Fulani braids, a hairstyle that originated from the Fulani people of West Africa, have become a globally recognized protective hairstyle. They feature small to large cornrow braids in stunning patterns. Over time, Fulani braids have transformed into a modernized style, characterized by half cornrows and half individual braids.
Fulani braids are often mistaken for tribal braids since they share similar neat, cornrowed looks. However, tribal braids usually fall at the sides of the head, while Fulani braids face the back.
Fulani styles have been around for years, with new variations emerging daily without losing the roots of the original designs. Fulani braids are decorated today with beads, cowries, cuffs, and other embellishments. They are a go-to choice for their stylish yet low-maintenance nature.
Whether you like simple or dramatic looks, you can customize Fulani braids to match your taste. Thanks to diverse braiding hair colors, you can select shades that speak to you. Fulani braids take 2-6 hours, depending on their size, length, and intricacy. But no matter the time invested, the beautiful outcomes are worthwhile.
When you think you’ve seen everything Fulani braids can offer, prepare to be dazzled because in this post, we showcase 41 stunning takes on this iconic braided style.
1. Fulani Braids With Curls
Fulani braids with curls combine elegant cornrows with bouncy curls at the ends of the braids. Different curl patterns and methods can be used to achieve Fulani braids with curls. Depending on how tight or loose you want your curls to be, you can use different size ranges of flexi rods to create different curl patterns. To save time in the salon, pre-made curly extensions can also be fed into the ends of the braids. The curls can get frizzy or stiff over time, but you can refresh them by applying leave-in conditioner or mousse.
2. Ethiopian Fulani Braids
Just like the Fulani people loved small-sized and neatly arranged cornrow braids, this style was also common among Ethiopians. The Tigray hairstyle, known as a traditional Ethiopian braided hairstyle, also features some unique big braids that rise high from the roots of the hair. Therefore, Ethiopian Fulani braids combine both small and big cornrows, neatly done halfway through the head, and individual braids with the other half of the hair. Both Ethiopian and Fulani cultures prioritize accessorizing their hairstyles, so adding some beads or cowry shells can enhance the appearance of the braids.
3. Fulani Braids With Beads
Adding beads to the ends of your Fulani braids is always a perfect final touch! There is a wide range of bead colors, shapes, textures and styles that you can select from. Incorporating beads into your Fulani braids creates a balance in the overall weight of the hair. Whether you make your Fulani braids long or short, avoid using too many beads to prevent discomfort.
4. Fulani Braids With a Heart
Spread some love on Valentine’s Day or all year round by incorporating a heart design into your Fulani braids. This heart braids hairstyle involves creating Fulani braids and braiding a part of the hair into a heart shape. You can play around with positioning the heart design by placing it on any side of the hair or even on multiple sides. Depending on your preference, you can also make the heart shape big or small.
5. Flip Over Fulani Braids
Flip over Fulani braids recently came into the limelight and this style isn’t going out of fashion anytime soon. It is created by incorporating individual braids in between cornrows on both sides of the top section. The flip over effect comes into play because the individual braids on either side can be flipped to the opposite direction to make the hair look like it has a side part. Most people prefer to add curls to their Fulani flip over braids, so you can also consider doing that, to create a boho effect. Fulani flip over braids are a great choice because there is room for versatility when it comes to styling the hair.
6. Fulani Braids With Designs
If you want to spice up your Fulani braids, incorporating some designs can help you achieve that while expressing creativity. Designs can be in various forms – lines, shapes and patterns that range from simple to complicated. You can play around and experiment with different designs like zig zag, heart, criss cross, etc. Adding designs to your Fulani braids gives the style more personality and vibe.
7. Boho Fulani Braids
Going on vacation soon? Boho braids are a great hairstyle choice for a free and effortless vibe. The combination of neatly done cornrows and curly pieces creates a flowy yet well-put-together look. Boho Fulani braids are achieved by attaching curly hair pieces to the Fulani braids. Depending on your budget, there are varieties of curly extensions with different quality levels. Remember that no matter which curly hair option you choose, Boho Fulani braids generally require high maintenance. You need to properly care for the curls because they are easily frizzy or tangled.
