Cornrow hairstyles for men have always been popular. They are also an excellent option for men who have curly Hair and want to protect the hair’s natural texture.

There are tons of customizations to choose from, so you can keep your style fresh by trying something new every time. They are also one of the oldest hairstyles and hold many histories and traditions in African-American culture.

What Is It

Cornrows are a men’s hairstyle where the hair is braided very close to the scalp. The Braids are pretty fat and can look like rows of corn, hence the name ‘cornrows.’ They originated from Africa and the Caribbean Islands.

Cornrows can be worn by men and women and are very practical as they keep your hair protected without needing too much maintenance. They can also be decorated with beads or shells.

20 Most Popular Cornrow Hairstyles for Men

Simple Cornrows

Simple cornrows are the most basic kind of cornrows you can get. The natural volume of your hair affects how the cornrows look. Men usually have more volume on top, so the braids are thicker and the sides have thinner braids.

If you have a diamond-shaped face, avoid simple cornrows as they won’t complement the shape of your face.

Feed-in Braids

Consider feed-in braids if you have good volume but don’t want very fat or high braids near your forehead. They start small and build up the volume as they go along. It adds detail to the hairstyle without taking too much effort.

Intricate Designs

You can create intricate designs by braiding the hair on your crown in different patterns. Most people pair this hairstyle with very short hair on the sides and back to focus on the intricate designs on top.

Look up the difference between a taper and a fade to understand which one would go best with the intricate designs you have chosen.

Zig-Zag Patterning

This is a unique look. The braids run in a zig-zag pattern from your temple to the back of your head. The temples look very prominent in this look, so if you have a heart-shaped or round face, avoid this look.

Part Braided

If you think that wearing an unprofessional hairstyle won’t suit your line of work or you don’t want to braid all your hair, you can try a part braided look. Just one section of the hair is braided, usually along the sides. This look is great for square or oblong faces.

You can also style it with an undercut. You can add two braids along the undercut part to create a distinct style without committing to braiding all your hair.

Funky Designs

There’s no limit to the number of creative designs created on your head. Funky designs pull your hair back very tightly, making the natural shape of your face very apparent.

If you have a very sharp jawline or temples, you might want to consider a softer look.

Face Framing Shapes

Face framing shapes are usually braided in concentric shapes around your scalp. These designs are very intricate and can take a lot of time and skill to create, but they give you a lot of character.

For Straight Hair

There is a misconception that you need very curly hair for cornrows, but you can just as quickly have cornrows with straight hair too. It is easier and faster to do with straight hair, especially if you do it yourself.

You can style it by pairing it with an undercut or a shaved part to add some definition. If you think straight hair might be more comfortable to wear, there are plenty of good hair relaxers you can try.

Hyper Long Hair

If you have very long hair or want extensions, you can get hyper-long braids. You can pair it with a braid if your face shape is quite long. Check out trendy beard styles for black men if you’re unsure what kind of beard to choose.

The braids go straight back from your forehead. You can add some design to add character to the hairstyle. The thickness of the braids varies from the scalp to the nape of the neck.

Shaved Details

Shaved details are for people who don’t have very long hair but want to add braids to their hairstyle. You can have shaved details on the sides or near the temples and have two braids running along with the crown.

It suits most face shapes and you don’t need a lot of length for this style.

Ombre Braids

Adding color to braids is a great way to add more detail to the style. You can add some shaved details to the side to add more contrast to the hairstyle. Try to keep the braids simple as the color already adds a lot of detail to the look.

The roots are left dark and the rest of the hair is colored in an ombre pattern. You can add a curly bun at the back too.

Braids With Bangs

You can get braids even if you have bangs—braid the bangs too! They can be parted in the middle and split into two braids that hang across your forehead just like your bangs used to.

It is a unique look and complements an undercut very well. It does not suit bold face shapes, so think before settling on this look. You can always wait for your bangs to grow out before getting braids.

Mohawk

The sides are kept shaved or trimmed very close to the scalp and the hair in the middle is long and braided. It is a great way to tame a mohawk and keep it slicked back. It is also very low maintenance.

Side Braids

Consider side braids if you have very long hair. The double braids run on either side of your head and keep the attestation away from the shape of the face. It is a complicated style where all the hair on your head flows into two braids.

You can also style these braids as buns when you feel like you want a change. It can stress your roots, so try using hair cream for men to give your scalp some relief.

With a Top Knot

Cornrows with a top knot are like a mixture of all the most popular hairstyles for men. You get an undercut and the hair on top is braided completely and pulled into a top knot at the back.

With Dreadlocks

You can also combine cornrows with dreadlocks. The hair is braided into cornrows on the scalp from the forehead to the back and styled in dreadlocks from the neck. You need long hair and a good volume for this hairstyle.

