An “afro with braids in the front” is a hairstyle that combines two classic elements—an afro (full, natural textured hair) and front braid sections (such as cornrows, feed-ins, or small plaits) that frame or cover the temple/forehead area. Here’s what you should know:
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Why an Afro With Braids in the Front Style Works
- It gives structure up front while maintaining volume and texture in the back. The front braided area keeps hair off the face and can provide a neat outline, while the afro gives fullness and expressive texture.
- The braided front can help manage the hairline and edges, which is important for natural hair, particularly for tighter curl patterns.
- It allows for creative parting and design: the braids can be straight back, side-swept, zig-zag, or curving, giving visual interest.
Styling an Afro With Braids in Front: Details
Braids in front
- The braids (often cornrows or stitch-braids) are placed at the front of the head—either across the forehead, at the temples, or from the hairline back about 1–2 inches.
- They should be neat and comfortable: avoid excessive tension at the hairline to reduce risk of traction damage.
- The braiding pattern can be simple straight lines, criss-cross, or curved for a more artistic look.
- Use a good edge control or smoothing product around the hairline if you want a sleeker finish, and apply some light oil or serum to the scalp to keep it healthy.
Afro volume in the back
- Once the front section is braided or wired, the remainder of the hair is left out in an afro shape. This can be shaped with a pick or by finger-styling.
- Moisturize and define curly/coil texture in the back so that the hair looks healthy, defined and full. A light cream or curl-activator can help.
- If you like, you can fluff the afro up for extra volume, or keep it more controlled for a professional finish.
Face-shape & hair-type considerations
- This style suits most face shapes. For round or fuller faces, the braids at the front can give the illusion of elongation if styled with vertical parting or upward-moving braids.
- For short to medium natural hair (4a-4c texture, or loosely curled 3b-3c) this works well because you get texture and volume without relying on extensions.
- If your hair is very fine or relaxed, you may need some added volume (via pick-out, extension, or flair) to get the afro portion to stand out.
Maintenance & care
- Keep your scalp clean and moisturised, especially where the braids sit. The tension and styling put an extra load on that area.
- At night, cover the hair with a satin/silk scarf or bonnet and use a satiny pillowcase to reduce friction, which helps preserve both the braid part and the afro shape.
- For the afro section, you can refresh it by lightly spraying water + leave-in conditioner, then picking it out softly to restore volume.
- Typically, styles like this can last two to four weeks depending on hair growth and maintenance. After that time, the braid front may look grown out and the afro may need reshaping.
Variations to try
Half-braid front: Only braid one side or the front half, leaving more of the afro visible—creates asymmetry and visual interest.
Braided Front Hairstyles for Black Hair
Frontal Braid Hairstyles
Simple Front Braid Hairstyles for Black Hair: Halo Braid Hairstyles for Black Hair
Photo credits: @PearlTheStylist_, @Hair_I_Am757, @GazaGirl100, Dionne Smith, @BraidsByTlo, Destination Beauty Holdings, Anne Elise Hair & Wigs