Top 40 Cornrow Hairstyles For Women

Cornrows are an important part of Black culture and hair history all over the world. The technique can include different patterns and styles, with the hair braided closely to the scalp. Cornrow hairstyles are protective because they’re easy to manage, and you don't need to style them daily. It helps protect natural hair from heat, dryness, and breakage. They also work as a base for other hairstyles. A lot of people wear cornrows under lace front wigs—Tyra Banks, for example, often does this to keep her natural hair safe.

It’s said that cornrows are the oldest hairstyle in history, and people have been braiding hair this way since around 3000 BC. No matter the language, culture, or country, Black people around the world wear cornrows. For many, getting cornrows is a special part of growing up.

Although cornrows are beautiful, cultural hairstyles have been controlled for many years. Despite this, during the 1960s and 1970s, the Black Power movement in the U.S. sparked the first big natural hair movement. It was a way to take back control of Black history and reject Eurocentric beauty standards. Many started wearing their hair in afros, dreadlocks, and cornrows.

These beautiful cornrow hairstyles celebrate natural hair, textured strands, and the people who first created the style. Below, you'll see scalp braids that mix in other hair trends like top knots and ponytails, along with styles decorated with beads, charms, and other accessories to inspire your next look.

Top 40 Cornrow Hairstyles

1. Cornrows with a Texas Vibe

Beyoncé, from Houston, gives this beautiful cornrow style her touch by adding a big hat, black sunglasses, and jewelry. You can get it by making big braids and adding some cool stuff like a hat, beads, or shiny thread to make it beautiful.

2. Straight Back Cornrows with Beads

Alicia Keys has been a fan of cornrows, trying out different braiding styles and patterns like this one. Throughout history, there have been stories about how certain braiding patterns were used by enslaved people in the Americas as a way to create hidden road maps to freedom.

3. 7-Braid hairstyle

Ella Balinska rocked a seven-part bun with medium-sized braids at the 2021 British Fashion Awards. It includes weaving the seven sections of hair rather than the traditional three. You can get it by dividing the hair into seven sections and then weaving them all together. 

4. Chic High Knot

In 1963, Cicely Tyson made history by becoming the first woman to appear on television with cornrows, and she was also the first Black woman to have a recurring role as Jane Foster on East Side, West Side. Cicely's iconic top knot still inspires Black women and stylists to this day.

5. Braid to the waist

One of the best things about cornrows is that it is easy to try different hair lengths. You can go short or super long, whatever you want, without any worries. To get this look, simply braid your hair (or add extensions) from the roots down to your waist for a long, dramatic look.

6. Cornrows with a Side Part

Side-part cornrows are a low-maintenance style that looks elegant. With simple makeup, you can easily try out different makeup looks if you want. To make Cornrows with a Side Part, just part your hair on one side and braid the sections from the part down.

7. Pigtail Cornrows

If you want a sporty and stylish look at the same time, try pigtail cornrows. They keep your hair out of your face and highlight your features. You can add small braids at the sides for a fancier look.

8. Blonde Cornrow High Ponytail

If you don't want to have your hair in your face all the time? Just cornrow a few inches at the front and braid the rest like regular box braids. This way, you can easily sweep your hair back. And remember: The higher your ponytail, the more eye-catching it will be!

9. Classic Shuruba/Albaso Braids

 Ethiopia and Eritrea are home to the stunning Shuruba or Albaso cornrow hairstyle. In this style, the front half of the hair is cornrowed like a crown, while the rest is left down for a beautiful half-up, half-down look. For special occasions, a headband can be added to elevate the style.

10. Bold Burgundy Braids

Keke Palmer's deep reddish-brown hair paired with a high ponytail is a super chic look—perfect for fall or any time of year. You can get this look by adding burgundy hair extensions and braiding your hair into your chosen style for a vibrant, striking look.