8. Freestyle Fulani Braids
Freestyle Fulani braids allow you to explore endless options of patterns and designs. This style involves free-styling the pattern that the cornrow braids follow. Different designs, patterns, and braid sizes can be combined to achieve these freestyle braids.
9. Men’s Fulani Braids
Men are also embracing the Fulani braids trend. Men’s Fulani braids involve the same process of making cornrow braids at the front section of the hair and individual braids at the back section. Men’s braids styles are usually simple and do not require braiding extensions. So, if you are a man looking for a low-maintenance hairstyle to help save time on your daily routine, Fulani braids are a great idea.
10. Fulani Braids With Sew In
Fulani braids with a sew in replaces the individual braids usually done for regular Fulani braids, with a weave sewn onto the hair. The cornrows are maintained at the top section, combined with any weave of choice. There are various types of weaves – straight, curly, wavy etc., that can be used to achieve Fulani braids with sew in hair. The sew in method keeps the weave properly secure and keeps it in place for a long time.
11. Fulani Knotless Braids
Fulani knotless braids combine Fulani cornrow braids with a half section of individual knotless braids at the back. Creating knotless braids at the back section provides a foundation for the Fulani braids to lay flat and avoid bulkiness in the middle. With the knotless method, the braids become more flexible and allow for easier styling.
12. Fulani Twists
Fulani twists are a great alternative to regular braids. This style combines half cornrows with two strand twists at the end of the cornrows and back section of the hair. The twists are created by placing two strands of hair over each other to form a rope-like shape. The contrast between the braids and twists creates a new and unique dimension to the overall look of the Fulani braids. For more styles like this check out these twist braids hairstyles.
13. Medium Fulani Braids
If you don’t want to commit to small-sized braids, medium Fulani braids are created with medium-sized cornrows and individual braids. The braids are a perfect balance between small and large sizes. Remember that “medium” may be relative and mean different things to different stylists, but the braids are always somewhere between large and small.
14. Small Fulani Braids
If your aim is to get your Fulani braids to last longer than usual, you should definitely try small Fulani braids. As the name implies, small Fulani braids feature tiny braids all over the head. The benefit of this long lasting hairstyle makes up for the lengthy time it takes to achieve the look.
15. Blonde Fulani Braids
Blonde Fulani braids are no different from other styles of Fulani braids, but in this case blonde extensions are used. The blonde braiding hair adds a pop of color and light to the cornrows, making Fulani braids even more eye-catching. The Fulani braids should come out even better if your natural hair is also blonde. You can select from many shades of blonde to perfectly match your skin tone and natural hair color.
16. Large Fulani Braids
If you do not have a lot of patience but still want to join in on the Fulani braids fun, you can opt for large Fulani braids. Large Fulani braids feature large parts and thick sized braids all over the head. With the bigger parts and braids, you can save lots of time creating this style. Large braids look just as beautiful as any other size.
17. Short Fulani Braids
In short Fulani braids, the length can be between the chest and above the waist, offering both a stylish and convenient hairstyle. In addition to being convenient, shorter braids also tend to be cost-effective because they don’t require a lot of braiding hair. As with longer lengths, short Fulani also lend themselves to styling and adding beads or curls.
18. Fulani Braids With Bantu Knots
Fulani braids and Bantu knots are traditional hairstyles, and combining them guarantees you the best of both worlds. Fulani braids with Bantu knots feature knots that stand upright from where the cornrows stop. The back section can either have individual braids or Bantu knots too. Depending on how thick you make the Bantu knots, you may experience some discomfort while sleeping. But as the saying goes – beauty is pain! Fulani braids with Bantu knots are not very common but worth trying to get you out of your hairstyle comfort zone.
19. Side Part Fulani Braids
Side part Fulani braids involve creating a part at either side of the head and making cornrow braids around it. A side part can create a different angle and shape for the Fulani braids. Side parts can be created as a straight line, diagonal, or even a C-curve. When making side part Fulani braids, the side part is usually created first, so it can serve as a foundation and guide for how the braids should be placed.
20. Fulani Braids With Curls In The Back
Fulani braids with curls in the back feature half Fulani cornrows and half curls in the back section. The curls can either be installed by sewing a curly weave or crocheting curly extensions at the back. Curly extensions come in different lengths, colors and patterns you can choose from to fit your personal style. Adding curls at the back of the Fulani braids instantly creates more volume in the overall hairstyle.
21. Fulani Braids with Afro Puff
If you’ve been looking for new and exciting ways to wear your natural hair, try Fulani braids with an afro puff. This style involves creating cornrows at the front of the hair and leaving the remaining half to flourish as an afro puff. The ends of the cornrowed section should be left unbraided to blend seamlessly with the afro texture. Small elastic bands can be used to secure the hair where the cornrows stop.
If your natural afro doesn’t have enough volume or you have permed hair, you can still mimic an afro puff by installing kinky textured extensions at the back of the head. You can also freestyle the cornrow section and add accessories to make this style even more beautiful.
22. Criss Cross Fulani Braids
A criss cross design is created by placing one cornrow over the other to intersect in a diagonal form. Criss cross Fulani braids feature this criss cross pattern at the cornrowed section of the Fulani braids. It is crucial to maintain flat braids by feeding in smaller pieces of braiding hair, so that the criss cross design doesn’t become bulky at the points where the braids intersect. With the right technique, Fulani criss cross braids are straightforward and not too complicated to achieve. Overall, criss cross braids are stylish pattern to incorporate into Fulani braids.
23. Feed In Fulani Braids
Feed in Fulani braids are made using the feed in technique of gradually adding hair to a braid, to achieve a certain volume. Feed in braids are supposed to look flat and natural, so you must add small pieces of braiding hair to avoid bulkiness. The feed in technique is a great way to add more volume and length to your hair while maintaining a natural look.
24. Fulani Braids Bob
The Fulani braids bob is perfect for when you want a classy and straightforward hairstyle to rock. It is achieved by cutting Fulani braids, usually around the neck or shoulders, and creating a bump at the ends. A braided bob never goes out of style because it fits most face shapes and does not require much maintenance. While the Fulani braids bob may not offer many styling options, you can always count on it to be convenient and pretty.
25. Red Fulani Braids
Red braids are a perfect option if you like bold hair colors. This hairstyle is created by adding red hair extensions while braiding the hair. Red is a very vibrant color that comes in different shades you can use for your Fulani braids. Prepare to make a statement if you plan on getting this distinctive style!
26. Middle Part Fulani Braids
Making middle part Fulani braids starts with parting a straight line at the center of the head. The middle part leaves you with two sections where the cornrows are usually made, and the back section has individual braids—creating Fulani braids with a middle part results in a symmetrical look that generally fits most face shapes nicely. A middle part is usually the go-to for a simple look, but some designs can still be incorporated to make your Fulani braids look extra stylish.
27. Fulani Braids on Natural Hair
Fulani braids on natural hair are created without using any added extensions. This is a simple and stylish way to wear your natural hair while keeping it protected. Add some beads to the ends if you feel Fulani braids on your natural hair are too simple. If you have hair that curls up easily in braids, adding beads helps balance weight and keep the braids straight.
28. Long Fulani Braids
Long Fulani braids involve making Fulani braids in longer lengths, usually starting from the waist and below. They require the same process as any other Fulani braid style but with added length. Long braids may require more braiding hair than usual and take more time to install than shorter lengths. With long Fulani braids, you can explore more versatility with styling options.
29. Fulani Braids With Bangs
Adding bangs to Fulani braids is like putting the icing on a cake! It completes the whole look. Fulani braids with bangs feature a fringe that usually falls on the forehead, combined with half cornrows and individual braids at the back of the head. The bangs can be in the form of individual braids, cornrow braids, or curly pieces. They can also fall directly on the forehead or both sides of the face. Bangs are a great way to add flair and dazzle to your Fulani braids.
30. Fulani Braids With Quick Weave
Fulani braids with a quick weave combine beautiful cornrow patterns at the top of the head with a quick weave at the other half. It is similar to Fulani braids with a sew-in, but the method used to install the weave differs. A quick weave is installed by using glue to attach the weft of a weave to a wig cap that has been sewn down to the natural hair. To keep the weave in place, it is essential to blow dry the parts glued to the wig cap. This method lives up to its name because it takes less time to install than a sew-in.
