tangles and divide your hair into sections. |
| 2 | Apply a small amount of hair oil or moisturizer to each section to make the braiding process easier. |
| 3 | Begin with the first section. Divide it into three smaller sections for the braid. |
| 4 | Cross the right section over the middle, then the left section over the new middle. Repeat this pattern until you reach the end of the section. |
| 5 | Secure the braid with a small elastic band. Repeat the process with the remaining sections. |
| 6 | For a neat finish, use a little bit of hair gel or spray to keep the braids in place. |
Acquiring the skill of creating African braids by yourself can be a fulfilling and imaginative endeavor. You can become an expert in this craft and have gorgeous, long-lasting hairstyles with a little perseverance and practice. Take your time and carefully perfect each step, starting with clean, detangled hair. Keep in mind that braiding is a skill that gets better with practice, so it’s acceptable if your first few attempts aren’t perfect.
Try out a variety of styles and techniques without fear. Because African braids are so versatile, you can make anything from straightforward cornrows to intricate patterns. You can also improve your technique and confidence by watching video tutorials or asking seasoned braiders for advice.
Lastly, to make sure your braids last as long as possible, take good care of them. Avoid putting too much tension on your hair and moisturize your scalp on a regular basis. Your African braids will look gorgeous and remain in excellent condition for weeks with the right care. Enjoy the learning process and the amazing outcomes once you’ve mastered this lovely braiding technique!
