How To Prepare the Hair for Cornrows By Matthew Bennett

Cornrows are tiny strips of tightly braided hair. The braids are done close to the scalp and extend from the front to the back and from one side to the opposite side. Cornrowing is a braiding style that originated in Africa. But today, cornrows are a hit among Westerners, especially among the young people. Cornrowing is a time-consuming process. So if you want to have your hair in cornrows, you have to prepare your hair well to speed up the process and maximize its styling effect. Here’s how.

• Wash your hair. It is very important to wash your hair before having the cornrows. Shampoo your hair with the product of your choice, making sure to cleanse from the top and all the way down to the tip of your hair. The scalp particularly should be massaged with your fingertips. Never scratch the scalp with your nails, especially if yours are long.
• Rinse the hair. After a few minutes of massaging your scalp and cleaning the hair, rinse the hair with clean water. Remember to rinse well to remove all traces of shampoo that can potentially cause dandruff.
• Condition your hair. Conditioner will make the hair smooth and will prep it up for cornrowning. Leave it on hair for about three to five minutes and rinse thoroughly after. Make sure to use a conditioner that suits your hair type.
• Dry your hair. Make sure your hair is completely dry before doing the cornrows. Although some say it is better to leave the hair damp, it is much healthier for the hair if you dry it first. This is especially necessary if you are going to sew hair extension in the cornrows. Hair extension particularly makes damp cornrows stinky.
• Untangle your hair. Continuously comb the hair to remove the tangles and to condition it for the cornrowing process. It is best if you use fine-toothed comb. Remember to comb the hair as long as needed or until the hair is already smooth and tangle-free. Be gentle when combing, though. If you comb too hard, you might risking damaging the hair strands and the scalp.
• Apply oil. Oil will make your hair softer and manageable, making cornrowing a lot easier. You can apply any natural oil to the hair, but use only a small amount. To apply, simply put a few drops of oil in the palm of your hand. Rub your two hands together to spread the oil. Then run your hands through the hair, applying the oil to the top and base hair. Add more oil if your hair is especially thick and long. Comb your hair again to spread the oil to the hair strands more evenly.
• Decide how to part the hair. Cornrows are usually done vertically, but if you are going to sew synthetic hair in the cornrows, you need to part the hair horizontally. Talk to the salon attendant and tell her how you want the cornrows to look like.

Because cornrowing will take a while, you might also want to be prepared for the long hours you are going to spend in the salon. Bring books, magazines, or anything that will keep you preoccupied.

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