Fade
High Skin Fade with Straight-Back Cornrows
- Difficulty
- MASTER
- Hair Type
- 4B to 4C coily, high density
What it is
Cornrows are braided straight back from the front hairline to the crown, each row tight to the scalp and evenly spaced. Below them the sides are taken down in a high skin fade that starts bald behind the ear and blends up into the braided base, so the rows appear to float above bare skin. A stepped line-up frames the front. The braids stop where the fade begins rather than being carried down the sides.
Who it suits
Requires 4A to 4C hair with at least four inches of length and a healthy scalp, since tension is involved. Suits most face shapes; the straight-back direction elongates a round face. Fine or chemically weakened hair should avoid this, as should anyone with a history of traction damage along the front hairline.
How to ask for it
Ask for straight-back cornrows from the hairline to the crown, medium size and evenly parted, with the sides taken down in a high skin fade starting bald at the bottom and blending into the braided base. Say to line up the front hairline with a step at the temple.
Upkeep
Braids last two to three weeks; the fade needs redoing at two. Edges loosen first around the hairline. Oil the scalp between the parts and wrap at night.
