Ready to add a touch of Beyoncé-inspired flair to your hairstyle? Lemonade Braids, also known as side braids or cornrows, are not only stunning but also versatile and long-lasting.
This expert guide will walk you through everything you need to know to create these trendy braids at home. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your technique, we’ve got you covered with step-by-step instructions, essential tips, and the best products to use.
Get ready to turn heads and feel fabulous with your very own lemonade braids!
Method 1: Prepare your hair for lemonade braids.
Get your hair shampooed and washed
For all braiding techniques, a substantial wash procedure applies. Since braids appear to be worn for weeks at a time, you will want your hair clean before styling. To remove dirt, grease, and grooming ingredients from the hair and scalp, use a clarifying shampoo. Conditioner moisturizes the hair; focus on the ends, always the driest part.
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If it’s too dry for your shampoo, use it on your scalp. The shampoo passes through your hair as you rinse, gently washing the strands without losing all the moisture.
Your clean hair is deeply conditioned
From root to tip, apply your deep conditioner; let it stay for at least 20 minutes. This step gives your hair more moisture. In deep conditioners, certain additives will also help prevent water from leaving the strands as quickly, hydrating your hair longer. Using a conditioner with more protein if your hair starts to break off. This step adds a boost of strength to your locks.
Wear a heat-trapping shower hat. The heat helps the conditioner reach the hair shafts deeper, infusing even more moisture into your tresses, using a conditioner with more protein when your hair starts to fall off. This step gives a boost of power to your locks.
Wear a heat-trapping shower hat. The heat makes it possible for the conditioner to reach the hair shafts deeper, infusing even more moisture into your tresses.
With a wide-tooth comb, detangle your hair
Not only will it be easier to braid detangled hair, but it will also make the eventual task of removing the braids a little smoother. Gently start with detangling the ends of your hair with your wide-tooth comb. Move the strands slowly until you can run your comb smoothly from root to tip through your hair.
Starting at your scalp, risk reaching a massive knot while detangling and pulling out whole hair strands.
To avoid potential tangles, stretch your hair
Your hair sheds, and loose strands wind themselves into your hairdo as you wear braids. Pulling your hair so that it’s less curly or wavy eliminates the risk of nasty tangles later and makes it easier to manage your hair.
Read Also : Pre-Stretched Braiding Hair
You can use a blow dryer in a low heat environment, but repeated heat usage can cause hair harm.
Starting at your scalp, when detangling and pulling out whole hair strands, risk reaching a giant knot.
Method 2: Installing Lemonade Braids with Weave
With a rattail comb, build a segment of hair in the center.
Then, break the hair from temple to temple; this makes a part of the U-shape.[6] This part will later become a side bang. Use a scrunchie to tie up this part. Clip up the rest of your hair.
The comb will make your parts well-defined, but because you’re separating your hair, the lines might not be straight.
On the nape of your neck, make a horizontal section
Build apart from right to left by using the tail of your comb. The segment should have a width of approximately 1 in (2.5 cm), from nape to part. Until braiding, use a dime-sized amount of styling cream to moisturize the hair.
Start at your nape with a three-strand braid
On left side of the horizontal section you have created, start. Begin braiding normally to build the foundation, crossing strands for nine or ten stitches. Keep the stitches small; as you move from left to right, the braid will expand.
Do not pull on your roots too tightly. Hair breakage and headaches may result from excess stress.
Attach a part of the hair to weave while you braid
Between your left pointer finger and thumb, keep the braid so that the braid does not unravel. Take a part of tangled hair with your right hand and slip it between your left pointer and thumb.
The core of the weaved hair strands should contain your fingertips, not the ends. One end of the hair should be to the left; the other end should be right.
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Normally, Braid weaves your new hair with your natural hair
On the right strand of your natural hair braid, add the right side of the hair weave. In your braid, the left strand becomes part of the middle strand. To lock in the added hair, stitch the braid two more times.
Doing this alone without a mirror can be difficult, so be careful as you work.
To get the hang of hand positioning, practice the feed-in approach on a doll or a wig first.
Keep weaving your hair like a cornrow on the right side of your head
Include more hair for a complete appearance every 2 or 3 stitches. As the braid thickens, you will need larger bundles of added hair. Using an elastic band, tie off the braid.
Thick braids, especially if the hair is more coarse or textured, would likely remain in place on their own.
Repeat the parting and braiding process of a new segment
On the lower part of your head, let some of your hair down. Build a new piece of 1 in (2.5 cm) above the braid you’ve completed at your nape. Then your braid begins, and with every few stitches, you add new hair. Work up to the top of the head all the way.
- Remember to point from the left side of your head to the right side of your head.
- Try to add hair on the sides of your head every 7 or 8 stitches to keep things smooth rather than bulky.
- This could take several hours to do so, so if your arms or hands feel tired, take breaks.
Section the hair from crown to forehead for your bangs
You’ll have one part left in the front when you’ve done braiding most of your head. Start on the right with one section; clip the rest away. Stick to tiny pieces, close in size to the ones you have done.
Starting with a tiny cornrow near your crown, braid your bangs
Braid your hair down to your ears. Before you begin adding hair, the starter braid should be about ten stitches. Add hair like cornrows every two stitches. This step will build your forehead with a sweeping side fringe.
Cornrow the remainder of the segment until your bangs have been braided
You may use elastic on the ends when finished or decorate the braids for flair with hair beads. To seal them, you may dip the ends in hot water as well.
With these expert tips and step-by-step instructions, you’re all set to rock stunning lemonade braids. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be afraid to experiment and find your unique style. Share your fabulous results and inspire others to try this chic look.
Happy braiding!
