Cornrow Styles

Cornrow is a type of traditional hairstyle in which hair braiding is carried out near/very close to the scalp. The cornrows are also known as track braids; they stay flat on the scalp and are used to style the hair in many different patterns. Cornrows have their origin in Africa. The different cornrow hairstyles were however, popularized in USA by hip hop artists. The cornrow designs vary from simple & straight ones to those having complex and intricate patterns.

Different Styles of Cornrow
The cornrow styles can be seen in different forms such as straight lines, zigzag designs, geometric patterns, etc. These styles can be decorated with shells, beads, etc. In sub-Saharan Africa, cornrows were a common way of styling the hair. Variations or different styles of cornrows were used to display the social status of a person. These styles also helped in differentiating between people of diverse ethnicity, religion, age, kinship, etc. Going by the modifications and variations brought about in geometrical cornrow styles, one would be tempted to deem them as modern styles. The artifacts of ancient times that have been excavated in Africa however, present a different picture before us. Depictions on these artifacts clearly show that geometric cornrows were prevalent even in ancient times.

Cornrows for Women
The cornrows in women are known to have many variations. Few of these styles are discussed below. In one of the styles, the front hair are braided while the rest are left without any kind of modification. If a person wishes to style the remaining hair, different options like curling, creating waves and crimping can be considered. Weave extensions can be added to this style of cornrows. Braiding the front hair backwards and back hair upwards is another way of styling. Loose ends are tied together in a bun after styling the cornrows.

Cornrow for Men
Most of the styles are named after celebrities who popularized them. The styles for women became popular long time ago. Nowadays, even men are interested in sporting the cornrows. The styles for men that have become popular include the Sean Paul hairstyle, Beckham Cornrows, Belgian Waffle Cornrows, Justin Timberlake Cornrows, Ludacris Cornrows, Allen Iverson Cornrows, etc. It shows that cornrows are not just limited to few hip hop artists and celebrities, but also the sports personalities. A great Cornrow variety can be observed in the different kids' hairstyles that incorporate patterns of cornrows.

Caring for Cornrows
To keep the cornrows in a good condition, regular cleaning is necessary. It should be seen that hair are not rubbed harshly while being washed. A common problem which troubles people with cornrow hairstyles is that the shape of braids changes due to pulling. Covering the hair with bandanas or scarfs while sleeping is one of the solutions to prevent this from happening.

Cornrows are one of the oldest forms of hairstyles. The upsurge of Black Pride in USA coupled with hip hop culture led to rise in their popularity. Thereafter, it was accepted by people and today it is one of the hairstyles of common use.