YankeeCandle
New Member
I would like to compile everything you know about cornbraids/cornrows for newbies considering getting their hair cornbraided for the first time. I would like it to include a focus on professional stylists for those who cannot braid themselves or who do not live near friends or family who can braid.
Here are some questions I think would be very helpful to me and other newbies. Please feel free to add your own questions/answers, too.
I will periodically compile the answers and edit them into the original post (unless you know of a better way to digest the info).
THANK YOU!
____________________________________________
How is price determined--by time and labor of stylist, by length of hair, etc?
a. Price is usually pre-fixed based on style and cost of hair (if not purchased beforehand)
How much can people expect to pay for full cornrows (without extension hair and with extension hair) on Ear Length, Shoulder Length, Armpit Length, and Bra Strap Length (and any other lengths)? ** you can list prices from any country, just include the currency type.
a. Anywhere from $30-$70 depending on length.
Pros and cons of using extension hair mixed in with your own?
a. -- Pros: the tension of adding extensions stimulates growth, they last longer looking neat, and your own hair protected
- Cons: some people have allergies to synthetic or human hair pieces, costs more
Is it better for one's hair to be wet, slightly damp, or completely dry, and why?
a. completely dry hair for me ... after I part out the section to be cornrowed I add a pea sized amount of grease or WGO (which is free from lanolin, mineral oil and petroleum), and then cornrow my hair ... gives it a bit of slip and makes it easier to cornrow right to the end
b. I say, as a braider, that for natural hair, its better slightly damp because its easier to comb and the braid ends up looking sleeker. For extensions, I prefer dry hair because there is no slip.
Is it better for natural hair to be pressed straight first or left tightly coiled or curly, and why?
a. well my hair is relaxed but I think it would be better for tightly coiled hair to be blowdried or stretched
b. Leave it alone. No need for heat. It can be combed or brushed out.
Any special tips for coarse hair?
a. No but its the best hair for braiding IMO. Maybe make sure its well moisturized before braiding and combed through, and be careful removing so it doesnt break.
Any special tips for fine hair?
a. cornrowing fine hair is a task
b. Dont get anything too tight and dont use too much extra hair. Some styles will look spacey with gaps because of the fine hair unless its dense.
Any special tips for natural tightly coiled or "z-patterned"?
a. Be careful with combing and pulling and the hair can break easily.
Any special tips for natural looser or wavier curl patterns?
a. Cornrows dont always look that great on straighter hair IMO, but I'm biased lol Sometimes using a curling wax helps the braids hold tighter and stay frizz free longer.
Any special rules for relaxed hair?
a. Moisturise every morning and night. Tie hair down at night because silky relaxed hair tends to get fuzzy quickly. If you have textured relaxed hair then 'rows would be able to last longer
b. I dont think so. I braid relaxed hair all the time.
What tips or tricks do you have for getting the stylist to respect your edges and to NOT BRAID TOO TIGHT? (e.g. putting one finger on the edge/start of braid while the stylist braids).
a. Other people don't cornrow my hair because once i feel my edges being pulled I say stop and thank you for your time. However .. my sister did it once and I applied castor oil to my edges and spotted water on it for one day and it loosened up
b. Whenever you get extensions, I recommend doing that. Also telling your stylist you cant handle it being too tight and STOP her if she isnt listening to you. You are paying her, so you are in control. Sometimes stylists dont know whats too tight
Is it okay for hair health to leave hair out in the front or is it better to braid it all?
a. I think you should do what you want based on style. I'm sure leaving the front out helps the edges, but IMO, the side edges get jacked up the worse and not sure if that would look all that great.
Are there specific names for any type of braiding patterns--e.g. swirling long hair around the head so that it all fits under a wig? –
a.
If the braids are uncomfortable just after the braider finishes, what can you do to relieve the pressure (short of taking them all out??)
a. See above
b. Oh I recommend getting some steam like in a hot shower or steamer or sauna. Sometimes that loosens it up a bit. Even a warm cloth might help.
If at all, how to moisturize hair and scalp while in cornbraids?
a. I use my glycerin spray and spray all over ... scalp /roots , cornrows and ends
b. Oils directly on the scalp or something like lite sulfur 8 if u have dandruff issues
If at all, how to wash hair and scalp while in cornbraids?
a. I apply the shampoo directly on the dry scalp and sprinkle some water on it for lather ... then i use my nails and scrub my scalp and squeeze the rows. Then after rinsing, I apply conditioner all over and put on a shower cap. Rinse .. and tie down right after the last rinse
b. I dont recommend it because I dont recommend leaving cornrows in for more than two weeks. But if you do, wear a stocking cap and wash through that. Some people use the water-less shampoos but those have too many chemicals. If your scalp is dirty, take a warm rag and gently wash off your scalp with your hands. You can also use astringent like Sea Breeze to remove dirt and cleanse daily or every other day.
Tips for minimizing fuzz and frizz?
a. spray with a liquid moisturiser and tie down immediately
b. tie your hair up at night and wear a bonnet under hats or lined hats only
Tips on taking out one's braids. ...
a. i just take them out ... nothing special there
b. Gently and with care, use a rattail to pick out the ends and then your fingers to unravel. Dont snag or jerk.Sometimes wetting them or using oils creates more slip.
