How do I make cornrows with my own hair?

Question

I know how to french braid. Is it pretty much the same thing? From what I read it seems like it, but with smaller pieces. What's the trick to doing it?

Answer 1

Go to a salon and have it done. Or to save money, go to a beauty school where they charge very very small amount an hour to cornrow.

Answer 2

Plan your style. Having in mind what your end goal looks like will help you to form a path for getting there. You can do this in your head, draw a picture, or make some marks on a styrofoam wig holder. The easiest to begin with will probably be four to six sections from the front to the back of the head.
Spritz some water, or water mixed with detangler, on the hair, and comb or brush through it to remove all major tangles. The hair should be mildly damp, but not too wet. The reason for this is that you don't want to have to pull the hair a lot to create the tension needed to hold the style together. Hair expands when it's wet and contracts as it dries. Despite what some people say about a tight braid, this is the best way to achieve it--not by pulling the hair hard away from the scalp.

Click to enlargePart a section of hair that you would like the cornrow to go along. Move other hair out of the way so that you have a clear path to follow. Then take a small section of hair where you want the cornrow to begin. Don't take too much, especially near the hairline, or you will have to pull too hard to continue.

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Click to enlargeSeparate that small section into three strands and make a normal braid of about 2 "stitches" to get it started.

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Click to enlargeHolding the two outer strands aside, reach down under this initial braid to add a little hair to the middle strand. Fully merge this new hair to the middle strand so that it becomes a part of it, and you again have 3 strands. Make a braid stitch out of these strands.

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Click to enlargeContinue braiding, each time adding a little more hair to the middle strand, and repeat this until you've run out of hair to add. If you've reach the end and there is still hair left over, then continue with a regular 3 strand braid.
Secure the cornrow with a snap bead, hair clip, end bar, barette, bolo tie tip, or whatever you like just so long as you will be able to easily remove it later. Uncovered rubber bands are not suggested unless they are the kind made specifically for hair. The ones made for office use will break off the hair.



Tips
People with straighter or slicker hair may need to use what is called "aqua wax" or a protein hair gel to help the style last, and to preclude the need for extra tension during styling.
If you do not wish to wet the hair first, you may consider at least using a hair cream or hair mask or leave in conditioner. Some people don't like to wet the hair, and this is fine. However, if you don't, you will need to be extra mindful of tension. Use a featherlight touch.
Precise braiding, not pulling hard from the scalp, is what makes a long lasting style. Pulling too hard from the scalp does nothing to help a style to last. It only leads to pain and hair loss.
Hair can be washed with cornrows in. Simply wear a stocking cap over it, and use a shower massager or water pick to force water underneath the braids. Use a diluted shampoo and water mixture to wash, clear water to rinse, and spritz the hair with a leave in conditioner or hair oil afterwards.
If you tuck the hair under, you are making an "invisible" track braid, and if you reach for hair from beneath outwards, you are making a "visible" track braid.
People with fine or sleek, straight hair may want to use some sort of braid spray to help make the hair "stickier" so the braid does not fall out as it's being put in the slicker, fine hair.
Narrow ones stay in longer than bigger ones
Warnings
This style should not hurt. If you can see the scalp is raised, or the person is complaining that it's painful, back it up and start over. Too much braid tension can cause traction alopecia (a specific type of hair loss), and it might be permanent. It can also lead to infections and irritations.
To keep braids in place, use a moisturizing flexible hair gel or aqua wax, during styling.
Wear a scarf or durag while sleeping, and braids will stay for up to one week. After that they'll probably need to be redone, depending on how thick the rows are.



Things You'll Need
A rat tailed comb. These can be found at many beauty supply stores, but if you can't find one, the end of a tint brush may suffice.
Rubber bands for hair.
You may need hair grease and/or aqua wax.
For straight hair you may need to use a hair wax that is based on distilled water, not oil. It looks sort of like a firm gel. Aquarius Wax and Ice Wax are good ones. Butch Wax may do the job, but it is a little oily.
Very tightly curly hair should be treated with a moisturizer that does not break down too soon. This excludes most hair creams. The best thing to use is a hair food or hair grease, or a natural oil mixture.
Spray bottle to dampen if hair gets too dry.