11. Embellished Fulani Braids

Alicia Keys adds a stylish touch to her classic Fulani braids by accessorizing them with hair cuffs. To get Embellished Fulani Braids, simply braid your hair in the traditional Fulani style and add accessories like beads, cowrie shells, or hair cuffs for a unique touch.

12. Tiny Braids, Big Style

Supermodel Alek Wek combines a trendy middle part with sleek microbraids for a timeless look. You can have this look just by dividing your hair into small sections and braiding them tightly for a detailed, bold look.

13. Sleek Low Ponytail

Kelly J. McCreary rocks cornrows paired with a low yaki-textured ponytail for a sleek and stylish look. You can make it by smoothing your hair, gathering it at the nape, securing with an elastic band, and finishing with hairspray for a polished look

14. Playful Bubble Gum Pink

These bubblegum pink Fulani braids use soft baby pink kanekalon hair for a bold and fun style that pairs perfectly with an off-the-shoulder look. To have Playful Bubble Gum Pink braids, dye your hair pastel pink or use pink extensions, then braid it for a fun, vibrant look.

15. Edgy Faux Hawk Style

Yaya DaCosta rocks a fauxhawk, with the sides of her hair tightly braided to create the illusion of a shaved head. You can get this look just by braiding the sides tightly and leaving the top section longer and spiked for a bold, mohawk-like look.

Detailed video: Top cornrows hairstyles for women

16. Cowrie Shell Crown

French influencer Paola Locatelli dazzles with her seashell-inspired look. According to the National Institute of African American History and Culture, cowrie shells were used as currency across Africa, Europe, and Asia. In Africa, they were not only used as money but also as protective charms.

17. Half Up, Half Down Style

Fashion influencer Ellie Delphin walks the streets of Paris with a perfect half-up, half-down hairstyle. To create this style, gather the top half of your hair into a ponytail or bun and leave the bottom half loose for a relaxed, chic look.

Would you like to read also about: Easy Short Curly Hairstyles: 20 Trendy to Try Now

18. Jewel at the Center

Erica Ash adds a center leaf charm and beads to her Fulani braids for a unique and stylish touch. Part your hair in the middle, braid it, and place a decorative charm at the center for a stunning touch.

19. Colorful Rainbow Center-Parted Braids

The middle part always stands out. Make it even cooler with colorful cornrows in horizontal sections. The look is amazing. To have this chic look, part your hair down the middle and braid it using multi-colored extensions for a bold, eye-catching look.

20. Cornrows with Sleek Baby Hairs

Cornrow hairstyles give you a chance to show off your baby hairs. Just grab your favorite edge control gel and get creative. For a softer, romantic look, style your baby hairs in swoops and swirls.

21. Half-Braided Cornrow Crown

Remember in the '90s and early '00s when it was popular to cornrow the front of your hair and leave the rest in spiral curls ? Well, that style is back, but now it's all about embracing your natural hair. After creating your braid crown, instead of tucking the braids away, leave them out for a stunning contrast.

22. Medium-length braid

Rihanna's cornrows at the 2019 British Fashion Awards were styled in a special pattern to match her look. To get this look,  divide your hair and braid it to shoulder or chest length for a manageable and stylish look.

23. Braid crown

Cornrows are a very old hairstyle. Yara Shahidi looks amazing with her cool space-style braids. But that doesn't mean you can't try something new. 

24. Braided space bun

This style isn't just for fashion shows. You can wear these low buns every day to look special and beautiful. For braided space buns, braid both sides of your hair and wrap them into two buns for a cute, playful style.

25. Gray Ombre Braids

If you want to try out some color, these Fulani braids use both black and gray braiding hair to make a beautiful style. To create this look, use gray hair extensions and braid your hair, blending the color from darker roots to lighter gray ends for a stylish gradient effect.

26. High ponytail

Naturi Naughton looks great with cornrows styled into a high ponytail and decorated with charms. To get this, gather your hair at the crown of your head, secure it with an elastic band, and smooth it out for a sleek finish.