Here are some questions I think would be very helpful to me and other newbies. Please feel free to add your own questions/answers, too.
I will periodically compile the answers and edit them into the original post (unless you know of a better way to digest the info).
THANK YOU!
____________________________________________
How is price determined--by time and labor of stylist, by length of hair, etc?
a. Price is usually pre-fixed based on style and cost of hair (if not purchased beforehand)
How much can people expect to pay for full cornrows (without extension hair and with extension hair) on Ear Length, Shoulder Length, Armpit Length, and Bra Strap Length (and any other lengths)? ** you can list prices from any country, just include the currency type.
a. Anywhere from $30-$70 depending on length.
Pros and cons of using extension hair mixed in with your own?
a. -- Pros: the tension of adding extensions stimulates growth, they last longer looking neat, and your own hair protected
- Cons: some people have allergies to synthetic or human hair pieces, costs more
Is it better for one's hair to be wet, slightly damp, or completely dry, and why?
a. completely dry hair for me ... after I part out the section to be cornrowed I add a pea sized amount of grease or WGO (which is free from lanolin, mineral oil and petroleum), and then cornrow my hair ... gives it a bit of slip and makes it easier to cornrow right to the end
b. I say, as a braider, that for natural hair, its better slightly damp because its easier to comb and the braid ends up looking sleeker. For extensions, I prefer dry hair because there is no slip.
Is it better for natural hair to be pressed straight first or left tightly coiled or curly, and why?
a. well my hair is relaxed but I think it would be better for tightly coiled hair to be blowdried or stretched
b. Leave it alone. No need for heat. It can be combed or brushed out.
Any special tips for coarse hair?
a. No but its the best hair for braiding IMO. Maybe make sure its well moisturized before braiding and combed through, and be careful removing so it doesnt break.
Any special tips for fine hair?
a. cornrowing fine hair is a task
b. Dont get anything too tight and dont use too much extra hair. Some styles will look spacey with gaps because of the fine hair unless its dense.
Any special tips for natural tightly coiled or "z-patterned"?
a. Be careful with combing and pulling and the hair can break easily.
Any special tips for natural looser or wavier curl patterns?
a. Cornrows dont always look that great on straighter hair IMO, but I'm biased lol Sometimes using a curling wax helps the braids hold tighter and stay frizz free longer.
Any special rules for relaxed hair?
a. Moisturise every morning and night. Tie hair down at night because silky relaxed hair tends to get fuzzy quickly. If you have textured relaxed hair then 'rows would be able to last longer
b. I dont think so. I braid relaxed hair all the time.
What tips or tricks do you have for getting the stylist to respect your edges and to NOT BRAID TOO TIGHT? (e.g. putting one finger on the edge/start of braid while the stylist braids).
a. Other people don't cornrow my hair because once i feel my edges being pulled I say stop and thank you for your time. However .. my sister did it once and I applied castor oil to my edges and spotted water on it for one day and it loosened up
b. Whenever you get extensions, I recommend doing that. Also telling your stylist you cant handle it being too tight and STOP her if she isnt listening to you. You are paying her, so you are in control. Sometimes stylists dont know whats too tight
Is it okay for hair health to leave hair out in the front or is it better to braid it all?
a. I think you should do what you want based on style. I'm sure leaving the front out helps the edges, but IMO, the side edges get jacked up the worse and not sure if that would look all that great.
Are there specific names for any type of braiding patterns--e.g. swirling long hair around the head so that it all fits under a wig? –
a.
If the braids are uncomfortable just after the braider finishes, what can you do to relieve the pressure (short of taking them all out??)
a. See above
b. Oh I recommend getting some steam like in a hot shower or steamer or sauna. Sometimes that loosens it up a bit. Even a warm cloth might help.
If at all, how to moisturize hair and scalp while in cornbraids?
a. I use my glycerin spray and spray all over ... scalp /roots , cornrows and ends
b. Oils directly on the scalp or something like lite sulfur 8 if u have dandruff issues
If at all, how to wash hair and scalp while in cornbraids?
a. I apply the shampoo directly on the dry scalp and sprinkle some water on it for lather ... then i use my nails and scrub my scalp and squeeze the rows. Then after rinsing, I apply conditioner all over and put on a shower cap. Rinse .. and tie down right after the last rinse
b. I dont recommend it because I dont recommend leaving cornrows in for more than two weeks. But if you do, wear a stocking cap and wash through that. Some people use the water-less shampoos but those have too many chemicals. If your scalp is dirty, take a warm rag and gently wash off your scalp with your hands. You can also use astringent like Sea Breeze to remove dirt and cleanse daily or every other day.
Tips for minimizing fuzz and frizz?
a. spray with a liquid moisturiser and tie down immediately
b. tie your hair up at night and wear a bonnet under hats or lined hats only
Tips on taking out one's braids. ...
a. i just take them out ... nothing special there
b. Gently and with care, use a rattail to pick out the ends and then your fingers to unravel. Dont snag or jerk.Sometimes wetting them or using oils creates more slip.
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