Feed in Braids Styles With Natural Hair

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Cornrows are an essential part of Black culture and the history of Black hair globally. The technique can incorporate various patterns and styles while the hair is braided under and against the scalp. Cornrows are considered a protective style because they're low maintenance, low manipulation and make it easy to care for textured strands and protect them from heat, dryness and breakage. They are also the foundation for other styles. Cornrows are commonly worn underneath lacefront wigs (Tyra Banks is known for her love of a lace front and wearing cornrows underneath to protect her natural hair).

It's reported that cornrows are the oldest hairstyle in history and the braiding technique has been around since about 3000 BC. Despite various languages, cultures and national identities, Black people around the world wear cornrows, and for many getting your hair braided is a rite of passage.

Sadly, as beautiful as cornrows are, cultural styles have been regulated for centuries. Despite the history of policing Black hair, during the 1960s and 1970s with the wave of the Black Power era came the first mainstream natural hair movement in the United States. It was an attempt to reclaim history and to reject a Eurocentric beauty standard. Many turned to wearing their hair in afros, dreadlocks and cornrows.

These stunning cornrow hairstyles celebrate natural hair, textured strands and the people the style originates from. Below, you'll find scalp braids that incorporate other hair trends (like top knots and ponytails), as well as some outfitted with beads, charms and other accessories to help inspire your next look.

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Cornrows with a Texas Twist

Houston native Beyoncé adds her own flair on this gorgeous style while accessorizing with an oversized hat, black sunglasses and jewelry.

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Storytelling Braids

Alicia Keys has been a lover of cornrows and experimented with various braiding patterns, techniques and styles like this one. Throughout history, there have been anecdotal claims of braiding patterns being used by those enslaved in the Americas to create road maps to freedom.

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The Top Knot

In 1963, Cicely Tyson made television history by being the first woman to be seen with cornrows on screen, and she became the first Black woman to have a recurring role with her performance as Jane Foster on East Side, West Side. Cicely's historical top knot continues to inspire Black women and stylists today.

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Off the Shoulder

Actress Serayah rocks an off-the-shoulder look on the red carpet.

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Mid-Length Braids

Rihanna's mid-length cornrows were braided with a unique pattern to complement her 2019 British Fashion Awards look.

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Braided Crown

Just because cornrows are one of the oldest hairstyles to date doesn't mean you can't change things up. Yara Shahidi looks dazzling in her galactic braided crown.

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Plaited Space Buns

This style isn't just reserved for the runway. You can wear these low buns every day for a unique and totally gorgeous look.

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Gray Scale Braids

If you're looking to start experimenting with color, these Fulani braids incorporate both black and gray kanekalon hair (braiding hair) to create a stunning look. (FYI: Fulani braids are named after the Fula people of the Sahel region in Africa.)

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High Pony

Naturi Naughton rocks cornrows with a high ponytail and charms.

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High Space Buns

Storm Reid takes a youthful twist on the classic style by incorporating space buns into a cornrowed faux hawk.

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Sleek Low Bun

Thandiwe Newton stuns in small-sized cornrows and an elegant low bun.

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Beads

With cornrows being both a cultural and protective hairstyle, incorporating beads into braids is a continuation of embracing the history of Black haircare, which predates the transatlantic slave trade. According to historian Porsha Dossie, during the 1960s and '70s, beaded braids increased in popularity as African-Americans used beauty as a way to reconnect with their heritage.

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Colorful Ombre

These ombre cornrows are a perfect way to incorporate pastels into your braided style. The four braids here include blonde, pink and gray kanekalon hair (braiding hair) to achieve the multi-colored look.

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Asymetrical Ponytail

This asymmetrical pattern is a perfect long-term protective style, though smaller braids have the potential to cause more tension.

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Blunt Bob

For the 2019 Oscars afterparty, Danai Gurira went with a beautifully braided bob, which was achieved though braiding the hair with kanekalon hair and later cutting the braiding hair into a blunt bob.

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Middle Part

Model Adit Priscilla stuns during Paris Fashion Week with her symmetrical cornrows and middle part.

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Classic Cornrows

Jorja Smith wears classic cornrows with both the common braiding style and technique.

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Center Jewel

Erica Ash incorporates a center leaf charm and beads in her Fulani braids.

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Half Up, Half Down

Fashion influencer Ellie Delphin struts down the streets of Paris with a flawless half-up, half-down hairstyle.

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A Crown of Cowrie Shells

French influencer Paola Locatelli stuns in her seashell look. Per the National Institute of African American History and Culture, cowrie shells were used as a form of currency throughout Africa, Europe and Asia. Throughout the continent of Africa, they were used not only as a form of currency but as charms of protection.

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Blonde Feed-in Braids

Jasmine Sanders, a.k.a. Golden Barbie, is wearing feed-in braids with blonde kanekalon hair. The feed-in braid style incorporates braiding the hair strand by strand while cornrowing.

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Hot Pink Bun

If you're looking for a wow factor effect, this hot pink bun is it.

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Faux Hawk

Yaya DaCosta wears her hair in a fauxhawk with the sides of her hair braided tightly and small to give the illusion of a shaved head.

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Bubble Gum Pink

These bubblegum pink Fulani braids incorporate baby pink kanekalon hair to create a bright off-the-shoulder look.

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Micro-Sized Braids

Supermodel Alek Wek brings together the popular middle part and microbraids.

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Peek-a-Boo Braids

Taraji P Henson wears hidden cornrows on the sides of her head with this fierce half-up, half-down hairstyle.

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Charmed Fulani Braids

Alicia Keys incorporates hair cuffs into her classic Fulani braids.

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Source: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/hair/g38686018/cornrow-hairstyles/

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