27. High-braided Buns

Storm Reid gives the classic style a fun update by adding space buns to her cornrowed faux hawk.

28. Low sleek bun

Thandiwe Newton looks beautiful with small cornrows styled into a classy low bun. To create this look, smooth your hair back, gather it at the nape, twist it into a bun, and secure it with bobby pins or an elastic for a polished finish.

29. Colorful gradient

These ombre cornrows are a fun way to add pastel colors to your braids. The four braids use blonde, pink, and gray braiding hair to create a cool, multi-colored style.

30. Traditional cornrows

Jorja Smith wears simple, traditional cornrows using the usual braiding style and method. Section your hair into even parts and braid each section tightly along the scalp in straight or curved rows to have traditional cornrows.

31. Finger curls

Amandla Stenberg adds a classic finger wave to her braided updo. Apply curl cream to damp hair and curl small sections around your fingers, then let it air dry or use a diffuser for defined curls.

32. Platinum blonde Braids

Solange shows off her platinum blonde look with her hair styled in both cornrows and twists. Dye your hair platinum blonde and style it with both cornrows and twists to have this unique, bold hairstyle.

33. Hidden cornrows Braids

Taraji P. Henson rocks a bold half-up, half-down style with cornrows hidden on the sides of her head. Braid sections of your hair underneath the top layer, leaving the outer layer loose to conceal the braids.

Model Adit Priscilla looks stunning at Paris Fashion Week with her perfectly symmetrical cornrows and middle part. Simply divide your hair evenly down the middle and style as desired to create this look.

35. Straight-cut Bob

At the 2019 Oscars afterparty, Danai Gurira rocked a stunning braided bob, created by braiding her hair with Kanekalon hair and then cutting it into a blunt bob.

36. Uneven Ponytail

This uneven style is a great long-term protective option, though smaller braids may create more tension. Gather your hair into a ponytail with varying sections of different heights for a messy and uneven ponytail look.

37. Beads

Cornrows are not only a protective style but also hold deep cultural significance. Adding beads to braids continues the tradition of honoring the history of Black haircare, which dates back before the transatlantic slave trade. Historian Porsha Dossie notes that in the 1960s and '70s, beaded braids became popular as African-Americans used beauty to reconnect with their roots.

38. Heart-shaped, center part cornrows

Believe it or not, with the right braider, this unique cornrow pattern will be easy to recreate. To get Heart-shaped, center part cornrows, create a center part and have the braids shaped into a heart design on each side.

39. Thick cornrows with twisted rope

Janelle Monae's white-adorned cornrows show how simple it is to accessorize any style. Adding a string or ribbon can give it a colorful touch. You can create it by braiding your hair into large sections and twisting the braids into rope-like shapes for a bold and textured look.

40. Large cornrow fauxhawk

Cornrows and fauxhawks are a perfect combo, like peanut butter and jelly. The braided sections mimic shaved parts, and with a skilled braider, you can mix different braid styles for a unique, standout look.

FAQ

1. What are cornrows?

Cornrows are a traditional African hairstyle in which hair is braided close to the scalp in neat rows.

2. How do you make cornrows?

Use a comb to divide the hair into sections. Then, take each section, divide it into three parts, and start braiding. As you braid, add more hair from the scalp into the braid. Keep going from the top of the head to the bottom.

3. How long do cornrows last?

Cornrows can last 2 to 6 weeks. To keep them looking good, moisturize your scalp and wear a scarf or bonnet to bed. Try not to scratch or mess with them too much if you want to keep them neat for a long time.

4. How should you clean your cornrows?

To keep your cornrows neat without making them messy, mix shampoo, water, and a bit of oil in a spray bottle. Spray it on your braids and gently rub your scalp. Rinse, then do the same with conditioner and oil.

5. How much do cornrows usually cost?

The cost of cornrows depends on how long, thick, or detailed the style is, and the place where you are going. Usually, they cost from $80 to $300.