One of the most stylish hairstyles for natural and relaxed tresses, cornrows became popular for their versatility and fashionable look. However, they’re more challenging to do on your own unlike other braids and often require trips to the salon.
How Much Do Cornrows Cost? Many factors can add up to your braiding cost but expect to spend around $30 to $250 for your cornrows. If you’ll go for extensions, it can start from $80, but waist-length braids like Fulani and lemonade can reach up to $200. Men aren’t left behind when it comes to the trend, but theirs typically cost cheaper.
Why You Should Rock the Cornrow Hairstyle Now?
Cornrows are a protective hairstyle to give your hair a break from environmental stressors, heat styling, and chemical treatments. Apart from the traditional plaits from the hairline, they can also be personalized with intricate braids, interesting patterns, bold colors, and fun hair accessories. It’s the perfect look to add some individuality to your style!
How Much Does It Cost to Get Cornrows at the Salon?
Depending on the hairstyle, length of braids, and a number of cornrows, a good stylist can charge around $30 to $250. Expect it to be a bit pricier if you’re going for complex braid patterns such as zigzags, halos, maze-inspired plaits, and tattoo-inspired cornrows.
They typically take around 2 to 5 hours to complete depending on the length and design, but it can last around 2 to 6 weeks with proper management. Still, it’ll be all worth it since your hair will be protected and you won’t have to visit the salon for almost a month.
How much are cornrows with extensions?
Cornrows with extensions are always pricier around $80 to $250, but they tend to look more beautiful and fuller. Did you know most celebrities you see on red carpets are wearing hair extensions? It’s ideal for women who have fine and thin hair, adding texture, body, and length to the final look.
Both lemonade and Fulani braids can cost around $200, which is not surprising as they’re quite complex and super long. While lemonade braids are side-swept cornrows, Fulani braids are a mix of cornrows and box braids, and often accessorized with beads.
How much does it cost to get cornrows for guys?
Cornrows for men are typically cheaper than women’s cornrows, due to shorter hair and simpler braiding patterns. Price may vary by length and size, but typically it’s always cheaper around $25 and up. However, the number of braids and complex patterns will likely add up to the final cost.
Just to give you an idea, we’ve compiled the estimated cost of salon-worthy cornrows in NYC:
Simple cornrows (without extensions): $30 to $70
Cornrows with extensions: $80 to $250
- Less than 10 braids: $80
- More than 10 braids: $175
- Intricate cornrow design: $150 to $250
- Cornrow with single braid: $190 to $250
Jumbo Cornrows
- Less than 6 jumbo cornrows: $45 to $75
- Less than 10 jumbo cornrows: $85 to $120
Cornrow Updo
- 18-inch braid: $120 to $220
- 20-inch braid: $190 to $250
Kids cornrow (for ages 5-13)
- Without Extensions: $40 – $75
- With Extensions: $65 – $7
Men’s cornrow: $25 and up
Feed-in Braids: $40 to $150
- Two feed-in cornrows: $40 to $75
- Less than 8 feed-in braids: $100
- More than 9 feed-in braids: $150 and up
Lemonade Braids: $120 to $200
Fulani Braids: $200
How long should you keep cornrows in your hair?
Ideally, you can keep them around 2 to 6 weeks, especially if you have thin, brittle hair. Some with stronger strands manage to make their braids last up to 8 weeks, but it will likely cause strain to the hairline and scalp. More than that, bigger cornrows won’t hold that long compared to smaller ones. If you see new hair growth, it’s time to remove your braids.
How to Take Care of Your Cornrows—and Make Them Last
Cornrows might be a protective hairstyle, but you should continue your hair care routine to keep them healthy and shiny.
Keep your hair hydrated and nourished.
If you opted for cornrows with extensions, you must deeply condition since synthetic hair is quite drying for your strands. In fact, the longer you keep them, the more they’ll dry out your hair. Think of hair oils, serums, and masks with coconut, avocado, olive, jojoba, argan, or almond oil to keep your hair moisturized and healthy. Also, use a leave-in conditioner regularly.
Wash your hair once a week, and use sulfate-free hair products.
You should keep them clean for the duration of time you’d be wearing them. To make washing your cornrows easier, place the mixture of water, sulfate-free shampoo, and natural hair oil in a spray bottle. This way, you’ll make the application even, and avoid concentrating the product on your scalp. To prevent frizz, simply pat dry your hair with a towel.
Protect your cornrows with a silk scarf or satin pillowcase.
Bed linens and pillowcases tend to rub on your hair, especially if you’re a restless sleeper. You can minimize the friction with any silk or satin cover, as the fabric is gentler to your braids compared to cotton ones that soak up your hair’s moisture. To avoid breakage and split ends, wrap your hair in a headscarf or stocking cap.
Related Questions:
Should you include baby hairs in cornrows?
No! These hairs are delicate and incorporating them into plaits will only damage your hair follicles. If you want your cornrows sleek and neat, simply use an edge control gel or hairspray to tame your baby hairs and flyaway strands.
How to revamp the look in case I got bored with my cornrows?
Cornrows are incredibly versatile and the ways of styling them are endless. While topknots, space buns, and ponytails are the traditional styles, you may also experiment with chignon updo, braided mohawk, Bantu knots—or even accessorize them with chic accessories!
What are the signs that you need to take down your cornrows?
While protective hairstyles tend to last around 2 to 6 weeks, you might need to remove your cornrows earlier if you no longer feel great about the way they look. More than that, if your hair is tangling, ends are breaking and strands are getting drier, it’s time to remove your braids. Leaving them for too long will do more harm than good.