Fulani braids, a hairstyle that has its roots in West Africa’s Fulani community, have gained worldwide recognition as a popular protective hairstyle. These braids showcase intricate patterns, ranging from small to large cornrows. As time has passed, Fulani braids have evolved into a contemporary style, incorporating a combination of cornrows and individual braids.
There is often confusion between Fulani braids and tribal braids due to their comparable neat and cornrowed appearances. However, one key distinction is that tribal braids typically form at the sides of the head, whereas Fulani braids are directed towards the back.
For years, Fulani styles have remained a popular choice, constantly evolving with new variations while still staying true to their original designs. Today, Fulani braids are adorned with trendy embellishments like beads, cowries, cuffs, and more. These braids are highly sought after due to their fashionable appeal and ease of maintenance.
Whether you prefer a more subtle or bold look, you have the freedom to personalize Fulani braids according to your own taste. With a wide range of braiding hair colors available, you can choose shades that resonate with you. The time it takes to create Fulani braids can range from 2 to 6 hours, depending on the size, length, and intricacy of the style. However, regardless of the investment of time, the stunning end results are always worth it.
Get ready to be amazed because in this blog post, we present 15 breathtaking variations of Fulani braids that will leave you in awe.
Table of Contents
1. FULANI BRAIDS WITH CURLS
Fulani braids with curls are a stylish combination of sophisticated cornrows and playful curly ends. To create this look, there are various curl patterns and techniques that can be employed. If you desire tighter or looser curls, you can utilize a variety of flexi rod sizes to achieve different results. Additionally, to cut down on time spent in the salon, pre-made curly extensions can be incorporated into the braid ends. Over time, the curls may become frizzy or rigid, but by applying leave-in conditioner or mousse, you can easily revitalize their appearance.
2. ETHIOPIAN FULANI BRAIDS
In both the Fulani and Ethiopian cultures, a particular type of braided hairstyle was highly favored. The Fulani people, as well as the Ethiopians, adored having small and perfectly arranged cornrow braids. Moreover, Ethiopians had their own unique braided style called the Tigray hairstyle, which included large braids that stood tall from the roots of the hair. Consequently, Ethiopian Fulani braids were a combination of both small and large cornrows. These braids were meticulously crafted halfway through the head, with individual braids adorning the other half of the hair. Both Ethiopian and Fulani cultures placed great importance on accessorizing their hairstyles. By incorporating beads or cowry shells, the overall appearance of the braids could be enhanced.
3. FULANI BRAIDS WITH BEADS
Enhancing your Fulani braids with beads is a flawless way to complete your hairstyle! There is a vast selection of bead colors, shapes, textures, and styles for you to choose from. The addition of beads to your Fulani braids helps create a harmonious balance in the weight of your hair. Whether you opt for longer or shorter Fulani braids, it is advisable to avoid excessive bead usage in order to avoid any discomfort.
4. FULANI BRAIDS WITH A HEART
Spread love on Valentine’s Day or throughout the year by adding a heart design to your Fulani braids. This heart braid style consists of incorporating a section of the hair into a heart shape while creating the braids. You have the freedom to experiment with the placement of the heart design, whether on one side of the hair or multiple sides. Additionally, you can choose to have a larger or smaller heart shape depending on your personal preference.
5. FLIP OVER FULANI BRAIDS
Fulani braids have recently gained a lot of attention and are definitely not going out of style any time soon. This trendy hairstyle involves adding individual braids in between cornrows on both sides of the top section. The unique flip over effect is achieved when the individual braids are flipped in the opposite direction, giving the illusion of a side part. Many people choose to add curls to their Fulani flip over braids, creating a boho-inspired look. The best thing about Fulani flip over braids is the versatility they offer in terms of styling options.
6. FULANI BRAIDS WITH DESIGNS
To elevate the appeal of your Fulani braids, infusing some artistic elements can serve as a catalyst in both augmenting your aesthetic and showcasing your inventiveness. Possessing a broad spectrum, designs can span from straightforward to intricate, encompassing a myriad of forms such as lines, shapes, and patterns. By venturing into the realms of experimentation, you can freely explore an array of designs like zig zag, heart, criss cross, and many others. The inclusion of designs in your Fulani braids truly bestows the style with a distinctive charisma and distinctive aura.
7. BOHO FULANI BRAIDS
Planning a getaway? Opting for boho braids is a surefire way to effortlessly exude a carefree vibe. By skillfully intertwining cornrows with curly strands, you can effortlessly achieve a breezy yet polished appearance. To achieve the sought-after boho Fulani braids, simply attach curly hair extensions to the Fulani braids. Depending on your budget, a wide selection of curly extensions with varying levels of quality is available. It is important to note, however, that regardless of your preferred curly hair option, maintaining boho Fulani braids necessitates considerable upkeep. Properly tending to the curls is crucial as they are prone to frizz and tangling.
8. FREESTYLE FULANI BRAIDS
Freestyle Fulani braids offer an array of possibilities for unique patterns and captivating designs. This innovative style gives you the freedom to create custom patterns for your cornrow braids. By combining various braid sizes, designs, and patterns, the possibilities for achieving eye-catching freestyle braids are endless.
9. MEN’S FULANI BRAIDS
The trend of Fulani braids is not just for women, as men are also embracing this stylish hairstyle. Men’s Fulani braids involve similar steps to women’s, with cornrow braids created at the front of the hair and individual braids at the back. The beauty of men’s braids styles lies in their simplicity, as they do not require the use of braiding extensions. If you’re a man seeking a hassle-free and time-saving hairstyle for your daily routine, then adopting Fulani braids is a smart move.
10. FULANI BRAIDS WITH SEW IN
Fulani braids with a sew in hair technique provide a fresh twist to the traditional method of individual braiding. Instead of the usual approach, this style involves sewing a weave onto the hair. The cornrows are still maintained at the top, but now they are complemented with a chosen weave of your preference. Whether it’s straight, curly, or wavy hair, there are numerous weave options available to achieve stunning Fulani braids with sew in hair. What sets this technique apart is its ability to securely hold the weave in place, ensuring its durability for an extended period.
11. FULANI KNOTLESS BRAIDS
Fulani knotless braids bring together Fulani cornrow braids and a partial section of individual knotless braids in the rear. Incorporating knotless braids at the back portion establishes a sturdy base for the Fulani braids to lie smoothly and prevent any excessive volume in the center. Utilizing the knotless technique enhances the adaptability of the braids, making them simpler to style.
12. FULANI TWISTS
Fulani twists offer a fantastic alternative to traditional braids, adding a fresh twist to your hairstyle. This particular style incorporates half cornrows along with two strand twists positioned at the end of the cornrows and at the back of the hair. The twists are formed by intertwining two strands of hair, resulting in a charming rope-like appearance. The combination of braids and twists in the Fulani braids creates a striking and one-of-a-kind visual appeal. To explore further variations of this style, be sure to explore a collection of twist braid hairstyles.
13. MEDIUM FULANI BRAIDS
For those who are not ready to commit to tiny braids, you can opt for medium-sized Fulani braids. These braids are achieved by incorporating medium-sized cornrows and individual braids. They strike a perfect balance between the small and large sizes. It’s important to note that the definition of “medium” may vary among stylists, but rest assured that these braids will always fall somewhere in between the larger and smaller sizes.
14. SMALL FULANI BRAIDS
To achieve a longer-lasting effect with your Fulani braids, it is highly recommended to opt for small Fulani braids. As the name suggests, this style consists of numerous tiny braids spread throughout the entire head. Despite the time-consuming nature of creating this look, the advantage of its exceptional durability definitely compensates for the effort.
15. BLONDE FULANI BRAIDS
Blonde Fulani braids are just as fabulous as any other type of Fulani braids, with the only distinction being the incorporation of blonde extensions. These blonde braiding strands bring a vibrant burst of color and luminosity to the cornrows, elevating the allure of Fulani braids to another level. If your own hair is already naturally golden, the results of this hairstyle will undoubtedly be even more stunning. With a wide array of blonde shades available, it’s easy to find the perfect match for your skin tone and natural hair color.