31. Peekaboo Fulani Braids
Peekaboo braids are hairstyles where a section with a different color is partially revealed underneath the major section of the braids, which is in another color. Peekaboo braids allow you to mix and match different colors for your hair. Choose contrasting colors to make the perfect combination for your Fulani braids.
32. Zig Zag Fulani Braids
Zig zag Fulani braids involve braiding the cornrow section from side to side to create a zig zag pattern. The process starts with creating straight-line parts and making zig zag braids around them. Some straight cornrow braids can also be placed in between the zig zag braids to make them more stylish. You can finish it up by adding some curls and dramatic baby hairs.
33. Ombre Fulani Braids
Ombre Fulani braids involve using ombre braiding extensions to create Fulani braids. Ombre extensions are pre-made extensions with two or more colors that gradually fade into one another. Ombré Fulani braids can also be custom-made by feeding in two or more different extension colors as the braid progresses. Ombré braids styles are a fun way to mix and match different colors in one hairstyle.
34. Brown Fulani Braids
If you want to try a different color from black braids and are not ready to opt for bright or bold colors, brown braids are a perfect choice for your Fulani braids. Brown is a subtle color that creates the ideal shade balance for your Fulani braids. The color number of this style is 30, but there is a range of brown color shades you can choose from to make your Fulani braids.
35. Fulani Braids With Rubber Bands
Fulani braids with rubber bands are created using only small elastic bands to mimic cornrows at the top section. The hair is usually parted into small sections, held by the rubber bands at different intervals. The rubber bands can be arranged in different patterns, but a criss cross design is most common. If you want a brighter look, you can replace the regular black rubber bands with colored ones.
36. French Curl Fulani Braids
French curl Fulani braids involve adding French curl braiding extensions to create Fulani braids. A French curl Fulani braid will have curly ends that bring more interest to the look. French curl extensions are also naturally silky, so you must use a strong grip to braid the cornrow section. If the hair is too slippery, you can improvise by using regular braiding hair to start the cornrows and finish with the French curl extensions.
37. Stitch Fulani Braids
Stitching refers to a method whereby horizontal lines are closely arranged while braiding. Stitch Fulani braids involve using the stitch method to create the cornrow section. With stitch braids, more scalp is visible, resulting in a neater appearance. However, it may take more time to achieve because precision is required to create neat stitches. Stitch Fulani braids can also be created in different sizes and lengths.
38. Fulani Braids With Zig Zag Parts
Say goodbye to boring or basic straight-line parts by switching them up with zig zag parts. Fulani braids with zig zag parts involve parting the hair with diagonal zig zag lines and making the cornrows follow the pattern created with the lines. “Zig zag Fulani braids” and “Fulani braids with zig zag parts” differ because the latter is more about the parts. The zig zag parts create the foundation and serve as the pattern for the braids to follow.
39. Fulani Braids with Passion Twists
Fulani braids with passion twists combine neat cornrow patterns with fluffy twists at the back of the hair. The cornrow section also stops halfway, and the ends are finished up with passion twists. Replacing the regular braids with passion twists is a great way to add more volume and style to your Fulani braids. The only downside is that they may not last as long, but if you’d like to stretch out the timeframe, you can create smaller parts.
40. Fulani Braids With Barrel Ends
Adding barrels to a braided hairstyle is not something you see very often. Adding barrels to Fulani braids especially offers a different and unique dimension to the hairstyle. The barrels are created by taking the ends of the Fulani braids and twisting them upwards to create a knot-like form. Incorporating barrel ends into your Fulani braids creates more volume and makes the hair look fuller.
41. Fulani Braids With Shaved Sides
Fulani braids with shaved sides is an edgy and unique hairstyle for people who have some parts of their hair shaved and still want to explore braid styles. The section of hair that isn’t shaved is made into half individual braids and half cornrows. Some beads can also be added to the ends of the Fulani braids to elevate the whole look. If your hair grows very fast, you may need to trim the shaved sides to keep them maintained while the Fulani braids are still in. If you like this style, check out more braid styles with shaved sides.
