Just when you think you’ve tried all the African braids in the world, another comes up on your bucket list—Fulani braids.
Like every attachment hairstyle, this coiffure is beautiful and versatile. Perhaps, it’s why Alicia Keys is known to wear it. And she isn’t the only star who loves to don these braids.
Cicely Tyson (RIP), Rihanna, Beyonce, Justin Skye, Solange, Willow Smith, and every other A-list star of black descent have blessed magazine covers and social media timelines with pictures of themselves rocking Fulani braids.
If you, too, want to join the list of beautiful women who rock this gorgeous hairdo, you’ve come to the right place.
You’ll find the best Fulani hairstyle we curated just for you in this post. Read on as we dive in.
What are Fulani Braids?
As the name implies, this hairstyle originated from the Fulani people of West Africa. It features cornrows and box braids. As described on Byrdie’s blog, it looks like this:
“A cornrow braided down the center of the head, one or a few cornrows braided in the opposite direction toward your face just near the temples, a braid wrapped around the hairline, and often accessories, such as beads.”
Fulani braids come as updo or all-back cornrows. The distinct feature lies in the way the cornrows are carved on the head (curvy) and the box braids that drape down the side of the head.
They’re versatile as you can have them long or short, black or any other color of your choice.
To add more deets, these braids thrive on hair accessories such as cowries, gold cuffs, and beads. It’s been that way since the beginning of its existence and the trend of beautifying with accessories isn’t going extinct anytime soon.
Apart from adorning a woman’s head, this hairdo also offers more importance.
For instance, it symbolizes African origin. And this is good closure for blacks in diaspora who want to uphold their African heritage. Furthermore, back in the day, it represented wealth, religion, social status, or marital status.
How Long do Fulani Braids Last?
These braids can last up to three to five weeks. As expected, it depends on how you maintain them.
Also, you shouldn’t wear them longer than six weeks lest you should lose your edges in the process.
Which Hair Extension is Good for this Coiffure?
Two types of hair extensions work best for Fulani braids. They include attachment and wool. You can use them in any color of your choice.
How Long Does it Take to Install Fulani Braids?
Like every attachment hairstyle, this style takes hours to install. However, this depends on how dense your natural hair is and the intended size of your braids. From prepping the extension to installing it and applying the necessary trims and products for a good finish, it takes time.
But you can play your own part by prepping your natural hair before your salon appointment and turning up early enough for your hairstylist to finish everything before dusk.
How to Style Fulani Braids
Add beads, gold or silver cuffs, cowries, and other hair accessories to your braids. They adorn your coiffure and make you look more attractive.
You can also tie a scarf or headband if you want, and manipulate your braids into different styles such as a donut or double bun as you rock them each day.
Also, don’t forget to style your baby hair with edge control for a sexy, girly finish.
Types of Fulani Braids
1. Long Fulani Braids
Long braids are always beautiful. The way they drape down your back as you walk is a sight to behold. Go for this style if you have enough hair extensions to achieve your desired length.
2. All-Back Fulani Braids
As the name implies, this style goes all the way to the back. Though to add more accents, your hairstylist may add two braids by the side so it dangles around your face.
3. Updo Fulani Braids
This is a variation of all-back braids. Only that it’s made into a ponytail as typical of shuku hairstyles.
4. Cornrows with a Base
This fulani cornrows is like other styles mentioned in this post. They could be shuku or all-back. The only difference is that it comes with something extra: a few short cornrows that fall toward the forehead.
Adding base to your braids further adorns your hairstyle.
5. Colorful Braids
Don’t wanna use the usual black extensions? Not a problem at all. Just go for any bright color that suits your taste.
Colorful fulani braids aren’t so common. Thus, they’re a great way to command attention.
6. Fulani Braids with Hair Out
This style involves braiding the front part of your hair and leaving it to blend with unbraided hair behind.
You can achieve this with weaves or afro hairstyles.
7. Fulani Braids with Beads, Cowries, or Cuffs
Just add beads, cowries or little cuffs to your braids once they’re ready. That’s what this type of fulani braids entails.
8. Mid-Length Fulani Hairdo
If you don’t want your braids long enough to reach or go beyond your waist, keep it right at your shoulders or just below it.
9. Fulani Braids with Curls
If you have no beads available, ask your stylist to curl the ends of your braids. It’s a great move for adding more deets to your hairdo.
10. Half-Up, Half-Down
This style is similar to the hair-out fulani braid technique. The difference is that instead iof leaving unbraided hair out, you braid the hair below as cornrows or box braids (half down) and braid the one above into updo cornrows (half up).
Fulani braids are versatile African braids. And they aren’t limited to the types mentioned above. Feast yur eyes on some more:
