Doing Her Hair Series! | Cornrow/Flat Braid With Weave

Cornrow/Flat Braid With Weave

Now that the cold and brisk months are here, it is definitely time to get your hair put away by: buns, two strand twists, sew-ins, or styles with extensions. It is so important to wear protective styles to tuck your hair away during the cold months because:

1). It helps to retain growth

2). It is low maintenance

3). It gives you a break from doing your own hair

So what we have here today is one of the most simplest styles to do with either your own hair or with hair extensions: Cornrows - simple, easy, and doesn't take up your day to style.

Before you start any long term style, the first few steps you would need to do is: wash, protein treatment, and deep condition. It is very important to pamper your hair to these steps so your hair can be freshly washed, be strong and less vulnerable to breakage, and give the moisture your tresses need. A fresh scalp gives the best results for your hair style.

Once your hair is freshly washed, make sure to add your leave-in and light only to seal that moisture in. This will give you the proper moisture you need for your hair strands and your scalp. And then proceed with the braiding process...

And So It Begins...Doing Cornrows With Extensions

You will need:

• Braiding Hair (2-4 packs)
• Rat tail comb
• Wide tooth comb or Denman
• Light moisturizer
• Hair clips
• Scissors 
• Lighter

Time to cornrow:

1. Take the braiding hair out of the pack of hair. Remove the rubber band at the top and bottom with your scissors. If you wish you cleanse your hair of the alkaline base if you have a sensitive scalp, check out: Crochet Braids: Marley...Check...Installation....Check...Satisfied...NO MA'AM!!! for the steps to do so.

2. 

   Cornrow/Flat Braid With Weave

   If you want your hair shoulder length, cut your braiding hair in half. Place your hair on a towel that hangs on a chair for easy manipulation and access.
3. Start on one side of your head. Part a section from the front of your head all the way to the back. Make sure the line is as straight as possible and with NO hairs in between the part. Clip the rest of your hair out of the way.
4. Detangle that part with your wide tooth comb or Denman to ensure there are no tangles. Add your light moisturizer to that section.
5. Take the amount of hair matching the width of your section for a nice, even braid. Be sure to not take to little for your braid past your own hair will be extra skinny and be sure to not take too much for your entire braid will be bulky.
6. Wrap the sectioned braiding hair around the beginning piece of your own hair. Wrap once again so it is snug. That is the beginning of your cornrow.
7. Now grab another piece of your hair and braid down the parted section of your hair along with the braiding hair. Make sure the braid is snug and not too tight.
8. Once your reach the bottom of your own hair continue to braid the synthetic hair down to your desired length.
9. When you reach to that desired length, take your lighter and burn the end of the braid. Roll the hair in your fingers to hole. Please be careful with this technique!
10. And you are done with that braid! Continue doing steps 3 to 9 to continue braiding your entire head

And that's it!!

Caring for your cornrows:

Most likely you will keep your cornrows for 2-4 weeks depending on how you care for your hair. So you want to care for them as much as possible to get the time out of your style.

1. Put water and oil in a water bottle and spray on your hair at least morning and night. You want to keep your hair moisturized and sealed during the protective style duration.
2. Use peppermint or tea tree oil in an oil mixture in an applicator (i.e. 5 drops of peppermint/tea tree oil in grape seed oil or Sweet Almond Oil) if you get an itchy scalp.



Cornrow/Flat Braid With Weave

3. Wrap your hair with a satin bonnet or a silk scarf to protect your style.

If you need a video tutorial to help you more, check out: How To Braid Cornrows With Extensions - Full DVD Tutorial. Breanna Rutter, How To Black Hair, will take the steps very slow for you to follow. Also, she does not use a lighter to seal the braids, but cold wave rods (perm rods) to seal and curl the braids.

Natural hair says: if you are looking for an easy style to do yourself for the cold months, try this style. It is pretty simple once you get the hang of it, which I'm sure you will!

Always Desire Your Natural,

Christina J