Things You'll Need:
- Light Essential Oil
- Butterfly Clips
- Small Rubber Bands
- Oil Sheen
- Bobby Pins
- Comb
- Detangling Solution
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Step 1
Gather all the necessary materials listed. Determine the correct size and directionality you want the cornrows to go. If you have a special design you want to do, draw it out on a sheet of paper before beginning.
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Step 2
With the comb, section the hair into 2 inch sections and apply the light essential oil to the scalp. Massage the oil through the scalp and hair. Create a panel by taking 2 even partings to form a neat row for the cornrow base. Use butterfly clips to help hold the hair out of the way after you have parted the hair into a panel. Divide the panel into three even strands making sure the strands are the same size for consistency. With your fingers close to the scalp, cross the left strand under the center strand. Now cross the right strand under the center strand. Passing the outer strands under the center creates the underhand cornrow braid.
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Step 3
Completing one revolution, or crossing under, pick up a new strand of equal size from the panel and add it to the outer strand before crossing it under the center strand. Pick up a strand from the scalp as you move along the braid panel and complete each revolution, adding it to the outer strand before crossing it under, alternating from one side of the panel to the other side as you pick up a new strand. Adding new strands to the cornrow will make it fuller. Continue to the end of the hair.
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Step 4
Hold the end in place and put a small rubber band around the end to secure it. In some instances, simply braiding to the end will finish the cornrow. You can use a singeing to finish the ends of the hair but it is not recommended as this damages the hair.
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Step 5
Continue braiding the panels until your design is complete, keeping the partings clean and straight. Apply oil sheen for a finished look to the braids.