Crowned 

If you have long hair and don’t want to deal with loose braids, you can braid the hair up towards the crown in a pattern that stays on your scalp instead of swinging free at the bottom.

Fade

Fades can be combined with almost any other style and cornrows are no exception. A skin fade provides more contrast and complements thick braids on top.

With Taper

A tapered cut with cornrows on top can add more sharpness to the look. If you are worried about hair loss or need more volume to get cornrows, try to choose the hair supplements that suit your needs. You can also try natural DHT blockers.

Spider Braids

Spider braids look very intricate and complicated but are pretty easy to create. The braids extend from the center of the head and flow downwards.

Things to Consider 

Hair Type

There are four types of hair: straight, wavy, coiled and kinky. The great thing about cornrows is that they suit all hair types, so no matter what the texture of your hair is, you can get cornrows.

Hair Length

As you can imagine, your hair needs to be long to create braids. If it is not long enough, you will need extensions for cornrows. Medium or long hair is suitable for cornrows, but you can’t get cornrows with short hair.

Haircut

You cannot get cornrows if your hair is cut in layers or is very short. It needs to be at least 6 inches long and even throughout. If your hair is cut in layers, wait for it to grow out and get an even haircut before getting cornrows.

How to Do It

Step 1 – Prepare

Prepare your hair by untangling it with a comb or brush as best as possible. If your hair is straight or wavy, this should be very easy. Next, spray the hair with water to make it damp.

You can also spray a leave-in conditioner to keep your scalp moisturized.

Step 2 – Start braiding

Part your hair by creating a 1-inch section that extends from the forehead to the nape of your neck. Start braiding from the front and keep the braid tight and close to the scalp. When you’re done, secure it with a hair tie.

It will be one cornrow when you are done braiding the entire section. It can be a little painful, especially if you have never had it done before. Keep doing this until all the hair on your scalp is braided.

Step 3 – Aftercare

There’s a lot you can do to maintain your cornrows, but the essential things you need to take care of are to use the world’s best hair oil to keep your hair moisturized and always wear a do-rag around your head when you go to sleep.

How to Maintain 

Step 1 – Use hair oil

This is very important to prevent your scalp from getting flaky. You can use hair oil or hair cream for moisturization. Remember that you don’t need to put it on the braids-use your fingers to rub it between the braids onto the scalp. If you sweat a lot, try looking for an oil-free moisturizer.

Step 2 – Don’t go overboard

You can also lightly apply oil to the scalp to keep it healthy. Don’t go overboard, as it will make your hair greasy or oily.

Step 3 – Protect braids

Use a silk pillowcase or wrap a silk cloth around your head while you sleep to protect your braids. They will also help you deal with skin problems as they are very gentle on the skin.

Best Hair Products

Cornrows are not the easiest to maintain, but having the right products makes it easier. You need the following hair products to care for your cornrows:

• A scarf to protect your head when you sleep or do physical activities, commonly known as a do-rag.
• Coconut or shea butter to apply to the cornrows.
• A cleansing shampoo to keep your hair oil-free.
• Hair ties to secure your braids.
• Hair supplements nourish your hair.

Quick Styling Tips 

• Don’t do it yourself if you are not entirely confident of your abilities.
• Use premium oil-free moisturizers.
• Use a leave-in conditioner.
• Do not wash cornrows too frequently.

FAQ 

How long can you keep cornrows in?

Curly hair can stay in cornrows for about eight weeks, while straight or wavy hair should not be left for more than six weeks.

Do cornrows ruin the hair?

Cornrows don’t ruin the hair. They are very protective of the hair. You need to make sure that your hair is braided in the right way and properly take care of the cornrows to prevent any damage.

How much do cornrows cost?

It can vary greatly. More complicated or intricate designs cost more and simpler ones are cheaper. Most hairstylists charge $50-$100 for classic cornrows.

What do cornrows symbolize?

Cornrows are a significant part of black history. They were traditionally worn by warriors or kings in Africa and had deep cultural significance. During slavery, they were also used to create maps in plain view to help enslaved people escape to freedom.

Can you shower with cornrows?

You can indeed shower with cornrows, but don’t do it too often. Be gentle, and make sure to towel dry your braids later gently.

Do cornrows help hair grow?

Braiding hair could help it grow faster, as it helps it stay secure and protects from breakage and damage caused by friction.

Conclusion

Cornrows are a trendy hairstyle that carries a lot of significance in black culture. They are also very trendy. Choose any cornrow hairstyles listed above for a low-maintenance yet stylish look.

The post 20 Rebel Cornrow Hairstyles for Men: Ideas for Best Braids appeared first on Beardoholic.