Types of Weave or Cornrow Hairstyles for Women: Find your perfect Nigerian hair style as a black woman for 2011

Weave hairstyles and cornrows have always been popular among black women. There are two basic types, weaves with hair extensions and weaves without hair extensions.

The major advantage of using hair extensions is that you can add extra length to your hair.

The weaves done with hair extensions last longer than those done with just your natural hair. The weaves without hair extension are usually simple cornrows.

Although this sounds simplistic, it is not as there is a very wide variety in the weave hairstyles. You can choose short weaves or long weaves, sultry or demure, plain weaves or weaves mixed with braids.

In addition there is a very wide choice of colours for hair extensions which lets you express your self. And all these choices are before you even choose the weaving style.

After the weaving, which I 'll get to in detail below, you can accessorize the hair style with beads or pieces of bone and ivory.

It is almost impossible to get bored if you choose weaves as your hairstyle of 2011. You can go from short straight hair to shoulder length curly weaves in a matter of hours while maintaining an ethnic look.

There are two ways to look at it - do you stick to something similar to your usual hair do.

In that case you if you have shoulder length dark hair, you put in shoulder length braids using extensions of about 6inches,

Or do you go all out and have something daring and totally different like having golden 14 inches extensions put in.

Take a look at these basic types of Weave Hairstyles

Medium Weaves Hair style: This is your best choice if you want something that will last for a long time and is easy to manage. The medium weave hairstyles (8-10 inches extensions) are very versatile.

It is long enough to be pinned up or tied in a pony tail and short enough to be left flowing free without falling all over.

Long Weaves Hair style: This hair style gives a relaxed and feminine look. You can use it if your hair is short and you want a change.

A simple way to give it an edge is to put in corn rows in front with the weave at the back. This way it doesn't fall all over your face.

It is prettiest left free cascading down your back. You will need to restrain it most of the time while working.

Short Weaves Hair style: These give you an instant sassy look. The hair style lifts and moves as the wind blows making you look artistic and creative.

The major advantage is that with all the wear and tear and constant motion, this weave does not last very long.

If you have long hair and want to change your look with this hairstyle, then weave your natural hair and sew or glue on then extensions.

Curly weaves Hair style: Putting in curly extensions is one sure way to change your look. Although most of us black women have somewhat curly hair, it is difficult to manage if left untouched and the curls are lost with the use of chemical straighteners.

The curly weaves are easy to manage as they fall into place even after been blown about ( or rather they look good despite being disheveled)

You need a long time, a goodly sum of money and a good hair stylist to get in the weaves and braids hairstyles properly. So you will need to keep t fresh for as long as possible especially if this will be your 2011 look. So I put together some of the tips that help me maintain my style.

• Try out a look with a cheaper hair extension before splurging on Indian or Brazilian hair.
  
• Always get your hair done by a professional who understands hair tension and types of hair to avoid damage.
• Using glue to attach the extensions is the fastest way to get your new look but could cause excessive damage on repetition. The most dangerous part is taking of the glued extension. make sure the glue is properly wetted with oil and water before you start to tug.
• Minimize the use of hot air dryers while you have the glue in the hair.
• Moisturize your scalp often with oil moisturizers while you have the wave hairstyle on.
  
• If you notice a lot of hair loss around the glued rows or on your hairline, give it a break and use wigs for a while.
• When you remove a weave, take a few hours out to pamper the hair. Steam it with products containing protein and organic oils before putting in another weave.
  

So these are the basics of weave hairstyles for 2011.

Look through the pictures, identify a professional and get the type of weave hair style you like. You can also look at vintage hairstyles for black women if you need further inspiration.

Remember to oil regularly and stop if your hair shows signs of damage.